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CONTAINING 



Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent 
and Representative Citizens of the County, 



TOGETHER WITH 



PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS, AND 
OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHICAGO: 
CHAPMAN BKOTHERS, 

1887. 



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HAVE completed our labors in writing and compiling the Portrait and Bio- 

jRAPHiCAi. Album of this county, and wish, in presenting it to our patrons, to speak 
briefly of the importance of local works of this nature. It is certainly the duty 
of the present to commemorate the past, to perpetuate the names of the pioneers, 
to furnish a record of their early settlement, and to relate the story of their progress. 
The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age, and this solemn duty which 
' ^ men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity, 

deni md that a record of their lives and deeds should be made. In local history is found a power 
to uistiuct man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe 
vcisel m which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this region from its 
Wwn^ puimtive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly tiie noble men, who in their vigor and prime 
(W|a came early to the county and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to their 
graves. The number remaining who can relate the history of the first days of settlement is 
becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of his- 
torical matter witliout delay, before the settlers of the wilderness are cut down by time. Not only 
is it of the greatest importance to render history of pioneer times full and accurate, but it is also essen- 
tial that the history of the county, from its settlement to the present day, should be treated through its various 
phases, so that a record, complete and impartial, may be handed down to the future. The present the age 
of progress, is reviewed, standing out in bold relief over the quiet, unostentatious olden times; it is abrilliant 
record, which is destined to live in the future; the good works of men, their magnificent enterprises, theii 
lives, whether commercial or military, do not sink into oblivion, but, on the contrary, grow brighter with age, 
and contribute to build up a record which carries with it precedents and principles that will be advanced and 
observed when the acts of soulless men will be forgotten and their very names hidden in obscurity. 

In the preparation of the personal sketches contained in this volume, unusual care and pains were 
taken to have them accurate, even in the smallest detail. Indeed, nothing was passed lightly over or treated 
indifferently ; and we flatter ourselves that it is one of the most accurate works of its nature ever published. 
As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the portraits of numerous represent- 
ative citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of to-day, as well as the pioneers, represented 
in this department; and we congratulate ourselves on the uniformly high '-haracter of the gentlemen whose 
portraits we ])resent. They are in the strictest sense representative men, and are selected from all the call- 
ings and professions worthy to be given. There are others, it is true, who claim equal prominence with 
those given; but of course it was impossible for us to give portraits of all the leading men and pioneers 
of the county. We are under great obligation to many of the noble and generous people of this county 
for kindly and material assistance in the preparation of this Album. 



Chicago, August,]! 887. 



CHAPMAN BROTHERS. 



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HE Father of our Country was 
i'), horn in Westmorland Co., Va., 
'Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
l)een satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John \Vashington, em- 
igrated to V^irginia about 1657, 
and became a prosiierous 
planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had tliree children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of Ceorge, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of si.x children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, Jo'.in Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the i)arental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, when he received private instruction in 
mathematics. His spelling v/as rather defective. 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physical 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was i4yearsoldhehad a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 1751, though only 19 years of 
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
ce[ited, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. 



The 



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GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most important part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from tiie calamities of the 
day with life and lionor. The other aids of Braddock 
were disabled early in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says : "I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveling, my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

.^fter having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and im])ortant part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

\Vhen the British Parliament had closed the port 
of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if [xissible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 
<■ =- — . 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army 10 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He- 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection with public life. 

In February, 1789, Washington was urianimously 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the pari 
of other governments; trials from want of harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owmgto the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sintcing at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these i)reiiarations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military hoix)rs to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of W.ashington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the ojierations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have been able to ch.Tllengc 
the reverence of all parties, and princii)les, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiftil symmetry. 
He commanded respect without any appearance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull. 



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SECOND PRESIDENT. 



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OHN ADAMS, the second 
['resident and llie first Vice- 
President of the United States, 
was born in Braintree ( now 
Quincy ),Mass., and about ten 
miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
735. His great-grandfather, Henry- 
Adams, emigrated from England 
alwut ".640, with a family of eight 
sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of slioemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
"school of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this l>y what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
of the operations of which he had l)een a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- 



tions he offered on the subject became very ix)pular 
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocates of the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself 
l)y his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against the 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the committee of five 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on Adams devolved tlie task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife, 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in ."Xnierica; and greater, perhaps, never was or will 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, show* 
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JOHN ADAMS. 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. You will think me transjxjrted 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, th;it it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which 1 
ho[)e we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
delegate to France and to co-ojjerale with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, wjio were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
T779. In Septeuiber of the same year he was again 
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Hritian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such pioposels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Holland, wliere he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams irad passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to go to England to drink the waters of 
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddespond- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip. 

February 24, 1785, Congress ap]X)inted Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of .St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. ,\dams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought jjermission to return to 
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In r796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President, though not without much opposition. 
Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by 
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was upon this point which he was at issue wuh 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
in their struggle, for he had no conlidence in their 
IX)wer of self-governnrent, and he utterly abhored the 
classofatiieist philosoi>hers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French |)eople. Hence or 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon org;ii.- 
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of paity feelir.g 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that ju^t 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he h:ul done and suffer'..il, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the pul)lic good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which com])leted the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
jiendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. hwA, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his l)ed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
DF.PKNnF.NCE FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, liy the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at ore o'clock, re- 
signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 

The personal ajipearance and manners of Mr. 
.^dams were not ])articularly piepossessinp . His face, 
as his ])ortrait manifests.was intellectual ard expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of \\'ashington, ncr 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 



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THIRD PRESIDENT. 



27 





HOMAS JEFFERSON was 

^ burn April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
; i#well, AU.'ciniarle county, Va. 

His parents were Peter and 
lane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and tlic latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
a"e. In 1760 he entered William 
and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fasliion 
aad splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat e.spensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such iiil1aences,that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved liy some un- 
cxpUiined inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted filteen 
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight af a mile out 
of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
high inlellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 



-4^ 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of liis profession he rose raiiidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonics, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and higb.ly accomplished young widow. 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there 
was a majestic swell of land, caMed Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a m.msion of modest yet 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Cclonial Congress, 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed upon a number of important committees, 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This corn- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 



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28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



■ 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to tlie world, free, 
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable ])apers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, ;.s Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the Britisii officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elai)sed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by tliis excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 17 S3. 
Two ye us later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. I, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
amljition, this extraordinary man formed tlie plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. yefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from [xjlitical life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and uix)n the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he liid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hos[)itality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 
<■ ^ ^ 



sary of the Declaration of .'\merican Inde|)endence, 
great preparations were made in every |)ait of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of \Vashington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duralion, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under wliith 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the ne.\t 
day, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he e.vpres.ied the earnest wish that 
he might be permitted lo breathe the airof the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble cor.suniniation of a noble 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day which his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a wliole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record liis life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred sjiirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand tliey had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desp^er- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for the good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In i)erson Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage; and his command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were sim[)le and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at" his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquit) . 



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FOURTH PRESIDENT. 



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AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution," and fourth 
1-?' President of the United States, 
was born March i6, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
^ June 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that heroic period of our 
\\, country during which the founda- 
tions of this great repubhc were 
aid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to be called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
mding upon the shores of the Chesa- 
l)eake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
lames Madison was an opulent 
jlanter, residing upon a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
[lohtical attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from tlieir early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which emljellished and gave proficiency to his subsf" 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, nnd his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mmd 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his taith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(r777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the E.xecutive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 



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32 



JAMES MADISON. 






i 



intcllecUial, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to iiis subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Coujiress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our hind, ar.d he was iutmediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous jjositio'is among them. 

For three years Mr. JMadLscn continued in Con- 
gre-is, one of its most active and influential members. 
In tne year 1784, his term having ex|)ired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inelticieiicy of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
wliich would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be forjned. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
earned a resolution through tf.e General Assembly of 
Viiginia, inviting the other .States to ai)point connnis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Anna|<olis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn u|) 
by Mr. Madison, urgmg all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 17S7, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the jdace 
of tliat Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time a[iix3inted. K.very .State but Rhode Island 
was represented. Ceorge Washington was chosen 
president of the conventior. ; and the i)resent Consti- 
tution ot the United States was tlien and there formed. 
'I'here was, |)erhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the ])en of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acce|)tance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little ]X)wer at home aiid little respect 
abroad. Mr. Ma(li^■on was selected by tne conven- 
tion to draw u|) an address to the people of the United 
States, exp<ninding tl.e princiijlcs of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great op|)osition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 17 89. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in tlie first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader ot the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable jxjwer of fascination, 
whotn he married. She was in person and character 
(|ueeiily, and probably no lady has thus far occu|)ied 
so protninent a position in the ve<^' peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of ■ State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 
<• „ 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
our Hag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, reliimg 
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roitr>c(_l. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an .Vinerican shif) brought 
to, upon theoce.in, by tlie gui.s uf an English cruiser. 
A young liealenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any mnnber whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them do\in the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, tlic 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the Biilish cabii.et to relin(]uish. 

On the 1 8th of June, 18 12, President Madison gave 
his ai;i)ioval to an act of Coiigress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large m.ijoritv, 
and e itered upon his second term of offi e. 'I'his is 
not the [)lace to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
l)ling with the most formidable [jovver which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commer.ced in earnest 
l>y the appearance of a British fleet, early in Febniaiy, 
18 1 3, in Chesapeake Hay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast ot the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor ot Russia offered iiis services as me 
ditatt)r. America accepted; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patu.vet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
])eake Bay, and marched rapidh, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at I'.hulensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metro|X)lls. The whole populaticn fled from the city. 
'I'he Presideiit, leaving Mrs. Mailison in the While 
House, with her carriage dtawn \\\^ at the door to 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war He met owx troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of being 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
Mansion, the Capitol, ar.d all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, 18 15, the treaty of peace was signed at Cdient. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
offivC expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at ^fontpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 



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FIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 





priQES n]oi]itOE. 








AMES MONROE, the fifth 
.Fresidentof The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. AV'hen, 
at t; years of age, in the process 
of completing his education at 
\Villiam and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate upon the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
oilliat celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
scliool and enlisted among the patriots. 

H ■ joined the army when everything looked hoije- 
less and gloo;ny. The number of deserters increased 
liom d.iy to d:iy. The invading armies came pouring 
ill ; .iiiil the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
clifficulty and danger, the United States owe tlieir 
|)olitical emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and es|xDUsed the cause of his injured coimtry, 
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 



•►-■-^ 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in tlie mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and Wliite 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four munths 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the Icfl 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was ino- 
moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined tlie army. He, however, 
receded from the line of ])romotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 177S, in the actions of P.randy- 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to n.-gain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green l):ig; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a \(ilun- 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 1782, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that 
body he was elevated to a seat in the E.xecutive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and airtitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good. 



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36 



JAMES MOA^ROE. 



V 



lie was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
the Congress of the United States. 

Deeplyas Mr. Monroefelt the imperfections of the old 
■JJonlcderacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
';hinkiiig, with many others of the Republican parly, 
that it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
sa[)porters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 17S9, he became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sym|)athized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much jjower to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike nol)le men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than Jolin Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all (rvecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of tlieir antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibriimi. And yet each in liis day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Boud)ons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality lie- 
tween these contending jiowers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured. Col. .Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's ])roclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could apnreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Goverimient to the Republic of France. Mr. 
\ Monroe was welcomed l>y the National Convention 
V I in France with the most enthusiastic demonstration: 






-4^ 



Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three )eais. He was again sent to France to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which F'rance had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Tneir united efforts were sue 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire terrUory of Gileans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably the largest t.-anstc-r of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to Englarid to ob- 
tain from that country some rctogniiion of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This lie soon resigned 
to accept the [josilion of Secretary of Stale under 
Madison. While in this i')ffice war with Engkind was 
declared, the Secretary ot War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of the War Department 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of 
peace he resigned the I)ei)artment of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of Stale until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- 
tion held the [jrevious autumn Mr Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but liille opposition, and 
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the im[>ortanl measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the Lfnited States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not wi^h 
to have Euro])ean powers longer attempting to sul)- 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should (onsider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any otlier light than as a manifestation liy European 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
States." This doctrine imniediatel) affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the apjiroved 
sentiment of the United .States. 

At the end of his fecond term Mr Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in 
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831. 



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SIXTIi PRESIDENT. 



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3O5I] Qnil]6Y ^D^IIQS. 





OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of the United 
iyStales, was born in the rural 
home of his honored father, 
John Adams, m Qiiincy, Mass., 
^r;^, on the I ith cf July, 1767. His 
moliier, a woman of exaUed 
worth, watched over his childhood 
during the ahiiost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of sge, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great l.)at- 
tlc on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his fattier for Europe, 
through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
hi-i f ither was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
I he notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
John ()uincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
a|)]ilied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to study; then accompained his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in .Amsterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
years of age, he was selected l)y Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 

In tills school of incessant labor and of eiiobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland thiough Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This k-ng journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father vo 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance 
with the most distinguished men on the Continent; 
examining arcliitectural remains, galleries of paintings, 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross the human mind. After 
a short visit to P^ngland he returned to Paris, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar with the eti(piette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to complete his education 
in an American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent support. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty, 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was ininiediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
(iieat Philian. After thus spending a fortnight in 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. ^\'hile waiting he was mairied to an 
American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in I,ondon ; 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. 



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JOHN QUINCY. ADAMS. 



V 



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He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
filled all the puriwses of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after liis return, in 1S02, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massat:husetts, from Uoston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March^ 1804. His reputation, his 
al)ility and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most promment and influential members 
of that body. E-;pecially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded JelTerson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated Jolm 
Qiiincy Adams minister to St. Fetersuurg. Resign- 
ing his professorsiiip in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins; to 
the climate and astronomical observations; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an importai t 
part ot his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately api)ointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the 
iSth of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Ouincy. During the eight yearsof Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr. .\dams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of oflice, new candidates began to be presented 
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. .\dams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
the past history of our country than the abuse which 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more ui. scrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate m his habits; alwa) s ri.-,ing 
early, and taking mutli exercise. \\ hen at his Lome 1.1 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breaklasl. 
seven miles to Boston. In VV'aslungton, it was ;;aid 
that he was the first man up in'the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in hi^. library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, iVIr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded liy Andre.v 
Jackson. John C. Caliioun was elected Vice Pre.->i- 
dent. The slavery question now began lo assume 
l)ortentous magnitude. Mr.' Ad..ms retuniL-d lo 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he A^as not long permilletl lo re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected rei^reseniative lo Congress. For seventeen 
years, until liis death, he occupieu the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever .eady lo 
do brave battle' ior freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat iu 
the House, he announced that he i-hoiild hi. Id him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He w.is usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last lo 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought ft)rward and escape his scrutiny. 'I he 
battle which Mi. Adams fougl.t, almost singly, against 
the [iroslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
iu Its moral daiing and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of sUuery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the Honfe, with assassination 
but no threats could intimidate him, and liis final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President .'Vdams, that when his 
body was lient anti his hair silvered bv the lapse of 
fourscore yeais, yielding to the simple f.iith of a little 
child, he was accustomed toreiieat every night, before 
he slept, the prajer which his mother tau|.ht him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2 ist of February, 1S4S, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address tlie 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by jiaraly- 
sis, and was caught in tlie arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
said " This is llu- oui of eartli .-"then after a moment's 
pause he added, "/«;// content" These were the A 
last words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent." J 



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SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



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NDREVV JACKSON, the 
seventh President of tlie 
United States, was born in 
VVaxhaw settlement, N. C, 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
ttactive. 

When only thirteenyears old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
17S1, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a [jrisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and which probaljly soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
mother was successful in obtaining their e.xchange, 



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and took her sick boys home. After a long illness 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supported hirnself in various ways, such as 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 17S4, when he 
entered a law office at .Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 17S8, he was appointed 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
witli tlie .Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Cireat was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditionsof the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knowille to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new State was entitled to but one memlcr in 
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 



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44 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



sessions, — a distance of about eiL;ht liundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated iMigland. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat. Gen. Washington, whose 
Second term of office was then e.\pi:ing, delivered his 
last speech lo Congress. A committee drew up a 
com|)limentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of tlie address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not jvilling to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
" wise, fnm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after lie was chusen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held for si.x years. 

When the war of i8r2 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occu|)ied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron B.irr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, wlio 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred u[)on him. Just at that time (ien. Jackson 
offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack r.pon New Orleans, where (ien. Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
expedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden o[)inions; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of "Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Henton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
lingering uiion a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tccumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 

'I"he Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the liendsof thcTallauoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men. Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The liend 



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of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres ot 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable brea.st- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormetl. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of ([uarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored- to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some' threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and esca[)ed. This ended the war. The 
power of the Creeks was broken forever. 'I'his bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with itsterriftic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands ca.ue to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late "in .\ugust, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault The battle was long and doubtful. .\t length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troojis, which luimbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the ]3rilisli army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thiiteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 18 28, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most memorable 
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, 
condemned Iiy the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 
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EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 



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ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
eii;hth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
place, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
al)Out halt way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbour.ded by shrub or flower. 

Tliere is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of rL,rnantic interest. He fouglit no battles, engaged 
in n ) wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
iwlitical and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to tlie banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

Hj wis decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he bad not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were required of him 
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
spending six years in an office in his native village, 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one yeais of 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the Ijeginning a politician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
cause of State Rights; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led htm, 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tlie 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years, 
constantly gaining strength by contending in the 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weei) over 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In 1812, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous su[iport to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the .State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 



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48 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



the moral courage to avoiv that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
goverr.ing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic princiiiles, he contended that, while the 
jiath leading to the (jtivilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some propert) interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 1S21 he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In tlie 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1.S27, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. \'an Buren was re-elected to 
the Senate. He had been from the Ijeginning a de- 
termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
"State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat iu the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chnir, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
It was su|)posed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pidl all 
the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
organize a [lolitical army which would, secretly and 
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said that he outv/itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. \Vebster, and secured results which 
lew thought then could be accomplished. 

Wiij 1 .Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
a[)poii?ted Minister to England, where he went the 
same auttimn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apjiarently untroubletl ; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
Senate which hdd refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his reinidiated favor- 
ite; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the L'nited States He was 
elected by a handsome majority, lo the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, ' the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had 'conferred 
upon him the power to appoint a successor. ' 

His administration uas filled with exciting events. 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery ipiestion, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which si)read over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re election. 

AViih the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the " Free S.iil " Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived ipiietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a [irudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his uncpiestioned 
]iatriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, -se- 
cured to him not only the h image of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van lUiren retired from 
the ijresidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon iheiiolilics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1S62, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoy iig in a healtliy old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 



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NINTH PRESIDENT. 



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ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Ikrkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, w as early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was consijicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of tlie 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
_)Oth candidates for the office of 
s|>eaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
i William Henry, of course enjoyed 

in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school education, lie 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Ul)on the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
position. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called '' The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap- 
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times appointed to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About 



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WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching 
Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tt)sscd the tree-tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, 
in the superstitious minds of tlie Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
tlie Hermit rousing Europe to the cfusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and innuired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
cam [iment, lie took every i)recautiou against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon tlieir arms. 

'I'he troops threw themselves ui)on the ground for 
rest; but every man had iiis accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayoriet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
tlie desperation which superstition and [lassion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with g\nis and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
ims yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troo))s stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing the foe. 
<■ 



\ 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can ■ 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in ilie 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conllagra- 
tionof the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison comuiander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the posilioii, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers liy always sharing 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was earned in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, supjied with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
liefore the fire, without bread or salt. 

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was wilh 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
(^hio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Scnaie. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brouglr. him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency ag;iinst 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-noniirated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nomiiialeil 
by the \Vhigs, with John Tyler forthe Vice Presideiu y. 
The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which any President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the i)rospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4tli of A[)ril ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States, 



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0-fi/n^ 




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TENTH PRESIDENT. 







1 r 



OHN TYLER, the tenth 
residentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted hini- 
selt with great assiduity to the 
study of huv, partly with his 
father and [lutlywith Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
:[ J commenced the practice of law. 
Js His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said tliat three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
I et of the court in which he was 

not retained. AVhen luit twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General Govern- 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His iiopularily secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, tliLii re[)resented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
poiiularily to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. i\Ir. Tjler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. There was a split in the Democratic 



»»■ J i ■» 



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JOHN TYLER. 



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i" 



party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the cuUure of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
took his scat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the North: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own.? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare.' This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 

incor])oration of a fiscal bank of the United States. 

The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 

his veto. He susisiested, however, that he would 

<■ 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately .submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. AH the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the Whigs and I'resident Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabmet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Wiiig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled witli murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. iVIore and more, 
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, tothe regret of neitherparty, and 
probably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, PresidentTyler wasagain married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful liome, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with niformalion from 
hooks and experience in the world, and jmssessing 
l.irilliant powers of conversation, his fanrily circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient 
moans for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have eirjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, arid joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 
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ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



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59 




i 



\ AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 

'|;'jiPresident of the United States, 

was born in Mecklenburg Co., 

N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 

. „, ents were Samuel and Jane 

(K.nox) Polk, the former a son 

of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 

at the above place, as one of the 

first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1006, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
' gradually increased in wealth until 

he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he miglit not be able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 181S, with the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
jjarty friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump, 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 



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[AMES K. POLK. 



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courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the jo)s and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackson, to the l^residency of the United States. 

In January, 1S24, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., 'I'enn. His bride was 
altogether worlliy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1S25, Mr. I'olk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the tact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1 1S39, he was con- 
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
onjy that he might accept the (nibernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

Durinnfive sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Si)eaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk[)er- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
l)as3ed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1539. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic parly, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1S45, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
llie country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
left the coimtry, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message, President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediatel;', by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which coininanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of "observation," then of "occupation," 
then of " invasion," was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feelile Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brongr.t on. 

'Tcithe victors belong the si)oils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
]\Iexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twentv thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with j\lrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as thougli long years 
•of tranc[uility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the i5tli of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 



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TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



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63 



|C:r.T^ ^VXVT---\- V- \ A \-A 





■\-\SV-\^^\\M\M 



^^fUC^I^f fA.Yj^f 1. 







4 



ACHARY TAYLOR, Ivvt-lfth 
I'resident of the United States, 
was born 011 the 24th of Nov., 
i7<S4, in Orange Co., Va. His 
father. Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
;J> tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with liis 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
its refinements, yjung Zachary 
could enjoy hut few social and educational advan- 
ta"es. When si.x years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Lidians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood u:i his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 180.S, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Odeans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 1S12, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles .ibove 
Vincennes. This fort had been Iniilt in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 
<• 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 181 .r, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and ;ilumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident tliat their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down ; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until si.x o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages then, baffled at every point, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fo.x River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no iii- 
' ■ ■► 



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ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



TF 






tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
had promised they should do. The services rendered 
here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government ; and as a reward, he was elevated 
to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of sucti wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
and was stationed over the Department of the .South- 
west, This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
from tl>e world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imixjsed upon him. 

In 1846, (Jen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio (Jrande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Me.xicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred u|X)n Gen. Taylor, and his name 
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of M( mterey and 
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. . 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
\k\& sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

The tidings of tlie brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
Whig party decided to take advantage of tliis wonder- 
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
rlaring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
who had been long years in the public service found 
their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 
<■ - 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial jMsition, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California wns 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians 

In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the glh of July, 1850. 
His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following gra|)hic and truthful 
descrijition of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to tiie 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side ))ocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
'touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, 
few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor- 
saving contempt for learning of every kind." 



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4- 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



67 








MILLflRn FILLfflflHE. 



I 






ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
ttentli President of the United 
States, was l)urn at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the 7th of January, 1800. His 
father was a farmer, and ovv- 
iiiy to misfortune, in humble cir- 
< umstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millaril, 
5 of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she possessed an intellect 
jf very high order, united with luuch 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
iwsif.on, graceful manners and ex- 
ijui^ite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished [)rom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
digiily which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed liut slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, rthic h he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
a!id expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career u|ion which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some 



enterprising man had coinmenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied \\ith 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate ; 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biogra[)hy, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now. attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal ajjpearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
no friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion about 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university halls 
and then enters a law office, who is by no means as 



I 



i 



68 



MILLARD FILLMOLilL 



- t 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
liuffalo. Just /before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
ho took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature, still the testimony comes from all parties, 
that his courtesy, abilijy and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degri e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress. He entered that troubled 
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
liis profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave him strength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the ])ublic good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity fille<l the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



^ 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the apinoaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a ro;igli old 
soldier, wlio had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. Put 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
namesof Zachary Taylor ard Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Wliig ticket was 
signally triumi)hant. On tlie 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four nic-nths after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. ISy tlie Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power toconiiliate 
tlie South; i)ut tlie pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmore's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. P.uchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
his sympatiiies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March S, 1874. 
^ ■► 



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FOURTEENTH PRESWEAiT. 



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RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
' United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong a>rm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any i)recocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-develo))ed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most popular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 
<■ 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet i)erilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, aiidwas soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a meml)er of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with which her husband was honoied. Of the 
.► 






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72 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

Ill the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an imiiortant part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, givinghis cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, wliich so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in tlie South conse- 
quently regarded liim as a man whom they could 
safely trust iu office to carry out their i)lans. 

On the 12th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Haltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for (ren. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Cien. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, vmtil, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



•►•7-4 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be- 
tween slavery and freedom was then ap[)roaching its 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 
an "irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the wIkjIc of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiniei.t, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feelirg tiiat he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able accei)tably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident , and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumi)tion. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1S69. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the F4)isco[)al 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 



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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
l^teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
^T-s, eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stood was called Stony 
Ijatter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
ains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little property save his 
Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing witli his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his oliscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was Ijorn, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantagis. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scliolars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 
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abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
facility. 

In the year 1809, he graduated with tlie highest 
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of huv in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 181 2, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before tiie State Senate ore of tlie 
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1S20, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House, 
Daring the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his ]irofession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
ap)Jointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri- 



i 



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t 



76 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



4 



' ' 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country ; and defended the course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
porters of his administration. Upon this question he 
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
Karnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in tlie 
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the 
cirtnilation of anti-slavery documents bv the United 
Stales mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had 
no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," 
said he, "might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

^ Upon Mr. I'olk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Pnichanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the IMexicans to cross 
the Rio (Irande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the course our Government pursued in that 
movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extensioii 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050, 
which included the fugitive-slave law, Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
Leived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
17 4, and was elected. The [lopular vote stood 
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On 
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
allied in political princi[)les and action for years, were 
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
In this emergency, Mr. Puchanan was hopelessly be- 
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights i)arty in 
their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws, 
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. He therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government were tluis taken from their 
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United Slates. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
party was such, that he had been willing to offerthem 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
o[)eration of the Government to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that (Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attem[)ting to withdraw from the Union. This 
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand upon his sword hilt, he exclaimed. " The 
Union must and shall be preserved ! " 

South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless desjjair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston; Fort Sumpter 
was besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
a[)propriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close th.e administration, so terrible in its weak- 
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our counlrv has ex- 
perienced. His best friends canr.ot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our whole hind, no woid came 
from his lips to indicate his wish that our countrv's 
banner should triumph over the flag of the rel)ellior 
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. 



I 




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SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



79 





BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixtcentli President of the 
^United States, was horn in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feh. 12, 
1809. About the year 1780, a 
man by the name of Abraham 
Lincoln left Virginia with liis 
family and moved into the then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while woricing one day in a 
field, was stealthily approached by 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth forever he enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our work^. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched 
log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
laborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- 
cai)in of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
"All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother. 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 
-Ml*- 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few; but these he read 
and re-read until they were almost committed to 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
Sarah, to whoiii he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham \vorked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
education, and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate ; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the 
Lord thy God in vain;" and a profane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat. 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin- 
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven- 



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ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



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tare his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return they placed a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen caiitain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received lie carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his l)usiness. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected. Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
slavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
.he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created e<[ual. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higlier prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6th ot June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers wlio crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. .\u immense buiUling called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
prominent. It was generally su|)i)osed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
l)loody death, to whicli that nomination doomed him: 
and aslittle did he dream tiiat he was to render services 
to his country, which would fi.K upon him the eyes of 
the whole t-ivilized world, and which would give liim 
ajilaceinthe affections of his comitrymen, second 
only, if second, to that of Washington. 

I'^lection day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than up6n any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, 186 1, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopping in all tiie large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the plot. .A secret and special train was provided to 
take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an 
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent ai.y possible communi- 
cation on the part ot tiie Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
altliough great an.xiety was felt by all loyal people. 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before tlie convention he gave 
imix)rtant jiositions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope witli, tlie difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and gLiidance in 
determining liis plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo'h personal and national. Contrary to his 
own estimate of liimself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
reliel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left S|)ringfield, in i86r, however, plans had been 
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would Le present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the citv. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should tail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John ^Vilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country will 
live with that of Washington's, its father; his countr)'- 
men being unable to decide which is the ereater. 
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SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



83 



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'States. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
was horn December 29, i8oS, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His [larents, 
iloiigiiig to the class of the 
" poor whites " of the South, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer even tne slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to tiie alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 



•►Ih-^*- 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book, 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- 
ward laljoriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos- 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cii)her. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman; and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was tlien just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature, 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important post for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these responsible posi- 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abiU f 
-.^ ___«f5^-i|^^ 



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ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1S50, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of 1S60, he 
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
Stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established (he most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be punished ; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 

1 ' was in utter Itmonsistency with, and the most violent 



opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginnirig of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March ^23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was proixiunced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority agam.=;t 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his tetm, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the day s of Washington, around tlie name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im-. 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5ih of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, 'I'enn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 



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EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



87 




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LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
eighteenth President of the 
' United States, was born on 
the 29th of April, 1822, of 
Christian parents, in a humble 
home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and e.\asperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route e.xposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
side of the anip-vil, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the 15th of 



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UL YSSES S. GRA NT. 



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June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducali, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. Tlie 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Behuont, a i^i-^ days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Mnjor-General, and the military 
district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains. Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and tlie 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed tlie bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon the thities of his new office. 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of tlie Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
.Steamers were crowded with trooj)s. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at tlie sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Luiion was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. 'I'he eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
May 21, 1S68, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican jjarty 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1S72, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphali- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term, (Ven. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
r885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 



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NINETKEJVTH ^'RESIDENT. 



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UTHERFORl) li. HAVES, 
the nineteenth President of 
^j"" the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
■'^ death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
sou of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turerof scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Kzekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in .August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 
^^•^ ~ 



born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malaiial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



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RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 






subject of this sketch was so feeble at birtli that he 
was not expected ta Uve beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time '• if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
him, said in a bantering way, '• That's right! Stick to 
him. Voa have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You 
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
Pre-iident of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he went to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education; and as the boy's health had im- 
l)roved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a i)rofessor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1S38, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1 845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1S49 he moved to Cincmnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his (progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a ]iowerful influence u|)on his subse- 
quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literar>' Club, a body embracing among its 
members such men as'^hief Justice Salmon P. Chase, 

A* 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one m every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Covmcil 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up 
arms for the defense of his coinitry. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, jnomoted Colonel of the 79th Oliio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration frorn all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, F'isher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetled 
Major-General, "forgallant and distii^guishtd i-crvices 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He w^rs not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was inqrortuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 

In 1S76 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, hcwever, with satisfaction to h'.s party, 
but his admiiivstration was an average ont 



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TiVEA'TIETH PKESinKNT. 



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AMES A, GARi'IELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. 19, 
1831, ill the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
"" ents were Abram and EHza 
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
i, tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but liad moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
liorn was not unlike the houses of 
[loor Oliio farmers of that day. It 
was about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the soaces be- 
tween tlie logs filled witji clay. His father was a 
hard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log liarn built. 
The household comprised the father and mother and 
their four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and 
James. In May, i 823, the father, from a cold con- 
tracted in helping to i)ut out a forest fire, died. At 
this time James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, ])erhaps, can 
tell how much James was indebted to his biother's 
toil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
ter-; live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet lie made the most of 
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
])enter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
mother in he- 'tinggles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and maidiood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, jjlain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until he 
was about si.xteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Eiie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, vk-hich his mother strongly ojjposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city. 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he went 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Listitute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. 
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
lier, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
lie happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion : 



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JAMES A. GARFIELD. 






" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
liis character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian communions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
tarian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first [lolitical speeches in 1S56, 
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in i86i was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and betore he had ever seen a gun fired in ac»^ion, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native .State tlie officer 
(Humjihrey M'.rsl-all) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, althougli against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, 0.1 his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
.Alabama. He was then detailed as a memlierof the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of Staff." 

The military tJstory of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for si.\ty years 
mainly by two men — -Elisha \V hittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. There he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of liis labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which 
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu- 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

Upon Jan. 14. 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probalily no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President (nnfield, and every 
day it grew in favo: with the peo])le, ar.d by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the cily to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepi;ed behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting no further 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round tlie world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for tlie moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. Foreighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Se|'t. 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J , on the very bank of llie 
ocean, w here he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon il. 
'i"he murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. 






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TIVEJ>JTY-FIRST PRESIDENT. 



99 





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HE.STP:R a. ARTHUR, 

twenty-first Pres-' Lm of the 
ij>,) United States was boin in 
F ranklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 
lliefifthof Oc'olicr, 1830, and is 
the oldest of a family of two 
sons and five daughters. His 
father was ths Rev. Dr. William ' 
*? Ar'hur, a Baptistc' .rgyman, who 
emigrated to tb s country fro'a 
V, the county Ant;im, Ireland, in 
1^ his 18th year, and died in 1875, in 
A Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 
long and successful ministry. 
^^■, Young Arthur was educated at 
i « Union College, S( henectady, where 
lie excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration of that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his jiocket, 
and entered the office of ex- Judge 
W E. D. Culver as student. After 
I being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward p~_-.rr'fd the daughter of Lieutenant 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost a'. 
,sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthurs 
nommation to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, ihe famous Lemmon suii, 
brought to recover posses.'.ion of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that [on. 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his hlaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the .^outh, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
\Vni. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they vi-on their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs. 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



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CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 




followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ian a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other linea refused to let them ride at all. 
General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Plielps, the District Attorney 
of New Yoik, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was appointed Collector of tlie Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest poHtical 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was composed of the leading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that v/ere before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally tien. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
' came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 



r 



anxious suspense, whei'>. the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of tlie most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly (jod- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action dis|)layed only an earnest 
desire that tlie suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term lie liad so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored jjosition in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and tlie world, as never 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to assume the responsiljilitics of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New \'ork, 
Sept. 20, iSSi. The position was an embarr.issing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many important measures were to be immediately 
decided by him; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took tlie reins of the Government in liis own 
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he hapi)ily sur|)rised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1S85, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of liis party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 
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TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



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TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, thetwentysecond Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
■^ the hu;Dble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hu Isan River and Erie Canal, to 
FayetteviUe, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. FayetteviUe was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To thi.s 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted liim to 
become self-supporting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in FayetteviUe seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good«a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
viUe, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, w'.iere he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
M. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his ^ 



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S. GROVER CLEVELAND. 



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calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
ask the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
speak enthusiastically. " What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply. " Good gracious ! " remarked 
the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 

n 

any. 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd- keeper, at $50 a 
year, wiiile he Could " look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was tliat of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated ; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two 
criminals. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 
-4« 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worse 
than squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1S82, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q- C. Lamar, of 
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William Y. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, k. H. Garland, of 
Arkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inauguration. 



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GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 




g;<si«-<jaffi»-^s>< j — : '■»-- 




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'^'^^ HADRACH BOND, the first 
Governor of Illinois after its 
organization ns a State, ser\'ing 
from 1818 to 1822, was born in 
Frederick County, Maryland, 
in the year 1773, and was 
raised a farmer on his father's 
plantation, receiving only a plain 
English education. He emigrated 
to this State in 1794, when it was a 
part of the "Northwest Territory," 
continuing in the vocation in which 
he had been brought up in his native 
State, in the " New Design," near 
Eagle Creek, in what is now Monroe 
County. He served several terms as 
a member of the General Assembly 
of Indiana Territory, after it was organized as such, 
and in 1812-14 he was a Delegate to the Twelftli 
and Thirteenth Congresses, taking his seat Dec. 3, 
1812, and serving until Oct. 3, 1814. These were 
the times, the reader will recollect, when this Gov- 
ernment had its last struggle with Great Britain. 
The year 1812 is also noted in the history of this 
State as that in which the first Territorial Legislature 
was held. It convened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, and 
adjourned Dec. 26, following. 

While serving as Delegate to Congress, Mr. Bond 
was instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emp- 
tion on the public domain. On the expiration of his 
term at Washington he was appointed Receiver of 
Public Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of the 
Territory. In company with John G. Comyges, 



Thomas H. Harris, Charles Slade, Michael Jones, 
Warren Brown, Edward Humphries and Charles W. 
Hunter, he became a proprietor of the site of the 
initial city of Cairo, which they hoped, from its favor- 
able location at the junction of the two great 
rivers near the center of the Great West, would 
rapidly develop into a metropolis. To aid the enter- 
prise, they obtained a special charter from the Legis- 
lature, incorporating both the City and the Bank of 
Cairo. 

In t8i8 Mr. Bond was elected the first Governor 
of the State of Illinois, being inaugurated Oct. 6, 
that year, which was several weeks before Illinois 
was actually admitted. The facts are these: In 
January, 1818, the Territorial Legislature sent a peti- 
tion to Congress for the admission of Illinois as a 
State, Nathaniel Pope being then Delegate. The 
petition was granted, fixing the northern line of the 
State on the latitude of the southern e.xtremity of 
Lake Michigan; but the bill was afterward so amend- 
ed as to extend this line to its present latitude. In 
July a convention was called at Kaskaskia to draft a 
constitution, which, however, was not submitted to 
the people. By its provisions, supreme judges, pros- 
ecuting attorneys, county and circuit judges, record- 
ers and justices of the peace were all to be appointed 
by the Governor or elected by the Legislature. This 
constitution was accepted by Congress Dec. 30. At 
that time Illinois comprised but eleven counties, 
namely, Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson, 
Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washington 
and Franklin, the northern portion of the State be- 
ing mainly in Madison County. Thus it appears 
that Mr. Bond was honored by the naming of a 



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SHADRACH BOND. 



county before he was elected Governor. The present 
county of Bond is of small limitations, about 60 to 80 
miles south of -Springfield. For Lieutenant Governor 
the people chose Pierre Menard, a prominent and 
worthy Frenchman, after whom a county in this State 
is named. In this election there were no opposition 
candidates, as the popularity of these men had made 
their promotion to the chief offices of the Slate, even 
before the constitution was drafted, a foregone con- 
clusion. 

The principal points that excited the people in 
reference to political issues at this period were local 
or "internal improvements," as they were called. 
State banks, location of the capital, slavery and the 
personal characteristics of the proposed candidates. 
Mr. Bond represented the "Convention party," for 
introducing slavery into the State, supported by Elias 
Kent Kane, his Secretary of State, and Joim Mc- 
Lean, while Nathaniel Pope and John P. Cook led 
the anti-slavery element. Tlie people, however, did 
not become very much excited over this issue until 
1820, when the famous Missouri Compromise was 
adopted by Congress, limiting slavery to the south 
of the parallel of 36° 30' except in Missouri. While 
this measure settled the great slavery controversy, 
so far as the average public sentiment was tempor- 
arily concerned, until 1854, when it was repealed 
under the leidersliip of Stephen A. Douglas, tiie issue 
as considered locally in this Slate was not decided 
until 1824, after a most furious campaign. (See 
sketch of irov. Coles.) The ticket of 1S18 was a 
com|)romiseone. Bond re|)rcsenting (moderately) the 
pro-slavery sentiment and Menard the anti-slavery. 
, An awkward element in the State government 
under Gov. I)i>nd's administration, was the imperfec- 
tion of the State constitution. The Convention 
wished to have I'ilijah C. Berry for the fiist Auditor 
of Public .\ccounts, but, as it was belicveil that the 
new Governor would not appoint him to the office, 
the Convention declared in a schedule that " an 
auditor of public accounts, an attorney general and 
such other officers of the State as may be necessary, 
may be appointed by the General Assembly." The 
Constitution, as it stood, vesied a very large ajipoint- 
ing power in the Governor; but for the purpose of 
getting one man into office, a total change was m,ade, 
and the power vested in the I^egislature. Of this 
provision the Legislature took advantage, and de- 



clared that State's attorneys, canal commissioners, 
bank directors, etc., were all '" officers of the State " 
and must therefore be appointed by itself independ- 
ently of the Governor. 

During Gov. Bond's administration a general law 
was passed for the incorporation of academies and 
towns, and one authorizing lotteries. The session of 
1822 authorized the Governor to appoint commis- 
sioners, to act in conjunction with like commissioners 
appointed by the State of Indiana, to report on the 
practicability and expediency of improving the navi- 
gation of the Wabash River; also inland navigation 
generally. Many improvements were recommended, 
some of which have been feebly worked at even till 
the present day, those along the Wabash being of no 
value. Also, during Gov. Bond's term of office, the 
capital of the State was removed from Kaskaskia to 
Vandalia. In 1820 a law was passed by Congress 
authorizing this State to open a canal through the 
public lands. The State appointed commissioners 
lo explore the route and prepare the necessary sur- 
veys and estimates, preparatory to its execution; 
but, being unable out of its own resources to defray 
the expenses of the undertaking, it was abandoned 
until some time after Congress made tlie grant of 
land for the purpose of its constructio.i. 

On the wliole. Gov. Bond's administration was 
fairly good, not being open to severe criticism from 
any party. In 1S24, two years after the expiration 
of his term of oltice, he was brought out as a caiuii- 
date for Congress against the formidable Joiin P. 
Cook, but received only 4,374 votes to 7,4C<o lor thj 
latter. Gov. Bond was no orator, but li;ui made 
many fast friends by a judicious bestowment of his 
gubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealously 
for him in the cain|)aign. 

In T827 ex-Gov. Bond was a|)pointed by the Leg- 
islature, with Will. P. McKee and Dr. Gershom 
Jayne, as Commissioners to locate a site for a \k\\\- 
tentiary on the Mississippi at or near Alton. 

Mr. Bond was of a benevolent and convivial dis- 
position, a man of shrewd observation and clear ap- 
preciation of events. His person was erect, stand- 
ing six feet in height, and afier middle life became 
portly, weighing 200 pounds. His features were 
strongly masculine, comijlexion dark, hair jet and 
eyes hazel ; was a favorite with the ladies. He died 
.•\pril I I, 1830, in peace and contentment. 



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GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



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)£6war5 Coles, 






DWARD COLES, second 
Governor of Illinois, 1823- 
6, was born Dec. 15, i7<S6, 
in Albemarle Co., Va., on 
the old family estate called 
" R nniscorthy," on the 
Creen Mountain. His fath- 
er, John Coles, was a Colonel in the 
Revolutionary War. Having been fit- 
ted for college by private tutors, lie 
was sent to Hampden Sidney, where 
he remained until the autumn of 1805, 
when he was removed to William and 
Mary (.'ollege, at Williamsburg, Va. 
Tliis college he left in the summer of 
1807, a short time before the final and graduating 
examination. Among his classmates were Lieut. 
Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wni. S. Archer, 
United States Senator from Virginia, and Justice 
Baldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. The 
President of the latter college. Bishop Madison, was 
a cousin of President James Madison, and that cir- 
cumstance was the occasion of Mr. Coles becoming 
personally acquainted with the President and re- 
ceiving a position as his private secretary, 1809-15. 
The family of Coles was a prominent one in Vir- 
ginia, and their mansion was the seat of the old- 
fashioned Virginian hospitality. It was visited by 
such notables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison, 
Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the 
age of 23, young Coles found himself heir to a plant- 
ation and a considerable number of slaves. Ever 
since his earlier college days his attention had been 
' ^ ' drawn to the question of slavery. He read every- 



•^»-4 



thing on the subject that came in his way, and 
listened to lectures on the rights of man. The more 
he reflected upon the subject, the more impossible 
was it for him to reconcile the immortal declaration 
"that all men are born free and etiual " with the 
practice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, to 
free his slaves the first opportunity, and even remove 
his residence to a free State. One reason which de- 
termined him to accept the appointment as private 
secretary to Mr. Madison was because he believed 
that through the acquaintances he could make at 
Washington he could better determine in wliat part 
of the non-slaveholding portion of the Union he would 
prefer to settle. 

The relations lietween Mr. Coles and President 
.Madison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguished 
men, were cjf a very friendly character, arising from 
the similarity of their views on the question of slavery 
and their sympathy for each other in liolding doc- 
trii'ies so much at variance with the prevailing senti- 
ment in their own State. 

In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent a 
liortion of tlie following autumn in exploring the 
Northwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a lo- 
cation and purchasing lands on which to settle his 
negroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, with 
an extra man and horse for emergencies, through 
many parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, 
determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time, 
however, a misunderstanding arose between our 
Government and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selected 
to repair to St. Petersburg on a special mission, bear- 
ing important papers concerning the matter at issue. 
The result was a conviction of the Emperor (Alex- 



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16 



EDWARD COLES. 






andei) of the error committed by his minister at 
Washington, and the consequent withdrawal of the 
the latter from the post. On his return, Mr. Coles 
visited other parts of Europe, especially Paris, where 
he was introduced to Gen. Lafayette. 

In the spring of 1819, he removed with all his 
negroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, 111, with the 
intention of giving them their liberty. He did not 
make known to them his intention until one beautiful 
morning in April, as they were descending the Ohio 
River. " He lashed all the boats together and called 
all the negroes on deck and made them a short ad- 
dress, concluding his remarks by so expressing him- 
self that by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed in 
the shortest and fullest manner that they were no 
longer slaves, but free as he was and were at liberty 
to proceed with him or go ashore at their pleas- 
ure. A description of the effect upon the negroes is 
best desciibed in his own language : 

" The effect upon them was electrical. They stared 
at me and then at each other, as if doubting the ac- 
curacy or reality of what they heard. In breathless 
silence they stood before me, unable to utter a word, 
but with countenances beaming with expression which 
no words could convey, and which no language 
can describe. As they began to see the truth of 
what they had heard, and realize their situation, there 
came on a kind of hysterical, giggUng laugh. After 
a pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathed 
in tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent to 
their gratitude and implored the blessing of God 
on me." 

Before landing he gave them a general certificate 
of freedom, and afterward conformed more particu- 
larly with the law of this State requiring that each 
individual should have a certificate. This act of 
Mr. Coles, all the more noble and heroic considering 
the overwhelming ]n-o-slavery influences surrounding 
him, has challenged the admiration of every philan- 
thropist of modern times. 

March 5, 1819, President Monroe appointed Mr. 
Coles Registrar of the Land Office at Edwardsvihe, 
at that time one of the principal land offices in the 
State. While acting in this capacity and gaining 
many friends by his politeness and general intelli- 
gence, the greatest struggle that ever occurred in 
Illinois on the slavery quesiion culminated in the 
furious contest characterizing the canqiaigns and 
elections of 1822-4. In the summer of 1823, when a 
new Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr. 
Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions, 
|)uiting forward for the executive office Joseph 
Phillii)s, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C. 
Browne and Gen. James B. Moore, of the State Mil- 
ilia. The anti-slavery element united upon Mr. 
C'oles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns, 
succeeded in electing him as Governor. His plural- 
ity over Judge Phillips was only 59 in a total vote of 



over 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was elected 
by the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speech 
was marked by calmness, deliberation and such a 
wise expression of appropriate suggestions as to 
elicit the sanction of all judicious politicians. But 
he compromised not with evil. In his message to 
the Legislature, the seat of Government being then 
at Vandalia, he strongly urged the abrogation of the 
modified form of slavery which then existed in this 
State, contrary to the Ordinance of 1787. His posi- 
tion on this subject seems the more remarkable, when 
it is considered that he was a minority Govenior, the 
population of Illinois being at that time almost ex- 
clusively from slave-holding States and l)y a large 
majority in favor of the perpetuation of lliat old rehc 
of barl)arism. The Legislature itself was, of course, 
a reflex of tlie popular sentiment, and a majority ot 
them were led on by fiery men in denunciations of 
the conscientious Governor, and in curses loud and 
deep upon him and all his friends. Some of the 
public men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort of 
mob, or " shiveree" party, who visited the residence 
of the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelled 
and groaned and spat fire. 

The Constitution, not establishing or permitting 
slavery in this State, was thought therefore to be 
defective by the slavery jioliticians, and tliey desired 
a State Convention to be elected, to devise and sub- 
mit a new Constitution; and the dominant politics 
of the day was "Convention" and "anti-Conven- 
tion." Both parties issued addresses to the people. 
Gov. Coles himself being the author of the address 
published by the latter party. This address revealed 
the schemes of the conspirators in a masterly man- 
ner. It is difficult for us at this distant day to esti- 
mate the critical and extremely delicate situation in 
which the Governor was placed at that time. 

Our hero maintained himself honorably and with, 
supreme dignity throughout his administration, and 
in his honor a county in this State is named. He 
was truly a great man, and those who lived in 
this State during his sojourn here, like those who 
live at the base of the mountain, were too near to see 
and recognize the greatness that overshadowed them. 

Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by Bishop 
De Llincey, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughter 
of Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestry, 
whocamito this country with Win. Penn in 1682. 

After the expiration of his term of service. Gov. 
Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, sup- 
erintending his farm in the vicinity. He was fond 
of agriculttire, and was the founder of the first agri- 
cultural society in the State. On account i)f ill 
health, however, and having no family to tie him 
down, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities. 
About 1832 he changed his residence to Philadel- 
phia, where he died July 7, 1868, and is btiried at 
Woodland, near that city. 



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GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



1!9 



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I 




••<^-<#<->^-»- 




INIAN EDWARDS, Governor 
from 1827 to 1830, was a sou 
of Benjamin Edwards, and 
was born in Montgomery 
< V^/o County, Maryland, in March, 
i^_' -■^<c>c~c,' I77S- His domestic train- 
•^ ^i}-' ing was well fitted to give 
his mind strength, firmness and 
honorable principles, and a good 
foundation was laid for the elevated 
character to which he afterwards 
attained. His parents were Bap- 
tists, and very strict in their moral 
principles. His education in early 
youth was in company with and 
partly under the tuition of Hon.VVm. 
Wirt, whom his father patronized 
and who was more than two years 
older. An intimacy was thus 
formed between them which was lasting for life. He 
was further educated at Dickinson College, at Car- 
lisle, Pa. He next commenced the study of law, but 
before completing his course he moved to Nelson 
County, Ky., to open a farm for his father and to 
purchase homes and locate lands for his brothers and 
sisters. Here he fell in the company of dissolute 
companions, and for several years led the life of a 
siiendthrift. He was, however, elected to the Legis- 
lature of Kentucky as the Representative of Nelson 
i.'ounty before he was 2 1 years of age, and was re- 
elected by an almost unanimous vote. 



In 179S he was licensed to practice law, and the 
following year was admitted to the Courts of Tennes- 
see. About this time he left Nelson County for 
Russellville, in Logan County, broke away from his 
dissolute companions, commenced a reformation and 
devoted himself to severe and laborious study. He 
then began to rise rapidly in his profession, and soon 
became an eminent lawyer, and inside of four years 
he filled in succession the offices of Presiding Judge 
of the General Court, Circuit Judge, fourth Judge of 
the Court of Appeals and Chief Justice of the State, 
— all before he was 32 years of age ! In addition, in 
1802, he received a commission as Major of a battal- 
ion of Kentucky militia, and in 1804 was chosen a 
Presidential Elector, on the Jefferson and Clinton 
ticket. In 1S06 he was a candidate for Congress, 
but withdrew on being promoted to the Court of 
Appeals. 

Illinois was organized as a separate Territory in 
the spring of i8og, when Mr. Edwards, then Chief 
Justice of the Court of Appeals in Kentucky, received 
from President Madison the apiiointment as Gover- 
nor of the new Territory, his commission bearing date 
April 24, 1809. Edwards arrived at Kaskaskia in 
June, and on the r ith of that month took the oath of 
office. At the same time he was appointed Superin- 
tendent of the United States Saline, this Government 
interest then developing into considerable proportions 
in Southern Illinois. Although during the first three 
years of his administration he had the power to make 
new counties and appoint all the officers, yet he always 
allowed the people of each county, by an informal 

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N INI AN EDWARDS. 



vote, to select their own officers, both civil and mili- 
tary. The noted John J. Crittenden, afterward 
United States Senator from Kentucky, was appointed 
by Gev. Edwards to the office of Attorney General of 
the Territory, which office was accepted for a short 
time only. 

The Indians in i8to committing sundry depreda- 
tions in the Territory, crossing the Mississippi from 
the Territory of Louisiana, a long correspondence fol- 
lowed between the respective Governors concerning 
the remedies, which ended in a council with the sav- 
ages at Peoria in 1812, and a fresh interpretation of 
the treaties. Peoria was depopulated by these de- 
predations, and was not re-settled for many years 
afterward. 

As Gov. Edwards' term of office expired by law in 
1812, he was re-appoiiUed for another term of three 
years, and again in 1S15 for a third term, serving 
until the organization of the State in the fall of 18 18 
and the inauguration of Gov. Bond. At this time 
ex-Gov. Edwards was sent to the United States 
Senate, his colleague being Jesse B. Thomas. As 
Senator, Mr. Edwards took a cons[)icuous part, and 
acquitted liimself honorably in all the measures that 
came up in that body, being well posted, an able de- 
bater and a conscientious statesman. He thought 
seriously of resigning this situation in 1821, but was 
persuaded by his old friend, Wm. Wirt, and others to 
continue in office, which he did to the end of the 
term. 

He was then appointed Minister to Mexico by 
President Monroe. About this time, it appears that 
Mr. Edwards saw suspicious signs in the conduct of 
Wm. H. Crawford, Secretary of the United States 
Treasury, and an ambitious candidate for the Presi- 
dency, and being implicated by the latter in some of 
his statements, he resigned his Mexican mission in 
order fully to investigate the charges. The result 
was the exculpation of Mr. Edwards. 

Pro-slavery regulations, often termed "Black Laws," 
disgraced the statute books of both the Territory and 
the State of Illinois during the whole of his career in 
this commonwealth, and Mr. Edwards always main- 
tained the doctrines of freedom, and was an important 
actor in the great struggle which ended in a victory 
for his party in 1824. 

In 1826-7 the Winnebago and other Indians com- 
' ' mitted son^e depredations in the northern part of the 



State, and the white settlers, who desired the landq 
•and wished to exasperate the savages into an evacu- 
ation of the country, magnified the misdemeanors of 
the aborigines and thereby produced a hostility be- 
tween the races so great as to precipitate a little war, 
known in history as the "Winnebago War." A few 
chases and skirmishes were had, when Gen. Atkinson 
succeeded in capturing Red Bird, the Indian chief, 
and putting him to death, thus ending the contest, at 
least until the troubles commenced which ended in 
the " Black Hawk War " of 1832. In the interpre- 
tation of treaties and execution of their provisions 
Gov. Edwards had much vexatious work to do. The 
Indians kept themselves generally within the juris- 
diction of Michigan Territory, and its Governor, 
Lewis Cass, was at a jwint so remote that ready cor- 
respondence with liim was difficult or im[)ossible. 
Gov. Edwards' administration, iiowever, in regard to 
the protection of the Illinois frontier, seems to have 
been very efficient and satisfactory. 

For a considerable portion of iiis time after his re- 
moval to Illinois, Gov. Edwards resided upon his 
farm near Kaskaskia, which he had well stocked with 
iiorses, cattle and sheep from Kentucky, also with 
fruit-trees, grape-vines and shrul)bery. He estab- 
lished saw and grist-mills, and engaged extensively 
in mercantile business, having no less than eight orten 
stores in this Slate and Missouri. Notwithstanding 
the arduous duties of his office, he nearly always pur- 
cliased the goods himself with which to supply the 
stores. Although not a regular practitioner of medi- 
cine, he studied the healing art to a considerable ex- 
tent, and took great pleasure in prescribing for, and 
taking care of, the sick, generally without charge. 
He w.is also liberal to the poor, several widows and 
ministers of the gospel becoming indebted to him 
even for their homes. 

He married Miss Elvira Lane, of Maryland, in 
1803, and they became the affectionate parents of 
several cliildren, one of wlioni, especially, is well 
known to the people of the " Prairie State," namely, 
Ninian Wirt Edwards, once the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction and still a resident of Springfield. 
Gov. Edwards resided at and in the vicinity of Kas- 
kaskia from 1809 to 1818; in Edw;vrdsville (named 
after him) from that time to 1824; and from the lat- 
ter date at Belleville, St. Clair County, until his 
death, July 20, 1833, of Asiatic cholera. Edwards 
County is also nauied in his honor. 



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(7c VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



123 




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®)®©V<2)(S)^§^ 




"^OHN REYNOLDS, Governor 1831- 
4, was born in Montgomery Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788. 
His father, Robert Reynolds and 
%^^ \^|* j: his mother, nee Margaret Moore, 
were both natives of Ireland, from 
which country they emigrated to 
the United States in 1785, land- 
ing at Philadelphia. The senior 
Reynolds entertained an undying 
hostility to the British Govern- 
ment. \Vhen the subject of this 
sketch was about six months old, 
his parents emigrated witli him to 
Tennessee, where many of their 
relatives had already located, at the base of the 
Copper Ridge Mountain, about 14 miles northeast of 
the present city of Knoxville. There they were ex- 
posed to Indian depredations, and were much molest- 
ed by them. In 1794 they moved into the interior 
of the State. They were poor, and brought up their 
children to habits of manual indiistry. 

In 1800 the family removed to Kaskaskia, 111., with 
eight horses and two wagons, encountering many 
hardships on the way. Here young Reynolds passed 
the most of his childhood, while his character began 
to develop, the most prominent traits of which were 
ambition and energy. He also adopted the principle 
and practice of total abstinence from intoxicatina 
liquors. In 1807 the family made another removaf, 



i 



this time to the " Goshen Settlement," at the foot of 
the Mississippi bluffs three or four miles southwest 
of Edwardsville. 

On arriving at his 20th year, Mr. Reynolds, seeing 
that he must look about for his own livelihood and 
not yet having determined what calling to pursue, 
concluded first to attend college, and he accordingly 
went to such an institution of learning, near Knox- 
ville, Tenn., where he had relatives. Imagine his 
diffidence, when, after passing the first 20 years of 
his life without ever having seen a carpet, a papered 
wall or a Windsor chair, and never having lived in a 
shingle-roofed house, he suddenly ushered himself 
into the society of the wealthy in the vicinity of 
Knoxville! He attended college nearly two years, 
going through the principal Latin authors; but it 
seems that he, like the rest of the world in modern 
times, had but very little use for his Latin in after 
life. He always failed, indeed, to exhibit any good 
degree of literary disciphne. He commenced the 
study of law in Knoxville, but a pulmonary trouble 
came on and compelled him to change his mode 
of life. Accordingly he returned home and re- 
cuperated, and in 18 12 resumed his college and 
law studies at Knoxville. In the fall of 181 2 he was 
admitted to the Bar at Kaskaskia. About this time 
he also learned the French language, which he 
practiced with pleasure in conversation with his 
family for many years. He regarded this language 
as being superior to all others for social intercourse. ", 

" » ■ 



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t24 



JOHN REYNOLDS. 



4 



From his services in the West, in the war of 1812, 
he obtained the sobriquet of the " Old Ranger." He 
was Orderly Sergeant, then Judge Advocate. 

Mr. Reynolds opened his first law office in the 
winter and spring of 1814, in the French village of 
Cahokia, then the capital of St. Clair County. 

In the fall of 1S18 he was elected an Associate 
Justice upon the Supreme Bench by the General 
Assembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly than 
ever into the practice of law, and the very next year 
was elected a member of the Legislature, where he 
acted indejiendently of all cliques and private inter- 
ests. In 1828 the Whigs and Democrats were for 
the first time distinctively organized as such in Illi- 
nois, and the usual party bitterness grew up and 
raged on all sides, while Mr. Reynolds preserved a 
judicial calmness and moderation. The real animus 
of the campaign was " Jackson " and " anti-Jackson," 
the former party carrying the State. 

In August, 1830, Mr. Reynolds was elected Gov- 
ernor, amid great excitement. Installed in office, he 
did all within his power to advance the cause of edu- 
cation, internal improvements, the Illinois & Mich- 
igan Canal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the coun- 
try, etc.; also recc mmended the winding up of the 
State Bank, as its affairs had become dangerously 
complicated. In his national politics, he was a 
moderate supporter of General Jackson. But the 
most celebrated event of his gubernatorial admin- 
istration was the Black Hawk War, which occurred 
in 1832. He called out the militia and prosecuted 
the contest with commendable diligence, appearing 
in person on the battle-grounds during the most 
critical periods. He was recognized by the President 
as Major-General, and authorized by him to make 
treaties with the Indians. By the assistance of the 
general (iovernment the war was terminated without 
much bloodshed, but after many serious fights. This 
war, as well as everything else, was materially re- 
tarded by the occurrence of Asiatic cholera in the 
West. This was its first appearance here, and was 
the next event in prominence during Gov. Reynolds' 
term. 

South (Carolina nullification coming up at this time, 
it was heartily condemned by both President Jackson 
and Gov. Reynolds, who took precisely the same 
grounds as the Unionists in the last war. 

On the termination of his gubernatorial term in 
1834, Gov. Reynolds was elected a Member of Con- 
gress, still considering himself a backwoodsman, as 
he had scarcely been outside of the State since he 
became of age, and had spent nearly all his youthful 
days in the wildest region of the frontier. His first 
move in Congress was to adopt a resolution that in 
all elections made by the House for officers the votes 
should be given viva voce, each member in his jilace 
naming aloud the person for whom he votes. This 
created considerable heated discussion, but was es- 



sentially adopted, and remained the controlling prin- 
ciple for many years. The ex-Governor was scarcely 
absent from his seat a single day, during eight ses- 
sions of Congress, covering a period of seven years, 
and he never vacillated in a party vote; but he failed 
to get the Democratic party to foster his " National 
Road " scheme. He says, in " My Own Times " (a 
large autobiography he published), that it was only 
by rigid economy that he avoided insolvency while in 
Washington. During his sojourn in that city he was 
married, to a lady of the place. 

In 1837, while out of Congress, and in company 
with a few others, he built the first railroad in the 
Mississippi Valley, namely, one about six miles long, 
leading from his coal mine in the Mississippi bluff 10 
the bank of the river opposite St. Louis. Having not 
the means to purchase a locomotive, they operated it 
by horse-power. The next spring, however, the com- 
pany sold out, at great sacrifice. 

In 1839 the ex-Governor was appointed one of the 
Canal Commissioners, and authorized to borrow 
money to prosecute the enterprise. Accordingly, he 
repaired to Philadelphia and succeeding in obtaining 
a million dollars, which, however, was only a fourth 
of what was wanted. The same year he and his 
wife made at our of Europe. This year, also, Mr. 
Reynolds had the rather awkward little responsibility 
of introducing to President Van Buren the noted 
Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-Day 
Saint!" 

In 1S46 Gov. Reynolds was elected a member of 
the Legislature from St. Clair County, more particu- 
larly for the purpose of obtaining a feasible charter 
for a macadamized road from Belleville to St. Louis, 
a distance of nearly 14 miles. This was immediately 
built, and was the first road of the kind in the State. 
He was again electetl to the Legislature in 1852, when 
he was chosen Speaker of the House. In i860, aged 
and infirm, he attended the National Democratic 
Convention at Charleston, S. C, as an anti-Douglas 
Delegate, where he received more attention from the 
.Southern Delegates than any other member. He 
supported Breckenridge for the Presidency. After 
the October elections foreshadowed the success of 
Lincoln, he published an address urging the Demo- 
crats to rally to the support of Douglas. Immedi- 
ately preceding and during the late war, his corre- 
spondence evinced a clear sympathy for the Southern 
secession, and about the first of March, 1861, he 
urged upon the P.uchanan officials the seizure of the 
treasure and arms in the custom-house and arsenal 
at St. Louis. Mr. Reynolds was a rather talkative 
man, and apt in all the Western phrases and catch- 
words that ever gained currency, besides many cun- 
ning and odd ones of his own manufacture. 

He was married twice, but had no children. He 
died in Belleville, in May, 1865, just after the close 
of the war. 



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GOVERNORS OF ILL/NO IS. 



tij 





•«— s- — ^•m^m'^^'' 



[LLIAM LEE D. EWING, 
Governor of Illinois Nov. 3 
to 17, 1834, was a native 
of Kentucky, and probably 
of Scotch ancestry. He had 
a fine education, was a gentle- 
man of polished manners and 
refined sentiment. In 1830 John Rey- 
nolds was elected Governor of the State, 
and Zadok Casey Lieutenant Governor, 
and for the principal events that followed, 
and the characteristics of the times, see 
sketch of Gov. Reynolds. The first we 
see in history concerning Mr. Ewing, in- 
forms us that he was a Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Vandalia soon after the organization of 
this State, and that the public moneys in liis liands 
were deposited in various banks, as they are usually 
at tlie present day. In 1823 the State Bank was 
robbed, by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousand- 
dollar deposit. 

The subject of this sketch had a commission as 
Colonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergencies 
lie acted also as Major. In the summer of 1S32, 
when it was rumored among the whites that Black 
Hawk and his men had encamped somewhere on 
Rock River, Gen. Henry was sent on a tour of 
reconnoisance, and with orders to drive the Indians 
from the State. After some opposition from his 
subordinate officers, Henry resolved to proceed u[) 
Rock River in search of the enemy. On the igth of 
July, early in tlie mcirning, five baggage wagons. 

<■ 



camp equipage and all heavy and cumbersome arti- 
cles were piled up and left, so that the army might 
make speedy and forced marches. For some miles 
the travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swamps 
and the worst thickets ; but the large, fresh trail 
gave life and animation to the Americans. Gen. 
Dodge and Col. Ewing were both acting as Majors, 
and composed the " spy corps " or vanguard of the 
army. It is supposed the army marched nearly 50 
miles this day, and the Indian trail they followed 
became fresher, and was strewed with much property 
and trinkets of the red-skins that they had lost or 
thrown away to hasten their march. During the 
following night there was a terrific ihunder-storm, and 
the soldiery, with all their appurtenances, were thor- 
oughly drenched. 

On approaching nearer the Indians the next day. 
Gen. Dodge and Major Ewing, each commanding a 
battalion of men, were placed in front to bring on the 
battle, but the savages were not overtaken this day 
Forced marches were continued until they reached. 
Wisconsin River, where a veritable battle ensued, 
resulting in the death of about 68 of Black Hawk's 
men. The next day they continued tiie chase, and 
as soon as he discovered the trail of the Indians 
leading toward the Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formed 
his battalion in order of battle and awaited the order 
of Gen. Henry. The latter soon appeared on the 
ground and ordered a charge, which directly resulted 
in chasing the red warriors across the great river. 
Maj. Ewing and his command proved particularly 
efficient in war, as it seCEUS they were theciiief actors 
in driving the main body of the Sacs and Foxes, in- 

— ♦ 



1 



t. 



128 



I 



WILLIAM L. D. ElVING. 



eluding Black Hawk himself, across the Mississippi, 
while Gen. Atkinson, commcander-in-chief of the ex- 
pedition, with a body of the army, was hunting for 
them in another direction. 

In the above affair Maj. Ewing is often referred to 
as a "General," which title he had derived from his 
connection v/ith the militia. 

It was in the latter part of the same year (1832) 
that Lieutenant Governor Casey was elected to Con- 
gress and Gen. Ewing, who had been elected to the 
Senate, was chosen to preside over that body. At 
the August election of 1834, Gov. Reynolds was also 
elected to Congress, more than a year ahead of the 
time at which he could actually take his seat, as was 
then the law. His predecessor, Charles Slade, had 
just died of Asiatic cholera, soon after the elec- 
tion, and Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out his 
unexpired term. Accordingly he set out for Wash- 
ington in November of that year to take his seat in 
Congress, and Gen. Ewing, by virt.ie of his office as 
President of the Senate, became Governor of the 
State of Illinois, his term covering only a period of 
15 days, namely, from the 3d to the 17th days, in- 
clusive, of November. On the r7th the Legislature 
met, and Gov. Ewing transmitted to that body his 
message, giving a statement of the condition of the 
affairs of the State at that time, and urging a contin- 
uance of the policy adopted by liis predecessor; and 
on the same day Goveriior elect Joseph Duncan 
was sworn into office, thus relieving Mr. Ewing from 



the responsible situation. This is the only time llial 
such a juncture has happened in the history of Illi- 
nois. 

On the 29th of December, 1835, Gen. Ewing was 
elected a United States Senator to serve out the 
unexpired term of Elias Kent Kane, deceased. The 
latter gentleman was a very prominent figure in the 
early politics of Illinois, and a county in this State is 
named in his honor. The election of Gen. Ewing to 
the Senate was a protracted struggle. His competi- 
tors were James Semple, who afterwards held several 
important offices in this State, and Richard M. 
Young, afterward a United Stales Senator and a 
Supreme Judge and a man of vast influence. On 
the first ballot Mr. Semple had 25 votes, Young 19 
and Ewing 18. On the eighth ballot Young was 
dropi)ed ; the ninth and tenth stood a tie ; but on 
the I 2th Ewing received 40, to Semple 37, and was 
accordingly declared elected. In 18^7 Mr. Ewing 
received some votes for a continuance of his term in 
Congress, when Mr. Young, just referred to, was 
elected. In 1842 Mr. Ewing was elected State 
Auditor on the ticket with Gov. Ford. 

Gen. Ewing was a gentleman of culture, a lawyer 
by profession, and was much in public life. In person 
he was above medium height and of heavy build, 
with auburn hair, blue eyes, large-sized head and 
short face. He was genial, social, friendly and 
affable, with fair talent, though of no high degree of 
originality. He died March 25, 1846. 




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GO VERNORS OP ILLINOIS. 










im Mwutwa. 






tt'li -^4l^££/®•i§'»«S~»«'6<.6 '-^ '^*it*'^ Vgej^^^^^p.CjW'^?^''^'^ K>i>"S*«^»^-^'OT8T>v.^Jj^ 







i 



OSEPH DUNCAN, Governor 
1834-8, was born at Paris, 
Ky., Feb. 23, 1794. At the 
tender age of 19 years he en- 
Usted in the war against Great 
Britain, and as a soldier he 
quitted himself wiih credit. He 
was an Ensign under the daunt- 
less Croghan at Lower Sandusky, 
or Fort Stephenson. In Illinois 
he first appeared in a public capa- 
city as Major-General of the Militia, 
a position which his military fame 
iiad procured him. Subsequently 
he became a State Senator from 
I Jackson County, and is honorably 
mentioned fur introducing the first bill providing for 
a free-school system. In 1826, when the redoubt- 
able John 1'. Cook, who had previously beaten such 
men as John McLean, Elias Kent Kane and e.\- 
Gov. Bond, came up for the fourth time for Congress, 
Mr. Duncan was brought forward against him by his 
friends, greatly to the surprise of all the politicians. 
As yet he was but little known in the State. He was 
an original Jackson man at that time, being attached 
to his political fortune in admiration of the glory of 
his milita:y acliievements. His chances of success 
against Cook were generally regarded as hopeless, 
but he entered upon the campaign undaunted. His 
speeches, though short and devoid of ornament, were 
full of good sense. He made a diligent canvass of 
the State, Mr. Cook being hindered by the condition of 
his health. The most that was expected of Mr. 
Duncan, under the circumstances, was that he would 

4* 



obtain a respectable vote, but without defeating Mr. 
Cook. The result of the campaign, however, was a 
source of surprise and amazement to both friends 
and foes, as Mr. Duncan came out 641 votes ahead! 
He received 6,321 votes, and Mr. Cook 5,680. Un- 
til this dowuemeiit, the violence of party feeling 
smoldering in the breasts of the people on account 
of the defeat of Jackson, was not duly appreciated. 
Aside from the great convention struggle ofviS24, no 
other than mere local and penonal considerations 
had ever before controlled an election \\\ Illinois. 

From the above date Mr. Duncan retained his 
seat in Congress until his election as Governor in 
.\ugust, 1834. The first and bloodless year of the 
Black Hawk War he was appointed by Gov. Rey- 
nolds to the position of Brigadier-General of the 
volunteers, and he conducted his brigade to Rock 
Island. But he was absent from the State, in Wash- 
ington, during the gubernatorial campaign, and did 
not personally participate in it, but addressed circu- 
lars to his constituents. His election was, indeed, 
attributed to the circumstance of his absence, be- 
cause his estrangement from Jackson, formerly his 
political idol, and also from the Democracy, largely 
in ascendency in the State, was complete; but while 
his defection was well known to his Whig friends, 
and even to the leading Jackson men of this State, 
the latter were unable to carry conviction of that fact 
to the masses, as mail and newspaper facilities at 
that day were far inferior to those of the present 
time. Of course the Governor was much abused 
afterward by the fossilized Jackson men who re- 
garded party ties and affiliations as above all 
other issues that could arise; but he was doubtless 



I 



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JOSEPH DUNCAN. 



sincere in his oppositior. to the old hero, as the latter 
had vetoed several important western measures 
which were dear to Mr. Duncan. In his inaugural 
message he threw off the mask and took a bold stand 
against the course of the President. The measures 
he recommended in his message, however, were so 
desirable that the Legislature, although by a large 
majority consisting of Jackson men, could not refrain 
from endorsing them. These measures related 
mainly to banks and internal improvements. 

It was while Mr. Duncan was Governor that the 
people of Illinois went whirling on with bank and in- 
ternal improvement schemes that well nigh bank- 
rupted the State. The hard times of 1837 came on, 
and the disasters that attended the inauguration of 
these plans and the operation of the banks were mu- 
tually charged upon the two political parties. Had 
any one man autocratic power to introduce and 
carry on any one of these measures, he would proba- 
bly have succeeded to the satisfaction of the public ; 
but as many jealous men had hold of the same plow 
handle, no success followed and each blamed the other 
for the failure. In this great vorte.x Gov. Duncan 
was carried along, suffering the like derogation of 
character with his fellow citizens. 

At the height of the excitement the Legislature 
"provided for" railroads from Galena to Cairo, Alton 
to Shawneetown, Alton to Mount Carmel, Alton to the 
eastern boundary of the State in tlie direction of 
Terre Haute, Quincy via Springfield to the Wabash, 
Bloomington to Pekin, and Peoria to Warsaw, — in all 
about 1,300 miles of road. It also provided for the 
improvement of the navigation of the Kaskaskia, 
Illinois, Great and Little Wabash and Rock Rivers ; 
also as a placebo, $200,000 in money were to be dis- 
tributed to the various counties wherein no improve- 
ments were ordered to be made as above. The 
estimate for the e.xpenses for all these projects was 
placed at a little over $10,000,000, which was not 
more than half enough ! That would now be equal to 
saddling upon the Slate a debt of $225,000,000 ! It 
was sufficient to bankrupt the State several times 
over, even counting all the possible benefits. 

One of the most exciting events that ever occurred 
in this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Love- 
joy in the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan's 
term as Governor. Lovejoy was an " Abolitionist," 
editing the Observer at that place, and the pro- 
slavery slums there formed themselves into a mob. 



and after destroying successively three presses be- 
longing to Mr. Lovejoy, surrounded the warehouse 
where the fourth press was stored away, endeavoring 
to destroy it, and where Lovejoy and his friends 
were entrenching themselves, and shot and killed the 
brave reformer! 

About this time, also, the question of removing the 
State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit for 
its existence at Vandalia was drawing to a close. 
There was, of course, considerable excitement over 
the matter, the two main points competing for it be- 
ing Springfield and Peoria. The jealousy of the lat- 
ter place is not even yet, 45 years afterward, fully 
allayed. 

Gov. Duncan's term expired in 1S38. In 1842 
he was again proposed as a candidate for the Execu- 
tive chair, this time by the Whig party, against Adam 
W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, the nominee of the 
Democrats. Charles W. Hunter was a third candi- 
date for the same position. Mr. Snyder, however, died 
before the campaign had advanced very far, and his 
party substituted Thomas Ford, who was elected, 
receiving 46,901 votes, to 38,584 for Duncan, and 
909 for Hunter. The cause of Democratic success 
at this time is mainly attributed to the temporary 
support of the Mormons which they enjoyed, and the 
want of any knowledge, on the part of the masses, 
that Mr. Ford was opposed to any given policy en- 
tertained in the respective localities. 

Gov. Duncan was a man of rather limited educa- 
tion, but with naturally fine abilities he profited 
greatly by his various public services, and gathered 
a store of knowledge regarding public affairs vi^hich 
served him a ready purpose. He possessed a clear 
judgment, decision, confidence in himself and moral 
courage to carry out his convictions of right. In his 
deportment he was well adapted to gain the admira- 
tion of the people. His intercourse with them was 
l)oth affable and dignified. His portrait at the Gov- 
ernor's mansion, from which the accompanying was 
made, represents him as having a swarthy complex- 
ion, high cheek bones, broad forehead, piercing black 
eyes and straight black hair. 

He was a liberal patron of the Illinois College at 
Jacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, and 
died, after a short illness, Jan. 15, 1S44, a devoted 
memlier of the Presbyterian Church, leaving a wife 
but no children. Two children, born to them, had 
died in infancy. 



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GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



■►II < * 



■35 i\ 




«^?^^S8^"^"^"^- 






t/ J-.._JiZ- 



gxag-O^-jg" " : ■ «- 




^^Pe^^^^Pp^HOMAS CARLIN, the sixth 
Governor of the State of 
Illinois, serving from 1838 
to 1842, was also a Ken- 
tuckian, being born near 
Frankfort, that State, July 
18, 1789, of Irish paternity. 
The opportunities for an education 
being very meager in his native 
place, he, on approaching years of 
jud 'ment and maturity, applied 
himself to those branches of learn- 
ing that seemed most important, 
and thus became a self-made man ; 
and his taste for reading and 
study remained with him through 
In 1803 his father removed 
10 Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where he 
died in 1810. 

In 181 2 young Carlin came to Illinois and partici- 
pated in all the "ranging" service incident to the 
war of that period, proving himself a soldier of un- 
daunted bravery. In 1814 he married Rebecca 
Huitt, and lived for four years on the bank of the 
Mississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Mis- 
soitri, where he followed farming, and then removed 
to Greene County. He located the town site of Car- 
rvj»lion,in that county, and in 1825 made a liberal 
donation of land for county building purposes. He 
was the first Sheriff of that county after its separate 
organization, and afterward was twice elected, as a 
Jackson Democrat, to the Illinois Senate. In the 
Black Hawk War he commanded a spy battalion, a 
post of considerable danger. In 1834 he was ap- 
pointed by President Jackson to the position of 
Receiver of Public Moneys, and to fulfill the office 
<■ 



more conveniently he removed to the city of Quincy. 

While, in 1838, the unwieldy internal improvement 
system of the State was in full operation, with all its 
expensive machinery, amidst bank suspensions 
throughout the United States, a great stringency in 
the money market everywhere, and Illinois bonds 
forced to sale at a heavy discount, and the " hardest 
times " existing that the people of the Prairie State 
ever saw, the general election of State officers was 
approaching. Discreet men who had cherished the 
hope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatua- 
tion, met with disappointment. \ Governor and 
Legislature were to be elected, and these were now 
looked forward to for a repeal of the ruinous State 
policy. But the grand scheme had not yet lost its 
dazzling influence upon the minds of the people. 
Time and experience had not yet fully demonstrated 
its utter absurdity. Hence the question of arresting 
its career of profligate expenditures did not become 
a leading one with the dominant party during the 
campaign, and most of the old members of the Leg- 
islature were returned at this election. 

Under these circumstances the Democrats, in State 
Convention assembled, nominated Mr. Carlin for the 
office of Governor, and S. H. Anderson for Lieuten- 
ant Governor, while the Whigs nominated Cyrus Ed- 
wards, brother of Ninian Edwards, formerly Governor, 
and W. H. Davidson. Edwards came out strongly 
for a continuance of the State policy, while Carlin 
remained non-committal. This was the first time 
that the two main political parties in this State were 
unembarrassed by any third party in the field. The 
result of the election was : Carlin, 35,573 ; Ander- 
son, 30,335; Edwards, 29,629; and Davidson, 28,- 

7I.S- 

Upon the meeting of the subsequent Legislature 
(1S39), the retiring Governor CDuncan'l in his mes- 



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136 



THOMAS CARLIN. 



I 



sage spoke in emphatic terms of the impolicy of the 
internal improvement system, presaging the evils 
threatened, and uiged that body to do their utmost 
to correct the great error ; yet, on the contrary, the 
Legislature not only decided to continue the policy 
l)iit also added to its burden by voting more appro- 
priations and ordering more improvements. Although 
the money market was still stringent, a further loan 
of $4,000,000 was ordered for the Illinois & Mich- 
igan Canal alone. Cli'cago at that time began to 
loom up and promise to be an important city, even 
the great Liiiporium of the West, as it has since in- 
deed came to be. Klx-Gov. Reynolds, an incompe- 
tent financier, was commissioned to effect the loan, 
and accordingly hastened to the East on this respons- 
ible errand, and negotiated the loans, at considera- 
ble sacrifice to the State. Besides this embarrassment 
to Carlin's administration, the Legislature also de- 
clared that he had no authority to appoint a Secretary 
of State until a vacancy existed, and A. P. Field, a 
Whig, who had already held the post by appointment 
througli three administrations, was determined to 
keep the place a while longer, in spite of Gov. Car- 
lin's preferences. The course of the Legislature in 
this regard, however, was finally sustained by the 
Supreme Court, in a quo warranto case brought u|) 
before it by John A. McClernand, whom tire Gov- 
ernor had nominated for the office. Thereupon that 
dignified l)ody was denounced as a "Whig Court!" 
endeavoring to estal)lish the principle of life-tenure 
of office. 

A now law was adopted re-organizing the Judici- 
ary, and under it five additional Supreme Judges 
were elected by the Legislature, namely, Thomas 
Ford (afterward Governor), Sidney Breese, Walter B. 
Siatcs, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas — 
all Democrats. 

It w.is (luring Cov. Carlin's administration that the 
noisy campaign of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" oc- 
curred, resulting in a Whig victory. This, however, 
did not affect Illinois politics very seriously. 

Another prominent event in the West during Gov. 
Carlin's term of office was the excitement caused by 
the Mormons and their removal from Independence, 
Mo., to Nauvoo, III., in 1840. At the same time 
they began to figure somewhat in State politics. On 
account of their believing — as they thought, accord- 
ing to the New 'I'estament — that they should have 



"all things common," and that consequently "all 
the earth " and all that is upon it were the" Lord's " 
and therefore the property of his " saints," they 
were suspected, and correctly, too, of committing 
many of the deeds of larceny, robbery, etc., that 
were so rife throughout this country in those days. 
Hence a feeling of violence grew up between the 
Mormons and "anti-Mormons." In the State of 
Missouri the Mormons always supported the Dem- 
ocracy until they were driven out by the Democratic 
government, when they turned their support to the 
Whigs. They were becoming n\imerous, and in the 
Legislature of 1 840- 1, therefore, it became a matter 
of great interest with both parties to conciliate these 
people. Through the agency of one John C. Ben- 
nett, a scamp, the Mormons succeeded in rusliing 
through the Legislature (both parties not daring to 
oppose) a charter for the city of Nauvoo which vir- 
tually erected a hierarchy co-ordinate with the Fed- 
eral Government itself. lu the fall of 184 c the 
Governor of Missouri made a demand upon Gov. 
Carlin for the body of Joe Smith, the Mormon leader, 
as a fugitive from justice. Gov. Carlin issued the 
writ, but for some reason it was returned unserved. 
It was again issued in 1842, and Smith was arrested, 
but was either rescued by bis followers or discharged 
by the municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus. 

In Deceuiber, 1841, the Democratic Convention 
nominated Adam W. Snyder, of Belleville, for Gov- 
ernor. As he had been, as a member of the Legisla- 
ture, rather friendly to the Mormons, the latter 
naturally turned their support to the Democratic 
party. The next spring the Whigs nominated Ex- 
(jov. Duncan for the same office. In the meantime 
the Mormons began to grow more odious to the 
masses of the people, and the couiparative i)ros|)ects 
of the respective parties for success became very 
problematical. Mr. Snyder died in May, and 
Thomas Ford, a Supreme Judge, was substituted as 
a candidate, and was elected. 

At the close of his gubernatorial term, Mr. Carlin 
removed back to his old home at Carrollton, where 
he spent the remainder of his life, as before his ele- 
vation to office, in agricultural pursuits. In 1849 
he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in the 
Illinois House of Representatives, and died Feb. 4, 
1852, at his residence at Carrollton, leaving a wife 
and seven children. 



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GJ VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



139 




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V^^HOiMAS FORO, Governor 
from 1842 to 1846, and au- 
thor of a very interesting 
history of Illinois, was born 
at Uniontown, Pa., in the 
year 1 800. His mother, after 
the death of her first hus- 
band (Mr. Forquer), married Rob- 
ert Ford, who was killed in 1S02, 
by the Indians in the mountains 
of Pennsylvania, She was conse- 
quently left in indigent circum- 
stances, with a large family, mostly 
girls. With a view to better her 
condition, she, in 1S04, removed to 
Missouri, where it had been cus- 
tomary by the .Si)anish Govern- 
ment to give land to actual settlers; but upon her 
arrival at St. Louis she found the country ceded to 
t:ie United States, and the liberal policy toward set- 
tlers changed by the new ownership. After some 
sickness to herself and family, she finally removed to 
Illinois, and settled some three miles south of Water- 
loo, but the following year moved nearer the Missis- 
sippi bluffs. Here young Ford received his first 

-^•- • 



schooling, under the instructions of a Mr. Humphrey, 
for which he had to walk three miles. His mother, 
though lacking a thorough education, was a woman 
of sn[)erior mental endowments, joined to energy 
and determination of character. She inculcated in 
her children those high-toned principles which dis- 
tinguished her sons in public life. She exercised a 
rigid economy to provide her children an education; 
but George Forquer, her oldest son (six years older 
than Thomas Ford), at an early age had to quit 
school to aid by his labor in the support of the family. 
He afterward became an eminent man in Illinois 
affairs, and but for his early death would probably 
have been elected to the United States Senate. 

Young Ford, with somewhat better opportunities, 
received a better education, though limited to the 
curriculum of the common school of those |jioneer 
times. His mind gave eariy promise of superior en- 
dowments, with an inclination for mathematics. His 
proficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P. 
Cook, who became his efficient patron and friend. 
The latter gentleman was an eminent Illinois states- 
man who, as a Member of Congress, obtained a grant 
of 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing the 
Illinois .S: Michigan Canal, and after wlioni the 
county of Cook was named. Through the advice of 



1- 



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140 



THOMAS FORD. 






this gentleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to the 
study of hiw; but Forquer, then merchandising, re- 
garding his education defective, sent him to Transyl- 
vania University, where, however, he remained Init 
one term, owing to Forqucr's failure in business. On 
his return he alternated his law reading with teach- 
ing school for support. 

In 1829 (iov. Edwards appointed liini Prosecuting 
Attorney, and in 1831 he was re-appointed by Gov. 
Reynolds, and after that he was four times elected a 
Judge by the Legislature, without opposition, twice a 
Circuit Judge, once a Judge of Chicago, and as As- 
sociate Judge of the Supreme Court, when, in 1841, 
the latter tribunal was re-organized by the addition 
of five Judges, all Democrats. Ford was assigned to 
the Nintii Judicial Circuit, and while in this capacity 
he was lio'iding Court in Ogle County he received a 
notice of his nomination liy tiie Democratic Conven- 
tion for ihj oflice of Governor. He immediately re- 
signed his place and entered upon the canvass. In 
August, 1842, he was elected, and on the 8th of De- 
cember following he was inaugurated. 

All the offices which he had held were unsolicited 
by him. He received them upon the true Jefferson- 
ian principle, — Mever to ask .ind never to refuse 
office. Both as a lawyer and as a Judge he stood 
deservedly high, but his cast of intellect fitted him 
rather for a writer upon law than a practicing advo- 
cate in the courts. In the latter capacity he was void 
of the moving nower of eloquence, so necessary to 
success with juries. As a Judge his opinions were 
'•ound, lucid and able expositions of the law. In 
practice, he was a stranger to the tact, skill and in- 
sinuating address of the politician, but he saw through 
the arts of demagogues as well as any man. He was 
plain in his demeanor, so much so, indeed, that at 
one time after the expiration of his term of office, 
during a session of the Legislature, he was taken by 
a sir.uiger to be a seeker for the position of door- 
keeper, and was waited upon at his hotel near mid- 
ni.^lii I),' a knot of small office-seekers with the view 
of el'fecting a "combination ! " 

Mr. Ford had not the "brass" of the ordinary 
politician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes a 
pjliiical leader. He cared little for money, and 
hardly enough for a decent support. In person he 
was of sm.dl stature, slender, of dark complexion, 
with black hair, sharp features, deep-set eyes, a 
jwinted, aquiline nose having a decided twist to one 
side, and a small mouth. 

Tlie three most important events in Gov. Ford's 
administration were the establishment of the high 
financial credit of the State, the " Mormon War "and 
the Mexican War. 

Ill the first of these the Governor proved himself 

to be eminenilv wise. On coming into office he found 

, the Stale badly paralyzed by the ruinous effects of 

the notorious "internal improvement" schemes of 



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the preceding decade, with scarcely anything to 
show by way of "improvement." The enterprise 
that seemed to be getting ahead more than all the 
rest was the Illinois & Michigan Canal. As this 
promised to be the most important thoroughfare, 
feasible to the people, it was well under headway in 
its construction. Therefore the State policy was 
almost concentrated upon it, in order to ;ush it on te 
completion. The bonded indebtedness of the State 
was growing so large as to frighten the peojile, and 
they were about ready to entertain a proposition for 
repudiation. But the Governor had the foresight to 
recommend such measures as would maintain the 
public credit, for which every citizen to-day feels 
thankful. 

But perhaps the Governor is remembered more for 
his connection with the Mormon troubles than for 
anything else; for it was during his term of office 
that the "Latter-Day Saints" became so strong at 
Nauvoo, built their temple there, increased their num- 
bers throughout the country, committed misdemean- 
ors, taught dangerous doctrines, suffered the loss of 
their leader, Jo Smith, by a violent death, were driven 
out of Nauvoo to the far West, etc. Having been a 
Judge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford of 
course was non-committal concerning Mormon affairs, 
and was therefore claimed by both parties and also 
accused by each of sympathizing too greatly with the 
other side. Mormonism claiming to be a system of 
religion, the Governor no doubt was "between two 
fires," and felt compelled to touch the matter rather 
" gingerly," and doubtless felt greatly relieved when 
that pestilential peojile left the State. Such compli- 
cated matters, esi)ecially when religion is mixed up 
with them, expose every person particijiating in 
them to criticism from all i)arties. 

The Mexican War was begun in the spring of 
1845, and was continued into the gubernatorial term 
of Mr. Ford's suxessor. The Governor's connection 
with this war, however, was not conspicuous, as it 
was only administrative, commissioning officers, etc. 
P'ord's " History of Illinois " is a very readable and 
entertaining work, of 450 small octavo ])ages, and is 
destined to increase in value with the la|)se of time. 
It exhibits a natural flow of compact and forcible 
thought, never failing to convey the nicest sense. In 
tracing with his trenchant pen the devious operations 
of the professional politician, in which he is inimit- 
able, his account is open, perhaps, to the objection 
that all his contemporaries are treated as mere place- 
seekers, while many of them have since been judged 
by the people to be worthy statesmen. His writings 
seem slightly open to the criticism tliat they exhibit 
a litile splenetic partiality against those of his con- 
temporaries who were prominent during his term of 
office as Governor. 

The death of (iov. Ford took place at Peoria, 111., 

Nov. 2, i8so. 
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G(J VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



143 



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Augustzis €. French. 








^•"^UGUSTUS C. FRENCH, 
Governor of Illinois from 
1846 to 1 85 2, was born in 
the town of Hill, in the 
State of New Hampshire, 
Aug. 2, r8o8. He was a 
descendant in the fourth 
generation ot Nathaniel 
I'rencli, who emigrated from P^ngland 
in 1687 and settled in Saybury, Mass. 
In early life young French lost his 
father, but continued to receive in- 
struction from an exemplary and 
Christian mother until he was 19 years 
old, when she also died, confiding to 
his care and trust four younger broth- 
ers and one sister. He discharged his trust with 
parental devotion. His education in early life was 
such mainly as a common school afforded. For a 
brief period he attended Dartmouth College, but 
from pecuniary causes and the care of his brothers 
and sister, he did not graduate. He subsequently 
read law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1S31, and 
shortly afterward removed to Illinois, settling first at 
Albion, Edwards County, wliere he established him- 
self in the practice of law. The following year he 
removed to Paris, Edgar County. Here he attained 
eminence in his profession, and entered itublic life 
by representing that county in the Legislature. A 
strong attachment sprang up between him and Ste- 
phen .\. Douglas. 

In 1839, Mr. French was appointed Receiver of 
the United States Land Ofifice at Palestine, Craw- 
ford County, at which place he was a resident when 



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elevated to the gubernatorial chair. In 1844 he was 
a Presidential Elector, and as such he voted for 
James K. Polk. 

The Democratic State Convention of 1846, meet- 
ing at Springfield Feb. 10, nominated Mr. French 
for (iovernor. Other Democratic candidates were 
Lyman Trumbull, John Calhoun (subsequently of 
Lecompton ("onslitution notoriety), Walter B. Scates, 
Richard M. Young and A. W. Cavarly, — -an array of 
very able and prominent names. Trumbull was per- 
haps defeated in the Convention by the rumor that 
he was opposed to the Illinois and Michigan Canal. 
as he had been a year previously. For Lieutenant 
Governor J. B. Wells was chosen, while other candi- 
dates were Lewis Ross, Wm. McMurtry, Newton 
Cloud, J. H. Hamilton and W. W. Thompson. The 
resolutions declared strongly against the resuscita- 
tion of the old State Banks. 

The Whigs, wlio were in a hopeless minority, held 
their convention June 8, at Peoria, and selected 
Thomas M. Kilpatrick, of Scott County, for Governor, 
and Gl'u. Nathaniel G. Wilcox, of Schuyler, for 
Lieutenant Governor. 

In the campaign the latter e.xposed Mr. French's 
record and connection with the passage of the in- 
ternal improvement system, urging it against his 
election; but in the meantime the war with Mexico 
broke out, regarding which the Whig record was un- 
popular in this State. The war was the absorbing 
and dominating question of the period, svveeping 
every other political issue in its course. The elec- 
tion in August gave Mr. French 58,700 votes, and 
Kilpatrick only 36,775. Richard Eells, Abolitionist 
candidate for the same office, received 5,152 votes. T 



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144 



AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH. 



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By the new Constitution of 1848, a new election for 
State officers was ordered in Nt)vembei of that year, 
before Gov. French's term was half out, and he was 
re-elected for the term of four years. He was there- 
fore the incumbent for six consecutive years, the 
only Governor of this State who has ever served in 
tliat capacity so long at one time. As there was no 
organized opuosition to his election, he received 67,- 
453 votes, to 5,639 for Pierre iVIenard (son of the 
first Lieutenant Governor), 4,748 for Charles V. 
Dyer, 3,834 for W. L. D. Morrison, and 1,361 for 
James L. D. Morrison. But Wm. McMurtry, of 
Knox County, was elected Lieutenant Governor, in 
place of Joseph B. Wells, who was before elected 
and did not run again. 

Governor French was inaugurated into office dur- 
ing the progress of the Mexican War, which closed 
during the summer of 1847, although the treaty of 
Guadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2, 
1848. The policy of Gov. French's party was com- 
mitted to that war, but in connection with that affair 
he was, 'of course, only an administrative officer. 
During his term of office, Feb. 19, 1847, the Legisla- 
ture, by special permission of Congress, declared that 
all Government lands sold to settlers should be im- 
mediately subject to State taxation; before this they 
were exempt for five years after sale. By this ar- 
rangement the revenue was materially increased. 
About tlie same time, the distribution of Government 
land warrants among the Mexican soldiers as bounty 
threw upon the market a great quantity of good 
lands, and this enhanced the settlement of the State. 
The same Legislature authorized, with the recom- 
mendation of the Governor, the sale of the Northern 
Cross Railroad (from Springfield to Meredosia, the 
first in the State and now a section of the Wabash, 
St. Louis & Pacific) It sold for $100,000 in bonds, 
although it had cost the State not less than a million. 
The salt wells and canal lands in the Saline reserve 
in Gallatin County, granted by the general Govern- 
ment to the State, were also authorized by the 
Governor to be sold, to apply on the State debt. In 
1850, for the first time since 1839, the accruing State 
revenue, exclusive of specific appropriations, was 
sufficient to meet the current demands upon the 
treasury. The aggregate taxable property of the 
State at this time was over $100,000,000, and the 
population 851,470. 



In 1849 the Legislature adopted the township or- 
ganization law, which, however, proved defective, 
and was properly amended in 1851. At its session 
in the latter year, the General Assembly also passed 
a law to exempt homesteads from sale on executions. 
This beneficent measure had been repeatedly urged 
upon that body by Gov. French. 

In 1850 some business men in St. Louis com- 
menced to build a dike opposite the lower part of 
their city on the Illinois side, to keep the Mississippi 
in its channel near St. Louis, instead of breaking 
away from them as it sometimes threatened to do. 
This they undertook without permission from the 
Legislature or Executive authority of this State ; and 
as many of the inhabitants there complained that 
the scheme would inundate and ruin much valuable 
land, there was a slight conflict of jurisdictions, re- 
sulting in favor of the St. Louis project; and since 
then a good site has existed there for a city (East St. 
Louis), and now a score of railroads center there. 

It was in September, 1850, that Congress granted 
to this State nearly 3,000,000 acres of land in aid of 
the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
which constituted the most important epoch in the 
railroad — we might say internal improvement — his- 
tory of the State. The road was rushed on to com- 
pletion, which accelerated the settleinent of the in- 
terior of the State by a good class of industrious citi- 
zens, and by the charter a good income to the State 
Treasury is paid in from the earnings of the road. 

In 185 I the Legislature passed a law authorizing 
free stock banks, which was the source of much leg- 
islative discussion for a number of years. 

But we have not space further to particularize 
concerning legislation. Gov. French's administra- 
tion was not marked by any feature to be criticised, 
while the country was settling up as never before. 

Ill stature. Gov. French was of medium height, 
sciuarely built, light complexioned, with ruddy face 
and pleasant countenance. In manners he was 
plain and agreeable. By nature he was somewhat 
diffident, but he was often very outspoken in his con- 
victions of duty. In public si)eech he was not an 
orator, but was chaste, earnest and persuasive. In 
business he was accurate and methodical, and in his 
adiTiinistration he kept up the credit of the State. 

He died in 1S65, at his home in Lebanon, St. 
Clair Co., 111. 



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GOl'ERNOKS OF ILLINOIS. 



147 




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^ ";OEL A. MATTESON, Governor 
ifew 1853-6, was born Aug. 8, 1808, 
rji in Jefferson County, New York, 
to which place his father had re- 
moved from Vermont three years 
before. His father was a farmer 
in fair circumstances, but a com- 
mon English education was all 
tliat his only son received. Young 
Joel first tempted fortune as a 
small tradesman in Prescott, 
Canada, before he was of age. 
He returned from that place to 
his home, entered an academy, 
taught school, visited the prin- 
cipal Eastern cities, improved a farm his father hail 
given him, made a tour in the South, worked there 
in building railroads, experienced a storm on the 
Gulf of Mexico, visited the gold diggings of Northern 
Georgia, and returned via Nashville to St. Louis and 
through Illinois to his father's home, when he mar- 
ried. In 1833, having sold his farm, he removed, 
ivith his wife and one child, to Illinois, and entered 
a claim on Government land near the head of An 
Sable River, in what is now Kendall County. At 
that time there were not more than two neighbors 
within a range of ten miles of Jiis place, and only 
three or four houses between him and Chicago. He 
opened a large farm. His family wa; boartJv-i' •" 



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miles away while he erected a house on his claim, 
sleeping, daring this time, under a rude pole shed. 
Here his life was once placed in imminent peril by 
a huge prairie rattlesnake sharing his bed. 

In T835 he bought largely at the Government land 
sales. During the speculative real-estate mania which 
broke out in Chicago in 1 836 and spread over the State, 
he sold his lands under the inflation of that period 
and removed to Joliet. In 1838 he became a heavy 
contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Upon 
the com|)letion of his job in 1841, when hard times 
prevailed, business at a stand, contracts paid in State 
scrip; when all the public works e.\cept the canal 
were abandoned, the State offered for sale 700 tons 
of railroad iron, which was purchased by Mr. Mat- 
teson at a bargain. This he accepted, shipped and 
sold at Detroit, realizing a very handsome profit, 
enough to pay off all his canal debts and leave him a 
surplus of several tlxjusand dollars. His enterprise 
next prompted him to start a woolen mill at Joliet, 
in which he prospered, and which, after successive 
enlargements, became an enormous establishment. 

In 1842 he was first elected a State Senator, but, 
by a l)ungling apportionment, John Pearson, a Senator 
holding over, was found to be in the same district, 
and decided to lie entitled to represent it. Mat- 
teson's seat was declared vacant. Pearson, however, 
with a nobleness difficult to appreciate in this day of 



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148 



JOEL A. MATTESON. 



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greed for office, unwilling to represent his district 
under the circumstances, immediately resigned his 
unexpired term of two years. A bill was passed in a 
few hours ordering a new election, and in ten days' 
time Mr. Matteson was relumed rc-clecled and took 
his seat as Senator. From his well-known capacity 
as a business man, he was made Chairman of the 
Counnittee on Finance, a jjosition he iicld during 
this half and two full succeeding Senatorial terms, 
discliargingils ini|)orlant duties with ability and faith- 
fulness. Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest, 
when work was resumed on the canal under the new 
loan of i|r, 600,000 he again became a heavy con- 
tractor, and also subsequently operated largely in 
building railroads. Thus he showed himself a most 
energetic and thorough business man. 

He was nominated for Governor by the Demo- 
cratic State Convention which met at Springfield 
April 20, 1852. Other candidates before the Con- 
vention were D. L. Gregg and F. C. Sherman, of 
Cook ; John Dement, of Lee ; Thomas L. Harris, of 
Menard; Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton; and D. P. Bush, 
of Pike. Gustavus Koerner, of St. Clair, was nom- 
inated for Lieutenant Governor. For the same offices 
the Whigs nominated Edwin B. Webb and De.xter A. 
Knowlton. Mr. Matteson received 80,645 votes at 
the election, while Mr. Webb received 64,408. Mal- 
teson's forte was not on the stump; he had not cul- 
tivated the art of oily flattery, or the faculty of being 
all things to all men. His intellectual qualities took 
rather the direction of efficient executive ability. His 
turn consisted not so much in the adroit manage- 
ment of party, or the powerful advocacy of great gov- 
ernmental principles, as in those more solid and 
enduring operations which cause tlie physical devel- 
opment and advancement of a State, — of commerce 
and business enterprise, into wliich he labored with 
success to lead the people. As a politician he was 
just and liberal in his views, and both in official and 
private life he then stood untainted and free from 
blemish. As a man, in active benevolence, social 
rirtues and all the amiable qualities of neighbor or 
citizen, he had few superiors. His messages present 
a i)erspicuous array of facts as to the condition of the 
State, and are often couched in forcible and elegant 
] diction. 

I I The greatest excitement during his term of office 
IT was the repeal of tlie Missouri Compromise, by Con- 



gress, under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas in 
1S54, when tlie bill was passed organizing the Terri- 
tory of Kansas and Nebraska. A large portion of 
the Whig party of the North, through their bitter op- 
position to tlie Democratic party, naturally drifted 
into the doctrine of anti-slavery, and thus led to what 
was temporarily called the " Anti-Neliraska " party, 
while the followers of Douglas were known as " Ne- 
braska or Douglars Democrats." It was during this 
embryo stage of the Republican party that Abraham 
I^incoln was brought forward as the "Anti-Nebraska " 
candidate for the United States Senalorship, while 
Gen. James Shields, the incumbent, was re-noiii- 
inaled by the Democrats. But after a fewballotings 
in the Legislature (1855), these men were dropped, 
and Lyman Trumbull, an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, 
was brought up by the former, and Mr. Matteson, 
then (Governor, by the latter. On the nth ballot 
Mr. Trumlnill obtained one majority, and was ac- 
cordingly declared elected. Before Gov. Matteson 's 
term expired, tliQ Republicans were fully organized 
as a national party, and in 185 6 put into the field a 
full national and State ticket, carrying the Stale, but 
not the nation. 

The Legislature of 1855 passed two very import- 
ant measures, — the present free-school system and a 
submission of the Maine liquor law to a vote of the 
peo[)le. The latter was defeated by a small majority 
of the [jopular vote. 

During the four years of Gov. Matteson's admin- 
istration the taxable wealth of the State was about 
trebled, from $!37,8iS, 079 to $349,951,272 ; the pub- 
lic debt was reduced from $17,398,985 to $[2,843,- 
144; taxation was at the same time reduced, and the 
State resumed paying interest on its debt in Nev,' 
York as fast as it fell due; railroads were increased 
in their mileage from something less than 400 to 
about 3,000 ; and the population of Chicago was 
nearly doubled, and its commerce more than quad- 
rupled. 

Before closing this account, we regret that we have 
to say that Mr. Matteson, in all other respects an 
upright man and a good Governor, was imi)Iicated 
in a false re-issue of redeemed canal scrio, amount- 
ing to $224,182.66. By a suit in the Sangamon Cir- 
cuit Court the State recovered the principal and all 
the interest excepting $27,500. 

He died in the winter of 1872-3, at Chicago. 



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GOVJ^RNOJiS OF ILLINOIS. 



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[LLIAM H. BISSELL, Gov- 
ernor 1857-60, was born 
;P April ' 25, 181 1, in the 
State of New York, near 
Painted Post, Yates County. 
His parents were obscure, 
honest. God-fearing people, 
reared their children under the daily 
example of industry and frugality, accord- 
ing to the custom of that class of Eastern 
society. Mr. Bissell received a respecta- 
ble but nut thorough academical education. 
By assiduous application he acquired a 
knowledge of medicine, and in his early 
manhood came West and located in Mon- 
roe County, this Slate, where he engaged in the 
practice of that profession. But he was not enam- 
ored of his calling: he was swayed by a broader 
ambition, to such an extent that the mysteries of the 
healing art and its arduous duties failed to yield him 
further any charms. In a few years he discovered 
his choice of a profession to be a mistake, and when 
he approached the age of 30 he sought to begin 
anew. Dr. Bissell, no doubt unexpectedly to him- 
self, discovered a singular facility and charm of 
speech, the exercise of which acquired for him a 
ready local notoriety. It soon came to be under- 

^•— 



stood that he desired to abandon his profession and 
take up that of the law. During terms of Court he 
would spend his time at the county seat among the 
memljcrs of the Bar, who extended to him a ready 
welcome. 

It was not strange, therefore, that he should drift 
into [)ublic life. In 1840 he was elected as a Dem- 
ocrat to the Legislature from Monroe County, and 
was an eflicient member of that body. On his re- 
turn home he qualified himself for admission to the 
liar and speedily rose to the front rank as an advo- 
cate. His powers of oratory were captivating. With a 
pure diction, charming and inimitable gestures, 
clearness of statement, and a remarkable vein of sly 
humoi, his efforts before a jury told with irresistible 
effect. Me was chosen by the Legislature Prosecut- 
ing .Attorney for the Circuit in which he lived, and 
ill I hat position he fully discliarged his duty to the 
Stale, gained the esteem of the Bar, and seldom 
failed to convict the offender of the law. 

In stature he was somewhat tall and slender, and 
with a straight, military bearing, he presented a dis- 
tinguished appearance. His complexion was dark, 
his head well poised, though not large, his address 
pleasant and manner winning. He was exemplary 
in his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent. 
He was twice married, the first time to Miss 



James, w 



i 



f 




A 



WILLIAM H. BISSELl. 






of Monroe County, by whom he had two children, 
both daughters. She died soon after the year 1840, 
and Mr. B. married for his second wife a daughter 
of EUas K. Kane, previously a United States Senator 
from this State. She survived him but a short time, 
and died without issue. 

When the war with Mexico was declared in 1846, 
Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of his 
regiment, over Hon. Don Morrison, by an almost 
unanimous vote, — S07 to 6. Considering the limited 
opportunities he had had, he evinced a high order of 
military talent. On the bloody field of Buena Vista 
he acquitted himself with intrepid and distinguished 
ability, contributing with his regiment, the Second 
Illinois, in no small degree toward saving the waver- 
ing fortunes of our arms during that long and fiercely 
contested battle. 

After his return home, at the close of the war, he 
was elected to Congress, his opponents being the 
Hons. P. B. Fouke and Joseph Gillespie. He served 
two terms in Congress. He was an ardent politician. 
During the great contest of 1 85 o he voted in favor 
of the adjustment measures; but in 1854 he opposed 
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise act and 
therefore the Kansas-Nebraska bill of Douglas, and 
thus became identified with the nascent Republican 
party. 

During his first Congressional term, while the 
Southern members were following their old practice 
of intimidating the North by bullying language, 
and claiming most of the credit for victories in the 
Mexican War, and Jefferson Davis claiming for the 
Mississippi troops ail the credit for success at Buena 
Vista, Mr. Bissell bravely defended the Northern 
troops ; whereupon Davis challenged Bissell to a duel, 
which was accepted. This matter was brought uj) 
against Bissell when he was candidate for Governor 
and during his term of office, as the Constitution of 
this State forbade any duelist from holding a State 
office. 

In 1856, when the Republican party first put forth 
a candidate, John C. Fremont, for President of the 
United States, the same party nominated Mr. Bissell 
for Governor of Illinois, and John Wood, of Quincy, 
for Lieutenant Governor, while the Democrats nomi- 
nated Hon. W. A. Richardson, of Adams County, 
for Governor, and Col. R. J. Hamilton, of Cook 
County, for Lieutenant Governor. The result of the 



election was a plurality of 4,729 votes over Richard- 
son. The American, or Know-Nothing, party had a 
ticket in the field. The Legislature was nearly bal- 
anced, but was politically opposed to the Governor. 
His message to the Legislature was short and rather 
ordinary, and was criticised for expressing the sup- 
posed obligations of the people to the incorporators 
of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and for re- 
opening the slavery question by allusions to the 
Kansas troubles. Late in the session an apportion- 
ment bill, based upon the State census of 1855, was 
passed, amid much partisan strife. The Governor 
at first signed the bill and then vetoed it. A furious 
debate followed, and the question whether the Gov- 
ernor had the authority to recall a signature was 
referred to the Courts, that of last resort deciding in 
favor of the Governor. Two years afterward another 
outrageous attempt was made for a re-apportionment 
and to gerrymander the State, but the Legislature 
failed to pass the bill over the veto of the Governor. 

It was during Gov. Bissell's administration that 
the notorious canal scrip fraud was brought to light, 
implicating ex-Gov. Matteson and other prominent 
State officials. The principal and interest, aggregat- 
ing ;|25s,5oo, was all recovered by the State except- 
ing $27,500. (See sketch of Gov. Matteson.) 

In 1859 an attempt was discovered to fraudu- 
lently refund the Macalister and Stebbins bonds and 
thus rob the State Treasury of nearly a quarter of a 
million dollars. The State Government was impli- 
cated in this aff"air, and to this day remains unex- 
plained or unatoned for. For the above, and other 
matters previously mentioned. Gov. Bissell has been 
severely criticised, and he has also been most shame- 
fully libelled and slandered. 

On account of exposure in the army, the remote 
cause of a nervous form of disease gained entrance 
into his system and eventually developed jiaraplegia, 
affecting his lower extremities, which, while it left 
his body in comparative health, deprived him of loco- 
motion except by the aid of crutches. While he was 
generally hopeful of ultimate recovery, this myste- 
rious disease pursued him, without once relaxing its 
stealthy hold, to the close of his life, March 18, 
I S60, over nine months before the expiration of his 
gubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years. He 
died in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, of 
which he had been a member since 1S54. 



n 




^^^J^^^ i^^cC 



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Governors of Illinois. 



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■55 





-'¥3^ 



^ 



-J-— 



\ OHN WOOD, Governoif 1860-1, and 
^ the first settler of Quincy, III, 
was born in the town of Sempro- 
nius (now Moravia), Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 20, 1798. He was 
the second child and only son of 
Dr. Daniel Wood. His mother, 
nee Catherine Crause, was of 
German parentage, and died 
while he was an infant. Dr. 
Wood was a learned and skillful 
physician, of classical attain- 
ments and proficient in several 
modern lai.guages, who, after 
serving throughout the Revolu- 
tionary War as a Surgeon, settled on tlieland granted 
him by the Government, and resided there a re- 
spected and leading influence in his section until his 
death, at the ripe age of 92 years. 

The subject of this sketch, impelled by the spirit 
of Western adventure then pervading everywhere, 
left his home, Nov. 2, i8i8, and passed the succeed- 
ing winter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following sum- 
mer he pushed on to Illinois, landing at Shawneetown. 
and spent the fall and following winter in Calhoun 
County. In 1820, in company with Willard Keyes, 
he settled in Pike County, about 30 miles southeast 
of Quincy, where for the next two years he pursued 
farming. In 182 1 he visited "the Bluffs" (as the 
present site of Quincy was called, then uninhabited) 
and, pleased with its jjrospects, soon after purchased 
a quarter-section of land near by, and in the follow- 
ing fall (1S22) erected near the river a small cabin. 



18 X 20 feet, the first building in Quincy, of which 
he then became the first and for some months the 
only occupant. 

About this time he visited his old friends in Pike 
County, chief of wliom was William Ross, the lead- 
ing man in building up the village of Atlas, of that 
county, which was thought then to be the possible 
commencement of a city. One day they and others 
were traveling together over the country between the 
two points named, making observations on the com- 
parative merits of the respective localities. On ap- 
proaching the Mississippi near Mr. Wood's place, 
the latter told his companions to follow him and he 
would show them wliere he was going to build a city. 
They went ai)out a mile off the main trail, to a high 
point, from which the view in every direction was 
most magnificent, as it had been for ages and as yet 
untouched by the hand of man. Before them swept 
by the majestic Father of Waters, yet unburdened by 
navigation. After Mr. Wood had expatiated at 
length on the advantages of the situation, Mr. Ross 
rej)hed, " But it's too near Atlas ever to amount to 
anytliing!" 

Atlas is still a cultivated farm, and Quincy is a 
city of over 30,000 population. 

In 1824 Mr. Wood gave a newspaper notice, 
,is the law then prescribed, of his intention to apply 
lo the General Assembly for the formation of a new 
county. This was done the following winter, result- 
ing in the establishment of the present Adams 
County. During the next summer Quincy was se- 
lected as the county seat, it and the vicinity then 
containing but four adult male residents and half T 



t 



•>-I:=«- 



.t 



ISO 



TOHN WOOD. 



that number of females. Since that period Mr. 
Wood resided at the place of his early adoption un- 
til his death, and far more than any other man was 
he identified with every measure of its progress and 
history, and almost continuously kept in public posi- 
tions. 

He was one of the early town Trustees, and after 
the place became a city he was often a member of 
the City Council, many times elected Mayor, in the 
face of a constant large opposition political majority. 
In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate. In 1856, 
on the organization of the Republican party, he was 
chosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on the 
ticket with Wm. H. Bissell for Governor, and on the 
death of the latter, March 18, 1860, he succeeded to 
the Chief Executive chair, wliich he occupied until 
Gov. Yates was inaugurated nearly ten months after- 
ward. 

Nothing very marked characterized tlie adminis- 
tration of Gov. Wood. The great anti-slavery cam- 
paign of i860, resulting in the election of the honest 
lUinoisan, Abraham Lincoln, to the Presidency of the 
United States, occurred during the short period 
while Mr. Wood was Governor, and the e.xcitement 
and issues of tliat struggle dominated over every 
other consideration, — indeed, supplanted them in a 
great measure. The people of Illinois, during all 
that time, were passing the comparatively petty strifes 
under Hissell's administration to tlie overwhelming 
issue of preserving the whole nalion from destruction. 

In 186 r ex-Gov. Wood was one of the five Dele- 
gates from Illinois to the " Peace Convention " at 
Washington, and in April of tiie same year, on the 
breaking out of the Rebellion, he was appointed 



Quartermaster-General of the State, which position 
he held throughout the war. In 1864 he took com- 
mand as Colonel of the 137th 111. Vol. Inf, with 
whom he served until the i)eriod of enlistment ex- 
j)ired. 

Politically, Gov. Wood was always actively identi- 
fied with tlie Whig and Republican parties. Few 
men have in personal experience comprehended so 
many surprising and advancing local changes as 
vested in the more than half century recollections of 
Gov. Wood. Sixty-four years ago a solitary settler 
on the "Bluffs," with no family, and no neighbor 
within a score of miles, the world of civilization away 
behind him, and the strolling red-man almost his 
only visitant, he lived to see growing around him, 
and under his auspices and aid, overspreading the 
wild hills and scraggy forest a teaming city, second 
only in size in the State, and surpassed nowhere in 
beauty, prosperity and promise ; whose people recog- 
nize as with a single voice the proverbial honor and 
liberality that attach to the name and lengthened 
life of their pioneer settler, "the old Governor." 

Gov. Wood was twice married, — first in January, 
1826, to Ann M.'Streeter, daughlerof Josluia Streeter, 
formerly of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. They had 
eight children. Mrs. W. died Oct. 8, 1863, and in 
June, 18C5, Gov. Wood married Mrs. Mary A., widow 
of Rev. Joseph T. Holmes. Gov. Wood died June 4, 
1 880, at his residence in Quincy. Four of his eight 
children are now living, namely: \w\\ E., wife of 
Gen. John Tillson; Daniel C, who married Mary J. 
Abernethy; John, Jr., who married Josephine Skinner, 
and Joshua S., who married Annie Bradley. 'I'he 
last mentioned now resides at Atchison, Kansas, and 
all the rest are still at Quincy. 




i 



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GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



159 





J^if lvaii,?(Cl 






•^it- 




|°^?^^ICHARD YATES, the "War 
,: i'^ Governor," 1861-4, was born 
Jan. 18, 1818, on the banks of 
the Ohio River, at Warsaw, 
Gallatin Co., Ky. His father 
^ moved in 1S31 to Illinois, and^ 
after stopping for a time in 
Springfield, settled at Island 
Grove, Sangamon County. Here, 
after attending school, Richard joined 
the family. Subseqtiently he entered 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
where, in 1S37, he graduated with 
first honors. He chose for his pro- 
fession the law, the Hon. J. J. Har- 
din being his instructor. After ad- 
mission to the Bar he soon rose to distinction as an 
advocate. 

Gifted with a fluent and ready oratory, he soon 
appeared in tiie political hustings, and, being a 
passionate admirer of the great Whig leader of the 
West, Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to 
the party of his idol. In 1840 he engaged with great 
ardor in the exciting " hard cider " campaign for 
Harrison. Two years later he was elected to the 
Legislature from Morgan County, a Democratic 
stronghold. He served three or four terms in the 
Legislature, and such was the fascination of his ora- 
tory that by 1850 his large Congressional Uisiriti, 
extending from Morgan and Sangamon Counties 
n jrth to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him 
the Whig nomination for Congress. His Democratic 
o[)ponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a very pop- 
ular man who had won distinction at the battle of 
C^erro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who had 
beaten Hon. Stephen T. Logan for the same position. 



T* 



two years before, by a large majority. Yates vras 
elected. Two years later he was re-elected, over 
John Calhoun. 

It was during Yates' second term in Congress that 
the great question of the repeal of the Missouri Com- 
[tromise was agitated, and the bars laid down for re- 
opening the dreaded anti-slavery question. He took 
strong grounds against the repeal, and thus became 
identified with the rising Republican party. Conse- 
quently he fell into the minority in his district, which 
was pro-slavery. Even then, in a third contest, he 
fell behind Major Harris only zoo votes, after the 
district had two years before given Pierce 2,000 
majority for President. 

The Republican State Convention of rS6o met at 
Decatur May 9, and nominated for the office of Gov- 
ernor Mr. Yates, in preference to Hon. Norman B. 
Judd, of Chicago, and Leonard Swett, of Blooming- 
ton, two of the ablest men of the State, who were 
also candidates before the Convention. Francis A. 
Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated for 
Lieutenant Governor. This was the year when Mr. 
Lincoln was a candidate for President, a period re- 
membered as characterized by the great whirlpool 
which preci|)itated the bloody War of the Rebellion. 
The Douglas Democrats nominated J. C. Allen of 
Crawford County, for Governor, and Lewis W. Ross, 
of Fulton County, for Lieutenant Governor. -The 
Ih-eckenridge Democrats and the Bell-Everett party 
had also full tickets in the field. After a most fear- 
ful campaign, the result of the election gave Mr. 
Yates 172,196 votes, and Mr. Allen 159,253. Mr. 
Vales received over a thousand more votes than did 
Mr. Lincoln himself. 

Gov. Yates occupied the chair of State during the 



*r 



t. 



1 60 



A 



RICHARD YATES. 



most critical period of our country's history. In the 
fate of the nation was involved that of each State. 
The life struggle of the former derived its sustenance 
from the loyalty of the latter; and Gov. Yates 
seemed to realize the situation, and proved himself 
both loyal and wise in upholding the Government. 
He had a deep hold upon the affections of the 
people, won by his moving eloquence and genial 
manners. Erect and symmetrical in person, of pre- 
possessing appearance, with a winning address and a 
magnetic power, few men possessed more of the ele- 
ments of popularity. His oratory was scholarly and 
captivating, his hearers hardly knowing why they 
were transported. He was social and convivial. In 
the latter respect he w.is ultimately carried too far. 

The very creditable military efforts of this State 
during the War of the Rebellion, in putting into the 
field the enormous number of about 200,000 soldiers, 
were ever promptly and ably seconded by his excel- 
lency ; and the was ambitious to deserve the title of 
"the soldier's friend." Immediately after the battle of 
Shiloh he repaired to the field of carnage to look 
after the wounded, and his appeals for aid were 
promptly responded to by tlie people. His procla- 
mations calling for volunteers were impassionate 
appeals, urging upon the peo|)le the duties and re- 
quirements of patriotism; and his special message 
in 1863 to the Democratic Legislature of this State 
pleading for material aid for the sick and wounded 
soldiers of Illinois regiments, breathes a deep fervor 
of noble sentiment and feeling rarely equaled in 
beauty or felicity of expression. Generally his mes- 
sages on political and civil affairs were able and com- 
prehensive. During his administration, however, 
there were no civil events of an engrossing character, 
althou_t;h two years of his time were replete with 
partisan quarrels of great bitterness. Military ar- 
rests, Knights of the Golden Circle, riot in Fulton 
County, attempted suppression of tlie Chicago Tiiius 
and the usurping State Constitutional Convention of 
1862, were the chief local topics that were exciting 
during the Governor's term. This ('onvention assem- 
bled Jan. 7, and at once took tire higli (josition that 
the law calling il was no longer binding, and that il 
had supreme power; that it represented a virtual 
assemblage of the whole people of the State, and was 
sovereign in the exercise of all jxjwcr necessary to 
effect a peaceable revolution of the State Government 



and to the re-establishment of one for the "happiness, 
prosperity and freedom of the citizens," limited only 
by the Federal Constitution. Notwithstanding the 
law calling the Convention required its members to 
take an oath to support the Constitution of the State 
as well as that of the general Government, they 
utterly refused to take such oath. They also as- 
sumed legislative powers and passed several imix)rt- 
ant "laws!" Interfering with the (then) present 
executive duties. Gov. Yates was provoked to tell 
them plainly that " he did not acknowledge the right 
of the Convention to instruct him in the performance 
of his duty." 

In 1863 the Governor astonished the Democrats 
by " proroguing " their Legislature. This body, after 
a recess, met June 2, that year, and soon began to 
waste time upon various partisan resolutions ; and, 
while the two houses were disagreeing upon the 
question of adjourning «'«^ die, the Governor, having 
the authority in such cases, surprised them all by 
adjourning them " to the Saturday next preceding the 
first Monday in January, 1865 !" This led to great 
excitement and confusion, and to a reference of the 
Governor's act to the Supreme Court, who decided in 
his favor. Then it was the Court's turn to receive 
abuse for weeks and months afterward. 

During the autumn of 1S64 a conspiracy was de- 
tected at Chicago which had for its object the liber- 
ation of tiie prisoners of war at Camp Douglas, the 
burning of the city and the inauguration of rebellion 
in the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of the 
camp at the time, first had his suspicions of danger 
aroused by a number of enigmatically worded letters 
which passed through the Camp ])ostoffice. A de- 
tective afterward discovered that the rebel Gen. 
Marmaduke was in the city, under an assumed 
name, and he, with other rebel officers — Grenfell, 
Morgan, Canirell, Buckner Morris, and Charles 
Walsh — was arrested, most of whom were convicted 
liy a court-martial at Cincinnati and sentenced to 
imprisonment, — Grenfell to be hung. The sentence 
of the latter was afterward commuted to imprison- 
ment for life, and all the otiiers, after nine months' 
imprisonment, were pardoned. 

In March, 1873, Gov. Yates was appointed a Gov- 
ernment Director of the Union Pacific Railroad, in 
which office he continued until his decease, at St. 
Louis, Mo., on the 27th of November following. 



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GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



163 




Michard J. Ogleshy 




4^s 







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4 



i^i»^i5l^^ICHARD J. OGLESBY, Gov- 
'«♦ ernor 1865-8, and re-elected 
in 1872 and 1884, was born 
July 25, 1824, in Oldham Co., 
Ky., — the State which might 
be considered the " mother of 
Illinois G(ivernors." Bereft of 
his parents at the tender age 
^ of eight years, his early education 
was neglected. When 12 years of 
age, and after he had worked a year 
and a half at the carpenter's trade, 
he removed with an uncle, Willis 
Oglesby, into whose care he had 
been committed, to Decatur, this 
State, where he continued his ap- 
prenticeship as a mechanic, working si.K months for 
Hon. E. O. Smith. 

In 1844 he commenced studying law at Spring- 
field, with Judge Silas Robbins, and read with him 
one year. He was admitted to the Bar in 1845, and 
commenced the practice of his chosen profession at 
Sullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County. 

The next year the war with Mexico was com- 
menced, and in June, 1846, Mr. Oglesby volunteered, 
was elected First Lieutenant of Co. C', Fourth Illinois 
Regiment of Volunteers, and participated in tiie l)at- 
tles of Vera Crui; and Cerro (Joido. 

On his return he sought to perfect Ills law studies 
by attending a courr^e of lectures at Louisville, but 
on the breaking out of the California "gold fever " in 
1849, he crossed the |)lains and mountains to the 
new Eldorado, driving a six-mule team, with a com- 



^ 



pany of eight men, Henry Prather being the leader. 

In 1852 he returned home to Macon County, and 
was placed that year by the Whig party on the ticket 
of Presidential Electors. In 1856 he visited Europe, 
Asia and Africa, being absent 20 months. On his 
return home he resumed the practice of law, as a 
member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby. 
In 1858 he was the Republican nominee for the 
Lower House of Congress, but was defeated by the 
Hon. James C. Robinson, Democrat. In i860 he 
was elected to the Illinois State Senate ; and on the 
evening the returns of this election were coming in, 
Mr. Oglesby had a fisticuff encounter with " Cerro 
Gordo Williams," in which he came out victorious, 
and which was regarded as " the first fight of the 
Rebellion." The following spring, when the war 
had commenced in earnest, his ardent nature 
quickly responded to the demands of patriotism and 
he enlisted. The extra session of the Legislature 
elected him Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Infantry, 
the second one in the State raised to suppress the 
great Rebellion. 

He was shortly entrusted with important com- 
mands. For a time he was stationed at Bird's Point 
and Cairo ; in April he was promoted Brigadier Gen- 
eral ; at Fort Donelson his brigade was in the van, 
being stationed on the right of General Grant's army 
and the first brigade to be attacked. He lost 500 
men before re-inforcements arrived. Many of these 
men were from Macon County. He was engaged in 
the battle of Corinth, and, in a brave charge at this 
place, was shot in the left lung with an ounce ball, 
and was carried from the field in expectation of im- 



^^ 



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t 

<♦-■- 



164 



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RfCHARD J. OGLESBY 






mediate dcnth. That re',:el bill lie carries to this 
day. On his partial recovery he was promoted as 
Major General, for gdlantry, his commission to rank 
from November, 1862. In the spring of 1863 he 
was assigned to the command of the i6th Army 
Corps, but, owing to inability from the effects of his 
wound, he relinquished this command in July, that 
year. (ien. Grant, however, refused to accept his 
resignation, and he was detailed, in December follow- 
ing, to court-martial and try the Surgeon General of 
the Army at AVashington, where he remained until 
Vay, 1864, when he returned home. 

The Republican, or Union, State Convention of 

1864 was held at Springfield, May 25, when Mr. 
Oglesby was nominated for the office of Governor, 
while other candidates before the Convention were 
Allen (L Fuller, of Boone, Jesse K. Dubois, of Sanga- 
mon, and John M. Palmer, of Macoupin. Wm. 
Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for Lieutenant 
Governor. On the fJemocratic State ticket were 
James C. Robinson, of Clark, for Governor, and S. 
Corning Judd, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor. 
The general election gave Gen. Oglesby a majority 
of about 31,000 votes. The Republicans had also a 
majority in both the Legislature and in the repre- 
sentation in Congress. 

Gov. Oglesby was duly inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865. 
The day before the first time set for his installation 
death visited his hjme at Decatur, and took from it 
his only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of six 
years, a great favorite of the bereaved parents. This 
caused the inauguration to be postponed a week. 

The political events of the Legislative session of 

1865 were the election of ex-(iov. Yates to the 
United States Senate, and the ratification of the 13th 
ainend.nent to the Constitution of the United States, 
abolishing slavery. This session also signalized 
itself by repealing the notorious " black laws," part 
of which, although a dead letter, had held their place 
upon the statute l)ooks since 1819. Also, laws re- 
quiring the registration of voters, and establishing a 
State Board of Ktiuahzation, were passed by this Leg- 
islature. But the same body evinced that it was cor- 
ruptly infiuenccd by a mercenary lobby, as it adopted 
some bad legislation, over the Governor's veto, nota- 
bly an amendment to a charter for a Chicago horse 
railway, granted in r859 for 25 years, and now 
sought to be extended 99 years. As this measure 
was promptly passed over his veto by both branches 
of the Legislature, he deemed it useless further to 
attempt to check their headlong career. At this 
session no law of a general useful character or ])ublic 
interest was perfected, unless we count such the 
turning over of the canal to C'hicago to be deepened. 
The session of 1867 was still nn)re productive of 
jirivate and special acts. Many omnibus bills were 
proposed, and some passed. The contests over the 
location of the Industrial College, the Capital, the 



Southern Penitentiary, and the canal enlargement 
and Illinois River improvement, dominated every 
thing else. 

During the year 1872, it became evident that if 
the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to the 
office of Governor, they could also elect him to the 
United States Senate, which they desired to do. 
Accordingly they re-nominated him for the Execu- 
tive chair, and jilaced upon the ticket with hiin for 
Lieutenant Governor, John L. Beveridge, of Cook 
County. On the other side the Democrats i)ut into 
the field Gustavus Koerner for Governor and John 
C. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The election 
gave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from 
35'334 to 56,174, — the Democratic defection being 
caused mainly by their having an old-time Whig and 
Abolitionist, Horace Greeley, on the national ticket 
for President. According to the general understand- 
ing had beforehand, as soon as the Legislature met 
it elected Gov. Oglesby to the United States Senate, 
whereupon Mr. Beveridge became Governor. Sena- 
tor Oglesby's term expired March 4, 1879, having 
served his party faithfully and exhibited an order of 
statesmanship beyond criticism. 

During the campaign of 1884 Mr. Oglesby was 
nominated for a "third term" as Executive of the 
State of Illinois, against Carter H. Harrison, Mayor 
of Chicago, nominated by the Democrats. Both 
gentlemen "stumped " the State, and while the peo- 
l)le elected a Legislature which was a tie on a joint 
ballot, as between the two parties, they gave the 
jovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Gov- 
ernor, and he was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1S85. The 
Legislature did not fully organize until this date, on 
acctnint of its ecpial division between the two main 
parties and the consequent desperate tactics of each 
party to checkmate the latter in the organization of 
the House. 

Gov. Oglesby is a fine-appeaimg, allaiile man, with 
regular, well defined features and rotund face. In 
stature he is a little above medium height, of a large 
frame and somewhat fleshy. His physical appear- 
ance is striking and prepossessing, while his straight- 
out, not to say bluff, manner and speech are well 
calculated fivorably to impress the average masses. 
.'Vrdent in feeling and strongly committed to the pol- 
icies of his jjarty, he intensifies Re]niblicanism 
among Republicans, while at the same lime his iovial 
and liberal manner prevents those of the opposite 
party from hating him. 

He 'S quite an effective stunq) orator. \Vilh vehe- 
ment, passionate and scornful tone and gestures, 
tremendous physical power, which in speaking he 
exercises to the utmost; with frequent descents to 
the grotesque; and with abundant homely compari- 
sons or frontier figures, expressed in the broadest 
vernacular and enforced with stentorian emphasis, 
he delights a promiscuous audience beyond measure. 



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GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



107 




W^^'^"^^^^^^^-*- 



m JownII.. Palmer 





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AULEY PALMER, Gov- 
*s crnor 1869-72, was born on 
E^^gle Creek, Scott Co., Ky , 
Sept. 13, 1817. • During his in- 
-* fancy, his father, who had been 
a soldier in the war of 181 2, re- 
moved to Christian Co., Ky., 
where lands were cheap. Here 
the future Governor of the great 
Prairie State spent his childliood 
and received such meager school- 
ing as the new and sparsely set- 
tled country afforded. To this 
he added materially by diligent 
reading, for which he evinced an 
His father, an ardent Jackson man, 
was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiments, whicli 
he thoroughly impressed upon his children. In 1831 
he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison County. 
Here the labor of improving a farm was pursued for 
about two years, when the death of Mr. Palmer's 
mother broke up the family. About this tune Alton 
College was opened, on the "manual labor " system, 
and in the spring of 1834 young Palmer, with his 
elder brother, Elihu, entered this school and remained 
18 months. Next, for over three years, he tried 
variously coopering, peddling and school-teaching. 

During the summer of 1838 he formed the ac^ 
quaintance of Stephen A. Douglas, then making his 
^« 




eaily aptitude. 



first canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and in 
political accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confi- 
dence, fired his ambition and fixed his purpose. The 
following winter, while teaching near Canton, he be- 
gan to devote his spare time to a desultory reading 
of law, and in the spring entered a law office at Car- 
linville, making his home with his elder brother, 
Elihu. (Tlie latter was a learned clergyinan, of con- 
siderable orginality of thought and doctrine.) On 
the next meeting of the Supreme Court he was ad- 
mitted to the Bar, Douglas being one of his e.vaminers. 
He was not immediately successful in his profession, 
and would have located elsewhere than Carlinville 
had he the requisite means. Thus his early poverty 
was a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributes 
the success of his life. 

From 1839 on, while he diligently pursued his 
profession, he participated more or less in local 
politics. In 1843 he became Probate Judge. In 
1847 he was elected to the State Constitutional Con- 
vention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 he 
was elected to the State Senate, and at the special 
session of February, 1854, true to the anti-slavery 
sentiments bred in him, he took a firm stand in op 
position to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; 
and when the Nebraska question became a party 
issue he refused to receive a re-nominatiun for the 
Senatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuing 
a circular to that effect. A few weeks afterward, 

— •^ 






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i68 



JOHN MC AULEY PALMER. 



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however, hesitating to break with his party, he par- 
ticipated in a Congressional Convention which nomi- 
T. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and which 
unqualifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas- 
Nebraska act. But later in the campaign he made 
the plunge, ran for the Senate as an Anti-Nebraska 
Democrat, and was elected. The following winter 
he put in nomination for the , United States Senate 
Mr. Trumbull, and was one of the five^steadfast men 
who voted for him until all the Whigs came to their 
support and elected their man. 

In 1856 he was Chairman of the Re|)al)lican State 
Convention at Bloomington. He ran for Congress in 
1859, but was defeated. In i860 he was Republican 
Presidential Elector for the State at large. In 1861 
he was appointed one of the five Delegates (all Re- 
publicans) sent by Illinois to the peace congress at 
Washington. 

When the civil conflict broke out, he offered his 
services to his country, and was elected Colonel of the 
14th 111. Vol. Inf., and participated in the engagements 
at Island No. 10; at Farmington, where he skillfully 
extricated his command from a dangerous position ; 
at Stone River, where his division for several hours, 
Dec. 31, 1862, held the advance and stood like a 
rock, and for his gallantry there he was made Major 
General ; at Chickamauga, where his and Van Cleve's 
divisions for two hours maintained their position 
when they were cut off by overpowering numbers. 
Under Gen, Sherman, he was assigned to the 14th 
Army Corps and participated in the Atlanta campaign. 
At Peach-Tree Creek his prudence did much to avert 
disaster. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was as- 
signed to the military administration of Kentucky, 
which was a delicate post. That State was about 
half rebel and half Union, and those of the latter 
clement were daily fretted by the loss of their slaves, 
lie, who had been bred to the rules of common law, 
trembled at the contemplation of his extraordinary 
power over the persons and property of his fellovv 
men, with which he was vested in his capacity as 
military Governor; and he exhibited great caution in 
the execution of the duties of his post. 

Gen. Palmer was nominated for Governor of Illi- 
nois by the Re|)ublican State Convention which met 
at Peoria May 6, 1868, and his nomination would 
probably Iiave been made by acclamation had he not 
persistently declared that he could not accept a can- 



didature for the office. The result of the ensuing 
election gave Mr. P.ilmer a majority of 44,707 over 
John R. Rden, the Democratic nominee. 

On the meeting of the Legislature in January, 
i86g, the first thing to arrest public attention was 
that portion of the Governor's message which took 
broad Slate's rights ground. This and some minor 
points, which were more in keeping with the Demo- 
cratic sentiment, constituted the catering wed.;e fir 
the criticisms and reproofs he afterward received 
from the Re|)ublican party, and ultim uely resulted 
in his entire aleniation from the latter element. The 
Legislature just referred to was noted for the intro- 
duction of numerous bills in the interest of private 
parties, which were embarrassing to the Governor. 
Among the public acts passed was that which limited 
railroad charges for passenger travel to a maximum 
of three cents per mile ; and it was passed over the 
Governor's veto. Also, they passed, over his veto, 
the "tax-grabbing law" tc pay r-'.ilror.i subscriptions, 
the Chicago Lake Front bill, etc. The iiew State 
Constitution of 1870, far superior to the old, was a 
lieaceful " revolution " which took place during Gov. 
Palmer's term of office. The suffering caused by the 
great Chicago Fire of October, 187 1, was greatly 
alleviated by the prompt responses of his excellency. 

Since the expiration of Gov. Palmers 's term, he has 
been somewhat prominent in Illinois politics, and 
has been talked of by many, especially in the Dem- 
ocratic party, as the best man in the State for a 
United States Senator. His business during life has 
been that of the law. Few excel him in an accurate 
appreciation of the depth and scope of its principles- 
The great number of his able veto messages abun- 
dantly testify not only this but also a rare capacity to 
point them out. He is a logical and cogent reasoner 
and an interesting, forcible and convincing speaker, 
though not fluent or ornate. Without brilliancy, his 
dealings are rather with facts and ideas than with 
appeals to passions and prejudices. He is a patriot 
and a statesman of very high order. Physically he is 
above the medium height, of robust frame, ruddy 
complexion and sanguine-nervous temperament He 
has a large cranial development, is vivacious, social 
in disposition, easy of approach, unostentatious in his 
habits of life, democratic in his habits and manners 
and is a true American in his fundamental principles 
of statesman'ihiD. 



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GO VER IVORS OF ILLINOIS. 



171 










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OHN LOWRiE BEVER- 

IDGE, Ciovenior iS7 3-6,\vas 
born in the town of Green- 
wich, Washington Co., N. Y., 
July 6, 1824. His parents 
were George and Ann Bever- 
idge. His father's parents, An- 
drew and Isabel Beveridge, be- 
fore their marriage emigrated 
from Scotland just before the 
Revolutionary War, settling in 
Washington County. His father 
pi was the eldest of eight brothers, the 
youngest of whom was 60 years of 
age when the lirst one of the num- 
ber died. His mother's parents, 
James and Agnes Hoy, emigrated 
from Scotland at the close of tlie 
Revolutionary War, settling also in 
P Washington ("o., N. Y., with their 
first-born, whose " native land " was 
the wild ocean. His parents and 
grandparents lived beyond the time 
allotted to man, their average age 
being over So years. They belonged to the " Asso- 
ciate Church," a seceding Presbyterian body of 

A* 



.America from the old Scotch school; and so rig'd 
was the training of young Beveridge that he never 
heard a sermon from any other minister except that 
of his own denomination until he was in his 19th 
year. Later in life he became a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which relation he still 
holds. 

Mr. Beveridge received a good common-school ed- 
ucation, but his parents, who could obtain a livelihood 
only by rigid economy and industry, could not send 
him away to college. He was raised upon a farm, 
and was in his i8th year when the family removed 
to De Kalb County, this State, when that section was 
very sparsely settled. Chicago had less than 7,000 
inhabitants. In this wild West he continued as a 
farm laborer, teaching school during the winter 
months to supply the means of an education. In the 
fall of 1842 he attended one term at the academy at 
Granville, Putnam Co., 111., and subsequently sever.il 
terms at the Rock River Seminary at Mount Monis, 
Ogle Co., 111., completmg the academic course. At 
this time, the fall of 1845, his parents and brothers 
were anxious to have him go to college, even tho\i;;li 
he had not money sufficient; but, njt willing to bur- 
den the family, he packed his trunk and with only 
$40 in money started South to seek his fortune. 



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JOHN L. BEVERIDGE. 






Poor, alone, without friends and influence, he thus 
entered upon the battle of life. 

First, he taught school in Wilson, Overton and 
Jackson Cos., Tenn., in which experience lie under- 
went considerable mental drill, both in book studies 
and in the ways of the world. He read law and was 
admitted to the Bar, in the South, but did not learn 
to love the institution of slavery, although he ad- 
mired many features of Southern character. In De- 
cember, TS47, he returned North, and Jan. 20, i84(S, 
he married Miss Helen M. Judson, in the old Clark- 
Street M. E. church in Chicago, her father at that 
time being Pastor of the society there. In the spring 
of 1S48 he returned with, his wife to Tennessee, 
where his two children, Alia May and Philo Judson, 
were born. 

In the fall of 1849, through tlie mismanagement 
of an associate, he lost what little he had accumu- 
lated and was left in debt. He soon managed to 
earn means to pay his debts, returned to De Kalb 
Co., 111., and entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession at Sycamore, the county seat. On arrival 
from the South he had but one-quarter of a dollar in 
money, and scanty clothing aiid bedding for himself 
and family. He borrowed a little money, practiced 
law, worked in public offices, kept books for some of 
the business men of the town, and some railroad en- 
gineering, till the spring of 1854, when he removed 
to Evanston, 12 miles north of ("hicago, a place tlieu 
but recently laid out, under tlie supervision of the 
Northwestern U'liversity, a Methodist institution. 
Of the latter his father-in-law was then financial 
agent and business manager. Here Mr. Beveridge 
prospered, and the next year (1855) opened a law 
office in Chicago, where he found the battle some- 
whntharJ; but he persevered with encouragement 
and increasing success. 

Aug. 12, 1861, his law partner. Gen. John F. 
Farnsworth, secured authority to raise a regiment of 
cavalry, and authorized Mr. Beveridge to raise a 
company for it. He succeeded in a few days in rais- 
ing the comi)any, of course enlisting himself along 
with it. The regiment rendezvoused at St. Charles, 
111., was mustered in Sept. 18, and on its organiza- 
tion Mr. B. was elected Second Major. It was at- 
tached, Oct. II, to the Eighth Cavalry and to the 
Army of the Potomac. He served with the regiment 
until November, 1863, participating in some 40 bat- 



*-<^ 



ties and skirmishes : was at Fair Oaks, the seven days' 
fight around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- 
ville and Gettysburg. He commanded the regiment 
the greaterpartof the summerof 1863, and it was while 
lying in camp this year that he originated the policy 
of encouraging recruits as well as tlie fighting capac- 
ity of the soldiery, by the wholesale furlough system. 
It worked so well that many other officers adopted 
it. \\\ tlie fall of this year he recruited anothcrcom- 
pany, against heavy odds, in January, 1864, was 
commissioned Colonel of the 17th 111. (^iv , and 
skirmished around in Missouri, concluding with the 
reception of the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's 
army in Arkansas. In 1865 he commanded various 
sub-districts in the Southwest. He was mustered 
out Fel). 6, 1S66, safe from the casualties of war and 
a stouter man than when he first enlisted. His men 
idolized him. 

He then returned to Chicago, to practice law, with 
no library and no clientage, and no political experi- 
ence except to help others into office. In the fall of 
1866 he was elected Sheriff of Cook County, serving 
one tenn; next, until November, 1870, he practiced 
law a,nd closed up the unfinished business of his 
office. He was then elected State Senator; in No- 
vember, 187 I, he was elected Congressman at large; 
in Novemlier, 1872, he was elected Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor on the ticket with Gov. Oglesby ; the latter be- 
ing elected to the U. S. Senate, Mr. Beveridge became 
Governor, Jan. 21, 1873 Thus, inside of a few 
weeks, he was Congressman at large, Lieutenant 
Governor and Governor. The principal events oc- 
curring during Gov. Beveridge's administration were: 
The completion of the revision of the statutes, begun 
in 1869; the partial success of tlr; "fanners' move- 
ment;" " Haines' Legislature " and Illinois' exhibit at 
the Centennial. 

Since the close of his gubernatorial term ex-Gov. 
Beveridge has been a member of the firm of Bever- 
idge & Dewey, bankers and dealers iu commercial 
paper at 7 1 Dearborn Street (McCormick Block), 
Chicago, and since November, 1881, he has also been 
Assistant United States Treasurer: office in the 
Government Building. His residence is still at Ev- 
anston. 

He has a brother and two sisters yet residing in 
I)e Kail) County — James H. Beveridge, Mrs. Jennet 
Henry and Mrs. Isabel French. 



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GO VERNORS OF TLLfNOIS. 



175 



8E:ELB y M, Cullom, 





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HELBY M. CULLOM, Gover- 
nor 1877-83,13 the sixth child 
of the late Richard N. Cullom, 
and was born Nov. 22, 1829, in 
Wayne Co., Ky., where his fa- 
ther then resided, and whence 
both the Illinois and Tennessee 
branches of the family originated. Li 
the following year the family emi- 
grated to the vicinity of Washington, 
Tazewell Co., III., when that section 
was very sparsely settled. They lo- 
cated on Deer Creek, in a grove at 
the time occupied by a party of In- 
dians, attracted there by the superior 
hunting and fishing afforded in that 
vicinity. The following winter was 
known as the " hard winter," the snow 'being very 
deep and lasting and the weather severely cold; and 
the family had to subsist mainly on boiled corn or 
hominy, and some wild game, for several weeks. In 
the course of time Mr. R. N. Cullom became a prom- 
inent citizen and was several times elected to the 
Legislature, both before and after the removal of the 
cayiital from Vandalia to Springfield. He died about 

'873- 

Until about 19 years of age young Cullom grew up 
to agricultural pursuits, attending school as he had 
opportunity during the winter. Within this time, 
however, he spent several months teaching school, 



and in the following summer he "broke prairie "with 
an ox team for the neighbors. With the money ob- 
tained by these various ventures, he undertook a 
course of study at the Rock River Seminary, a 
Methodist institution at Mt. Morris, Ogle County; 
but the sudden change to the in-door life of a stu- 
dent told severely upon his health, and he was taken 
home, being considered in a hopeless condition. While 
at Mt. Morris he heard Hon. E. B. Washburne make 
his first speech. 

On recovering health, Mr. Cullom concluded to 
study law, under the instruction of Abraham Lincoln, 
at Springfield, who had by this time attained some 
notoriety as an able lawyer; but the latter, being ab- 
sent from his office most of the time, advised Mr. 
Cullom to enter the office of Stuart & Edwards. 
After about a year of study there, however, his health 
failed again, and he was obliged to return once more 
to out-door life. Accordingly he bought hogs foi 
packing, for A. G. Tyng, in Peoria, and while he re- 
gained his health he gained in purse, netting $400 in 
a few weeks. Having been admitted to the Bar, he 
went to Springfield, where he was soon elected City 
Attorney, on the .\nti-Nebraska ticket. 

In 1856 he ran on the Fillmore ticket as a Presi- 
dential Elector, and, although failing to be elected as 
such, he was at the same time elected a Representa- 
tive in the Legislature from Sangamon County, by a 
local coalition of the American and Republican par- 
ties. On the organization of the House, he received 
the vote of the Fillmore men for Speaker. Practicing 



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176 



SHELB Y M. CULLOM. 



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law uniil i860, he was again elected to the Legisla- 
ture, as a Republican, while the county went Demo- 
cratic on the Presidential ticket. In January follow- 
ing he was elected Speaker, probably the youngest 
man who had ever presided over an Illinois Legis- 
lature. After the session of 1861, he was a candidate 
for the State Constitutional Convention called for 
that year, but was defeated, and thus escaped the 
disgrace of being connected with that abortive party 
scheme to revolutionize the State Government. In 
1862 he was a candidate for the State Senate, but 
was defeated. The same year, however, he was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln on a Government 
Commission, in company with Gov. Boutwell of 
Massachusetts and Cnarles k. Dana, since of the 
New York Sun, to investigate the affairs of the 
Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments at 
Cairo. He devoted several months to this duty. 

In 1864 he entered upon a larger political field, 
being nominated as the Republican candidate for 
Congress from the Eighth (Springfield) District, in 
opposition to the incumbent, JohnT. Stuart, who had 
been elected in 1862 by about 1,500 majority over 
Leonard Swett, then of Bloomington, now of Chicago. 
The result was the election of Mr. CuUom in Novem- 
ber following by a majority of 1,785. In 1866 he 
was re-elected to Congress, over Dr. E. S. Fowler, by 
the magnificent majority of 4,103 ! In 1868 he was 
again a candidate, defeating the Hon. B. S. Edwards, 
another of his old preceptors, by 2,884 votes. 

During his first term in Congress he served on the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Expenditures in 
the Treasury Department; in his second term, on 
the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Territories ; 
and in his third term he succeeded Mr. Ashley, of 
Ohio, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He intro- 
duced a bill in the House, to aid in the execution of 
law in Utah, which caused more consternation among 
the Mormons than any measure had previously, but 
which, though it passed the House, failed to pass the 
Senate. 

The Republican Convention which met May 25, 
1876, nominated Mr. Cullom for Governor, while the 
other contestant was Gov. Beveridge. For Lieuten- 
ant-Governor they nominated Andrew Shuman, editor 
of the Chicago Journal. For the same offices the 
Democrats, combining with the Anti-Monopolists, 
placed in nomination Lewis Steward, a wealthy 



zfl- 



farmer and manufacturer, and A. A. Glenn. The 
result of the election was rather close, Mr. Cullom 
obtaining only 6,800 majority. He was inaugurated 
Jan. 8, 1877. 

Great depression prevailed in financial circles at 
this time, as a consequence of the heavy failures of 
1873 and afterward, the effect of which had seemed 
to gather force from that time to* the end of Gov. 
Cullom's first administration. This unspeculative 
period was not calculated to call forth any new 
issues, but the Governor's energies were at one time 
put to task to quell a spirit of insubordination that 
had been begun in Pittsburg, Pa., among the laboring 
classes, and transferred to Illinois at Chicago, East 
St. Louis and Braidwood, at which places laboring 
men for a short time refused to work or allow others 
to work. These disturbances were soon quelled and 
the wheels of industry again set in motion. 

In May, 1880, Gov. Cullom was re-nominated by 
the Republicans, against Lyman Trumbull, by the 
Democrats; and although theformer party was some- 
what handicapped in the campaign by a zealous 
faction opposed to Grant for President and to Grant 
men for office generally, Mr. Cullom was re-elected 
by about 314,565, to 277,532 for the Democratic State 
ticket. The Greenback vote at the same time was 
about 27,000. Both Houses of the Legislature again 
became Republican, and no representative of the 
Greenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov. 
Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, 1S81. In his mes- 
sage he announced that the last dollar of the State 
debt had been provided for. 

March 4, 1883, the term of DavW Davis as United 
States Senator from Illinois expired, and Gov. Cul- 
lom was chosen to succeed him. This promoted 
Lieutenant-Governor John M. Hamilton to the Gov- 
ernorship. Senator Cullom's term in the United 
States Senate will expire March 4, 1889. 

As a practitioner of law Mr. C. has been a member 
of the firm of Cullom, Scholes iS: Mather, al Spring- 
field ; and he has also been President of the State 
National Bank. 

He has been married twice, — the first time Dec. 
12, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he had 
two daughters; and the second time May 5, 1863, 
to Julia Fisher. Mrs. C is a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, with which religious body Mr. 
('.. is also in sympathy. 



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GOVERNORS OF TLLINOIS. 



179 





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OHN MARSHALL HAMIL- 
TON, Governor 1883-5, was 
born May 28, 1847, in a log 
liouse upon a farm about two 
miles from Richwood, Union 
County, Ohio. His father was 
Samuel Hamilton, the eldest son 
of Rev. Wm. Hamilton, who, to- 
gether with his brother, the Rev. 
Samuel Hamilton, was among the 
early pioneer Methodist preachers in 
Ohio. The mother of the subject of 
this sketch was, before her marriage, 
Mrs. Nancy McMorris, who was 
born and raised in Fauquier or Lou- 
doun County, Va., and related to the 
two large families of Youngs and Marshalls, well 
known in that commonwealth ; and from the latter 
family name was derived the middle name of Gov. 
Hamilton. 

Li March, 1854, Mr. Hamilton's father sold out 
his Httle pioneer forest home in Union County, O., 
and, loading his few household effects and family 
(of six children) into two emigrant covered wagons, 
moved to Roberts Township, Marshall Co., 111., being 
2 1 days on the route. Swamps, unbridged streams 
and innumerable hardships and privations met them 
uii their way. Their new home had been previously 
selected by the father. Here, after many long years 
of toil, they succeeded in paying for the land and 
making a comfortaWe home. John was, of course, 

^* 



brought up to hard manual labor, with no schooling 
except three or four months in the year at a common 
country school. However, he evmced a capacity 
and taste for a high order of self-education, l)y 
studying or reading what books be could borrow, as 
the family had but very few in the house. Much of 
his study he prosecuted by the light of a log fire in 
the old-fashioned chimney place. The financial 
panic of 1857 caused the family to come near losing 
their home, to pay debts; but the father and two 
sons, William and John, "buckled to" and perse 
vered in hard labor and economy until they redeemed 
their place from the mortgage. 

When the tremendous excitement of the political 
campaign of i860 reached the neighborhood of Rob- 
erts Township, young Hamilton, who had been 
brought up in the doctrine of anti-slavery, took a zeal- 
ous part in favor of Lincoln's election. Making special 
efforts to procure a little money to buy a uniform, he 
joined a company of Lincoln Wide-Awakes at Mag- 
nolia, a village not far away. Directly after the 
ensuing election it became evident that trouble 
would ensue with the South, and this Wide-Awake 
company, like many others throughout the country, 
kept up its organization and transformed itself into a 
military company. During the ensuing summer they 
met often for drill and became proficient ; but when 
they offered themselves for the war, young Hamilton 
was rejected on account of his youth, he being then 
but 14 years of age. During the winter of 1863-4 he 
attended an academy at Henry, Marshall County. 



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JOHN MARSHALL HAMILTON. 



■*^r* 



and in the following May he again enlisted, for the 
fourth time, when he was placed in the 141st 111. 
Vol. Inf., a regiment then being raised at Elgin, 111., 
for the 100-day service. He took with hiui 13 other 
lads from his neighborhood, for enlistment in the 
service. This regiment operated in Southwestern 
Kentucky, for about five months, under Gen. Paine. 

The following winter, 1864-5, ^''- Hamilton taught 
school, and during the two college years 1865-7, he 
went through three years of the curriculum of the 
Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. The 
third year he graduated, the fourth in a class of 46, 
in the classical department. In due time he received 
the degree of M. A. For a few months he was the 
Principal of Marshall " College " at Henry, an acad- 
emy under the auspices of the M. E. Church. By 
this time he had commenced the study of law, and 
after earning some money as a temporary Professor 
of Latin at the Illinois Wesleyan University at 
Bloomington, he entered the law office of Weldon, 
Tipton & Benjamin, of that city. Each member of 
this firm has since been distinguished as a Judge. 
.\dmitted to the Bar in May, 1870, Mr. Hamilton 
was given an interest in the same firm, Tipton hav- 
ing been elected Judge. In October following he 
formed a i)artnership with J. H. Rowell, at that time 
Prosecuting Attorney. Their business was then 
small, but they increased it to very large proportions, 
practicing in all grades of courts, including even the 
U. S. Supreme Court, and this partnership continued 
unbroken until Feb. 6, 1883, when Mr. Hamilton 
was sworn in as Execative of Illinois. On the 4th 
of March following Mr. Rowell took his seat in Con- 
gress. 

In July, 1871, Mr. Hamilton married Miss Helen 
M. Williams, the daughter of Prof. Wni. G, Williams, 
Professor of Greek in the Ohio Wesleyan University. 
Mr. and Mrs. H. have two daughters and one son. 

In 1876 Mr. Hamilton was nominated by the Re- 
publicans for the Stale Senate, over other and older 
competitors. He took an active pait ''on the stump" 
in tiie campaign, for the success of his party, and was 
elected by a majority of 1,640 over his Democratic- 
Greenback opponent. In the Senate he served on 
the Committees on Judiciary, Revenue, State Insti- 
tutions, Appropriations, Education, and on Miscel- 
lany ; and during the contest for the election of a 
U. S. Senator, the Republicans endeavoring to re- 



r 



elect John A. Logan, he voted for the war chief on 
every ballot, even alone when all the other Republi- 
cans had gone over to the Hon. E. B. Lawrence and 
the Democrats and Independents elected Judge 
David Davis. .A.t this session, also, was passed the 
first Board of Health and Medical Practice act, of 
which Mr. Hamilton was a champion, aga'"^' 
much opposition that the bill was several times 
" laid on the table." Also, this session authorized 
the location and establishment of a southern pe''"- 
tentiary, which was fixed at Chester. In the sessior: 
of 1879 Mr. Hamilton was elected President //i; /<•>«. 
of the Senate, and was a zealous supporter of John 
A. Logan for the U. S. Senate, who was this time 
elected without any trouble. 

In May, 1880, Mr. Hamilton was nominated on 
the Rei)ublican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, his 
principal competitors before the Convention being 
Hon. Wm. A. James, ex-Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Judge Robert Bell, of Wabash 
County, Hon. T. T. Fountain, of Perry County, and 
Hon. M. M. Saddler, of Marion County. He engaged 
actively in the campaign, and his ticket was elected 
by a majority of 41,200. As Lieutenant Governor, 
he presided almost continuously over the Senate in 
the 32d General Assembly and during the early days 
of the 33d, until he succeeded to tlie Governorsliip. 
When the Legislature of 1883 elected Gov. Cullom 
to the United States Senate, Lieut. Gov. Hamilton 
succeeded him, under the Constitution, taking the 
oath of office Feb. 6, 1883. He bravely met all the 
annoyances and embarrassments incidental upon 
taking up another's administration. The principal 
events with which Gov. Hamilton was connected as 
the Chief Executive of the State were, the mine dis- 
aster at Braidwood, the riots in St. Clair and Madison 
Counties in May, 18S3, the appropriations for the 
State militia, the adoption of the Harper high-license 
liquor law, the veto of a dangerous railroad bill, etc. 

The Governor was a Delegate at large to the 
National Republican Convention at Chicago in June, 

1884, where his first choice for President was John 
A. Logan, and second choice Chester A. Arthur; but 
he afterward zealously worked for the election of Mr. 
Blaine, true to his party. 

Mr. Hamilton's term as Governor expired Jan. 30, ' 

1885, when the great favorite " Dick " Oglesby was , 
inaugurated. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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INTRODUCTORY, ip. 




'^ ^ ' ble iii.iterial foi" this work 
has already been so hirge 
that only a brief historical 
mention of the county can 
je given, or can be expected. 
McLean County is situated 
very near the geographical center 
of the State of Illinois, and in area 
is the largest county in the State, 
comprising 1,154 square miles. It 
ranks tliiid in population, having 
about (JOjOOO inhabitants, and is 
Q^ only excelled by Cook and La 
Salle Counties. In material de- 
veloimient and production of soil, 
it unquestionably stands first. Its 
American settlers arc principally from Ohio, New 
York, Pennsylvania, Indiana .and Kentucky, the 
Ohioans outnninl)ering those from au}' one of the 
other States. The bulk of the foreign po|)ulation, 
which is not large, is made up about equally of 
Germans and Irish, while there are some from En- 
gland, Scotland and France. 

If space would permit we should like to go back 
and dwell at length on the Aboriginal occupation, 
the French possession, the British conquest in 17C3, 
and to the time when Gen. George Rogers Clark, 
representing and under the authority of the then 
great commonwealth of Virginia, came out and 
captured this entire region from the British. It 
would be pleasant to trace the history of this coun- 
try through the various changes, as it was known 
after the last conquest under the name of the Illi- 
nois County, and later on when it was called the 
Northwestern Territory, and afterward as the Ter- 



i 



ritory of Indiana, and follow it along from 1809, 
when it became the Territory of Illinois, and in 
1818, when it Ijecame one of the bright stars in 
the American Republic. During all these varied 
changes, and under all these governmental authori- 
ties, the territory now embraced by McLean 
County took its part, and was an important factor. 
It was not, however, until 1822, that this particular 
portion of the State of Illinois was actually settled 
by the white man. It is not to be supposed that 
this w.as the first visitation of the white man, for 
undoubtedly events occurred here in which the 
white man took part long before this period. It is 
believed that the French and Indians had many 
camp-fires together, in the l)eautifnl groves that 
abound in this county, when on their way from 
Lake Michigan to Cahokia and K.askaskia; and the 
early Indian traders and hunters had their stations 
about here, for the early settlers frequentl3' found 
clearings in the woods. It w.as in this region also, 
th.at Gen. Hopkins' army became involved in its 
expedition against the Indians of the Illinois and 
Wabash Rivers, many of whom had participated 
in the Chicago massacre. 

John Hendrix and family were the first settlers 
in the territory now embraced by the county, they 
locating at what is known as Blooming Grove 
in the spring of 1822. Hendrix was soon joined 
by .John W. Dawson and family. Blooming Grove 
seemed to be an attractive spot to the earliest 
settlers, for they all located about it. The spring 
of 1823 found the Orendorff families, William and 
Thomas, John Benson and W. H. Hodge in neigh- 
borly proximity to the settlers of 1822. This year 
Gardner Randolph settled at what was subsequently 
known as Randolph's (irove. In the spring of 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1824, Absalom and Isaac Funk and William Brock 
made a settlement at what is now called Funk's 
Grove. They were soon joined by others, among 
whom were the Stubblelield family. «o rich and 
fair a region of country lying in the wake of emi- 
gration, when once known and opened to settle- 
ment could not otherwise than be rapidly populated. 
The territory now known as McLean has been 
under the jurisdiction of different counties. The 
year previous to the State's admission into the Un- 
ion, it was under the control of Crawford County. 
In 1819, after the admission, Clark County had 
jurisdiction. The first settlers, however, owed 
their allegiance to Fayette County, which was or- 
ganized in 1821, and extended northward as far as 
the Illinois River. It was subsequently attached 
to Tazewell County, and was under its jurisdiction 
when the county of McLean was organized by an 
act of the Legislature, approved Dec. 22, 1830. It 
was named in honor of John McLean, twice elected 
United .States Senator from Illinois. 

When the .settlers first came in the Indians were 
quite numerous, mostly belonging to the Kickapoos, 
Delawares and Pottawatomies, the Kickapoos hav- 
ing the largest number. Most of these left before 
the end of the year 1829, though at the breaking 
out of the Black Hawk War in 1832, there was a 
sufficient number of Indians in this section to cause 
consideralile uneasiness among the people. 

The early settlers of McLean Countj' found 
plenty of wild game iiere, such as deer, turkeys, 
wolves, and the smaller birds. They were gener- 
ally good hunters, and their guns suiiplied for their 
families what tlie markets of the present daj' fur- 
nish. The pelts of the wild animals were to the 
pioneers an important article of commerce, as they 
furnished the means, in ab.scnce of ready cash, of 
suiiplying the w.ants (if domestic life. Beeswax 
and honey were also a valuable commodity in those 
early days. 

They did not have to contend in this section of 
the country, as tiiey did elsewhere, with hostile In- 
dians, but they had foes almost as dreaded in ma- 
larial diseases, and prairie fires. One carried off 
hundreds of persons, while the other destroyed 
crops and homes. But as improvements multiplied 
and the land became cultiv;it(Hl .-ind drained, these 
enemies to the peojile disapiioared. It was not 
many years before the pioneers found tliemselves 
in the midst of a populous and cultivated com- 
munity. Schools and churches had been estab- 
lislied, cities founded, railroads constructed, and 
civilization and culture, with all their attractive 
features, possessed the land. 

In many respects McLean is one of tiie finest 
and foremost.countu^s in tlie State. It is free from 



the severities of winter which afflict the more 
northern counties, and free from the oppressive 
heat tiiat is experienced in the southern ones. 
Aliout one-nintii of the surface is covered with 
groves, wiiicli afford shade and add beauty to the 
landscape. Lil^e all portions of the Mississippi 
Valley, the surface inclination is toward the south- 
west. It is moderately rolling, free from extreme 
flatness as well as from aljrupt changes, which 
makes it exceednigly easy of tillage. Its summit 
elevati(m is about 220 feet above Lake Michigan, 
and about 795 feet above the ocean. The country 
is well supplied with running water by the incip- 
ient streams that contribute to the formation of 
the Sangamon, Vermilion, Mackinaw and Kicka- 
poo Rivers and Sugar Creek. Good water is 
found in all parts of the county at reasonable 
depths, and in the nortliern part are many fine 
springs. Kxtensive coal beds underlie the surface 
formation, from which a good article of market- 
able coal is obtained. The soil is unsurpassed in 
its fertility, and is adapted to the r.aising of all 
kinds of cereals, yet more attention is given to 
stock-raising, the value of which exceeds that of 
any county west of the Alleghanies. 

Tlie educational facilities of McLean are unex- 
celled by any county in the State. In addition to 
her public schools, which are superior, she has two 
distinguished institutions of learning, the reputa- 
tion of which lias extended far and wide. These 
are tlie Illinois Weslej'an Universit}' located at 
Bioomington, and the State Normal Universit3-. 
Another institution located at Normal is the Sol- 
diers' Orphans' Home. The buildings of these in- 
stitutions are ornamental in their architecture, and 
are commodious and substantial. 

The Indians and the wilderness have passed 
away, living now only in liistory, or in the mem- 
ories of the pioneers who yet remain. In their 
stead are well cultivated farms and fine cities, 
peopled with an intelligent population, and sur- 
rounded by the arts and refinements of an advanced 
civilization. Those by whose wisdom and indus- 
try this change has been produced, can contem- 
plate witli commendable pride, the grand trans- 
formation. Taking a retrospective view of the 
past, and contemplating the present, the contrast of 
the two periods comes vividly upon the mind. 
Before them to-d,ay, resting in quiet grandeur, is 
a fair civilization, with happy homes basking be- 
neatli the sunlight of culture and domestic peace ; 
before them to-day is a complete social and politi- 
cal society, standing out in bold relief, radiant 
with the bright light of Christianity, fostered by 
American institutions and shining respleiulent with 
American freedom. 



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DAVID DAVIS 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



187 








5;s^^;s-'^:S-^i>S:ic*S;&#s:;f'i««:^'«»^:s#s:!r*S:&'*^:S'S^:&**£;S*S:g-«-s;s-*^;s* 










HE HON. DAVID DAVIS, 

jg the eminent Judge, Jurist 
aud Statesman, was born in 
Cecil County, Md., March 
9, 1815, and departed this 
life June 20; 1886, at Bloom- 
ington. He had lived out more 
than the usual period allotted 
to man, but the immediate cause 
of his demise was diabetes, 
superinduced by a complication 
of carbuncle and erysipelas. In 
the early morning, when the intel- 
ligence of his dissolution spread 
through the city, on every face was 
depicted an expression of sorrow. Flags were dis- 
played at half-mast, and the bells of the city echoed 
the sad news. Later in the day houses were draped, 
and Bloomington assumed an air of deep mourning. 
Cecil County lies on the eastern shore of Mai-y- 
land, but a few miles from our National Capital, 
and here young David spent his youthful daj^s l)e- 
neath the parental roof. During this period he had 
made several visits to Washington, the impressions of 
which remained with him through life, and which he 
often related to friends in his later years. It was 
during these visits that the ambition to become 
President of the United States was planted in his 
mind. This very laudable desire remained with 
him even after he had ceased to be in public life, 
and he waited at his beautiful home in Blooming- 
ton for its realization, like Cincinnatus from his 

4* 



plow. lie was modest and diffident about this am- 
bition, however, as though it were a mere childish 
whim, and was sensitive at any allusion by stran- 
gers to the subject, although he was wont to con- 
verse freely of the matter with his friends. 

After completing his preliminary studies young 
Davis was placed in Kenyon College, Ohio, where 
he graduated Sept. 4, 1832. In October following 
he commenced the study of law at Lenox, Mass., 
in the office of Judge Henry W. Bishop, where he 
remained two years. From there he went into the 
New Haven Law School, continuing his studies un- 
til the fall of 1835. After receiving his license to 
practice he settled in Fekin, Tazewell County, 111., 
and opened a law office, but one year later removed 
to Bloomington and took up his abode, where he 
lived until his earthly labors ended. Upon coming 
here he took possession of the office of Jesse W. 
Fell, whom he succeeded as an attorney and coun- 
selor, the latter having given up his practice to en- 
gage in the real-estate business. Though not an 
orator, or what might be called a very fluent 
speaker, he was successful in his practice, and soon 
obtained an enviable position in the profession. 

Before leaving the East Mr. Davis formed the 
acquaintance of Sarah, the accomplished daughter 
of Judge Walker, of Lenox, Mass., with whom he 
w.as united in marriage Oct. 30, 1838. Of this un- 
ion there are two children living — George P. and a 
daughter, Mrs. Sarah D. Swayne, both residents of 
Bloomington. The mother died in 1879. By his 
second marriage, which was consummated soon after 



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188 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




his retirement fn»ii the Ifnitod Slates Senate, there 
was no issue. 

From the time he became a citizen of Illinois 
Mr. Davis tooli an active part in politics. In 1840 
he was a candidate on the Whig ticket for State 
Senator. In 1S44 he was elected to the Legisla- 
ture. In 1 847 he was elected a member of the 
Constitutional Convention, and the j'ear following 
was chosen Judge of the Eighth Judicial District. 
He was re-elected twice, and served continuouslj^ as 
Judge of this circuit until 186'2, when he was called 
b}' his old friend. President Lincoln, to fill one of 
the highest positions within the gift of this Gov- 
ernment, as Justice of the Supreme Court of the 
United States. He occupied this exalted position 
for fifteen years, or u]itil 1877, when he left the 
Supreme Bench for the National Legislature, suc- 
ceeding Gen. John A. Logan as Senator from this 
State. 

There have been greater law students than David 
Davis, but no greater Judges. It was said by one 
of his eminent colleagues tliat he know just enough 
of law to be a great Judge and not enough to spoil 
him. His talents were in the direction of common 
sense, and rose into the region of genius. He 
never lost sight of the practical ends of litigation. 
To him the facts of tlie ease were the integral part 
of it. He was fair ami imjiartial, and rQse above 
Ijrejudice without for a moment forgetting the object 
in view, which w.as not to spin fine legal theories, 
but to promote the ends of justice. No jurist 
seeking a model could do better than to study the 
record made by Judge Davis while on the Supreme 
Bench of the United States. There is no other tri- 
bunal in this world that can compare witli this. 
Since the organization of this (Government there 
have been forty-niue Supreme Court Justices, some 
of whom have been Chief Justices, but each practi- 
cally having the same authority. Any law passed 
by Congress can be brought before this Court for 
its crucical analysis, and from its judgment there is 
no appeal. More than one narr(»\v escape the coun- 
try lias had fri>m the abuse of this authority, one 
of tiie most notable of which was the legal-tender 
act, which was |)ut upon its Constitutional trial, 
and made to show cause uiiy it should not be re- 
)udiat('d and thrown nut of the window of the Su- 



•►■^4^ 



preme Court. Chief Justice Chase, its putative 
father, was fast yielding to this when Judge Davis 
made a bold and successful stand, and thus pre- 
vented the act from being strangled to death. 
Thus the best monetary system the world ever saw 
was saved to bless mankind. 

The last judicial act of Judge Davis, though it 
may seem a paradox, was a refusal to preside in a 
judicial capacity. lie had been elected by the 
Legislature of Illinois to the Senate. About this 
time he was placed on the Hllectoral Commission as 
one of the referees to determine which one of the 
Presidential candidates voted for in 187() was le- 
gally elected. He refused to act, upon the ground 
that, being a State Senator, at least in embryo, he 
could not with propriety serve. 

The ever memorable year of 18G0, memorable 
not only to the State of Illinois, but to the whole 
country, may be considered the year in which the 
subject of this sketch entered upon a career which 
carried him be3'ond the confines of his State, and 
gave him a national reputation. This was the year 
that witnessed the nomination of Illinois' greatest 
son for the highest position within the gift t)f the 
American people. To David Davis the credit is 
due more than to any other man for bringing for- 
ward and finally securing the nomination at the 
Chicago. Convention, of Al)raham Lincoln as the 
Republican candidate for President of the United 
Slates. In this he was assisted greatlj" by his old 
friend and fellow-townsman, Jesse W. Fell. Before 
this Judge Davis had never taken any jjart in Na- 
tional politics, but this year he sought and secured 
the election as one of the Senatorial Deleg.ites at 
the Decatur State Convention, and some days i)rior 
to the Chic^ago Conventi(.in he, with others, opened 
tiie Lincoln headquarters at the Tremont House. 
He api)ointed himself M.aster of Ceremonies, called 
aides about him, set them to work, and took the en- 
tire management of Lincoln's candidacy into his 
own hands. Oglesby w.as sent into the pit of the 
" wigwam " to work enthusiasm there and appoint 
committees to all llie Stale delegations to i)opular- 
ize Lincoln. No one questioned the right of Judge 
Davis to do this, or doubted his judgment. He 
w.as a natural liorii leader, never gave ni), iu'ver 
faltereil or made any mistakes. The result of this 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



189 



was that his old friend, who had for so manj' years 
tried cases before his court, wlio had ridden witli liim 
on the circuit, swam rivers with him, who had sat 
with him around the fireplace of the country hos- 
telry late o' nights telling quaint and funny stories 
— Abraham Lincoln — was nominated as the Re- 
imblican candidate for rresident of the United 
States. 

In 1872 Judge Davis himself came prominently 
before the people as a third-party man for the 
Presidential nomination. His name was endorsed 
for this by the labor reformers at the Columbus 
Convention, and this through jealousy defeated his 
nomination by the Liberal Republican Convention 
at Cincinnati. It has been thought by many promi- 
nent politicians that had Mr. Davis instead of Mr. 
Greeley been nominated at the Cincinnati Conven- 
tion, he would, as did Greeley, have received the en- 
dorsement by the Democratic Convention at Balti- 
more, which would have secured his election. 

Judge Davis took his seat in the United States 
Senate on the 4th of March, 1877. From his first 
entrance into this bod}' he was an influential and 
distinguish(!d member, and so remained until his re- 
tirement in 1883. Although possessing but little 
legislative experience he ranked with the great men 
of the Senate, serving on the Judiciary Committee 
with Conkling, Edmonds, Carpenter, Thurman, 
Garland, and other eminent lawyers of that body. 
Though the ambition of his life was not yet real- 
ized, he came within one degree of it as a Presi- 
dential possibility. Only one life stood between 
him and this exalted position, tiiat of President Ar- 
thur. From October, 1881, to March, 1883, he was 
the acting Vice President of the United States and 
presiding officer of the Senate. 

Judge Davis was a very kind-hearted man, and 
disliked much to see men at variance with each 
other, and he could not understand why an}' man 
should think ill of him. His heart was as tender as 
a woman's, and he was as susceptible to flattery as a 
school-girl. A kind word was always remembered 
and an unkind one speedily forgotten. Senator 
Conkling was one day making a great speech in the 
Senate, on a subject in which there were fine legal 
points, and often he would turn to Senator Davis 
as though addressing him. The latter was a little 



annoyed at being singled out as a target for the 
great Senator's eloquence, and once interrupted 
him, asking why his remarks seemed directed at 
him. Mr. Conkling drew himself up to his full 
height and quietly, but with great dignity, an- 
swered, "When the Musselman prays he turns iiis 
face toward Mecca. When I speak of law, I can- 
not resist the temptation to address myself to the 
most eminent and and learned jurist in the Senate, 
a man who left the highest tribunal in the world to 
give this body the honor of his presence and the 
.benefit of his wisdom." These two great men were 
always the warmest of friends, and during his Sena- 
torial term Judge Davis was constantly seeking to 
reconcile Conkling with the men whom he disliked, 
and they were not few. Among these was Blaine. 
One d.ay the two met accidentally in Mr. Davis' 
committee room. It was an occasion he had long 
sought, and joy filled his big heart. " Novv look 
here," he said in his familiar way to the two Sena- 
tors, who were standing lilve icebergs beside him, 
" Y(ju two fellows have been enemies long enough, 
and it is time j'ou made up. You are both good 
friends of mine, and I want you to be good friends 
of each other. I want you to shake hands and I'll 
bless j'ou." Touched by the sincerity of the good 
old man, these two men gave way for the moment, 
and the hands of Conkling and Blaine came together 
the first time for twenty years. But it was not a 
reconciliation or a surrender of either side ; it was 
only a momentary truce offered out of reverence 
for the kind heart that had so much desired to 
make peace between them. They have never spo- 
ken to each other since. 

Wlijle Judge Davis was active and influential in 
his congressional life, yet he will be known in his- 
tory and to fame as a jurist. As a legislator he 
left no particular impress upon the countrj% com- 
mencing too Late in life to do this. By nature, edu- 
cation and training he was pre-eminently qualified 
for a Judge, and this part of his life the student 
will find a prolific field for study and instruction. 
Thougli possessed of great wealth yet his habits of 
life were frugal; he lived in the simplest manner. 
He had rooms on the first floor, fronting on Sixth 
street, of the National Hotel, which he occupied 
during his entire life at the Capital as Associate 



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Justice and as Senator. His rooms were commo- 
dious but plainly furnished. liis lunch while at the 
Cajiilol building, either as Justice or Senator, con- 
sisted of two apples, a ginger cookie and a glass of 
milk. This was taken at jirecisely the same hour 
every day, standing at a lunch-counter in the Sen- 
ate corrider. The counter was presided over by 
an old woman who is known to history as " Dys- 
pepsia Mary." 

Judge Davis in stature was nearly six feet in 
height, of heavy weight, large forehead, clear blue 
e^'es, prominent nose and altogether of command- 
ing figure. In disposition he was genial, compan- 
ionable, benevolent, charitable and kind. Though 
not a member of any church yet he believed in all 
religions and contributed liberally to all denomina- 
tions. He was broad and Catholic in his views and 
in his conduct. Many a school-house and many a 
church building in Central Illinois rest to-day on 
a lot given by him. He had a numerous tenantry 
on his extensive estates, and when from drouth or 
other causes there was a failure in crops, he would 
remit to his tenants his entire claims for rent. 
About his home when he dietl there were many old 
persons who were living on liis l(ount3'. In land 
investments and land speculations he was shrewd 
and possessed an insight into future valuation of 
property that was truly remarkable. 1 1 was through 
his land operations that he accumulated an estate 
which at his death was estimated at about 1600,000 ; 
and it may be said of Judge Davis that this vast 
estate was .acquired by him without ever having 
wronged or oppressed his fellow-men. In private 
life he was absolutely above repro.ach. Honest, 
robust, tender and considerate, he passed triumph- 
antly through life a model in character and a model 
of success, finishing up at life's close, a completely 
rounded, personal individuality. He was never 
the circumference of an occasion, but always near 
the center, molding with his great mind and noble 
character the forces about him. Nature and edu- 
cation liad stamped upon him every lineament of 
gentility. No occasion ever found him inferior to 
its demands and whether among the humblest or 
the richest and most powerful of the land, he was 
the same inborn gentleman. He was, to quote from 
his favorite antlior : 



i 



A coiiibinatioii and :i fdrm iiidccil. 
When every t;o(l iliil scoiii to sot ]\\> x'al. 
To give the woi Id assurance of a man. 




AVID VANCE, senior memlier of the firm 
of Vance & Sons, who are extensively en- 
gaged in importing and breeding draft 
horses at Chenoa, has had a long experi- 
ence in this business and has been remarkably suc- 
cessful. He began dealing in horses in Adams 
Coimty, Ohio, nearly forty years ago and has be- 
come thoroughly acquainted with the habits, needs 
and proper care of the noblest of animals. In a 
State which has become quite noted for its fine 
horses, Mr. Vance has for many years occupied a 
prominent position. See view in this work. 

The subject of this biography is a native of 
Adams Co., Ohio, and was born April 22, 1824. 
Ilis father, John Vance, a prosperous farmer of 
that county, reared his son to agricultural pursuits 
and carefidly trained him in all the duties pertain- 
ing to that department of business. Our subject 
received a good common-school education and re- 
mained under the home roof until he attained to 
years of manhood. The parental household in- 
cluded twelve children, of whom David was the 
youngest. His mother before her marriage was 
Miss Mary McGovney, of Ohio. Young Vance 
lived on a farm in Ohio until 1852, then came to 
this State and settled on a farm in Lawndale Town- 
ship, near the banks of Mackinaw Creek in this 
county, where he carried on blacksmithing and 
farming for thirteen years. The land which he 
there took possession of was but little removed 
from its original condition, but he cultivated and 
improved it, together with four- other farms, all of 
whicli combined to form the b.asis of his start in 
life and laid the foundation for his future pros- 
perity. In due time he disposed of his landed 
possessions in that locality and is now the owner 
of a fine estate in Yates Township, which he has 
mostly devoted to the breeding of stock. He re- 
sided upon this until 1881, when he removed to 
the vilLage of Chenoa, where he erected a fine barn, 
especially .adapted to breeding purposes. It is 
32x110 feet in area, two stories in height and 
fitted up with convenient stalls for fine horses. 
Among these are the Belgium, Clydesdale, Perch- 
eron and Norman breeds, besides a few handsome 
specimens of Kentuckj' trotting stock. In connec- 
tion with this, he .also has a finely appointed liverj' 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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191 n 



stable, with the best of horses and the handsomest 
of vehicles. The sons have inherited in a marked 
degree the talents of their fatlicr in this direction 
and bid fair to follow in his footsteps as successful 
breeders and dealers. 

Mr. Vance was married, Sept. 2, 1845, to Miss 
Emma Wikoff, the daughter of William and Sarah 
(McCue) Wikoff, and they became the parents of 
eight children: Henry B., who married Miss Rena 
Hellin; Joseph T., who married Miss .Jennie Mc- 
Cartney and is in partnership with his father in the 
stock business; .William, who grew to manhood 
and was married to Miss Mattie St. John, joined 
the regular army, and was Clerk m the Quarter- 
master's department in Wyoming Territory, where 
he died in 1880; Leona married William Holder- 
ness, and lives near San Diego, Cal. ; Edgar married 
Miss Nancy Gailbreath, and they live in Republic 
County, Kan. ; Ella and Frank died when young, 
and Mary is the wife of William Arnold, who is 
engaged in the livery business in Chenoa. Mrs. 
Vance has been a member of the Methodist Church 
since she was a girl. In politics Mr. Vance, his 
sons and sons-in-law are all stanch Republicans. 



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k 



"if] AMES A. STEPHENS, a highly respected 
farmer of Mt. Hope Township, is engaged 
successfully in agricultural oi)er.ations on 

_ section 10, where he owns and occupies a 
comfortable homestead. His father was a pioneer 
of Illinois, and made his location in Logan County 
in the early settlement of the State. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of Lo"-an 
County, 111., and was born in Atlanta Township, 
Dec. II, 1836. His father, Adam Stephens, of 
Virginia, was boin in July, 1801, and his grand- 
father, Peter Stephens, an early farmer of the Old 
Dominion, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio in 
about 1809. He located in what is now Clinton 
County, and was among the earliest pioneers of 
that region. He purchased a tr.act of timber land, 
cleared a farm from the forest, established a com- 
fortable home and remained there until tlie close 
of his life. His son, Adam, the father of our sub- 
jects-there grew to manhood, and was united in 



marriage with Miss Mary IIoLlit, a native of Ohio. 
They located in Clinton County after their mar- 
riage, remaining there until 1829, and then, accom- 
panied by his wife and four children, Adam Ste- 
phens started for the State of Illinois. The journey 
was made overland with horses and wagons. They 
carried their household goods with them and 
camped and cooked by the way. IJefore removing 
his family here, Mr. Stephens had i)roviously vis- 
ited the State, and purchased a claim in what w.as 
then township 21 north, range 1 west, and included 
in Tazewell Count}'. LTpon it stood a log cabin 
into which the family moved and set up liouse- 
keeiiing in the best manner [lossible. The town of 
Springfield, forty miles distant, included the near- 
est post-office, and Pekin, at the same distance in 
another direction, was the depot for supplies, and 
the only market for grain and pork for several 
years. The second winter during which Mr. Ste- 
phens w.as a resident of Illinois, was remarkable for 
its deep snows, a season which will be long remem- 
bered by the old settlers and their children. 
Travel was almost entirely suspcnd(!d, and the pio- 
neers suffered great privation during a long season 
when there was no communication with the outer 
world. 

After the land in that vicinity was surveyed and 
came into market, JMr. Stephens entered 280 acres 
at $1.2.5 per acre, the greater i)ait of which con- 
sisted of timljer. He cultivated what there was of 
[irairie, cleared the limber ,as raiiidly as possible, 
established a homestead, and lived to see the coun- 
trj- around him opened up to civilization. His 
death occurred in August, 1882, the wife and 
mother having departed from the scenes of earth 
three years before. They had become the parents 
of nine children, seven of whom grew to years of 
maturity, .and whom they carefully trained to hab- 
its of industry and to jtrinciples of honor. 

James A. Stephens was the eighth child of his 
parents' family, and he has a vivid reniemlirancc 
of the scenes and incidents of pioneer life. The 
first school he attended was conducted on the sub- 
scription plan in the old log cabin which had been 
the home of his i)areuts vvhen they first came to 
the county. The name of his first teacher was 
J.ames Mackin, a brawny man, the quality esteemed 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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the most liiglily in a teacher of those flays. The 
popular l)elicf then was that tlie wisest plan to gov- 
ern a school was by the rod, nm] woe to the boy 
especially, wlio disputed the teaclier's authority or 
judgment. The method of instruction too in those 
days, was widely different from that of the pres- 
ent, and a text booic was never laid aside until it 
had become so worn that it was unfit for further 
use, a wide contrast to tlie present school system 
which is undergoing perpetual change, and not in- 
variably for the better. The benches and writing- 
desks were made of slabs, and the floor was made 
of puncheons. Here young Stephens attended 
school during the winter season, and worked upon 
his father's farm tiie remainder of the year. He 
was liut a boj"^ when he commenced marketing the 
farm produce, and tlie trip to and from Peliin for 
tliis iniri)ose usually occupied three days. His 
wlicat sold at thirty and thirtj'-five cents per 
l)ushel, and some qualities only ten cents, and 
dressed pork brought fi 1.2.5 per iuindred. His fa- 
ther raised flax and kept sheep, and his motlier and 
sisters spun the wool and the product of tlie flax 
plant, weaving the same into garments for the sev- 
eral members of the family, and for other purposes 
demanded in the household. ''Calico" was then 
considered a luxury, and usually formed the " best 
dress " of the female memlxM'S. 

James Stephens remained at home with his par- 
ents until he attained his majority. He was soon 
afterward married and settled ujiou the southeast 
quarter of section 10, in what is now IMt. Hope 
Township. He put up the first Imildings on the 
place, having broken some of the land the year 
previous. This he occupied for two years, and 
then removed upon the farm which constitutes his 
present homestead. This latter consists of 159 
acres, all inclosed and under a good state of culti- 
vation. He has a fine brick residence which was 
erected in 1877, good frame barns, and other 
necessary farm buildings, a view of which is given 
in this volume. 

The marriage of Mr. Stephens with Miss Martha 
K. Hatch, occurred Dec. 24, 1857. Mrs. Stephens 
was born in Greene County, Ohio, and was the 
daughter of Stephen B. Hatch, a native of Indiana, 
and a farmer by occupation. He came to Illinois 

4 « 



in 1854, and located in Atlanta, Logan County, 
where he still lives. In early manliood he was 
married to Miss Phrebe Levally. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have become the i)arents 
of two children — Edward, who was born in Mt. 
Hope Townshii), and married Lillie Atchison, and 
Carrie 15. Mr. Stephens is Republican in politics, 
straightforward in his business methods, and an 
honest man and a good citizen. 



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^/_^ ARRISON IIORINE, a well-to-do farmer of 
West Township, is comfortably located on 
section 3, where he settled in 1884, and 
where he has a finely cultivated farm, pro- 
vided with all modern Improvements. He is a na- 
tive of Jessamine County, Ky., born Aug. 30, 
1832, and is the son of Jolni Horine, a native of 
the same county and State. His grandfather, Henry 
Horine, a native of Maryland, removed to Ken- 
tucky at an early period in the settlement of the 
Blue firass regions. When he landed in Jessamine 
County he had $2.50 in cash and an ax on his 
shoulder. He took up a tract of wild land from 
which he cleared the timber and opened up a fine 
farm. He was a man of great resoluti(m and good 
judgment and amassed a fine property, at his death 
leaving a farm estate consisting of 320 acres with 
good buildings, and money at interest. Although 
born and reared in the South he was always 
opposed to slavery. The great-grandfather of our 
subject, Tobias Horine, was a native of Germany 
and emigrated to America prior to the Revolution- 
ary War. He located in Mar3'land, where he carried 
on agriculture successfully and spent the remainder 
of his days. 

Jolin Horine, the father of our subject, was 
reared on a farm in his native county, and after 
arriving at years of manhood, was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Margaret Bash. She also was a na- 
tive of Jessamine County, Ky., being the daughter 
of Henry Bash of Virginia, who removed from the 
Old Dominion to Kentucky early in life. He also 
went into that State poor in pocket and died pos- 
sessed of a good property. About the time of his 
marriage John Horine purchased a tract of lan<l 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



193 i^ 



two and one-half miles from Nicliolasville, the 
county seat of Jessamine County, wliei-c he lived 
until 1864. In the meantime he improved a good 
farm and supplied it with a comfortable residence 
and all the necessary out-buildings. Desirous how- 
ever of changing his location and seeing the great 
West, he came into Illinois and located in this 
county, where he spent the last years of his life 
with his son, our subject. His death occurred in 
1876. The mother survived two years, departing 
this life in 1878. 

The parental family of our subject included nine 
children, seven of whom grew to mature years; 
Harrison was the fourth child. He grew to man- 
hood in his native county, received a fair educa- 
tion in the subscription schools, and made his home 
with his parents until twenty-one years of age. He 
then went to Athens, Fayette County, purchased 
two four-horse teams, and engaged in general 
teaming. He also opened a wagon-shop and super- 
intended this while he employed men to do the 
teaming. After a residence in Athens of seven 
years he returned to his native county, where he 
carried on farming until 1864. He then accom- 
panied his father to this State and county, first rent- 
ing a farm in Old Town Township. Thence he 
removed to Arrowsmith and operated upon rented 
land until the purchase of his present farm. Upon 
this he has already made good improvements, and 
may be properly classed among the representative 
citizens of this locality. 

Mr. Horine was married in Lexington, Ky., .Sept. 
9, 1856, to Miss Mary K. Level, a native of his 
own county, and the daughter of Littleton and 
Mary (Goss) Level, both natives of Virginia, 
whence they removed and were among the early 
settlers of Jessamine County, Ky. Of this marriage 
there have been born ten children, as follows: 
Francis M. lives in "West Township; Anna E., Mrs. 
Bedell, lives in Benjamin villc, this county ; Andrew 
J., in Arrowsmith Township; Charles W., Walter 
C, Frederick L., Robert Clinton, Laura B. and 
John L. are at home. Margaret, the eldest daugh- 
ter and second child, was born Sept. 29, 1858, and 
died Sept. 25, 1885. 

Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Christian 
Church, in which our subject has been an Elder for 



many years. He is Republican in jiolitics and cast 
his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1.S60, which 
was the only vote cast for him in the county, out- 
side of Lexington, his life being threatened on 
account of this action. He lias lived to see his 
I'nion and .anti-slavery princii)les triumph, and 
views with much satisfaction the outcome of the 
war. 



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UOII.VAUGHAN. This gentleman is a 
prominent member of the farming com- 
munity of Chenoa Township, where he is 
successfully engaged in stock-raising, and 
where he has been located since the spring of 1859. 
He is of Welsh iiarentage and ancestry, and was 
born on a farm in Montgomeryshire, Wales, Jan. 
17, 1834. Hiigli Vaughan is the son of Edward 
and Elizabeth (Davis) Vaughan, and his father was 
a farmer of modest means. Hugh lived in his na- 
tive Wales until he was twent\'-two years of age; 
then boarded a vessel bound for New York City, 
and after arriving there resumed his chosen calling 
until the fall of 1859. He then came to Illinois, 
and purchased eighty' acres of land on section 1, 
Lexington Township, this county. 

Mr. Vaughan, of this notice, was married in 
18G0, to Bliss Ellen Jones, a native of his own 
country and shire, and the daughter of Hugh and 
Jane (Evans) Jones. After marriage Mr. Vaughan 
and wife located on his farm, whence they removed 
to the present homestead in 1865. The total 
amount of his home farm now comprises 240 acres. 

During the war our subject began feeding hogs 
and cattle, and shipping and selling, and from the 
proceeds realized a handsome income. He added 
to his first purchase as time progressed and his 
means accumulated until he has become the owner 
of a handsome estate and has all his land under 
good cultivation. He ships a carload of fat hogs 
every year, and often a carload of cattle. The 
farm is handsomely laid out, and the fields divided 
by hedge fences of which he has five miles. The 
land is tile drained. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Waughan there 
were born eight children, four sons and four 

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194 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






tlaughters, as fullous: Edward R., Viola J., Hugh 
(deceased), E. Alary, Grace J., Robert, Maggie I. 
and John G. Mr. V. is Republican in politics, and 
is in all respects fulfilling his ol)ligations as a good 
citizen and worthy nieuil)er of the community. He 
came to America without a dollar in his pocket, 
and his present possessions are the result of his 
own industry and i)erseverance. He is a striking 
illustration of the self-made man who has arisen by 
iiis own efforts to an enviable position among the 
best class of citizens, and who have assisted in 
making this State what it is among the comnion- 
wealtlis of the West. Mrs. Vaughan is a member 
of the rresbyteriau Church. A fine lithographic 
view of the handsome resilience and home of Mr. 
Vaughan is shown elsewhere in this work. 




I 



I'SA H. MOORE, proprietor of the Bloom- 
ington and Normal Horse Railway, is a 
higlily respected and well-known citizen 
who has contributed a generous share to- 
ward the business interests of the citj'. This rail- 
way which he is now conducting in a business-like 
and .systematic manner, is a source of great com- 
fort and convenience to those wlio would otherwise 
l)e obliged to go on foot to their places of business 
or cnijiloy a more expensive method of convey- 
ance. 

Mr. Moore was born on a farm among the New 
England hills, in Worcester County, Mass., in Oc- 
tober, 1820, being the son of Asa and iSabra (Lov- 
ell) Moore, natives of the Bay State. His fatiier 
was a man of modest means, and spent the greater 
part of his life in farming pursuits. Our subject 
was reared to haliits of industry, received a careful 
l)arental training, and obtained a fair education in 
tiie public schools. In early life he evinced that 
active and energetic disposition which has since 
served liim so well and placed him in an enviable 
l)osition among his fellow-men. AVhile still young 
he began to lay plans for the future, and was am- 
bitious to do something and be somebody in the 
great world. At the age of nineteen he was em- 
ployed as conductor on the Western Railroad, run- 
-^» __ 



ning from Boston to Spiingfield, Mass. Later he 
assisted in running trains which conveyed the first 
passengers from Worcester to Springfield, one of 
whom was the famous Maj. George W. Whister, 
who was then ciiief engineer of the road, and who 
afterward attained a wide reputation as builder of 
the railroad from St. Petersburg to Moscow, in 
Russia, being peculiarly adapted to railroading and 
having more than ordinary knowledge of what was 
required to build and conduct a system successfully' 
and profitably. 

The subject of our sketch made rapid progress 
in the confidence and respect of his superior t)ffi- 
eers, and was soon placed in charge of a train as 
conductor, running out of Boston on the Western 
Railroad, and l)ecoming widely and favorably 
known for his skill and reliability. He continued 
on that run for a period of eleven years, then came 
West to La Porte, Ind., where he was employed aa 
engineer on the Michigan Southern, from which 
position he soon rose to be Assistant Superintend- 
ent with lieadquarters at La Porte, Ind., at which 
place he remained until 1854. He was then in- 
duced by George Bliss to come to Bloomingion, 
where he was appointed Assistant Superintendent 
of what was then the Chicago and Mississippi, but 
now the C. & A. R. R., Richard Alorgan, now of 
Illinois, being Superintendent. Mr. Moore con- 
tinued in this ollico until the resignation of Mr. 
Morgan, when he succeeded to the general super- 
intendcncy of the road, a position which he filled 
in an able and creditable manner for three years. 
In liSOt) he purchased the Horse Railroad of Bloom- 
ington, of which he took possession .Lan. 1, 1870, 
and which under his management, as we have said, 
became one of the great enterprises of the cit}-. It 
is suitably equipped in every particular, and ex- 
tends in every direction, so as to meet as far as 
possible the requirements of the local traveling 
public. It is conceded by all to be one of the best 
railway systems of its kind outside of Chicago, and 
Mr. Moore has spared neither time nor mone^' to 
perfect it and keep it in repair. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in the 
spring of 1 848, in Plymouth, Mass., the maiden of 
his choice being Miss Nancy B. AVashburn, and 
they became the parents of two children — Thomas 



1 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



195 ,. 




W. and Mary C, the latter the wife of K. E. Max- 
well, of the firm of S. A. Maxwell & Co., of Chi- 
cago. 

The residence of Mr. Moore is pleasantl}' located 
on North Main street, where with his excellent wife 
he enjoys the conip.inionship of the cultured peo- 
ple of the city. He is a gentleman of fine personal 
appearance, and his genial, courteous disposition 
has secured for him hosts of friends wherever he 
is known. 



F. FUNK, of Bloom ington, is a native of 
tX^ Funk's Grove, this county, and was born 
'^)j1j in 1838. He is the son of Isaac and Cas- 
sandra (Sharp) Funk, natives respectively 
of Kentucky and Maryland, whose names are widely 
and favorably known througlioat this section. He 
was reared on his father's farm, completed his edu- 
cation in Wesleyan College, and received from the 
estate 2,100 acres of land. To tliis he has since 
added 140 acres, and with others of that name so 
familiarly known throughout this county, has been 
prospei'ous in his undertaking, and ranks as one of 
the most valued citizens of McLean County. 

Our subject remained on the home farm until 
the beginning of the late war, and then enlisted as a 
Union soldier in Co. G, 68th 111. Vol. Inf., but 
served only six months, near Alexandria, Va. Re- 
turning home he continued under the parental roof 
until 1865, and two years later became a resident 
of Bloomington, where he has a beautiful home at 
No. 1008 North Main street, the residence having 
been erected at a cost of $12,000. He retains the 
supervision of his farm, which is operated by ten- 
ants who take care of the stock, of which there are 
about 500 head of cattle and twenty-five horses of 
the Clydesdale and Norman stock. 

Mr. F. has been prominent in the affairs of the 
cit3' since becoming a resident here. He was 
elected President of the Board of Trustees of Wes- 
leyan Univcrsit}' in 1877, which position he has 
since held, and occupies fhe same office among the 
Trustees of the Blind Asylum of Jacksonville, 111., 
being appointed by Gov. Oglesby in 1885. He 
was elected Mayor of Bloomington in 1871, and 
each succeeding year until 1875, and tlien again in 

4» 



1884-85. He was Supervisor of Normal Township 
for 1870-71. He is a member and Director of the 
Bloomington Loan and Building Association, a 
stockholder in the Walton Plow Company, and 
there are few worthy projects which have been set 
on foot since he became a resident here that have not 
received his assistance. 

In 1886 Mr. Funk was chosen as one of the dele- 
gates from Illinois to attend the G. A. R. encamp- 
ment which met at San Francisco, which he attend- 
ed, and was also chosen by the local post as dele- 
gate to the State Encampment at Decatur, Peo- 
ria, Springfield and Rock Isln.nd. He was an al- 
ternate delegate to the National Republican Conven- 
tion which met at Cincinnati and nominated Hayes 
for President, and was a delegate to the State C<m- 
vention for many years. 

Mr. Funk was united in marriage with Miss Sarah 
Hamilton in the spring of 1865. Mrs. F. is the 
daughter of John and Rebecca (Pritchard) Hamil- 
ton, natives of Ohio, who came to Illinois in 1845, 
and settled near Le Roy, where Mr. H. engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. Of this union there has 
been one child, a son, Frank, who is now attending 
college at Lawrenceville, N. J. Mr. Funk is Re- 
publican in politics, and socially, belongs to the 
Ri>yal Arcanum. 

gs^ AMUEL FITCHHORN, a highly respected 
^^^^ resident of Downs Township, is the owner 
'X^/_J^j of 280 acres on sections 9 and 10, on the 
former of which he has a handsome and 
substantial residence and upon which he located in 
1866. When he first took i)Ossession of this prop- 
erty it was comparatively unimproved. It is now 
thoroughly drained and in a fine state of cultiva- 
tion. Tlie barn and out-buildings are kept in good 
repair, and everything about the premises donates 
the oversight of a thorough and systematic busi- 
ness man. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, March 3, 1821, and was taken to Indiana by 
his parents when a child four years of age. They 
located in Wayne County, near Centerville, where 
his father pursued his occupation of a hatter, and 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Samuel was emi)lo}'ed by neighboring farmers most 
of tlie time until lie attained his majority. His 
father' in the meantime had also taken up farming 
and finally went into Mexico, Miami County, where 
he spent the remainder of his life. The mother, 
who before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Mon- 
roe, died in middle life in Wayne County. She 
was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and was there 
married to Samuel Fitchhorn, Sr. 

The subject of this history was the youngest of 
his parents' family of six daughters and two sons. 
He was married in Wayne County', Ind., to Miss 
Elizabeth McKeman, who was born in Virginia and 
came with her parents to Indiana when a young 
woman, where her education was completed. She 
died in Downs Township in 1870, when forty-five 
years of age. Of this union there were born eight 
children, three of whom are now deceased, two dy- 
ing of measles ten da3's after the death of the 
inotlier. Those living arc .John F., .James, Samuel 
J).. William A., Uaniel W. The deceased were, 
Elizabeth .1., Stephen and Idora. 

The second marriage of Mr. Fitchhorn took place 
in I'eiii, Ind., Feb. 15, 1872, when he was united with 
Mrs. Mary (Finster) Myers. This lady was a na- 
tive of Prussia, born Sept. 28, 1844, being the 
danglitcr of Simeon and Elizabeth (Danfel) Fin- 
ster, who emigrated from Germany to the United 
.States when Mrs. F. of this notice was ten years of 
age. Their family consisted of four daughters and 
one son, of wliom Mrs. F. was the eldest. They 
first located on a farm in West Virginia, where 
they remained during the Itebellion. The father 
l)arlicipatcd in this war as a sohlier of the Union, 
and was sericnisly crippled at the battle of AVin- 
chester, on .account of which he now draws a 
pension. He lives near I'eru, Ind., being sixt3'-flve 
years of age; the mother is sixty-four. Their 
daughter, Mary, lemained under the parental roof 
until licr first niarri.agc, to Frederick Myers, which 
took place Dec. 2'J, 1SG5, near Bunker Hill, Miami 
Co., Ind. Mr. Myers was a native of Germany, a 
farmer by occupation, and died in Miami County 
in 1870. They had become tlic |).'ircnts of four 
ciiildren: Simeon, Lewis and Alaggio are living 
witli their mother; Mollie, the third cliild, is niar- 
rieil and a resident of I'orn. Ind. 



Samuel and Mary F. Fitchhorn have become 
the parents of ten children, one of whom, Stella, is 
deceased. Those living are, Henry, Minnie, Lulu, 
Marshall, Anna, Charles, Hattic, Blarion and Alba. 
Mr. Fitchhorn came to McLean County in 1866, 
and is essentially a self-made man. His present 
possessions are the result of his own industry and 
perseverance, and he has been fairly successful in 
his struggle to maintain his family and provide 
them with the comforts of life. In the business 
community he is regarded as substantial and relia- 
ble, prompt to meet his obligations, and in all re- 
spects is rated as a valued member of society. 

/p^EORGE L. HUTCHIN, editor and proprie- 
[l| ^=-, tor of the Sunday Eye, of lUoomington, is a 
^^ill native of the Prairie State and born in De 
Witt County Sept. 25. 1854. He is the son of 
John D. and t^lizabeth Hutchin, natives of Ohio, 
where the father was engaged extensively in farm- 
ing .and the raising of fine stock. John Hutchin 
came to Illinois about 1840, and settled in De Witt 
County. While on a visit to Bloomington he was 
offered the central portion of the site of the pres- 
ent cit}' for $300, being an area of about 640 .acres, 
but he preferred to take his chances in De Witt 
County, and there purchased 2,500 acres. He was 
the first man to introduce fine Uerkshire hogs into 
this part of the country, and also what is known as 
the Hutchin corn. In 1840 he took a trip to Cali- 
fornia for the purpose of speculating, being absent 
about eighteen months, and then, satisfied with his 
experience in that direction, he returned to De 
Witt County, where he resumed his farming op- 
erations and passed the remainder of his days. He 
departed this life in 1861. Mrs. Hutchin w.as sub- 
sequently married to Mr. G. C;and3% and is still 
living in De Witt County. Their family consisted 
of nine children, of whom six are living. 

George L. Hutchin was the fourth child of his 
parents' famil}', and after receiving his primary 
education in the public schools entered Wesleyan 
College, from which he graduated in 187G. In all 
he spent six years in high schools and colleges and 
received a thorough education, by which he be- 
_ ■» 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



197 






came well fitted for the duties which he has as- 
sumed in his later life. After completing his stud- 
ies Mr. Hutchin first took a position as city editor 
of the Bloomington Leader, having already had 
considerable experience as a reporter. After a 
year with the Leader be became traveling agent 
for the Pantograph, which occupied him another 
year, and he then purchased the Sv inlay Eye, 
which, after conducting one year he sold, and was 
one of the original projectors of the Bulletin. This 
occupied his attention for a year, and he then sold 
his interest in it and purchased a half interest in 
the Sunday Eye, with which he has been connected 
as publisher since 1882. This journal was estab- 
lished in January, 1877. Mr. Ilutchin possesses 
genuine literary talent, and has been a contributor 
to the publications of Harper Bros., the Century 
and other standard periodicals. He is a member 
of the American Press Association, and President 
of the Press Club of Bloomington. In politics our 
subject is independent, and socially belongs to the 
Knights of Phythias. 

The Sunday Eye was first cstablisiied liy II. R. 
Persinger as a society' paper. It was a five-column 
fulio, and was issued every Sunday. It was eon- 
ducted by Mr. Persinger for about one year, when 
M. I. Leland, who was a silent partner, assumed 
control of the paper and i>ut it in charge of George 
L. Hutchin. This arrangement lasted about one 
year, when a stock company was formed which had 
financial control of the paper. Then Mr. Hutchin 
secured a half interest. Subsequently the plant 
was taken to Chicago, where it was issued for that 
city and Bloomington. This did not prove a finan- 
cial success and in about two years a move was 
made back to Bloomington, when i\Ir. Hutchin be- 
came sole proprietor. By able management the 
patronage has been increased until the Eye now 
has a circulation of upward of 0,000. 

Mr. Hutchin is a forcible and facetious writer, 
and his short and humorous articles make people 
nervous as well as merry. Connected with him as 
associate editor is Cornelius M. Leek, a facile, pun- 
gent and polished writer, and an experienced ed- 
itor. The two make a strong editorial team, which 
has made the Eye very popular and given it a wide 
reputation. The Eye is chiefly a literary journal, 
^»— '. 



and indei)endcnt in politics. It is a seven-column 
quarto, extensively and well illustrated. It is ele- 
gantly got up in all its parts, and is one of the best 
literary and f£,mily papers in the country. 

It is ever ready and bold in exposing fraud, 
injustice, hypocrisy and immorality, and to com- 
mend justice, honesty, worth and virtue. The of- 
fice of the Sunday Eye is located in the Opera 
House Block. 

The marriage of George L. Ilutchin and Miss 
Cora Leland took place in Bloomington in 1877. 
She is a daugliter of the late Moses F. Leland, 
formerly editor of the Leader, and who died 
in M.areh, 188(5. Of this union there have been 
born two children — Elberon and Louise. Mr. 
Ilutciiin and his family occupy a pleasant home 
at No. oO.'j Northeast street, and are highly esteemed 
for their social qualities and cultivated tastes. 






L-'j^r^HOMAS M. LEWIS, wlio has been a resi- 
dent of Illinois for nearly thirty years, is 
one of the highly respected residents of 
West Township, Town 21, where he owns a com- 
fortable farm homestead on section 5. He is a na- 
tive of Harrison County, Ohio, born in Green 
Township, May 1, 183G. His father, Joseph Lewis, 
who descended from Scotch ancestr3', was a native 
of Berks County, Pa., where he grew to manhood. 
He was there married to Miss Mary Benner, also a 
native of the Keystone State, but descended from 
the German. After marriage they went into Har- 
rison County, Ohio, being among the earliest set- 
tlers of that region. Joseph Lewis purchased a 
tract of heavy timberland, only a small portion of 
which was cleared. This in due time, with the as- 
sistance of his sons, he converted into a valuable 
farm homestead, where he passed the remainder of 
his life, dying in 1883. The wife and mother had 
passed to the better land in 18,50. Their eight 
children included four sons and four daughters, 
six of whom grew to become men and women, and 
five are now living. Jacob B. was for many yeal-s 
a banker in Farmer City, 111. ; Joseph L. is a resi- 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



dent of West Township, this county; Hannah mar- 
ried William Kent, and lives in Harrison County, 
Ohio; Thomas M., our subject, was the fourth 
cliild; Rebecca became tiie wife of James Maholn, 
and died in Marion C<.)unty, Kan., in 1882. 

Thomas M. Lewis was reared on a farm in his 
native county, and received a fair education in the 
pulilic schools. He remained under the home roof 
until ho was twenty-two years of age, when he 
came to this State and located in "West Township. 
He was thin unmarried and employed himself at 
whatever his hands could find to do, working out 
for two years liy the month. He then purchased a 
team, and in company with his brother .Jacob, 
commenced farming on rented land. In the fall of 
1 si;(i he retui'ned to the old homestead, and worked 
with his father until the fall of 1865. He then 
came l«ck to Illinois and West Township, of which 
he has been a resident since that time. 

Mr. Lewis was married in Kovember, 18C0, to 
Jliss Nancy Smith, who was born in Wyandotte 
County, Ohio, April 7, 18:39. Her father, Benja- 
min Smith, was a native of New Jersey, whence he 
removed after his marriage to Ohio, and settled in 
Wyandotte County. In l.sriG he started further 
Westward, and coming to this State and county 
located in Empire Township, where he si>ent the 
remainder of his dai^s. lie married early in life 
Miss Esther Eft, also a native of New Jersey. She 
survived her husband a number of years, .and died 
-at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Coons, in Ar- 
rowsmith Township, tins county. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis there were 
born seven children: Ida M., Mrs. Nichols, lives 
in liellertower Township; Mary Esther, Mrs. Stan- 
ley, is a resident of Earmer City; Ilartwell E. lives 
in West Townsiiip; Walter V., Callie M., Lela Ma- 
b(^l and Jacob S. are with their parents at home. 

Mr. and I\Irs. Lewis are members in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
Mr. L. h.as been Trustee and Stew.ard and Superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school for a number of 
years. Politic'.ally lie is a Republican. He was 
Ct)llector of West Township for a number of years, 
has served as Assessor, and has alw.ays taken a 
lively interest in the establishment and mainten- 
ance of schools. 



^^^ EORGE J. FOSTP2R, who is Superintendent 
III g-, of the Bloomington (Phix'uix) Nurseries 
^^5! in Bloomington Township, occupies a re- 
sponsible position for which he has proved himself 
amply fitted by his large experience and natural 
adaptation to the business. The Bloomington 
(Phienix) Nurseries embrace 600 aci-es of land and 
are probably the most extensive of any in the 
State, and by far the largest of an}' in the county. 

The subject of this history is a native of Rhode 
Island, born near Providence on the 2d of January, 
1846. His parents were natives of the same State, 
and traced the Foster ancestry back six generations 
of a line made worthy and honorable by lives of 
high moral principles and an upright course. The 
parental family of our subject included seven chil- 
dren, of whom George J. was the eldest born. His 
father owned a farm in his native State and fol- 
lowed that calling. 

George J. Foster remained with his parents and 
attended school until eighteen years of age. He 
then went to Flushing, L. 1., where he engaged with 
the well-known nursery firm of Parsons & Co. Of 
this his uncle, .lohn B. Foster, w.as foreman, and un- 
der liiin our subject remained until 1868, obtain- 
ing a gooil knowledge of the different departments 
of the business. He then came West and engaged 
with F. K. Phd'uix until 1877, a period of nine 
years. Then, for one season, he was employed by 
Augustine & Co., after which he returned to the 
Phceuix Nurseries which had changed hands, and in 
the fall of that same year became foreman of the 
business. Since then the nursery has again changed 
hands, Mr. Foster becoming a member of the firm. 

The marri.age of our subject with Miss Lydia B. 
Browning occurred in 1870. She is a native of Chat- 
ham, Columbia Co., N. Y., and by her union with 
our subject h.as become the mother of five children, 
of whom the eldest died in infanc}'. Those living 
are Alma, George K., Bernlce L. and Esther B. They 
are ])leasantly located in a handsome and attractive 
residence and are surrounded by .all the comforts 
of life. In politics, Mr. Foster is a stanch Repub- 
lican, is a gentleman highly respected in his coni- 
munit}', a member of Gr.ace Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Bloomington, .and h.as held some of the 
minor ollices of his township. 

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McLean county. 



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201 




II. KERRICK wag burn in Franklin Coun- 
in 184ti. He is the son of Rev. 
and Mary (Masters) Kerrick, na- 
tives respectively of Loudoun C'onntj', Va., and 
Lancaster Ciinnty, Pa. To tiiem were burn four 
other children — Eleanor J., Phebe A., William M. 
and Thomas C. AVilliam M. was J<illed in battle at 
Vicksburg, May 22, 18G-'i, at the age of nineteen. 

The subject of tliis sketch removed with his par- 
ents to Woodford County, III., in 1860, and grad- 
uated from the Illinois Wesleyan University, in 
18GG. He taught a short time in the same institu- 
tion; studied law and was admitted to practice 
in Bloomin<>ton in 18G8. Mr. Kerrick was married 
to Sallie E., daughter of Hon. Isaac and Cassandra 
Funk, in October, 18G8. Of their four children, 
but one, Birdie, the 3'oungest, is now living. Mr. 
Kerrick was elected to the Lower House of the 
State Legislature in 1871 ; he is at present engaged 
in farming. In politics Mr. Kerrick is Republican; 
himself and wife are members of the First Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, Bloomington. Their resi- 
dence is at No. 809 North McLean street. 



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R. CYRENIUS WAKEFIELD. The late 
Dr. Wakefield of Bloomington, who de- 
parted this life on the 20tii of February', 
1884, was widely and favorably known 
throughout the nation. As a gentleman he was 
honored and respected by all who ever met him. 
Possessing as he did fine natui-al abilities and those 
qualities which constitute the true man and valu- 
able citizen, it was not ditHcult for him to win the 
esteem and admiration of those about him. The 
life history of Dr. Wakefield, necessarily briefly 
given here, is in its chief points as follows: He was 
born in Watertuwn, N. Y., and was the son of 
Joseph and Susan (Sawyer) Wakefield, both natives 
of Vermont. II is great-gr.andfather, Andrew Wake- 
field, was born May 5, 17G.5, was of English 
descent, and belonged to the old Quaker stock who 
were extensive landholders in the Kingdom. When 
eighteen j-ears of age he emigrated to the United 
States, settling first in Nelson County, Ky., whence 
he removed to Franklin County, Pa. There he was 



married in 17U1, to Miss Margaret Campbell, the 
ceremony being performed by Rev. Mr. Cooper. 
After settling in Nelson Count3', Ky., he w.as fol- 
lowed by two brothers, John and Daniel, who mar- 
ried and settled there, reared families, and it is 
supposed passed the remainder of their lives. The 
children born to them were all daughters and but 
little is known of their history. Andrew Wakefield 
died in Hamilton Countv, Ohio, June 23, 1828, 
and his wife, surviving him a period of twenty- 
seven years, passed to her final rest in the spring 
of 1855. Mrs. Margaret Wakefield was born in 
Franklin County, Pa., Dec. 16, 1772, and was con- 
sequently eighty-three years of age at the time of 
her decease. The maiden name of Andrew Wake- 
field's mother was Margaret McCoy. She was of 
Scottish ancestry and a lady of great intelligence 
and personal attraction. 

Dr. Cyrenius Wakefield was the fifth of a family 
of six children, who lived to become men and 
women. He was reared on a farm until he attained 
his majority, in the meantime having received a 
good educ.ati(}n and becoming a teacher in 1837. 
He then removed westward to Bloomington, III., 
and became teacher of a large school three miles 
south of the cit3', where he was engaged for fifteen 
months. He then purchased a tract of land in De 
Witt County, lying west of Farmer City ,.and while 
engaged in the improvement of the same, pursued 
his former calling during the winter months for four 
seasons following marriage. In 1847, in company 
with his brother. Dr. Zera Wakefield, he purchased a 
stuck of goods and the^' engaged in trade near 
Marion, De Witt Co., III., our subject taking 
charge of the store and his brother continuing 
practice which, extending for miles aronnd, neces- 
sitated long drives and the care of horses. In ad- 
dition to this the latter commenced preparing 
medicine and leaving it at the store for sale, the 
demand finally becoming so extensive that what 
was originally a country store became quite a 
laboratory for drugs. In June, 1848, after con- 
tinuous practice of two years. Dr. Zera Wakefield 
contracted violent congestion of the lungs and died 
within thirty-six hours after the attack. 

After the death of his brother. Dr. Cvrenius 
Wakefield purchased the interest of the first named ' ' 



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McLEAN COtTNTY. 



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in the business, and continued as before. In 1850 
he sold his farm and moved to Blouniington, that 
he might have better facilities to extend his busi- 
ness. He also applied himself diligentlj' to the 
study of medicine and pharm.acy and here gained 
the title of doctor. During the first few years after 
his removal to Bloomington he operated exten- 
sively in drugs in company with Robert Thomp- 
son, who was a brother-in-law of Mrs. Wakefield, 
having his laboratory in the rear of his drug-store. 
In 1856 he put up a brick laboratory near his 
dwelling and two years later retired from the drug 
trade, giving his whole attention to the compound- 
ing of medicine. His business steadily increased, 
and in 1879 he had local agencies established over 
all the Western States and had accumulated a large 
capital. 

Dr. Wakefield was a man of firm and decided 
principles, a member of the Free Congregational 
Church and a stanch adlierent of the Republican 
part}'. He was generous, hospitable and charitable, 
always ready to extend a helping hand to those 
in need. The four children of his family were 
Emma, the wife of Mr. A. S. Eddy, Cashier of the 
People's Bank, and the mother of five children, 
namely, Gussie, Florence, Adelbert 8., Louis and 
Maxwell. Oscar, the eldest son, married Miss Ag- 
nes Benchly and resides on the old homestead ; 
Hattie is the wife of A. B. Brad}" of Davenport, 
Iowa; Mr. B. is editor and proprietor of the 
Northu-eslern News. The youngest of the family 
is a son, Homer. 

Dr. Wakefield, on the 17th of August, 1843, was 
united in marriage with Miss Harriett Richardson, 
at the home of the bride's parents in Watertown, 
N. y. Mrs. Wakefield was the daughter of Josiah 
and Cynthia (Tolman) Richardson, natives re- 
spectively of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 
Her parents were married in Watertown, N. Y., in 
about 1815, and settling there engaged in farming 
pursuits, the father giving much attention to the 
bi-eeding of fine horses and cattle. The parental 
househcdd included eight children, all of whom 
grew to years of maturity and are recorded as fol- 
lows: Chailcs and Juliet (Mrs. Dodge) are in 
Watertown, N. Y.; Mrs. Wakefield was the third 
cliild; Cynthia, Mrs. Thompson ; Josiah; Mary, now 



Mrs. Waters, and Martha, Mrs. Jones, are all in 
Bloomington. Josiah Richardson was a man of 
strong character and much al)ility and a stanch 
member of the old Whig party. He took a deep 
interest in all matters pertaining to his county. 
State and nation, and remained a resident of 
Watertown until his death, loved and respected by 
all. His children were given a practical education 
and carefully reared to those principles of honor 
and honesty which have distinguished most of the 
members of that family. Both jiarents belonged, to 
the Universalist Church. 

The portrait of Dr. Wakefield is fittingly pre- 
sented in a work containing the portraits and 
sketches of so many of the best people of McLean 
County. With a mind so richly stored as his was 
and with the genial disposition and temperament 
which it was his fortune to possess, a successful 
life, in the full sense of the word, is what we might 
look for, nor were his friends disappointed. 




J. HIGGINS, is of the firm of HigginsA Co., 
marble and granite manufacturers, Bloom- 
ington, who are transacting an extensive and 

M) profitable liusiness. Their main office is 
located on East Front street and occupies Nos. 227 
and 22;). The subject of this biography was born 
in Georgetown, Ohio, in 1840. His parents were 
Hon. John J. and Martha C. (Hetteriek) Iliggins, 
the father of Maryland and the mother of Mrginia. 
John J. Higgins was an attorney at law and suc- 
cessfully practiced in the various courts of Ohio. 
He was prominently identified with the politics of 
that Stale, being elected a member of the Legisla- 
ture and holding the offices of County Judge and 
Sheriff of Brown County. 

The grandfather of our sid)ject, Col. Robert 
Higgins, was one of the stanch old veterans of 187G, 
and contrilmted his full share toward the emanci- 
pati(Mi of the colonies. After this was effected he 
purcliascd over 1.000 acres of land in Southern 
Ohio. He had previously been a slave-holder, but 
becoming disgusted with the peculiar institution. 






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McLean county. 



203 



gave to his slaves their liberty. He was a man of 
prominence and closely identified with political 
affairs in the early history of tlie Buci<eye State. 
He practiced law and served as District Judge, and 
spent tiie main part of his life at Higginsport, 
which was named after him. 

.lolin J. Higgins, the father of niii' subject, was 
the youngest son of his parents and died in Ohio in 
18.57. His wife survived liim until 1873. Of their 
family of eleven children, seven are now living, 
viz., Robert, Marj', Annie, Lydia, Mattie, Hanicr 
J. and Sallic. All are residents of Ohio except 
our subject. 

Hamer .J. Higgins remained at home until twenty- 
one years of age and until after gi.a<luating from 
the High School. About that time tlie war came on 
and at the first call for troops he enlisted in the 
three years' service in the 5'Jth Ohio Infantry, and 
afterward re-enlisted in the 192d Ohio Infantry, 
remaining in the army until the surrender of Lee. 
During this time he was in twenty-nine pitched 
battles. He enlisted as a private and was mustered 
out as First Lieutenant. He was at Shiloh, Stone 
River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and through 
the entire Atlanta campaign, fighting 120 succes- 
sive days before the fall of Atlanta. 

At the close of his military career young Hig- 
gins returned to Ohio and was appointed Deputy 
Clerk of the Common Pleas Court, which position 
he filled for two years, and then in 1808 came to 
Illinois. He commenced here with a capital of 
110 in cash, and after an experience of eight years, 
part of which time was spent in traveling, he estab- 
lished his present business in 1870. The beautiful 
marble front building, a part of wiiicii is occupied 
as his business office, was erected in 1880. He 
keeps two men on the road and the whole force of 
employes r.anges from eighteen to twenty-five men. 
His present status in the business community as 
will be seen is due to his own persevering energy. 
He commenced at the foot of the latter anJ his 
present position is his just reward. 

Mr. Higgins was married in Bloom ington in 
1870, to Miss Alice De Vore, a native of his own 
State and daughter of Jackson and Hannaii De Vore. 
Of their union there have been born eight children — 
^ ' Mattie, Frank, Elmo, Maude, Charles, Ina, Robert 



and Lilian. Mr. Higgins is Republican in politics, 
and socially is identified with the I. O. O. F., the 
O. A. R. and A. O. U. W. 



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eW. ATKINSON, ex-Connty Clerk of Mc- 
Lean County, h.as been a resident of tlie 
^ Prairie State since 1 853, coming here when a 
young man eighteen ye.ars old. His native place was 
Lake County, Ohio, wlierc he was born In 183,"), 
and his parents were William and Marian (Fergu- 
son) Atkinson, natives respectively of New Bruns- 
wick and New York. They were married in Oliio 
in 1833, locating upon a farm of 100 acres, where 
William Atkinson industriously engaged in farming 
and stock-raising until 1853. He then started for 
the prairies of Illinois and purchased a farm in 
Cheney's Grove Township, this county, which he 
cultivated for a numfjer of years, and which still 
remains his home, although he is now retired from 
active life. William Atkinson w.as born in 1807, 
and is consequently ni>w eighty j^ears of age. He 
was always of a religious turn of mind, studied for 
the ministry while a j'oung man and was ordained 
a minister of the Methodist Church in 1848. since 
which time he h.as served as a local preacher. The 
parental liousehold consisted of ten children, six 
now living. 

The subject of this history spent his boyhood 
and youth in attendance at school daring the win- 
ter seasons and assisting on the farm the balance 
of the year. At twenty -one years of age he entered 
Wesleyan University, Bloomington, where he pur- 
sued a two years' course, and engaged in teaching 
for two years following, in McLean and Champaign 
Counties. During the first year of the war he 
enlisted as a soldier in Co. I, 23d Ohio ^'ol. Inf., 
and served until the close of the conflict. For 
brave and- faithful services he was commissioned 
Captain, having taken part in the battles of South 
Mountain, Antietam, and all the engagements of 
the Shenandoah Valley of 1804. He escaped serious 
injury and received an honorable discharge on the 
2Gth of August, 1805. 

At the close of his military services Mr. Atkin- 
son returned to Iliinois, and locating at Saybrook, 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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engaged in mercantile pursuits i\iitil 18(J8. He then 
sold out, and going to Blooniington. was appointed 
Deput}' Circuit Clerk, which position he held four 
years and then was the incumbent of the same po- 
sition in the office of the County Clerk until 1877, 
when he was elected County Clerk and held the 
office until December, 1886. 

Mr. Atkinson was married in 1866, to Miss Kate 
Guthrie, the daughter of Rev. R. E. and Lucy 
(Kelsall) Guthrie. Of this union there have been 
born five children: William E. ; Wilber, a graduate 
of the city High School, both of whom are clerks 
in the office of their father ; those at home are — 
Marion, Roy and Carrie. Mr. Atkinson is Repub- 
lican in politics and socially belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity, the 1. O. O. F., the G. A. R. and K. of 
P. In addition to his pleasant residence in Bloom- 
ington, he has a farm near Cheney's Grove, consist- 
ing of 140 acres of valuable land, finely improved 
and mostly devoted to stock-raising. Mr. Atkin- 
son is a thorough business man and in all respects 
a representative citizen. 



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' RA C. PRATT, the tile manufacturer of Crop- 
sey, is a native of the Green Mountain State, 
where he first opened his eyes to light, Jan. 12, 
1832. His parents, Ira Allen and Asenath (Wait) 
Pratt, were also natives of Vermont, where they 
resided on a farm and passed their entire lives in 
their native State. The father was accidentally 
drowned when about fifty years of age. The 
mother survived her husband man}' years, attain- 
ing to the advanced age of eighty-one. The eight 
children included in the parental household all 
lived to mature years, and their record is as fol- 
lows: Curtis, the eldest, is a resident of Milton, 
Vt. ; Sophia married B. B. Woods, and died in 
Vermont in the fall of 188G; Ira C, is our subject; 
Charles J. resides in (lilman. 111.; Lucina became 
the wife of C. S. Tolm:in, of Kitchburg, Mass.; 
Frank is a resident of Livingston County, this 
State; Mary, Mrs. J. C. Hyde, lives in Iroquois 
County, and George R. in Cropsey. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on his 



father's f:irm and received a common-school edu- 
cation. When seventeen years old he commenced 
work at w;igon-making, serving .an apprenticeship 
to this and the blacksmith's trade, and being em- 
ployed eight years with one man. In 18,15 he 
came West, locating first in Tazewell Count}', this 
State, and following his trade in the town of Mor- 
ton until 18(17. He then settled upon a farm in 
Livingston County, on section 13, in Belle Prairie 
Township, where he first purchased 160 acres. To 
this he subsequently added until he is now the 
owner of 240 acres, all under a good state of culti- 
vation. Mrs. Pratt is the owner, in her own right, 
of 332 acres. 

Mr. Pratt, in the tall of 1882, began to drain his 
land, and for some time hauled tile from Fairbury, 
a distance of nine miles. He saw th.at it would l)e 
necessary to use a large amount, and concluded it 
would be the best economy to manufacture his own 
tile. Accordingly, in connection with George S. 
Cook and Frank Pratt, the former also .an extensive 
farmer, he soon put up a steam factory and com- 
menced operations. He has now laid tile on all 
their land, the three farms being well drained by 
this means. Mr. Cook has since died, but his 
widow still continues .an interest in the factory 
which our subject operates. They have three kilns 
constantly in operation, .and besides that for their 
own us(\ in;inufacture a large sii|)ply for other 
parties. 

In the spring of 1883, Mr. Pratt left his son in 
charge of the f.arm and erected a h:u)dsome and 
commodious residence in Cropsey, which he now 
occupies, and a view of which may be seen on an- 
other i)age. This structure is considered one of 
the finest in this section of the country, and in its 
finishing and furni.shing indicates cultivated tastes 
and ami)le means. Our subject and his family are 
held in the highest respect in this section, and en- 
joy the acquaintance and society of hosts of friends. 

The marriage of Ira C. Pratt .and Miss Ellen II. 
Hathaway was celebrated in 1854. This lady was 
a native of the same town as her husband, and de- 
parted this life in Livingston County, this State, 
in May, 1879, leaving three children — George W., 
Ida A., who died in 1880, and Henry. The second 
marriage of Mr. Pratt occurred in 1880. The 



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present wife of our subject was formerly Miss Mary 
A. Laiides. She was born in Tazewell County, 
being the daughter of Joseph and Jane (Mitchell) 
Landes, of Groveland, Tazewell Cf)., 111. 

In earlier years Mr. Pratt atilliated witli the 
Whig party, later with the Reijublican, and is now 
identified with the Prohibitionists. He is a mem- 
ber in good standing of the Congregational Church, 
and has held the ottiees uf Road Commissioner and 
Assessor, and was eight years Justice of the Peace 
in Livingston, where he formerly lived, and has 
been President of the Belle Prairie agricultural fair 
for ten years. 

"JK=^,1CH0LAS DIEDRICII, Jr., of Plooming- 
I jjj ton, is an extensive manufacturer of cast 
H\J^ and wrought iron, shaftings, pulleys, mill- 
work and general machinery, also makes and re- 
pairs engines and l)oilers, and executes all orders 
with promptness and dispatch. His shops occupy 
Nos. 407 and 409 South Center street and Nos. 
404 and 406 Madison street. 

Mr. Diedrich is a native of Bloomingtou, and 
was born in September, 1800. He is the son of 
Nicholas and Catharine (Clemen) Diedrich, who 
were of German birth and parentage. The father 
of our subject emigrated to America in 1852, and 
Miss Catharine Clemen came two years later. He 
first stopped in Albany, N. Y., where he remained 
two years, .and then came to Chicago, arriving at 
Bloomington in 1856. In the meantime he had 
been married to Miss Clemen, in 1855, and to them 
were given three children: Louisa, at home; 
Bertha, now Mrs. Cloppenburg, of .Springfield, 111., 
and the subject of this sketch. 

After coming to Bloomington, Nicholas Died- 
rich, Sr., was employed by the C. & A. R. R. Co. 
and remained for two years. He then had charge 
of the Flagg Foundry. In the winter of 1860-61, 
he with two others started the Bloomingt(jn Foun- 
dry, but afterward sold their interest in it to 
Mr. Ollis, and in 1869 started the Union Foun- 
dry. His first shop was a frame building which 
was destroyed by fire in 1874. In 1S7G he put up 
a brick building, the machine shop being 50x60 
-4« 



feet, and a iiattern-room in the second story, also 
two stores, a foundry 40x80, and a boiler-room 20 
x40 feet, all of brick, besides other necessary build- 
ings. Mr. Diedrich operated here until 1882, and 
then leased his building to his sou, who has con- 
tinued the business since that time, and employs 
on an average twentj' men. 

Our subject is a gradu.ate of the High School and 
Business College of Bloomington. He was em- 
ployed with his father in the foundry' business when 
a young man, and is in every respect a practical 
machinist. He is a member of the firm of Diedrich 
& Hayes, practical heating engineers and manufact- 
urers of the Rattan tubular masonry-furnaces, ven- 
tilators, room-heaters, registers, etc., the office be- 
ing located at Nos. 59 and 61 Lake street, Chicago. 

Our subject was married in 1883, to Miss Lizzie 
Lowentrout, also a native of Bloomington, and the 
daughter of F. W. Lowentrout. Of this union 
there have been born three children — Irene, Ethel, 
who died in infancy, and Lawrence. The family 
is pleasantly located at No. 609 West Market street. 
Mr. Diedrich is Republican in politics, and a useful 
factor in the business community. 



A. ELLSWORTH, a general farmer and 
stock-raiser of Downs Township, is com- 
fortably located on section 30, where he 
'owns eighty acres of improved land under a 
state of cultivation. He came to McLean 
County in 1859, and with the exception of four 
years spent in Heyworth, has made Downs Town- 
ship his home since that time. Mr. Ellsworth was 
born in St. Clair County, this State, Aug. 12, 1849. 
For parental history see sketch of William Ells- 
worth in another part of this Album. 

The early life of our subject was spent under the 
home roof, and his parents removed from St. Clair 
County when he was ten years of age, coming into 
this county and locating in Downs Township. 
Young Ellsworth was married in this township, 
when twcniy-two years of age, Sept. 7. 1 871 , to Miss 
Mary, the daughter of George and Susanna Jane 
Bishop. She was born in Randolph Township, 
July 11, 1850, and remained with h,er parents until 




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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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, ■ I 




her maniage. Of this union there have been born 
seven children, two, Kuni /,. .-inil Nathan, being de- 
ceased. Those living and :\i home are Clyde. 
Lyda 15., George W., Bertie A. and Ellis C. 

After their marriage Mr. an<I INIrs. Ellsworth lo- 
cated upon the farm which they now occupy, 
where they have lived as peaceful and praisewortlij' 
citizens, and enjoy the respect and friendship of 
a large circle of acquaintances. They attend the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. 
Ellsworth is strongly' Republican. 

-> ^-^^ ^ 



WIJ.LIAM E. (iUTIIRIE, a rising 
young phj'sician of lilooniington. is junior 
member of the firm of White ct Guthrie, 
and is fast winning for himself a jjromincut 
and honorable name in the medical profession of 
McLean County. Dr. Guthrie was born in Ailing- 
don, Knox Co., 111., in 18.57, and is the son of 
Peter and Caroline E. (Corsan) (iuthrie, natives re- 
spectively of Blo(miington, 111., and Warren Coun- 
ty, Ohio. 

Both Peter (iutliricand his wife were lioni i]i 
1829; the former worked with his father at his 
trade of a plasteier and brick-mason, afterward en- 
gaging as a contractor and builder. He is now a 
resident of Normal, being Constable of that village, 
and in 188() was candidate for Sheriff. The par- 
ental family consisted of two children, of whom 
only the subject of our sketch is living. 

Our subject's grandfather, Robert Guthrie, was a 
native of Ohio, and came to Illinois in 182G, settling 
in Bloomington, where he cultivated a small farm 
and followed his trade of carpenter as opportunity 
afforded. His family included seven children- 
John, Robert, Margaret, Adam, Peter, Kate and 
Lee — idl of whom lived to be men and women, and 
were educated in Bloomington. 

The younger days of our subject were spent in 
school, where he improved his ojjportunities, and 
commenced teaching at the age of eighteen years. 
He was thus occupied for three year.s, in the mean- 
time pursuing his studies in a higher school, after 
his own winter term had closed. He attended Wes- 
leyan and Normal Universities. In the fall of 
4 * 



1876 there were thirty-three competitive candidates 
for entrance to the Military School at West Point, 
of which j'oung (iuthrie was successful, and was 
accordingly sent there, but remained, however, 
onl^' a short time. He then returned home to Mc- 
Lean County, and commenced to read medicine with 
Drs. White and Worrell, of Bloomington. After a 
time he entered Rush Medical College .at Chicago, 
from which he graduated in 1881, and w.'is proffered 
a partnershij) with Dr. AVhite, which he gladly ac- 
cepted. He has made rapid strides in his profes- 
sion since th.at time, and been intrusted with impor- 
tant business in connection with his practice. For 
two years he was Surgeon of the 4th Regiment, 
State Militia; has been County Physician four 
years, and is a member of the McLean Count3', the 
Central Illinois and the State Medical Societies, and 
in June, 1887, was appointed District Surgeon of 
the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. His otllce at 
present is located in the Post Office Block. 

The marriage of Dr. Guthrie and Miss Letta 
Smith was celebrated in 1882, at the residence of the 
bride's parents. Mrs. G. is the daughter of Oliver 
and Elizabeth (Wanen) Smith, of Wichita, Kan., 
and by her marriage with our subject has become 
the mother of two daughters — Lclia, born Jan. 1 , 
1883, .and Bernardine, Oct. 25, 188G. The family 
are located in a j)leasant home at No. ."(03 E.ast 
W^ashington street, where they ha\'e gathered 
ai'ound them a circle of warm friends, and are 
h!ipp3' in the prospects of a bright and prosperous 
future. 

Dr. (iuthrie is a member of the Republican party, 
and was the first Commandei of the Sons of N'eter- 
ans, with which order he is still connected. 

AMIEL OGDEN has retired from active 
labor and is passing the sunset of life in 
peace and quiet and in the enjoyment of a 
well-earned competency, making his resi- 
dence at Lexington. His father, Albert Ogden, 
was a native of New York, and the mother of our 
subject, Margaret (Riddle) Ogden, was born in 
Pennsylvania. Their fiist settlement after marriage 
was in Kentucky, whence they emigrated to Madi- 




n 






1 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



207 



soil County, Ohio, and in 1831 came to Mcl^ean 
County and settled in Money Creek Township, 
where they lived for several years. They then 
moved to Livingston County, and taking \\\> tlieir 
residence in the neighborhood of Pontiae, made 
that their home for two or three years, then com- 
ing back to this count}-, again located in Money 
Creek Township, wliere they spent the latter years 
of their life. He died Aug. 1.5, 184.5, and her de- 
mise occurred in 1850. Eight children were born 
to them, five sons and tinee daughters — Abner, 
Marjs Jonathan, Benjamin, Deborah, .John, Susan 
and Samuel (twins). 

Samuel Ogden is tlie youngest of his parents' 
children and was born in Madison County, Ohio, 
Aug. 24, 1809. Continuing to reside in his native 
State until 1833, he then came to McLean County, 
and has made this his home until the present time, 
engaged exclusivel}' in agricultural pursuits. He 
is the owner of 785 acves of improved land, be- 
sides valuable property at Lexington. 

Our subject was married in Fayette County, 
Ohio, to Nancy Vandolali. She was born in F.ay- 
ette County, Ohio, in May, 1810, and by her union 
with our subject has become the mother of ten 
children. The record is as follows: Obediali was 
united in marriage with Miss Hannah Wiley, and 
they are living at Lexington; Croghan died when 
seven years old; .Sarah became the wife of James 
Coon, and departed this life in Money Creek Town- 
ship; Mary A. died in Money Creek Township when 
fourteen years old ; Albert is a resident of Mone}' 
Creek Township, and has a biographical sketch in 
this work; -John W. departed this life when in his 
third year; Angelia is the wife of James Pirtle, 
and they .are living in Jasi)er County. Mo.; Alex 
was first married to Miss Alice Millei', and after her 
demise married Kate Lyons, and they are living in 
Ford County, Kan. ; George W. and Louisa Flesher 
were united in marriage and are living in Gvidley 
Township, and Francis M. died when fourteen years 
old. 

Tiic faithful and loving companion of oin- sub- 
ject departed this life in ]>exington, July 8, 1884. 
She was a member of the Christian Church and an 
earnest laborer in the cause of the Master, and be- 
loved by all who knew her. She is waiting for her 



loved one on the other shore, .and soon the time 
will come when his sorrows here on earth will be 
over, and he will meet her in the home beyond, 
never again to be separated through the endless 
days of eternity. In politics Mr. Ogden is a stanch 
Jaeksonian Democrat, and one of the foremost, as 
well as respected and honored citizens of McLean 
County. 

"JYlAMES McMAHON, one of the self-made 
men of Downs Township, who by his own 
exertions has acquired a comfortable home 
'f^/J with something laid up for a rainy day, 
came to this county in 1863, and purchased his 
present farm, which is located on section 9. It 
consists of 120 acres of good land, the greater part 
of which is under cultivation and upon which he 
has a good farm dwelling, a substantial barn and 
all necessary outhouses. 

Mr. McM.ahon is a native of Ireland, born in 
1833, and was left an orphan while still an infant. 
He was at once taken into the family of his uncle, 
John Ryan, and when nine years (jf age emigrated 
with him to the United States. They located in 
.St. Louis, Mo., where our subject lived until he 
was fifteen years old and then set out to "paddle 
his own canoe." He first proceeded northeastward 
into Canada, going first t© Quebec and thence to 
Toronto, in the Province of Ontario. He did not, 
however, remain very long in the Dominion, but 
started Westward again, proceeding first to Fond du 
Lac County, Wis., where he worked as he had in 
Canada, as a laborer on a farm. From Wisconsin he 
came this State, locating first in Lincoln, Logan 
Countj', where he remained six years. He tiien 
came to McLean C!ounty, was soon afterward mar- 
ried, and engaged as a molder of car wheels in the 
city of Bloom ingtoii, which trade at that time was 
very profitable. After some 3'ears of hard work, 
during wliich he managed to lay up a little sum of 
money, he purchased the land which constitutes his 
present farm, and since that time has been success- 
fully eng.'iged in agricultural pursuits. 

Mr. McMahon was married, in Bloomington, in 
1863, to Miss Salinda Allen, a native of Lafayette, 
Ind., who was born iu 1836, and is the daughter of 



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208 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Thomas Allen, now deceased. The latter was a 
farmer by occupation. Mrs. McM. lived under the 
parental roof until hei- marriage, having come to Illi- 
nois in 1863. Of her union with our subject there 
were boi'n six children, one of whom, Aaron, is de- 
ceased. The others, all at home, are Mary, John^ 
Rosa E., James and Thomas. The parents and 
children are regular attendants and members of the 
Catholic Cliurch, and our subject, politically, is an 
unc()mi)romising Democrat. Mr. McMahon has 
fully proved the maxim that "Perseverance wilj 
ensure success." He commenced life a poor boy, 
without friends or inlluenco, but is now in i)0sses- 
sion of a good home, and by his honesty and indus- 
try has gained the esteem of the worthiest class of 
citizens. 



<i|?OSEPI-I TOWNSEND, general foreman of 
the C. & A. II. R. shops at Bloomington, is 
a native of England, and was born Nov. 14, 
(^// 1 825. He is the son of Henry and Mary 
(F"ell) Townsend, of English ancestry and parent- 
age. The father, while in England, was engaged in 
the manufacture of carriages and other road vehicles, 
in which he carried on an extensive business. He 
was a man of large liberality, and was ruined finan- 
cially by signing notes for friends, which he, as 
usual, was obliged to pay, and on account of which 
he was compelled to throw up his business. He 
then came to America in 1»2'J, settling at Utica, 
N. Y., where he worked as a carpenter, and died 
five years later, in 18.'i4. The mother of our sub- 
ject survived her husband over forty years and de- 
parted this life in 1875. Of the parental family of 
twelve children only four aie no"v living: Ann, 
Mrs. Jones, of Attica, N. V.; Joseph, our subject; 
Eli, of Hamilton, Mo., and Mary, Mis. Shijjman, 
of Chicago. Tlie parents were members of the 
Church of England. 

Joseph Townsend at the early age of ten years 
commenced to paddle his own canoe. Afti^r leav- 
ing home he engaged to work upon a farm, and re- 
mained in that vicinity for seven years, attending 
school in winter .'ind working the l)alance of the 
ye.'ir. In 1812 he returned to Utica and com- 



menced learning the carpenter's trade, at which he 
served three years. He then went to Oneida \'i\- 
lage and entered the employ of the Syracuse & 
Utica Railroad Co. as car repairer, where he re- 
mained five years, after which he accepted a posi- 
tion as foreman on the Lake Shore & Southern 
Railroad, at Adrian, Mich. In 18.")1 he visited 
Chicago, whence after a short time he went to lia- 
cine. Wis., where he was given a position as fore- 
man of the Racine & Mississippi Railroad, which 
occupied eight years. Erom there he went to Kan- 
sas to take a similar position in the car department 
of the Union Pacific. After five and one-half years 
in that position he liecamc master car-builder, of 
the Missouri, Kansas cfe Texas Railroad, with head- 
quarters at Sedalia, Mo., where he remained six 
years. Mr. Townsend then engaged with the Han- 
nibal it St. Joe as car-builder, and was with that 
company four years. Erom tliere he went to the 
Union Pacific Central liranch at Atchison, Kan., and 
the next 3'ear, lts80, accepted his present position, 
which lie has since occupied. It is scarcely neces- 
sary to say, considering the positions which he has 
filled, that Mr. Townsend possesses more than or- 
dinary skill and ability as a mechanic, and is well 
qualified for his present responsible duties. He is 
well posted in railroad matters, and hsis accumu- 
lated a fine property, much of it consisting of Kansas 
lands. He is Republican in (lolitics, and as a citizen 
is highly respected for his excellent character and 
moral worth. 

Mr. Townsend w,as united in marriage with Miss 
Amj' AVralten, of I'tica, N. Y., in 184bi. She is the 
daughter of Jacob and Ann (Randall) Wralten, 
natives of England, and who emigrated to America 
in 1821). IMr. Wralten was a contractor and builder, 
and after coming to this country with his family, 
loi'ated at Utica, N. Y., where the parents remained 
until their death, the mother departing this life in 
1832, ap.d the father in 1879. Their family in- 
cluded nine children, of whom Mrs. T. was the 
youngest but one. By her marriiige with our sub- 
ject she liccame the mother of five children, four 
living, namely, James A.; Elizabeth J., Mrs Bar- 
nard ; Erankie E., Mrs Dr. Harris; and Julia M., 
Mrs. Mc(!rew, all living in Kansas. Jsellic de- 
parted this life in IStii. 



'i 


























^51 






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II 



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UJ 

O 

z 

Q 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



211 



t 



^[OHN C. GREGORY, one of the most pronii- 
iieiit aud prosperous 3'oung farruers of 
j_^ Gridle}' Tovvnship, is proprietor of 520 
^^d/y acres of valuable land uiwn which is erected 
a fine farm dwelling, a got)d barn and all other 
buildings appertaining to a first-class modern home- 
stead. Tlie fields arc finely hiid off for the grow- 
ing of grain and for jiasturage, the fences are sub- 
stantially built and kcjit in good repair, while the 
farm implements are of the latest improved [latteru 
and adapted in all respects for the most expeditious 
work in the best manner. The larger portion of the 
laud is devoted to grain and stock-raising, in the 
latter of which JMr. (Gregory takes great (iride and 
pleasure, and usually keeps on the farm abdut 130 
head of fine cattle and twenty-five head of horses, 
some of which aie thoroughbred and all of choice 
grades. He also fattens about seventy-five head 
of hogs annually whicli bring tlie best i)rice the 
market affords. On all sides in connection with the 
homestead there is an air of ample comfort, sug- 
gestive of cultivated tastes and abundant means, 
and no roof is more hospitable than that of our sub- 
ject, who is the center of a large circle of friends 
and acquaintances. As a business man his course 
has been one wortliy of imitation. He is prompt 
to meet his obligations, generous in his contribu- 
tions to the enterprises which will advance tiic pros- 
perity of his community, and always the friend of 
education and morality, encouraging thrift and in- 
dustry by the most potent means at his hands, 
namely, his own example. 

The subject of this history was born and reared 
among the people of Gridley Township, first open- 
ing his eyes to the light on the 8th of June, IXo!). 
He is the offspring of an excellent family, being the 
son of John and Alarj' Gregory, of Normal, a sketch 
of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. His 
studies, begun in the common school of Normal, 
were completed in the Evergreen Business College, 
at Bloomingtou, where he graduated in 1880. He 
was bright and studious, made the most of his op- 
portunities, and thus became well fitted for the du- 
ties of life, in which he has met with such uniform 
success. His home training naturally tended to 
make him self-reliant, and when twenty years of age 
he commenced tilling upon his own account a part 

<■ 



of the land which he now owns and occupies. After 
perfecting his plans for the establishment of a com- 
fiirtable home and having already become greatly 
attracted by the womanly and lovable (lualities of 
Miss Arnettie, daughter of John and Mary (Ab- 
bott) Ogden, of Money Creek Township, he led 
this lady to the altar on the .3d of May, 1882. Soon 
after marri.age the young people commenced house- 
keei)ing, and on the 18th of November, 1883, there 
was added to the family a little daughter, who they 
named Pe;irl,antl who is now (1887) an interesting 
child of about three and one-half years old. 

John Ogden, the father of Mrs. Gregory', was 
born in Fayette County, Ohio, and his wife, in 
Newark, same State. After their removal to Illi- 
nois they located in Money Creek Township, where 
the death of the father took place quite suddenly 
on the 8th of March, 1 879. On that day he came 
to (hidlcy on business and fell dead on the street. 
The mother is still living, and now a resident of 
Towanda. They had only tn^o chil.lren, both 
daughters, Arnettie, the wife of our subject, and 
Hattie E. The latter died when six years of age. 
The birth of Mrs. Gregorj' took place in Money 
Creek Township July 21, 1802. Our subject and 
his wife are members in good standing of the 
Christian Church, .and politically Mr. G. afllliates 
with the Democratic party. He has served as 
School Director in the township and starts out in 
his community as one of its most promising mem- 
bers, taking an interest in its moral and financial 
welfaie, and is in all respects an inii)ortant factor 
in its business and agricultural interests. Each 
year witnesses' some new addition to his premises, 
enhancing their beautj^ and value, and the view 
given on an adjacent page, presents a picture which 
is viewed with admiration by the p.assing traveler 
and which forms one of the finest features in the 
landscape of this section. 

— >-?"* o<s^f))>.5®>o S^-J<~ 

j^\ RS. NANCY CLARK, a liighly respected 
resident of West Township, is a native of 
Ohio, and was born in Perry County, Aug. 
21, 1831. Her father, Thomas Hammond, 
was born in Pennsylvania, and her grandfather, 
John Hammond, an Englishman by birth, emi- 

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t 



212 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



grated to the United States when a young man, lo- 
cating in PcMinsylvania. He was there married to 
Miss Hebecca Reynolds, a native of the Keystone 
State, and soon afterward they removed to Ohio, 
and located in Perry County at an early period in 
the history of tiiat section. There John Ilanimond 
pnrchaseil a tract of prairie land, and for a tene- 
ment set up four forked sticks and split clap-boards 
to cover tlieni, and liy this means constructed a 
dwelling in which lie lived with his family until he 
could erect a log house. He cleared a farm from 
the wilderness and lived to see that and the land 
around him settled up and liuel^' improved. He 
departed this life at the age of seventy-eight years, 
having made a good record .as an industrit)us and 
intelligent citizen, and contril)uted his full shari^ 
toward the development of I'erry County. 

Thomas llamniond, father of the subject of our 
sketch, was liut an infant when his parents moved 
to Ohio and located in the wilderness. He grew 
to manhood in Perry County and was married to 
Miss Olive Spencer. She w.as born in I'cnnsylvania, 
Jan. 14, IHOO, and was the daughter of Thomas 
and Margaret (Armstrong) Spencer. After mar- 
riage the young couple settled u|)on a tract of 
timber land, where Thomas Hammond, like his 
father before him, constructed a rude dwelling, in 
which he and his wife commenced housekeeping. 
He then commenced clearing his land and culti- 
vating the soil, remaining a resident of that locality 
until 18()(). He then sold his farm and starting for 
the farther West, came to this State and coiintj', set- 
tling first in AVest Township. He purchased 2G0 acres 
of land on sections 30 and 31, where he carried on 
farming until 1 877, and in February of that year 
removed to Bluomington, where he died in June 
folhjwing. His widow still survives and makes her 
liome with her daughter, Mrs. Cl.ark. 

Mrs. Nancy (Hammond) Clark remained under 
the parental roof until her marriage with Sampson 
Clark, which occurred on the Istof Sejiteinber, 1853. 
Mr. Clark was born in Somersetshire, England, 
Jan. 27, 18;!l,aiid was the son of Samj)son and 
Susan (Irish) Clark. After marriage the young 
people located upon the jn-esent homestead of Mrs. 
('., and became the parents of two children, daugh- 
ters — Olive, who married William Hoit, .and Marga- 
-,^4 



ret J., the wife of Hartewell E. Lewis, who resides 
in West Township. Mr. Clark met his death bj' 
accident in 1869, being run over by the cars of the 
I. B. ife W. R. R. He was a very successful Imsi- 
ness ra.an and farmer and at the time of his death 
owned about 800 acres of land. He was a kind 
husband and father, a good citizen, and universally 
respected by all who knew him, giving of his means 
for the advancement of worthy enterprises and tak- 
ing a genuine interest in the welfare of his town- 
ship and county. 



^jSJ^-^S^?. 



I^^tf^t^ttf^ 




RANK I.. I1()I.LIN(;SW()RTH, an ener- 
getic and successful young farmer of Downs 
Township, is the owner of 170 acres of 
valuable land on section 5, which includes fifty 
acres of timber. He took possession t)f this farm 
in March, ISSG, and already has made some excel- 
lent improvements, having in contemplation more 
and greater ones as time progresses. He possesses 
that spirit of industrj-, enterprise and resolution 
which is not satisfied with ordinary achievements 
but is ambitious to excel, and bids fair to become 
one of the representative citizens of this prosperous 
and progressive county. 

Mr. Hollings worth is a native of Champaign 
County, Ohio, and was born June 7, 1862. His 
father, Samuel W. Hollingsworth, a native of Co- 
lumbus, Ohio, in early life removed to Champaign 
County, where he met and married Miss E. Helen 
Lyon, who was l)orn in Champaign Ci>unty, where 
she was reared and educated. Her parents are of 
American birth and of Scotch- Irish ancestr}\ After 
his marriage, Samuel W. Hollingsworth located 
near Lewisburg, Ohio, ami was there engaged in 
farming until 1872, when he came to Illinois, taking 
up his abode at Monmouth, Warren County. Two 
years later he went to Missouri and located near 
Hopkins, whence he removed later to Taylor Coun- 
ty, Iowa. From there he went to Lincoln, Neb., 
where he engaged in merchandising. In 1882 he 
recrossed the Father of Waters, locating in Bloom- 
ington. this count}', and is now retired from active 
labor. Our subject was the eldest of his father's 
family and received his early education at Lincoln, 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



•213 



.t 



Neb. He eoinmenced doing for himself at the 
early age of fourteen years, his first experience in 
the business world being as a stock-raiser in Ne- 
braska. He came to Bloom ington with his father in 
1882, and was connected with him for a time in the 
wholesale notion trade. Later he became interested 
in farming. 

The marriage of Frank L. Hollingswortli and Miss 
Lizzie Welch was celebrated at the home of the 
bride's parents in Downs Township, Dec. 17, 1884. 
Mrs. H. was born in Downs Township, .June 6, 
I8G5, and completed her education at Wesleyan 
University, Bloomington. Of her marriage there 
has been born one child, a daughter, Helen Blay. 
Mrs. H. is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence 
and fine social qualities. Our subject is a sold Re- 
publican in politics, and gives his earnest support 
to the principles of his party. 



f^ DGAR M. HEAFER is one of the firm of 
^ N. B. Heafer & Co.. manufacturers of brick 
, ' — '^ ' and drain tile, which is carrying on an ex- 
tensive and lucrative business. This w.as estab- 
lished in Jul^', 1 874, by our subject, on a small scale, 
and at first was limited to the manufacture of tile 
only. The brick kiln was established in 1861, Ijy 
Napoleon B. Heafer and James H. McGregor, .and 
was continued for about twenty-three years, and 
until its dissolution by the withdrawal of Mr. Mc- 
(iregor. This yard, the first one established in 
Bloomington, became the most extensive, and Mr. 
Heafer, after dissolving with liis i)artner, operated 
it alone for about one year and then sold it to his 
son-in-law, Joseph B. Holmes, and his two sons, 
Arthur and Edgar M. In 1884-85, the brickyard 
was removed to its present location. The clay of 
which this brick is manufactured lies about four 
feet beneath the surface in a strata about eleven 
feet thick, and after being manufactured resembles 
in appearance the famous brick of Milwaukee, the 
grain being fine and the quality strong and dural)le. 
The tile yards and factory occupy about seven acres 
■4!*— 



k 



of ground, tliemain building being 150x252 feet in 
dimensions, two stories in height, and furnished 
with the most modern machinery and appliances. 
This is under the management of N. B. Heafer and 
his son, Fjdgar M., and affords them a fine income. 
In 1883 they turned out 4,000,000 feet of tile. 
They manufacture it in all sizes, from three to 
twelve inches. 

Napoleon B. Heafer, the father of our subject, 
was born in Charleston, W. Va., in 1823, and at the 
early age of ten years began his battle with the 
world to obtain the necessaries and, if possible, the 
comforts and luxuries of life. He possessed but a 
limited education, having been only six months in 
school, and employed himself .at whatever he could 
find to do. His wanderings led him northward and 
he drifted into Kentucky, where he lived for several 
years and was prospered in his efforts to obtain a 
livelihood. After arriving at a suitable age he was 
married, in Jamestown, Ky., to Miss Elizabeth C. 
Clark, a native of the same place. He remained 
there with his family until his removal t(.> Bloom- 
ington and soon afterward engaged in the manu- 
facture of briclv. He was possessed of much nat- 
ural genius and very soon became a master mechanic, 
with a good knowledge of his business. He is the in- 
ventor of the brick pavement being used in this city, 
Jacksonville, Champaign and Decatur. After a few 
years thus occupied, ho was obliged to retire on ac- 
count of failing health and is now in California. 

Edgar M. Heafer, who is now the manager of tiie 
tile business, was born in Jamestovvn, Ky., March 
20, 1851, and was about two years old when he 
came to Bloomingt(jn with his parents. He received 
his primary education in the schools of this city 
and subsequently took a course of study in Wes- 
leyan University, being in the Junior Class at the 
time of leaving. In February. 187(j, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Ida M., daughter of William S. Depew, 
of Bloomington, whose father was one of the earlj' 
settlers of the Prairie State. Of this marriage there 
have been born three children — Stella P., Edg.arN. 
and Roscoe Lionel. Mr. Heafer, although still a 
young man, is serving a term .as Alderman of the 
city, .and takes an .active and intelligent interest in 
all matters pertaining to the welfare of his county 
and city. He is a wide-awake and enterprising busi- 

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214 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



iiess iiiMii ;uul ha.s :i tile facldry uf liis own a half 
mile southeast of that which we have mentioned, 
which lie operates indepentleiitly. 



^BEDIAll OGDEN, of Lexington, is the eldest 
son of Samncl and Nancy (Vandolah) Og- 
den, and was born in Fayette County, Ohio, 
near a small village called Yaiikeetown, on the 
2Sth of JIarch, 1830. When tiiree years old his 
jiarents removed to Illinois, settling in McLean 
Count}', on Mackinaw Creek in Money Creek 
Township, in the fall of l.s;!y. The grandfather 
of our subject, Albert Ogden, had removed to 
Money Creek Tovvnshi|) in ISMl. He was born in 
the State of New York, and was of English descent. 
His wife was formerly Miss BLargaret Riddle, of 
.Scotch-Irish and Welsh descent. They were the 
jiarents of ten childivn, of whom eight grew to 
mature years, married and had families (jf their 
own. Albert Ogden departed this life on the l.')th 
of August, 1845, at an advanced age, and his wife 
in 1 850, when eighty-six years old. 

Samuel Ogden, whose sketch appears in this 
work, settled upon a farm in Money Creek Town- 
ship, and engaged in agricultural pursuits and 
stock-raising. He was born in IMadison County, 
Ohio, Aug. 24, 1809, and at the age of twenty 
years was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of 
.lohn and Sarah Vandolah. When he first took pos- 
session of his land in Money Creek Townshij), it 
was new and unimproved, and upon it was a small 
cabin, where he and his wife established themselves 
as comfortably as possible and lived several years. 
The journey from Ohio was made overland with an 
ox-team, and he brought with him two thoroughbred 
greyhounds and three other hunting dogs, by the 
assistance of which he caught twenty-one wolves 
and a large number of deer. The household circle 
was completed b^' the birth of eleven children, and 
our subject remained with his parents until thirty- 
six years old, when he was united in marriage with 
Miss Hannah, daughter of James and Sjirah K. 
Wih^}', of Money Creek Township. 

Aftei- their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Obedi.ah 
Ogden located on a farm in .Money Creek Town- 



ship, where they lived coutinnousl}- until 1882. 
They became the parents of eleven children, four 
sons and seven daughters, eight of whom are yet 
living: Sarah became the wife of .John Kemp; 
Nancy A., Samuel A., Francis M., Rhoda ;\I., Mary 
J., Ella O. and Lizzie M. are at home. 

In 1882 Mr. Ogden with his family left the farm 
and removed to Lexington. The old homestead 
consists of 585 acres, finely cultivated and with 
good imiiroveraents. He still retains possession of 
it but it is operated by a tenant. He is still largely 
interested in stock-dealing, raises from twenty to 
thirty high-grade calves each year and superintends 
the feeding of large numbers of cattle and hogs in 
the winter, which he ships by rail to the Chicago 
markets. He also has fine Norman horses on his 
farm, both draft and roadsters. His industry and 
energy have greatly assisted in developing the 
agricultural resources of this section and he has 
in all respects been a valued addition to the farm- 
ing community as well as to society in general. 
IMr. Ogden belongs to the Baptist Church, and 
Mrs. O. is connected with the United Brethren. 
Our subject, politically, has been a Jeffersouian 
Democrat since old enough to exercise the right 
of suffrage and still casts his vote in support of the 
principles of his party. 




ANIEL W. MASON. This gentleman may 
be numbered among the intelligent and 
successful farmers of Downs Township, 
where he has a fine estate of 120 acres, lo- 
cated on section 27. The land is under a good 
state of cultivation and supplied with a modern 
residence with handsome grounds and good out- 
buildings. The dwelling stands on a rise of ground 
which commands a fine view of the surrounding 
country. The farm is conducted with system and 
good order and everything is kept up in the best 
style. The machinery is after the most improved 
pattern and the live-stock includes the best grades 
of domestic animals. Mr. Mason took possession 
of his present home in March, 1868, having pur- 
chased it the previous 3'ear. He came to this 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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countj' in October, 1839, .and liiis been ;i resiclent 
here most of the time since. 

D.iniel W. M.ason was born in l^reble Connty, 
Ohio, April 15, 1833, being the son of Solomon 
Mason, who was a native of Kentncl<y, but is now 
living with his son, S. B. Mitson, in Downs Town- 
ship. The grandfather of our subject is supposed 
to have died in Kentucky. .Solomon Mason re- 
moved from his native State to Ohio in 180.5, 
several years before it was admitted intt) the Union 
as a .State. He settled in what is now Darlte 
County, thence he removed to Preble County, 
and from there to McLean County. 

Our subject was the eighth of a family of eleven 
children, six sons and live daugliters; three of e.acli 
are still living and all have been married. The 
earl}' life of our subject was spent at home witli his 
parents until 1852, when he went to Ohio and 
attended the Audubon University to complete his 
education. The school was carried on under the 
auspices of the United Brethren Church, of which 
his parents were members. After returning liome 
he engaged in teaching for a time and tiien took 
up the carpenters' trade. His first purch.ase of 
land was in Story County, Iowa, and consisted of 
285 .acres, unimproved. This he sold later and 
purchased sixty-nine .acres in Downs Township, 
this county, where he went to live and wliicli re- 
mained his home until his removal to his present 
farm. 

The marriage of Daniel W. Mason and Miss .Su- 
san F. liichardson was celebrated at the home of 
the bride's parents in Downs Town.ship, Aug. 14, 
1 860. Mrs. M. is the daughter of Samuel T. and 
Mary (Welch) Richardson. See sketch of .Teremiaii 
Welch for parental history of JMary Welch. The 
parents of Mrs. M. were natives respectively of New 
York and Pennsylvania, and their mariiage took 
place near Ft. Harrison, Ind. Tliey came to Mc- 
Lean County in 1838 and located in Downs Town- 
ship, where the mother died in 1870, aged flfty- 
seven years and six months. The father is now 
living in Bloomington, being seventy-eight years 
of age. Their children were seven in number, of 
whom Mrs. M. was the fourth. One daughter is 
deceased. 

Mrs. Mason was born in Downs Township, this 
<■ 



county, July 28, l,s;i!l. She commenced her edu- 
cation in the public schools and completed it in 
Bloomington. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have become 
the i)arents of the following children: Orville H., 
who assists his father on the homestead; Cornelia, 
who was formerly a teacher in the public schools, 
and is now at home with her parents ; Mary E., at 
ht)me; Celia A., who died at the .age of nine months, 
and Stanley L., at home. Airs. Mason and two 
daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. In polities Mr. Mason is Republican and 
has held the odice of Commissioner of Highw.ays, 
and also been a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion. His first vote for President was for Fillmore, 
.and the first vote he ever cast was for David Davis 
for Circuit .fudge. 




EORGE W. DOWNS. The subject of this 
1^ history is a son of one of the earliest settlers 
)f this county and Downs Town.ship, his par- 
ents being Lawson and Sarah Downs. He was born 
Aug. 22, 1839, and was the second of a family of 
nine children, of whom the record is p,s follows: 
Willi.ani M. is a resident of Hey worth; Francis M., 
born .Ian. IG, 1844, died when eleven j'ears of age; 
Peter J., born Aug. 1, 1845, died when three years 
of age; of .John D a sketch will be found in another 
part of this Amsum; Henry L., born Aug. 11, 1849, 
died when a little more than one year old ; Solomon 
F. was born June 28, 1851, and is clerking in a 
hardware store at .Saybrook; Albert P., born Nov. 
18, 1852, was married to Miss Mary R. Lemon, 
who died March 9, 1887; he is a resident of Downs 
Township; Alfred E., born Aug. 7, 1855, married 
Miss Ellen Miller, and is eng.aged in farming in 
Downs Township. 

The present homestead of our subject, which 
lies on section 7, is the farm on which he was born. 
It now includes 175 acres of valua,ble land, finely 
improved. Mr. Downs w.as educated in the district 
schools of his native township, remaining under the 
home roof until the breaking out of the late war. 
He then enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. F, 94tli 
111. Vol. Inf., and for a period of three years per- 
formed military duty in a brave and faithful man- 



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216 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



iier. His regiment participated in only a few 
active engagetnents, but among tliese was the battle 
at Prairie Grove, Ark., and the sieges at Vicksburg 
and Mobile. Young IJowns escaped serious illness 
and wounds and was honorably discharged at 
Springfield on tlie 18th of August, 1865. Soon 
after his return home he was united in marriage 
with Miss Theodosia A. Myers, at the home of the 
bride's parents in Randolph Township, on tlie 16th 
of March, 1870. 

Mrs. Downs is the daughter of H. A. and Lavina 
(Sehecter) Myers, now of Randolph Township. She 
was born in Licking County, Ohio, Jan. '20, 1851, 
and came to Illinois with her parents in her girl- 
iiood. They located first in Bloomington Town- 
ship, this county, whence they removed later to 
Old Town Township, and finally to Randolph 
Towusliip, their present home. The edugation of 
Mrs. Downs, begun in the district school, was com- 
pleted at Marshall College in this State. Of her 
union with our subject there were born nine chil- 
dren — Sarah, Henry L., Belle, Lavina, Elmer E., 
Cloa, George Stanley, Walter J. and Mary. Mr. 
and Mrs. D. are members in good standing of the 
United Brethren Church, and our subject, politically, 
is a firm supporter of the Republican party. He has 
served liis township as Collector, Highway Com- 
missioner and in other important positions, and was 
elected Supervisor, April 1.5, 1887. Their home- 
stead is pleasantly located and its inmates enjoy 
all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, 
and are lield in high esteem in their community as 
good neighbors and citizens. 



^<ss<dl!i>-^>^= 



T 



JUDGE O. T. REEVES, who presiiles over 
the Circuit Court t)f iMcLean, Ford, Iroquois 
and Kankakee Ct)unlies, is a resident of 
Bloomington and one of her most valued 
citizens. He is a native of Ross County, Ohio, 
born in 1829, and llie son of William and Mary 
(Mcijain) Reeves, botli natives of Virginia. The 
grandfallier of our subject, Josiah Reeves, emi- 
grated from Culpepei' Court House, \a., to Ross 
County, Oliio, in about IKOl, where he engaged in 
farming pursuits. He went to Ross County in 1804, 
wlien tlie territory was but a wilderness, being 
M» 



among the earliest settlers of that region, lie en- 
tered a claim and cleared 200 acres of land, where 
he established a permanent home and passed the re- 
mainder of his days. All of his thirteen children lived 
to become men and women and were all married. 
One of his sons, Owen T., was the County Judge 
of Ross County for a number of years. William, 
the fatiier of our subject, was a member of the 
State Legislature. Josiah Reeves departed this life 
in 1841, aged eighty-one years. His wife, the 
grandmother of our subject, died tlie following 
year, aged eighty. Both were devoted members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in early 
days meetings were held in liis log house and were 
presided over by such men as Rev. Henry B. Bas- 
com, of Kentucky, and Bishop McKendree. Tiie 
children all received a good education. Grand- 
father Reeves belonged to the Whig party and 
tooli an active part in promoting the interests of 
his State and county. 

AVilliam Reeves was reared on the farm, and 
when twenty-one years of age purchased a tract of 
land and engaged extensively in grain and stock- 
raising. Like his fatiier before him he became 
prominent in tlie affairs of tliat locality and was 
elected to the Ohio Legislature in 1852. He also 
held the various township otiices and was an ac- 
knowledged leader of rare intelligence and sound 
sense. He was married in Oliio, in 181.S, to Miss 
McLain, of that State, and the daughter of John 
McLain, a i)rominent resident of the Buckeye 
State. Of the ten children born of this marriage, 
five only are living: Mrs. Julia A. Hitch, of 
Bloomington; James M., a grain and stock farmer 
of Ross County, Ohio; Owen T., our subject; 
William M., Deputy Recorder of McLean County, 
and Emma, Mrs. Landon, of Kokomo, Iiul. Will- 
iam Reeves moved to Illinois in 1855, settling in 
McLean ('ounty. He had disposed of all his prop- 
erty in Ohio, and after coming here purchased a 
farm in Bloomington Township, which he occupied 
for a number of years and then selling out, moved 
into Old Town Township. The wife and mother 
departed this life in 1860, and in 1862 Mr. Reeves 
was married the second time, to Mrs. Mary M. 
Reeves, of Pennsylvania. He departed this Tife in 
1^S76, and the second wife died in 1882. 



I 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



217 



a 






Owen T. Reeves remained on liis falliei's farm, 
attending the common schools, until seventeen 
years old. He then took a two years' course at 
Salem Academy and afterward attended the Uni- 
versity of Delaware, Ohio, where he studied another 
two years and graduated in IS.'JO. He then be- 
came tutor of. languages in the University, and the 
following year w.as Principal of Berea Seminary, 
which was located ne.ar Cleveland, Chio. Then, on 
account of failing health, he retired from active 
labor for one 3'ear. In lS5o he became Principal 
of the Chillicothe High Seho(jland the year follow- 
ing completed his law studies which he had been 
pursuing while teaching at CUiillicothe, under the 
instruction of W. T. McClintociv. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 18.')4, and immediately re- 
moved to Bloomington and commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession. His talents and ability re- 
ceived ready recognition and he very soon attained 
to a leading position among the professional men 
of this State. In 1862 he raised and commanded 
the 75th Regiment, Illinois Infantry. After filling 
various positions of trust and responsibility con- 
nected with legal matters he was elected Circuit 
Judge in March, 1877, which position he has held 
since that time. He is Republican in politics and 
has conscientiously devoted his time and attention 
to the duties of his position. In addition to other 
intei-ests, he purchased in 1877, the vvoolen factory 
which is located on University avenue, and which 
gives employment to twelve operatives, yielding 
to its proprietor large profits annually. 

Judge Reeves w.as married in 1851, to Miss 
Lucy A., daughter of Reuben and Abbie King, of 
Delaware, Ohio, and of this union there were born 
four children, of whom only one is now living, 
Edward C. This son married Miss Nettie Jones, 
of Normal, and they have two children, Ella B. 
and Owen F. Mrs. Reeves departed this life in 
February, 1861. The second wife of our subject, 
to whom he was married in 1862, was Miss Mary 
E. Hawks, a native of Bloomington, and daughter 
of M. H. and Elizabeth A. Hawks, of Bloomington. 
The family of our subject includes eight children: 
Eucy, a graduate of AVellesley College, M.assachu- 
setts; Lincoln, a farmer of Normal; William H., a 
graduate of Champaign University; Owen T., stu- 
<■ 



dent at Dean Academy, Franklin, Mass., and Lewis 
M.; James M., Mabel and Huston M., students in 
Bloomington. Besides his city property the Judge 
owns 440 acres of choice land, and in his profession 
has accumulated a competency. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Reeves are members in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and greatly respected 
by all who know them. 



^'EFFERSON BIRDSELL. who is successfully 
engaged as a garfleiier and a grower of 
small fruits, is i)leasantly located on section 
.^^^^ 21, in Randolph Township. He came to 
McLean County in 1852, and since that time has 
been engaged at his present business. Mr, Biixlsell 
was born in Harrison, Hamilton Co,, Ohio, on 
Christmas Day, 1825. His father, John Birdsell, a 
cooper by trade, was an old resident of Harrison, 
and died there some years ago. The mother who. 
before her marriage, was Miss Allen, departed this 
life when our subject was but a week old, and he 
never afterward saw his father. 

Our subject, after the death of his mother, was 
taken into the family of John Richards, a German 
by birth and parentage, and they came to Dearborn 
County, Ind,, young Birdsell remaining with them 
until he w.as seventeen years old. He then went to 
live with his brother-in-law, Joseph Lawson, the 
husband of his eldest sister, Sarah A. Mr. Lawson 
served through the late war, and afterward joined 
the standing army. He was with Custer's Division 
in Wyoming Territory at the time the hero of the 
frontier was killed. He was Captain of a company 
and on his w.ay to reinforce Custer, but arrived 
only in time to witness the slaughter of the United 
States troops and the flight of the redskins. Capt. 
Lawson died in W^yoming Territor3' in 1883. 

When twenty-four years old Mr. Birdsell left 
the home of his brother-in-law in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and coming to Illinois, located in Randolph Town- 
ship, this county. He was married to his sister-in- 
law, Mrs. Lavina (Passwater) Birdsell, who died on 
the 22d of September, 1883. By her first husband, 
William W. Birdsell, she had become the mother 
of five children, the record of whom is as follows: 
Jesse J. w.as born Aug. 26. 182'J; Emily C, May 



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-21S 



McLean county. 




16, 1834; William V., Jan. 20. 1837; John S.,May 
25, 1839; Sarah C, April 20, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. 
B. united with the Christian Union Church soon 
after their marriage. Our subject is a Democrat 
politically, and socially is a Mason and an Odd 
Fellow, and is Past Grand of the Subordinate 
Lodge and a member of the Encampment. He 
has in all respects been an honest man and a good 
citizen, and is highly esteemed in his community. 



• UA A AM LASH, a veteran of the l^Icxican 
War and an early pioneer of the Prairie 
State, became a resident of this section in 
1835. lie was born in Miller Township, Knox 
Co., Ohio, Sept. 14,1825. His father. Nathaniel 
Lash, was a native of the same county and State, 
and his grandfather, John Lash, was born in North 
Carolina. His great-grandfather was a native of 
Germany, and being desirous of emigrating to 
America and not having money to pay his passage, 
contracted with a North Carolina planter and 
worked for him to pay his passage. Locating in 
North Carolina he spent the balance of his life 
there, where liis remains were buried long j'ears ago. 
His son, the grandfather of our subject, died in 
Morrow County, Ohio, at the advanced age of 
ninety-seven years. 

Nathaniel Lash, the father of our subject, was 
reared in his native State of Ohio, where he grew 
to manhood, in the meantime receiving a fair edu- 
cation in the public schools. He was there married, 
and continued in that State until 1833, when he emi- 
grated to Illinois and settled in that i)ortion of the 
State which was assigned afterward to Bureau 
(lounty, liio latter not being then organized. The 
elder Nash entered aclaim,bnilt a cabin and fenced 
a few acres. He there established a comfortable 
home, it being located about one and a half miles 
north of the now tlourishing city of Princeton. 
There he spent the remainder of his life and dicfd 
in June, l.S.'i 1. 

Tlu^ maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was CMiarity Short, and she was born in Baltimore, 
Md. She came to Illinois with hei' family and died 
in Tazewell Coiuily in November, 183C. The par- 
ental household consisted of nine children, four 
> ► l i <■ 



sons and five daughters, of whom the subject of 
our sketch was the fourth in order of birth. He 
was eight years old when his father came to Illi- 
nois. After the death of his mother he lived with 
Mr. Henshaw and grew to m.anhood in this county. 

In 184l'>. during the |)rogress of the Mexican 
AVar, Mr. Lash enlisted as a soldier in the 4tli Illi- 
nois Infantry, Col. K. D. Baker commanding, and 
went to Mexico. He |)articii)ated in the battles of 
Vera Cruz and Cerro (iordo, and engaged in the 
various other battles and skirmishes, serving until 
the close of the war, and receiving his honorable 
discharge in March, 1847. At the close of his mili- 
tary experience he returned to McLean County, and 
in 1851 set out overland for the gold fields of Cali- 
fornia. He started out from Dale Township on 
the 3d of April and drove an ox-team across the 
plains in company with a large party. He arrived 
in Oregon City on the lOth of August following, 
having crossed the Cascade Mountains, a distance 
of eighty miles, in four days. After arriving in 
('aliforuia he entered the mines, and was occupied 
in digging for the yellow ore until July 15 of the 
following year. He then set out for home via the 
Isthmus and New Orleans, and the Mississippi and 
Illinois Rivers to Pekin, thence by stage to Blooni- 
ington. 

Mr. Lash, after remaining in Illinois until 1855, 
set out in the month of February for Texas, then, 
returning in April of the same year, settled upon 
the farm which he has since continuously occupied. 
He was married on the 20th of March, 1856, to 
Miss Sus.an Herring, who was a native of Richland 
County, Ohio, and a d.aughter of Daniel and Eliza- 
beth (Ferguson) Herring. Their comfortable home 
is surrounded by the appliances of good taste and 
ample nutans, and Mr. Lash and his wife are enjoy- 
ing the good things of this life and the highest 
esteem of their friends and fellow-citizens. 

i\Ir. Lash has always been a conscientious Demo- 
crat and cast his first vote for (ien. Cass. He has 
had a huge and useful experience in life, and has 
gathered much valuable knowledge from the scenes 
which he has witnessed during his travels over a 
large portion of the United States. As a leading- 
representative citizen of this county we give a por- 
trait of Ml'. Lash oil page 220. 






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IVwilV^, 




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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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121 



<il?OHN M. AVILLSON, proprietor of the 
Maple (J rove Poultry and Vegetable Farm, 
of the West Side, Bloomiiigton, engaged in 
Ijusiness at his present farm in October, 
lS8y, and has met with gratifj'ing success. His 
poultry embraces the Brahma and Plj'mouth Rock 
species, and Mr. Willson exhibits some of the fin- 
est fowls to be seen in the market. His business is 
on the increase, and he purposes to carry on breed- 
ing extensively in the near future. Before coming 
to this locality Mr. Willson conducted a grocery 
trade at Lansing for a period of seventeen years 
and carried on the poultry business for four j'ears. 
Of tliis latter he ni)\v has a thorough understanding, 
and tlie prospects are that he will build up a fine 
reputation in this department of business. 

Mr. Willson is descended from English and Scot- 
tish ancestry, and was born in the county of Brant, 
Ontario, the date of his birth being Dec. 15, 184r). 
He was reared in his native Province, and came to 
the United States in 18G7. His fatiier, .Joseph 
Willson, is still living, making his home with our 
subject. The mother, Eliza A. (Parsons) Willson, 
died at Lansing, Mich., July 3, 1879. Of the par- 
ental union tiiere were born but two cliildreii; our 
subject and his sister Clarissa, who died at the age 
of fourteen years. The parents were born and 
reared in Upper Canada, and were active members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church there. 

.Tohn M. was educated in Weutworth Count}', 
and remained there until nearly grown. AVhen 
fourteen years of age he visited Cleveland, Ohio, 
where he was emplo3'ed as clerk in a store of gen- 
eral merchandise. Later he returned to Canada, 
and from there proceeded to Lansing and engaged 
in the grocery trade, as stated. There he was mar- 
ried to jNIiss Minnie Potter, who died after the 
birth of her first child. The child, (trace B., only 
survived its motlier nine months. Mrs. Minnie 
Willson was born and reared in Michigan, and was 
a lad}' greatly beloved Ity her husband and friends 
for her amiable and excellent character. 

Mr. Willson was the second tiiue married, at De- 
troit, JMich., on the 29th of :JIarch, 1879, to Mrs. 
Josie (Bainl)ridge) Gaily, the daughter of Prof. 
E. D. and S.arah (Pickett) Bainbridge, natives of 
New Yiirk. The father was a professor of music. 



a skillful musician, and was called one of the sweetest 
singers in the East. He graduated at Hamilton, N. 
v., when eighteen years of age, and tvv(j years later 
began teaching and followed this profession until 
he rested from his earthly labors. Late in life he 
went to Detroit, Mich., and died there on the 29th 
of May, 1879. For many years he had been a resi- 
dent of Rochester, N. Y. All his time and talents 
were devoted to the calling which he greatly loved, 
and while his musical talent drew around him a 
large circle of .admiring friends, he was likewise 
valued for his kindly and courteous disposition and 
personal worth. 

Mrs. Josie Willson was born in Seneca County, 
N. Y., Aug. 22, 18.50. She inherited, in a large 
degree, the musical genius of her father, and when 
a child of five years old could readily play upon 
the several instruments which he possessed. She 
still plaj's skillfully, but without notes or after 
technical rules. She lived at home until her first 
marriage in Rochester to Mr. W. A. Gaily, who 
died in about the year 1875. Our subject and wife 
are members in good standing of the Congregational 
Church, ()f which the former is a Trustee, and in 
politics he affiliates with the Republican party. 
Socially he lielongs to the M.asonic fraternity. 



±^4^&^^ 



TMXt-T 



^^ APT. ANDREW W. SCOGIN, of Blooming- 
(I ton TownshiiJ, whose portrait we give on a 

'^^(^ preceding page, owns and occupies a finely 
improved farm estate of 3-10 .acres of well improved 
land, pleasantly located on section 18. He is car- 
rying on the business of a general farmer, and in 
the management of large and important interests is 
meeting with success. 

Capt. Scogin is a native of H.amilton County, 
Ohio, and was born on the 25th of March, 1823. 
His father, Joel A. O. Scogin, was a native of the 
same State, and of excellent Scottish and Welsh 
descent. The mother, formerly Miss Hester Wake- 
field, was a native of the same State as her husband, 
whom she survived several years, removed to Mc- 
Lean County, 111., and died in al)out 1875, at the 
advanced age of eighty-three years. Her husband 



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McLean county. 



was cut down in llic piiiiio ol' life, and died in liis 
native State and cDiinty. 

Tiie sulijcH't of on r sketch was one of the elder 
children born to liis jiarcnts and remained in his 
native connty mitil he liad arrived at the age of 
fourteen years, lie tiien sought the more western 
country in company wilii his uncle, Joseph Wake- 
field, and they came to McLean County, 111., set- 
tling in Randolph Townshi]), and young Seogin re- 
mained with his uncle until his marriage. This in- 
teresting event occurred on the 2Gth of November, 
l!S4i, the maiden of his choice being Miss Eliza- 
beth Karr, daughter of Thomas J. and Elizabeth 
(Kitchell) Karr, natives of New Jersey, the father 
a farmer by occupation. The young wife lived 
only a short time after the birth of her first child, 
her decease occurring Oct. l.'i, l.S-45. The child 
also died while young. 

Mr. Seogin was the second time married, Jan. 
19, 1S47, in Blooinington Township, to Miss Eliza 
Low, who was a native of Licking County, Ohio, 
and born Aug. 2'.). 1829. She became the mother 
of seven children, one of wh(jm is now deceased, 
and died at her home in Bloomington Township on 
the 1 fith of November. 1 803. The children ai'e 
recorded as follows: Lee, the eldest Ix^rn. married 
Miss Nettie Custer, of DeWitt Count}', 111., and he 
is now carrying on farming operations in Dale 
Township ; Jay 15. is a farmer and carpenter, resid- 
ing in Bloomington Township; he was married to 
Mrs. Mctoria (Grow) Brown, a Kentucky lady. 
John N., of Bloomingtiin, is employed at draying; 
lie was married to Miss Nannie Kinzel, a native of 
this county. Frank, a farmer, is unmai-ried and re- 
sides at home ; llattie became the wife of Olid 
J>ash, of Dale Township, and is now living with her 
father; .Joseph W. is engaged in farming on the 
old homestead. These children constitute a fine 
family, have received a good education, ahd are all 
more th.an ordinarily bright and intelligent. 

While yet a young man Mr. Seogin had served a 
thorough apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, at 
which he was engaged until after his second mar- 
riage, siufte which time he has been successfully en- 
g.'igcd ill farming pursuits. The homestead is finely 
located, and in all its ap|)ointments is well fitted for 
the operations <if a lirst-cliLss agriculturist. The 



f 
J 



soil produces all kinds of cereals for the local mar- 
ket, and there is a sufficient amount of timber for 
the ordinary uses of the farm. Mr. S. owns valua- 
ble farm machinery of the latest improved pattern, 
and his barns and out-bildings are conveniently ar- 
ranged for the storing of grain and the shelter of 
stock. 

The mother of the family and two of her sons, 
Jay B. and JoseiJi, are devoted members of the 
Christian Church, and the entire family in a marked 
degree enjo3s the confidence and esteem of the 
community. Mr. S. is Democratic in politics, and 
has taken a lively intesest in the princii)les which 
he advocates and believes in. Some years since he 
was seriously affected by a stroke of jjaralysis, 
which greatly interfered with his former busy and 
energetic life. 

During the })rogress of the late Civil War Mr. 
Seogin assisted to organize a compau}- of three 
months' men and was elected Captain. After they 
had reached Springfield they were pressed for six 
months' service or more, but owing to the urgency 
of business matters at home, some of the comi)any, 
who had arranged their atfairs for three months' 
absence and not for six, concluded to return home, 
and did so, with the credit of having the will and 
desiie to serve their country to the best of their 
a.l)ility. 

^^EORGE O. FULLER,an enterprising farmer 

(If ,^ living on section 4, Old 'I'own Township, is 

III iff 

^^5) the son of Charles and Eliza ((irillin) Ful- 
ler, natives of York State. After their marriage 
the parents settled in Jefferson County, their native 
State, whence they removed to St. Lawrence County, 
and then Ij.ack to Jefferson County, and there lived 
until 1S(;,"), the father engaged the while in faiining. 
During the latter year thej^ came to Me],ean 
County, and taking up their residence in Old Town 
Township continued to live as man and wife until 
October, 1882, when he was struck by lightning 
and instantly killed. She survives him and is a 
resident of Old Town Town.shi|). Their union was 
blest by the birth of six sons and five daughters, 
and (ieorge O. was the third in order of birth. 
Mr. Fuller of this notice was born in St. Lawrence 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 

123 , ,1 



County, N. Y., Doc. (i, 1H42. lie received his edu- 
cation in the common scliooLs and worlved on the 
farm in his native C'onnty until 1865, when he came 
with his parents to this county and settled with 
them in Old Town Township. Thus far in life his 
years have been p.issed in agricultural pursuits, in 
which he has met with moderate success. He is at 
present the owner of an eighty-acre farm, located 
on sectic)n 4, Old Town Township, on which he has 
good and substantial farm buildings, and is there 
engaged in the general routine of a farmer's life. 

Mr. Fuller was married in Jefferson County, JS. 
Y., Jan. 1. 18()2, to Climena Groat, daughter of 
Henry and Jane ((iibbons) (^roat. Miss (iroat's 
parents had three childien, and she was born in 
Jefferson County, N. Y. The union of our subject 
with Miss Groat has been blest by the birth of two 
children, Myron and Allie, Ijoth living at home. 
Mr. Fuller became a soldier in the Union army in 
1862, enlisting in the 13th New York Heavy Ar- 
tillery and served three years. Receiving his dis- 
charge he returned to Jefferson County, N. Y., and 
there lived until coming here. In iiolitics he is a 
Democrat. 



■^ \Y. pj\'ANS, a prominent and [irosperons cit- 
izen of McLean County, is one of the stock- 
holders and Director of the Bloomington 
(^^// Stove Works, and a lumber merchant, en- 
gaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, 
and also in contracting and building. Our subject 
was born in Cambria County, Pa., on the r2th of 
February, 1828, and is the son of John and Mar- 
garet (Jones) Evans, both natives of Montgomer}'- 
shire, Wales. His grandi^arents, John and Jane 
(Watkins) Evans, were also of AVelsh ancestry and 
parentage, and were engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. Of their family of children John was the 
third. 

John Evans was reared to farming pursuits, and 
attended school during his earlier years, and finally 
learned the blacksmith's trade in his native count3^ 
In 1818 he emigrated to America, and proceeded 
to Ebensburg, Pa., where he opened a blacksmith- 
shop, and after getting it fairly under way returned 
to his native land and was there married. Shortly 



afterward he brought his bride back with him to 
Pennsylvania, where he resumed labor in his shop, 
and oi>crated it for twelve years thereafter. He 
then purchased a farm about two miles from the 
village, which he occupied for about thirty years, 
and then retiring to the village departed this life 
there in 1877. He was a respected and useful citi- 
zen, a Deacon of the Congregational Church for 
man}' years, and held various offices in the county. 
He gave to each of his children a good education, 
and took an intelligent interest in all matters per- 
taining to the intellectual and moral advancement 
of his community. John Evans and his wife were 
the parents of six children — David, Mary, John 
W., Morris, Richard and Jane A., all of whom lived 
to become men and women. 

The subject of this biographj- was reared on a 
farm, and attended school three months each year in 
the winter, until he was eighteen years old. A j-ear 
afterward he went to learn the carpenter's trade 
with his uncle, David H. Roberts, of Ebensburg, 
where he served three years, and for two years fol- 
lowing worked as a journeyman there. He then 
came West, in 1852, and visited Ohio, Indiana, Illi- 
nois, went north to Michigan and southwest to Mis- 
souri ; then returned East to New York, and thence 
to New Jersey, where he remained a short time and 
from there went to his old home, having been gone 
a year. In 1854 he started westward once more by 
way of Louisiana, where he spent the winter and 
worked at his trade. From there he went up the 
river to (^uincy. 111., where he spent the summer, 
and in October of that year came to Bloomington, 
where he has since remained. He worked at his 
trade until March, 1855, and then formed a part- 
nership with J. W. Hayes, and they engaged in 
contracting for the following eighteen years, until 
the death of Mr. H. During this time they put up 
more buildings than any other firm in the city, and 
during the time they operated together established 
a lumber-yard and built a |)laning-mill, in 1859. 
which was destroyed by fire in April, 1861. They 
immediately rebuilt and operated the same until 
the partnership was dissolved by death in 1873, 
since which time Mr. Evans, who purchased the in- 
terest of his partner, has continued the business 
alone. The main office is located (ju the corner of 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



Ceiitor and iMullici-ry streets, where the shups, liiiilt 
of brick, cover an area of ;^,.")00 feet. Mr. Evans 
gives enii)lo>-ii)ent to thirty-live men; tlie Inmber- 
yards are on tlie opposite side of the street. INIr. 
Evans was one of the original organizers of the 
lUoomington .Stove \\'orivs, and was President from 
1885 to 1.S.S7. lie lias also been Treasurer, and 
was a Director from its organization. 

The marriage of .1. W. Evans and Miss Martha 
Williams took jilace in Ebensburg, Pa., May 20, 
ISGO. Of this union tliere have been born six 
children, as follows: Fremont is engaged with his 
fa tiler in tiie lumber otlice; Cora, Roland, Fred, 
V\ illiam and Susan are at home. The wife and 
mother departed this life in 1879, at the home of 
iier husband in Bloomiiigton. Mr. Evans and his 
family occupy a beautiful residence at the corner of 
Cliestnut and Center streets, which was erected in 
18C4, at a cost of *C,000. It is built of brick, and 
in furnishing and finishing is indicative of cultiva- 
ted tastes and ample means. 

Mr. Evans commenced life single-handed, with- 
out means or iiiHuence, and his present possessions 
are the result of liis own industry and enterprise. 
He possesses marked business talent, and is well in- 
formed upon matters of general interest. He has 
been prominently identified with the affairs of the 
comniuiiit}^ since coming here, and among other 
positions of trust vvas Alderman of the Sixth Ward 
for live years, and lias always contributed cheer- 
fully of his time and means for the promotion and 
encouragement of whatever was calculated to be 
for the general welfare of the community. He is 
Republican in [lolitics, and in all respects a repre- 
sentative citizen. Our subject is connected with 
the Presliyterian Cliurch, of wliich Mrs. E. was also 
a member in good standing. 



AMliKI. W. SIITIIERLANI), deceased, 

formerly a resident on section 2, Old Town 

Township, w.as an offspring of Dr. John and 

.M:uia, (Wilbor) Sutherland, natives of 

Columbia t'ountN', K. Y. After the marriage of 




the parents they settled in Columbia County, wliere 
the father followed the jiractice of his profession 
and was also engaged in farming. He died there 
in 1812. She afterward married Samuel E. Hudson, 
of Newark, Wayne Co., N. Y., and in 18.')S they 
emigrated to this State and took up their residence 
in Old Town Township, this county, where he died 
in August, 1870. She afterward ni.ade her home 
with her son Samuel, and departed this life in Old 
Town Towiishi]), Oct. 20, 1886. She was of a 
quiet, retiring disposition, and was loved for her 
acts of Christian charity and kindness. By her 
first marriage she became the mother of two chil- 
dren, who lived to attain the age of man and wom- 
anhood. Our subject was the elder, and Caroline 
A., the younger. The latter became the wife of 
R. P. Layton, and died at Rockford, 111., one year 
after her marriage. 

Samuel Sutherland was born at Chatham Center, 
Columbia Co., N. Y., May 28, 182G. He was 
reared to farm labor and supplemented his educa- 
tion received in the common schools by a course of 
study at Kinderhook Academy, Kinderhook, N. 
Y., and still later attended the Rensselaer Institute, 
at Troy, N. Y., from which he graduated. He, 
however, aimed to follow n<me of the prt>fessions, 
but devoted his entire time to agricultural pursuits, 
and was thus occupied in Columbia County until 
18.')(i. In Februaiy of that year he came to this 
county with his wife and one child, and located in 
Old Town Township, purchasing nearly the whole 
of section 2, on which he located and followed his 
chosen calling until his death, which event occurred 
May 18, 1879. 

Mr. Sutherland was married in Columbia County, 
N. Y., Dec. 26, 1849, to Miss Mary H. Rider, 
daughter of D. W. and Anna Rider, natives of 
York State, where the mother died in August, 1852. 
The father came to Henry County, III., subsequently 
removing to Iowa, where he departed this life. D. 
W. Rider was the father of six children, Mary H. 
Helen, Anna, Wilson, Adeline and D. W. Mrs. 
-Sutherland was born in Chatham, N. Y., July 19, 
1 829, and has borne our subject seven children, three 
of whom are deceased ; those living are Anna V., Ed 
ward W., John C. and Alice M. Anna is the wife 
of Allan BiH>wn. Mr. Sutherland was Township 



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McLean county. 



125 



Supervisor, and also held other minor oflices dur- 
ing his life. He was a member of the Episcopal 
Church, and highly respected by all who knew him. 



-:>'^^^V55^^^^ 




ON. J. II. ROWEJ.L, Congressman from the 
Fourteenth District of Illinois, having his 
residence at liloomington, is a native f)f the 
Old Granite State, where he was born in 
1833, and among the New England hills, in addi- 
tion to a natural inheritance, imbibed those strong 
and worthy principles of character which have con- 
tributed to his success in life and to the building- 
up of an honorable record. He is the son of J. B. 
and Cynthia (Abbott) Rowell, also natives of New 
Hampshire. The grandparents on both sides were 
n.itives of Massacliusetts, and after the Revolu- 
tionary War, removed from their native State into 
New Hampshire. 15oth the great-grandfathers of 
our subject served on the side of the colonies in 
their struggle for independence, and were among 
tlic early settlers of the Bay State. They descended 
from a long line of honorable English ancestry, 
who were g'o<.)d citizens and straightforward busi- 
ness men, and mostly engaged in agricultural ])ur- 
suits. 

The parents of our subject removed from New 
Hampshire in 1849, to McLean Count3-, 111., and 
settled in Danvers Township. Tiie father lived 
only one j-ear after coming here, and iiis eldest 
son, Ira, took up a tract of 160 acres of land, upon 
which he built a house, improved a farm, and es- 
tablished a comfortable home, where tlie family 
lived for a number of j'ears. 

The subject of this history remained with his 
mother and her family until he was twenty-one 
years old; at sixteen years of age he commenced 
teaching school winters while emphj^'ed on the farm 
during the summer seasons. He had made the most 
of his advantages, and given good attention to his 
books while in school. After leaving the farm he 
entered Eureka College in Woodford County, 111., 
as a student, and remained for tlie following six 
years. In 18G0-(il he was Professor of IMathemat- 
ics. The Civil War being now in progress he en- 
listed in Co. G, 17th 111. Vol. Inf., beiiii;- elected 



1 



First Lieutenant, and after a year was given a 
Captain's commission, which he retained until his 
term of service expired. He was engaged with his 
regiment in the battles of Fts. Henry and Donel- 
son, Shiloh, Hatchie, the sieges of Corinth and 
Vicksburg, and also in Meridian campaign. Inter- 
mingled with these were various skirmishes, in all of 
which he performed his part as became a soldier 
and a leader. 

After receiving his honorable discharge from the 
army Capt. Rowell commenced the study of law in 
Chicago University, in which he made such rapid 
progress that he was admitted to the bar that same 
year, 180,'), and commenced the practice of his pro- 
fession in Bloomington, 111. His evident talent re- 
ceived ready recognition, and he was elected to the 
otlice of State's Attorney from 1868 to 1872. He 
was a member of the Board of Education for six 
j'ears, and Master in Chancery of McLean County 
for three years, in the meanwhile occnpyiug other 
positions of trust and responsibility as a citizen and 
valued member of society. 

Capt. Rowell was elected to represent the Four- 
teenth District in the United States Senate, first in 
1S,S2, and is now serving his third term as a na- 
tional legislator. During tliis time his course has 
been straightforward and upright, and his influence 
has been exerted for the Ijest good of the greatest 
number. He is bj' no means a paity politician, but 
in his high position strives to follow a line of 
strict integrity, which shall reflect not only honor 
upon himself, liut upon the judgment of those who 
have placed him there. 

The subject of our sketch was united in mar- 
riage with Miss jNIaria Woods at lUoomington, in 
1866. Mrs. Rowell was born in Alton, III., and is 
the adopted daughter of J. C. rinil Maria Woods, 
of that place. She is an acc<nnplished and educa- 
ted lady, being a graduate of Denmark Academy. 
Their household circle has been completed by the 
birth of live children, as follows: Chester II. and 
Cora M. are attending the Michigan University at 
Ann Arbor; Lawrence W. is a student at the High 
School in Bloomington ; Elmer and Laura are at 
home. The family residence is pleasantly located 
at the corner of AV":dnut and Evans streets, and its 
inmates are surrounded b^' all the refinements of 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



modern life. They iiiimbpr .arnony their friends 
the most cultivated people of tlie city. 

Capt. K(.>\vcll is a int'iiiljcr in yond staiidint;' of 
the Christian Churcli, and siiciall_y hehmgs to the 
I. O. O. v., K. of P. and (i. A. K. lie has attained 
to liis present liigli i)usition s<ih_dy 1j3' his own mer- 
its. He is social and genial in his disposition, a 
man wlio is faithfnl to his friends, strong in his 
sense of honor, and possesses hosts of friends, who 
rejoice in his prosperity as the just reward of his 
excellent qualities of mind and heart. Capt. Row- 
ell has accumulated a comfiirtaMe jjroperty, is a 
stoc!<iiolder in the National State Hank, and has an 
interest in the Home and Loan Association of 
Bloomington. 




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^f^ VGU CAMPBELL, who is now living in 
ease and retirement at No. 1)04 Moulton 
street, Blooraington, is enjoying the results 
of an energetic and industrious life and the 
esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends. 
My. Ctimpbell has been a resident of Illinois since 
is;!;'). His birth occurred on the llth of January, 
J. SI 2, his parents being James and Nancy (Jamie- 
son) Campbell, natives of tiio same State as their 
.son, and engaged in farming pursuits. Of their 
seven children four are now living — Hugh, John 
G., James and Emeline .1. The parents removed 
to Missiouri in 18.54, where the}- ])assed the remain- 
der of their days. Both were honored members of 
the Christian Church, and greatly esteemed by all 
who Ivuew them. 

Hugh Campbell remained with his parents and 
received a common-school education. After at- 
taining his majority he left the ))arental roof, and 
worked on a farm for two and one-half 3'ears, then, 
in 1835, came to Morgan County, 111. There he 
purcliased a farm of 2'Jt) acres, upon whiih he lived 
for lifteen years, wheir he sold out and came to Mc- 
Lean County. Here he purcliased 120 acres four 
and one-h:df miles southwest of Bloomingtou. 
where he remained from 18.")() until 188(i. He then 
moved into the city, and purchased tiie place where 
he now lives, consisting of a house and three lots, 
which forms a (;omfortal)le and attractive home. 

4« 



In 1834 ]\Ir. Campbell was united in marriag 
with Miss Catharine Frye, of Kentucky, and of 
their union there was born one child, a daughter, 
Adeline, now Mrs. Lawler, and the mother of two 
children — Hugh and Clarence Eugene. Mrs. Cath- 
arine Campbell (le[)arted this life in Decemlier, 
1870, after being the comijaniou of her husband for 
a period of thirty-six years. 

The second wife of our subject was Mrs. Jane 
Simmons, a native of Montgomery County, III. She 
was born Jan. 'J, 1828, and by her former husband, 
Hamilton Simmons, became the mother of eight 
children, of whom the record is as follows: John 
T. married Miss Dora Shurtz, and thej' have three 
children — Ashley, John M. and Nancy J. ; Celestia 
married Oscar .Shurtz, and they have two children 
— Alvin and WilUiam D. ; Charles married Rebecca 
Miller, and they have two daughters — Teresa and 
Annie; Rosella became the wife of George Little, 
and is the mother of two children — Orville and 
George; David married Miss Alice Pricer, and 
their two children are named Cl3-de and Calvin; 
Lillie became the wife of James Hitchcock, and 
they have one son — Hugh O. ; .lames Jefferson, 
born Aug. II, 1863, was killed by lightning May 
23, 1880, near Marengc.i, Iowa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Camiibell are worthy niembersof the 
Christian Church, and in polities our subject casts 
his vote with the Republican part}'. He became 
Supervisor in 18()2, held the ollice three years, and 
has also Ijcen Road Commissioner and Township 
Trustee. 



& 




UBEN G. BRIGHT, of the well-knowulirm of 
Dillon A- Bright, importei's and breeders of 
French horses .at N(;rmal, was born in Lin- 
)coln County, Ky.. Sept. 2;'), 18.52. The par- 
ents of our subject were Henry and Maria ((ientry) 
Bright, also natives of Lincoln County, where they 
lived until their death. The father was twice mar- 
ried, and by his lirst union had four children and 
b}' the second three. 

Rulien (i. P>right is the second child born of his 
father's lirst inarri.age. He was ivared to manhood 
on a farm, ;ind devoted his lime to agriculture and 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



127 



stock-raising, in the meantime receiving' a common- 
school education, and supplemented b3' a course of 
study at Lexington College for two years. In 
1870 our subject came to this State, and locating 
at Normal purchased a farm of ninety acres two 
and a half miles northeast of that city. On this 
place he located and engaged in its improvement 
and the raising of stock, and there met with suc- 
cess. 

In 1874 Mr. Bright was united in marriage with 
Miss Sarah, daughter of Ellis and Martha Dillon, 
lie then began to deal in French draft horses, and 
in 1882 made his first trip to Erance, and on his re- 
turn brought with him ten head of horses of that 
breed. In 1884 he again went to France, and this 
time imported twenty head, six of them, however, 
being for other parties. In 1885 our subject 
formed a partnership with Adolphus Dillon, which 
relationship has continued until the present time, 
under the Arm name of Dillon 6l IJright. Mr. 
Briglit's wife departed this life April 28, 1881, 
leaving one daughter, ISernie. In politics Mr. 
Bright is a Democrat, although an earnest worker 
in the cause of temperance. In religion he holds 
fellowshiij with the Christian Church, and is one 
of the prominent and foremost citizens of the 
county. 



^AMES K. ORENDORFF, deceased, was one 
of the oldest settlers of Bloomington Town- 
ship, and died at his home in this township 
^^ Jan. 1, 1875. He was a native of Christian 
County, Kj'., and was born Dec. 28, 1812, being 
the first child of William and Sarah Orendortt'. 
William Orendortt' became the father of fourteen 
children bj' four different wives. (See sketch of 
Ohio H. P. Orendorff on another page in this work.) 
The subject of our sketch emigrated North to 
Illinois with his father when he was only about six 
years old, his mother having died in Kentucky 
about two years previously. He remained with his 
father until he had attained to yeai-s of manhood, 
and was married in Bloomington Township, this 
county, to Miss Lavina Sayles. The wedding took 
place at the residence of the l)ride's mother, May 
4, 18.37. This lady was born in Howard County, 



Mo., Jan. 23, 1821, and was the daughter of Elias 
and Sarah (Sayles) Sayles, natives of North Caro- 
lina, of Welsh and English ancestry, but of Ameri- 
can parentage and Southern born. Elias Sayles was 
a farmer by occupation, and after his marriage in 
North Carolina removed first to Nashville, Tenn., 
thence to Southern Illinois, afterward to Howard 
County, Mo., whence they returned, in 1830, to the 
Prairie State and located in Sangamon County. 
The father subsequently went to the lead mines 
near Dubuque, Iowa, and died there Jan. 20, 1835. 
The mother, with her children, came into McLean 
C'ountj% and settled in Bloomington Township. 
The parental family consisted of nine children, all 
of whom except Mrs. O. of this notice have been 
dead for more than twenty years. The mother, 
in about May, 1 844, vvent to Iowa, and died there 
in August, 1853. 

After the marriage of our subject and his wife 
they went to Wisconsin, locating on Fox River, 
where they remained for four years, thence coming 
to McLean Countj', 111., and settling in Blooming- 
ton Township, which remained their permanent 
home. In his earlier years Mr. Orendorff accumu- 
lated a handsome property, but by a series of mis- 
fortunes lost the greater part of it before he died. 
His widow is spending the sunset of her life on a 
part of the old homestead. She is a most excellent 
and worthy lady and has many warm friends in 
this county. Their family consisted of five chil- 
dren, two of whom are deceased; Perry married 
Miss Elizabeth Belleville, and resides on a farm in 
Sumner Comity, Kan. ; James married Miss Barthana 
Quinn, and is farming on a part of the old home- 
stead; his wife died near Shirley in 1878. Mary F. 
is unmarried and lives with her mother. The de- 
ceased are William and Sarah A. ; the former was 
married, and left a wife and family who are residents 
of this county. 

Politically Mr. Orendorff was a Whig, but in 
18GG joined the ranks of the Democratic party. 
His family were closely connected with the history 
of this township, and weve people of rare intelli- 
gence, good business qualities and principles of 
honor and honesty. The family history is some- 
what remarkable and is of more than ordinarj- in- 
terest. They are widely represented in the I'nited 



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128, 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



I 



States, and in October, ISSfi, held a family reunion 
in the city of Blooniington, at which were repre- 
sented large nninlx'rs of their descinidants, there 
being about 250 in attendance. The reunion oc- 
cupied two days and evenings, and was a grand 
success in all of its features. The exercises were 
interspersed with speeches, toasts and niusic, and 
the varions nuuiibers of the family exhibited many 
old and valuable relics which have been preserved 
for more than a hundred years. 

The Orendorffs are of (iernian descent. In 1S2;!, 
Christi.ipher, William and Tlionias came to tiiis 
.State, and the first named settled in Logan County, 
on Sugar Creek. Thomas took up a claim on what 
is now known as the Stejjhen Houghton place; he 
became the father of thirteen children. The Oren- 
dorffs of this locality are descendants of \Villiam 
and Thomas; those around Canton, of John Oren- 
dorff; those around Springfield, of Joseph, and 
those around ITopedale and Delavan, of Aaron, 
Enoch and Esau, the latter being broliiers of an- 
other branch of the family. The various male 
members of the family have been represented in 
the State Senate, in the ai'my, and have occupied 
various other important positions connected with 
])iiblic affairs. They are |)rincipall3' noted for own- 
ing mills of all kinds, and various members of the 
family have brought out several notable inventions. 
Capt. John ( )rendorff patented a reaping-machine 
similar to that of the McCormicks', but failed to 
reach the patent office before they had theirs en- 
tered. He patented a wool-carding machine, and 
spent twenty years trying to perfect perpetual mo- 
tion. 

The Orendorffs in Canton !ire connected with 
the famous |)low company of that city, and Hon. 
Alfred ()., of Springfield, at one time received the 
Democratic nomination for State Treasurer, and is 
now Chairman of the State Democratic Central 
('(jmmittee. 'I'iiey have been intimately identified 
with the business and industrial interests of the 
Piairie State since it was admitted into the Union, 
and have contributed their full quota toward de- 
veloping its resources and building it uj) financially 
and otherwise. At the late reunion several mem- 
bers of the family came from liondo, Polk Co., 
.Mo., traveling the entire distance of laO miles in 



a wagon drawn by a mule-team, lieing fourteen 
and one-half d.ays on the road. This simply illus- 
trates a t,r;i,il of the family, namely, tiiat of sturdy 
perseverance and a determination to accomplish 
whatever the}' set about, and this has been the 
secret of tiieir success in life, and assisted them to 
the jiosition which they occupy in the histt>ry of 
the State of Illinois. 



.-i?J^I«^59S£!> 



>^5«f-M^tf-» 



OIIN W. COOK, A. M., incumbent of the 
Chair of Mathenuitics, Illinois State iSornial 
University, was l)orn in Oneida County, 
(^)j N. Y., April 20, f844, being the son of 
Harry D. and Joanna (Hall) Cook. In 18.')1 the 
family removed to Illinois, and settled in BIcLean 
County, where the father became prominent both 
as a business man and a i)olitician, not only in that 
vicinity but throughout the State; his death oc- 
curred ill 1873. The mother is still living, and n^- 
sides at Normal. 

The subject of this sketch roini)letcd his educa- 
tion in the Illinois State Normal I'niversity, whence 
he graduated in 18G5. He then taught one j'car in 
the schools of Brimfield, Peoria Ci^iunty, at the end 
of which time he was [jlaced in charge of one of 
the departments of the Model School, a position 
which he occupied for two jears. During the seven 
years following he had charge of reading and elo- 
cution in the Illinois State Normal Uuiversit}', and 
since 187i> has been Professor of Mathematics. 

Prof. Cook is a very active, energetic man, and 
besides giving due attention to his duties as 
teacher has found time to assist in many worthy 
enterprises. For tweiity-six months, associated 
with Dr. E. C. Hewitt, he edited and published the 
Itlli mil's ISrIiiiiiI Master, and for three and one-half 
years the I/liiiois tSchiml ./<iiinii(J, being for two 
years assisted by Rudolph R. Reeder. He has, for 
fifteen years, given from four to ten weeks of his 
summer vacation to conducting institutes in differ- 
ent counties of the State. He has a genuine love 
for learning, which he has evinced by his numer- 
ous sacrifices of ease and profit. 

The degree of A. M. was (conferred upon Prof. 
Cook by. Knox College in 1884. When Dr. Rich 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



131 



ard Eldwards, former President of the Illinois 
State Normal University, was elected State Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction, he at once ten- 
dered Prof. Cook the position of Chief Clerk in his 
office, and in fact not a year passes that the latter 
is not offered some important and enviable posi- 
tion. But he has thus far refused to accept any of 
them, preferring to remain and Inbor for the insti- 
tution which gave him his education. 

Our subject is the author of " Cook's Methods of 
Written Arithmetic," which has passed througli 
several editions. Like his father before him he 
takes great interest in political matters. Relig- 
iously he is connected with the Unitarian Church, 
and has been leader of the choir for some time. 

Prof. John W. Cook was united in marriage with 
Miss Lydia F. Spofford, of North Andover, ]\Iass., 
on the 2Gth of August, 18G7. Mrs. Cook is the 
daughter of Farnham and Lydia Spofford, and was 
born in North Andover, Mass., in lcS46,and by her 
union with our subject lias become the mother of 
two ciiildren — Agnes S. and John L. Our subject 
and his faniily occupy a beautiful and tasteful 
home, and numl)er among their warmest friends and 
associates the cultivated people of Normal. 




R. N. B. COLE, physician and surgeon of 
Bloomington, 111., and who has made for 
himself a good record in his profession, is 
a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, where 
he was born Dec. 28, 1837. His parents were 
Broad and Leah (Peters) Cole, the former born on 
the 23d of September, 1802, and the latter Nov. 19, 
180G. They were natives respectively of Ohio and 
Maryland, and were married in Fairfield County, 
Ohio, on the 7th of January, 1827. The parents 
of Broad Cole were Thomas and Elizabeth (Stev- 
ens) Cole, the father born in Huntingdon County, 
Pa., March 15, 1757, and the mother in May, 1759. 
Thomas Cole was a soldier of the War of 1812. In 
early life he removed with his parents to Ohio, 
they being among the early settlers of that State, 
locating there in 1800, when it w.as peopled chiefly 
by Indians. He built a log cabin in the wilder- 

^> 



ness, and in due time became the proprietor of an 
extensive and valuable fauii, which he had, liy his 
own industry, eliminated from the forest. The 
family of Thomas and Elizabeth Cole included 
seven daughters and four sons, of whom all lived 
to years of maturity. The father passed the re- 
mainder of his days upon the homestead which he 
had established in the wilds of Ohio, and died Aug. 
20, 1840, nine years after the death of his faithful 
partner, who had died Sept. 27, 1831. 

The mother of our subject, Mrs. Leah (Peters) 
Cole, was the daughter of Samuel and Mary 
(Stephenson) Peters. They were of English ances- 
try, but American birth, both being natives of Bal- 
timore, Md. After marriage they removed tot)hio, 
settling in P\airfield County in 1812, and engaged 
in farming pursuits. Samuel Peters was born Nov. 
27, 1772, and departed this life in C)hit). Se|)t. 10, 
1 829. His wife, Mary, was born Sept. 2.s, 1773. and 
died in Ohio, Feb. 15, 18G1. They had a family of 
thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters, 
all living to maturity, the first death being that of 
one of the sons at the age of thirty-seven years. 
They all lived in Ohio, engaged in farming and 
stock-dealing, and all, with one exception, became 
wealthy. That one, however, was a man of fine 
talents, and became jjrominently identified with 
public affairs. 

Broad Cole, the father of our subject, received a 
fair education in the common schools, and was 
reared, lived and died on the farm wiiere he was 
born. In the aiiportionment of projierty he re- 
ceived the homestead, and with that and other land 
in adjoining counties was the propriett)r of 700 
acres, and was largely interested as a stock-dealer 
He had a family of fourteen children, four of whom 
died in infauc3' and ten lived to mature years. Of 
these seven are now living and recorded as follows: 
Thomas is engaged in farming in Fairfield Ctmnt^', 
Ohio; David is similarly engaged in Blackford 
County, Ind.; the next is Dr. N. B.,of our sketch; 
Jonathan S. is Principal of the Minier School of 
this county; Joseph R., who is possessed of much 
literary ability, is a resident of Brooklyn, and en- 
gaged as a historian; Lewis D. is engaged in farm- 
ing in Fairfield County, Ohio; Henry is the young- 
est of the faniily, and occupies the old homestead. 

•► 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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Tlio father of our .siibjrcl, died on the 25th of June, 
|!S«2, :it the advanced ;ige of eighty years; the 
niullier is still living on the old homestead, and is 
eighty j-ears old. 

The subject of this history commenced attending 
school at a very early age, and i)ursued his studies 
until lie was twenty, in the meantime tilling vaca- 
tions with farm work. lie commenced the study 
of medicine on the 4th of Ai)ril, l.SyT.at Lancaster, 
Oliio, and subsequently took two courses of lectures 
in New York City, whence he entered Long Island 
College llosjjital, I'.rooklyn, and graduated on the 
tilth of .luly, ISOO. being a member tif the first 
class graduated from the institution. lie returned 
to Licking County, Ohio, and commenced the prac- 
tice of his in'otessiiin at I'^tna, where he remained 
until Ain-il, lSiJ-2. The war being then in progress 
he entered the army as Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A., 
for a, term of three monlhs, with the I'.tth Ohio, and 
was with the regiment at the siege of Corinth, and 
was placed in charge t)f the Field Ilosjiital of the 
■Jd division of the ;!d Army Cori)S. He then re-en- 
tered as Assistant Surgeon in the .V)th (Jhio \'olun- 
teei-s, of the 23d Army Corps, and remained in 
service until the close of tlic war. 

After his return from the army Dr. Cole was 
united in marriage with Miss Matilda C. Evans, a 
native of Licking County, Ohio, who was born 
Sei)t. 2-f, l.So'J, and was the daughter of John and 
Margaret (Montgomery) hhans, of Pennsylvania 
and Oliio respectively. Her parent? were married 
iu aliout 1.S2.S. They lived upon .a farm, and her 
father was engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. 

After their marriage Dr. and Mrs. Cole came to 
Ulooniington, arriving here Nov. 1, l.sil.'i.and since 
that time our subject has tollowed his profession 
continuously and built up a large and lucrative 
practice. He belongs to llii' Count}', State and Na- 
tional Medical Associations, and has been a mem- 
ber of the United States ICxamining Pension Hoard 
for twelve years. Politically he alliliates with the 
Rei)ublican i)a,rty,a,nd socially is a memlier in good 
standing of the ('•. A. P., and Union Veterans 
I'nitm. 

'i'he Doctor and .Mr?. C. have become the par- 
ents of tliree children — Carrie L., Kvens N. and 
Leah M., all living. The family occupy a hanil- 
-4^ 



Some and convenient residence, which the Doctor 
built in 186G, and which is locateil at No. 1105 
North Main street. The parents and one daughter 
are members of Grace Methodist Church, of which 
Dr. Cole has been a Steward for ten years. He has, 
in all respects, fulfilled the obligations of a good 
citizen, and as a physician has hosts of patrons and 
friends. His ottice is located at No. lOG West 
AVashington street, Bloomiugton. 



OHN CAMPBELL, !). D. S., residing at 
liloomington, is a native of West A'irginia, 
born in 1833. He is the son of Archibald 
^ :u\i] Sus;m (.loues) Campbell, natives of 
West \irginia, where the father followed the call- 
ing of a farmer. Nine children were born of the 
parental union, live of whom are now living. The 
subject of thi* notice was reared to the calling of a 
farmer, and lived with the old folk until he was 
twenty years old. His early education was received 
in the common schools, and supplemented by an 
academical course at Union, Monroe Co., W. \'a. 
His pircceiitor was Pev. Samuel Houston, a Presby- 
terian clergyman. After leaving school our sub- 
ject Ijegau the practice of dentistry, borrowing $50 
wherewith U> purchase his tirst case of dental in- 
struments. 

Our subject ctintinued this profession until the 
breaking out of the late Civil War in 1.^(11, when 
he enlisted in Co. F., 22d West \irgiiiia \'olun- 
teers, as Lieutenant. He resigned his otlice during 
the tirst year of service, and while at home was 
elected Captain, and returning to the tield of con- 
flict continued in the service until the close of the 
war. He participated iu the battle of Fisher Hill, 
where he received two wounds, one in the left 
shoulder and one in the left hi)). At the battle of 
New iAbirkcl he received a Hesh wound in the fo(.)t. 
Hei-c he was ordered to charge the pits of the 
enemy, and starting on a run, our subject at the 
head of his nu'U soon fell into the pit liinisclf. and 
that, too, right on to|) of two of the enemy. He 
immediately demanih-d their surrender, and they, 
doubtless thinking tlu're were many more to a.ssist 
him in their capture, there an<l then surrendered. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



133 



although the_v were afraid to stick their hojids out 
of the pit. Mr. Caiuiibell told thoni to throw u)) 
their hats and get out, and the_y did so. 

After returning fruui the war Mr. Campbell once 
more entered upon the peaceful pui'suits of life and 
engaged in farming in West \'irginia. This he 
continued for about one year, and ]\Iarch IS, l.scii, 
we find him at IJloomington, 11]., with a cash capi- 
tal of sevent3'-tive cents in his pocket. He, how- 
ever, had a large amount of cnei'gy. ami was de- 
termined to succeed in the ju'actice of his profes- 
sion, and engaged in jiartnership with his cousin. 
Dr. J. M. Skaggs, at Danvers. This I'clationship 
continued for about eight months, at the expiia- 
tion of which time Dr. Campbell opened an office 
at Leroy, and there practiced his profession until 
18GM. During this time, however, he practiced 
three months of each year at Concord, Mo. Dur- 
ing the years 1809-70 he was a student in the 
Dental College at St. I^ouis, where he received his 
degree of D. D. tS. 

Coming to Bloomington in 1870 Dr. Campbell 
opened an office at No. 208 North Center street, and 
at once entcretl ujion practice as Dental Surgeon and 
there remained for two years. He then changed 
his location to the corner of Center and Jefferson 
streets, where he is at iiresent located, and where 
he is meeting with success. 

Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Ivatie Jar- 
rett, of West \'irginia, in 187i). She is the daugh- 
ter of Ira and Eveline (.Johnson) .larrett, natives 
of West Virginia. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
C'ampbell, one daughter, Nettie .1., has been born. 
The Doctor is a mendjcr of the Illinois Dental, 
State Dental and the Central Illinois Dental Asso- 
ciations. He is Democratic in politics, and has 
been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 
18G3. 



^-*-l- ^ 



\f] S. BAY, one of the old settlers of this 
county and now a retired farmer, is living 
at his comfortalilc home in liloomington 
(^^// Townshi]). He is pleas.-uitly located on sec- 
tion l.i, and has at this place Hfty-four acres of 
land. He also has a small farm south of his home, 
in the same township. Air. l>ay became a resident 



of McLean County in 18.'j7, at (jnce making his lo- 
cation in lUoomington Township, and with the ex- 
ception of eight years has made this township his 
home since that time. During this interval he re- 
sided in Piatt County and carried on farnuug, Imt 
chose this localitj' for his final home. 

The subject of our sketch was born near Mechan- 
icsburg, Chamijaign Co., Ohio, on the .'iOth of 
March, 181G. His father, William Bay, was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish ancestry. 
He went to Chami)aign County, Ohio, in early 
manhood, and was there united in marriage with 
Miss Susanna Hudson, a native of Baltimore, Md., 
and descend<'d fr(.)m the same races as her husband. 
They lived in ( )hio for some years after their mar- 
riage, and until after the birth of five children. The 
elder Bay then decided to go westward for a per- 
manent location. Accordingly, with his family, he 
emigrated to Indiana, in 1824, and the^- took up 
their first location in Indianapolis, where they re- 
mained for a period of fifteen years, during which 
time five more children were added to the house- 
hold circle. 

In l.s;5G, with his wife and family, Mr. l!ay re- 
moved to Mcllenry County, 111., and afterward 
came to JMcLean County and settled one and one- 
half miles west of the city of Bhjomington. There 
they remained for ten years, and afterwarcl re- 
moved within the city limits. While upon a visit 
at Galesburg, Knox County, the father was taken 
ill, and died there on the oOth of August, 1«14. 
The mother survived him for a period of twenty- 
four years, and departed this life at her home in 
McLean County in September, ISCS. They were 
most excellent and worthy people and were highly 
respected in the community. Willi;i,ni Bay was an 
active member of the Methodist Kjiiscoiial Church 
and ofiiciated as local minister the greater part of 
his life. He was not especially educated for this 
work, but possessed line abilities as a speaker, and 
was more than ordinarily intelligent. 

J. S. Bay commenced doing business for himself 
wiien quite a youth, his first employment away 
from home being that of mail carrier between In- 
dianap<jlis and Madison, Ind. He held this impor- 
tant position for eight years, and after the lii-st year 
was the gener.al and special agent of the post-office 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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department and was only .sixteen years old when he 
first engaged as mail agent. 

After coming to McLean t'onnty Mr. Bay was 
married to Miss Sarah Koiitt, in Febrnary. 1840. 
Mrs. l>ay was a sister of ex-(iov. Routt, of Col- 
orado. She was born in Kentucky, but her par- 
rents dying when she was young, she came North 
to Illinois with her uncle, with whom she lived un- 
til her marriage with our subject, and after becom- 
ing the mother of two children, died on the 1 7th of 
March, 1814, a little more than four years after her 
marriage. One of the children is deceased, and the 
other, Sarah by name, is the widow of Edwin S. 
AValker, who was a nephew of the late Judge David 
Davis; Cornelia died at the age of four years. 

Mr. Bay was the second time married, in Warren 
County, 111., Sept. '27, 1 H46, to Miss Alvina Bay, who 
was a native of Ohio and was born Jan. 26, 1828. 
This lady became the mother of ten children, and 
departed this life Nov. G, 1882, at the age of fifty- 
four years. The children of Mr. Bay by his sec- 
ond marriage were as follows: Manfred J., Lidia 
A. and William are married ; Mary I. is deceased ; 
Clara E. and Ilattie are married ; Fannie is de- 
ceased, and the remainder arc at home — Edwin K., 
John 8. and Charles K. 

Mr. Bay married his present wife in \'ermilion 
County, 111., Sept. 11,1 884. the lad}' being Miss Mary 
F. Reid, of Champaign County, Ohio. She was born 
Doc. U, 1859, and came to \'ermilion County, 111., 
while a young child, where she was reared and re- 
ceived her education. She was one tif the younger 
children of her parents' family, and at the age of sev- 
enteen became a teacher in the pulilic schools, and 
was thus engaged in this township for some years 
before her marriage. She became the mother of 
one child, Hal])!! S., who died in infancy. 

.Mr. Bay has occupied a prominent position 
among his fellow-townsmen since coming to this lo- 
cality. He was Constable for twelve years and has 
served as Dei)nty Sheriff. Politically he is a stanch 
Rei)nblican, and both our subject and wife are 
members in good standing of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Chui'ch. 

The homestead of Mr. Bay is ver}' pleasantly 
located, ;iu(l his family .are surrounded bj' all the 
comforts jiiid miuiy of the luxuries of life. Their 



home and its surroundings indicate the presence of 
cultivated taste and refinement, and they enjoy the 
highest respect of their friends and associates. 

y ILL! AM M. BRICIIT, importer and breeder 
of French draft horses, is also extensively 
engaged in the cidture of small fruits, and 
is the occupant of a fine homestead in Normal, 
from which he dispenses a generous hospitality, 
and enjoys the association and friendsliii) of the 
cultured people of this locality. Mr. Bright is a 
n.ative of Lincoln County, Ky., and was born Oct. 
23, 18.35, his parents being John and Elizabeth 
(Morrison) Bright, natives of the same State, where 
they spent their entire lives and were finally laid 
peacefully away for their final rest. The [jarental 
family of our subject included nine children, all 
of whom reached mature years, and seven are still 
living. 

The subject of this history was next to the young- 
est of his parents' family, and was reared to farm- 
ing pursuits. After pursuing his primary studies 
in the common schools, he entered the academy at 
Stanford, Ky., and after completing a course in 
1857, accompanied his brother-ni-law, James Giv- 
ens, to Illinois. The two together purchased sec- 
tion 2 of Normal Township, in this county, which 
they retained possession of until 1865. In the 
meantime young Bright had returned to his native 
State and remained there until 1861, when he came 
back to McLean Count}', which has since been his 
home. In the spring of 1866 he removed within 
the city limits of Normal, where he owns 100 acres 
on three sides of the Soldier's Orphans' Home, be- 
sides f(n'ty acres outside of the city. I'ntil 1882 
he gave his principal attention to the growing of 
small fruits, then, through the infiuence of his 
nephew, R. (i. Bright, he imported four French 
draft mares, and has since devoted a large portion 
of his time to the breeding of horses. Before this, 
however, he had raised a number of Kentucky 
saddle horses, and already attained quite a reputa- 
tion in this line. 

The subject of this sketch was married near Dan- 
ville, Ky., in 1804, to Miss Mary E. Bruce, who 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



135 



i 



was born near that city on the 2d of November, 
1842, and was the daughter of Henry and Mary E. 
(Pope) Bruce. Of this union there were born 
seven children, of wlioni tine son died at the age of 
five years, and six are now living. They were 
named respectively, John II., James G., Mary E., 
liriiee, Fannie M. and Keuben G. 



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••o*o.-(5^<;^..o*o.. 




M. DICKINSON, a retired farmer, now 
owns and occupies a handsome residence at 
No. 1417 North Main street, Bloomington. 
He is a native of the Prairie State, having- 
been born in Pike County, Oct. 2;), 1842. His par- 
ents were Eliada and Lois B. (Fancher) Dickinson 
natives of jNIarlborougli, Conn., the f.ather born in 
1810, and the mother in 1812. They were mar- 
ried in their native State, where tlie elder Dickin- 
son was employed in a brass bell foundiy, and 
they remained in New England until 18;il. They 
tiien emigi'ated to the West, and the father of our 
subject purchased 500 acres of (jovernment land in 
Pike County, this State. He first put up a log 
house, in which all the children, except tlie young- 
est, were born. The family lived on the farm un- 
til 18.)0, and tiien moved into the town of Perry, 
where the father engaged in mercantile business ' 
until IHGl. He then purchased 200 acres of land 
in Sangamon County, near Springfield, and engaged 
there in farming three years. In 18(j.') he pur- 
eiiased 400 acres in this county, which he occupied 
until 1877, and then removed to Leroy, where he 
now lives in ease and comfort, retired funn active 
business. The wife and mother departed this life in 
18G4. Their three children were Sarah A., now Mrs. 
I. P. Cook, of Le Roy ; D. M., onr subject, and Mary 
T., Mrs. J. C. Williams, of Blanchard. Iowa. The 
father of our subject is Republican in politics, and 
religiously Inclines to Unitarian doctrines. 

The subject of this biography was reared on his 
father's farm in Pike County, and still remembers 
it as it was before being relieved from its oi'iginal 
condition. It was then covered with a thick growth 
of brush and trees, and he recollects cutting this and 
driving cattle through to break it down. His pri- 
mary studies were conducted in a log cabin with 



liuncheon Hoor, and seats made of slabs, with round 
pins for legs. He continued to work on the farm 
and attend school during the winter seasons until 
1856. He was studious and interested in his books, 
and being bright and observant, received a useful 
and practical education. After graduating from 
the log cabin he attended the public school in 
Perry for two years, and otHciated as clerk in his 
father's store during the intervals from study. Two 
years later he entered the college at (^uincy, 111., 
where he pursued tiie study of Fnglish and Ger- 
man for one ^ear, then commenced teaching in 
Pike Ci>unty, and followed the same until the 
breaking out of the war. 

Mr. Dickinson then enlisted in Co. 11, '.i;»lh 111. 
\'ol. Inf., being engaged in the service three years 
and one month, and participating in the battles of 
Ilartsville, Bio., Magnolia Hill, I'ort (iibson, Ray- 
mond, Miss., Jackson, both before and after the 
siege, Chamiiion Hills, Black River Bridge, the 
siege of A'icksburg, lasting from the IDth of May 
until the 3d of Jul3', the Banks expedition up the 
Red River, the capture of Ft. Flsjieranzo, Tex., and 
of Spanish Fort, Blakesley and Mobile, besides 
ntany minor engagements. He received but one 
wound during the camjiaign, and that at Magnolia 
Hill. The ball struck his pocket-knife, breaking both 
sides of the handle off, and bending the frame into 
the shape of the letter "E," and glancing off struck 
him in the groin and lodged in the butt end of his 
musket. At Jackson, Miss., a canister ball passed 
through his hat, slightly gra/.ing the toii of his 
head. 

After receiving an honorable discharge at the 
close of the war Mr. Dickinson came to McLean 
County, and with what money he had saved and a 
loan fi'om his father he purchased a farm of 240 
acres in West Township. To this he afterward 
added eighty acres. It is all prairie and is now 
finely improved with a handsome and substantial 
residence, good barns, and all necessary out-bnild- 
ings. Mr. I), labored industriously and persever- 
ingly, and was universally conceded to be one of 
the leading farmers of this section. He still owns 
the farm property. He formerly was (juite exten- 
sively engaged in the raising (jf grain and cattle, 
but the farm is now principally devoted to grain. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Mr. D. occupied it until 1SS2, tlion ])int'liase(I liis 
present plnce in lUoinniiiyton fur the sum of 
*4,000. 

Tlie niai'ri;ij4e of Mr. Dickinson ;iu(l Miss M. I. 
Williams was .celebrated at the home of the bride's 
parents, Feb. 28, 1807. Mrs. D. is a native of In- 
diana, being the daughter of John and Amanda 
(iSusli) Williams, natives of .Jamestown, the same 
State. 'Die parental family included ten children, 
six now living: Mrs. L. Wilcox, Mrs. I). M. Dick- 
inson, .lames M., j\Irs. .lusi'ph 'I'ailor, Mrs. Frank 
Duncan and t'harles \\'. 

Our subject and his wife have three children — 
Clara L., Melvina and Kliada. Mr. I), is a IJeimb- 
lican in politics, and an honored member of the G. 
A. R. lie has been Treasurer, Town Clerk. School 
Director and Commissioner of Highways, and in 
other respects has assisted in the growth and pros- 
perity of IJIoomington Towu.ship. He is an active 
member of the Unitarian Churcii, anil Cliaiiinan of 
the r.oard of Trustees. 



-.w/\,->«ajei2/gr^«' 



^^-sSi/ZJaT*^- ./v~« 



, L1\EH II. P. ()RP:XD0RFF. There are yet 
living a few of the early settlers of McLean 
Count}', among the first of whom was the 
family whose history we purpose briefly to J'elate in 
this pei-sonal notice of the oldest member now liv- 
ing. Mr. Orendorff has been a resident of Bloom- 
iugton Township since 1823, having come here on 
the 2d day of Ma}' of that year. He was the third 
in order of birth of eight sons and five daughters, 
and his father, William, was born in Georgia, 
March 2(1, 17'.»2. His grandfather, Christopher, is 
suijposcd to have been a native of X'irginia, and 
was of (lernian ancestry and parentage. The his- 
tory of the family in the United States dates back 
[nior to the Rc^volutionary War. Christopher Or- 
endorff was a farmer and miller by occujiation, and 
removed fiom his native State to Illinois, where he 
permanently located after having been a citizen of 
.several other States of the Inion. He died in Lo- 
gan County at the .age of sixty-live years. 

William Orendorff, the; father of our subject, 
when a young man removed from (ieorgia to North 
Carolina and thence to 'I'luine.s.see. Later he went 



*► II ♦ 



into Kentuck}', and at the age of nineteen j'ears 
was married to .Miss Sarah Nichols, who became the 
mother r>f three children, two sous and one daugh- 
ter. \\'hile still a young woman she departed this 
life in the State of Kentucky. Mr. O. was the sec- 
ond time married, after coming to Illinois, to Miss 
Lt)vina Sayles, a native of the State of Tennessee, 
and who became the mother of five children, of 
whom our subject is the eldest son and second 
child. William Orendorff came to Illinois in 1816, 
locating in St. Clair, whence he removed to Mc- 
Lean Count}' in 1823, .and settled in Bloomington 
Township. There were then but very few white 
people in this region, the family of Mr. O. being 
the second one to make settlement in the township, 
and here the mother of our subject died on the 9th 
of November, IH'M. 

The third wife of William Orendorff was Mi.ss 
Susan Ogden, to whom he was married in this 
county in 1834. This lady became the mother of 
two children, a sou and daughter, and died in 1844. 
William Ollendorff married his fourth wife, Miss 
Naomi Able, on his sixty-second birthd.ay, and of 
this union there were born four children, all of 
whom are yet living. There was a difference of 
fifty-four years between the birth of his first and 
last child. He and his last wife are now both de- 
cea.sed. He was born March 26, 1792, .and died 
.May 12, 1869. Mrs. Naomi Orendorff survived 
him only two years, dying in 1871. He was the 
father of fourteen children, seven of whom are yet 
living. William Orendorff was a man of more than 
ordinary ability, and became [irominent in tlie af- 
fairs of his adopted townshii) and county. After 
coming to this locality he was appointed Justice of 
the Peace, and had jurisdiction over a large portion 
of this State while it was yet a Territory, and upon 
the organization t)f the county and township he 
held the various local ollices. 

The subject of this history lived with his father 
until he was twenty-two years of age. His brother, 
John lycwis, w:is the first male child born in Bloom- 
ington Township, his birth occurring .Ian. 20, 
1 821). After our subject had attained his majority 
he was married .at the home of the In'idc's parents 
in this township, to Miss Sarah L. S. Hendricks, 
daughter of .lohn .-11111 .laiie (P.rittin) Hendricks.^ 



■► _0 <• 



i 



u 



-1 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



137, 



Mi>. (). was Ijoni in JIcLean County, .Inly •_'4, 
1831, and remained under the parental rouf until 
her marriage. Her father was a Virginian bv Ijirlli, 
and a direct lineal descendant of President Taylor. 
His daughter Elizabeth, the eldest sister of JNIrs. 0., 
was the first white child born in McLean County, 
her birth occurring on the 3d of jNlay, I.S23. The 
family history was interesting and eventful, and 
one which its later descendants may peruse with 
pride and satisfaction. 

John Hendricks and Jane Brittiu were united in 
marriage in Champaign County, Ohio, and settling 
upon a farm in that county remained for some 
years, when they decided upon a removal further 
West. Accordingly, in l.s21,they set out over- 
land for the Prairie .State, arriving here in the fall 
of the year, and spending the first winter near the 
growing village of S[)riugfield. Early in the spring 
they set out for their final destination, McLean 
County, and established a home on section 27, in 
Bloomington Township, upon which the}' remained 
until they closed their eyes to the scenes of earth. 
The father died Jan. 1.'), 1838, and the mother 
Dec. 17, 18,5(;. 

]\Ir. and Mrs. Hendi-icks were devoteil Christians 
and prominently connected with the Methodist 
P^piscopal Church. They were extremely hospitable 
and charitable, and their doors were always open 
for the weary, whethei- stranger or neighbor. The}' 
were generous to a fault, and would rob themselves 
to contribute to the comfort of others. Their home 
was the place of meeting for the Methodist Episco- 
pal congregation for a number of years, and the 
father was a Class-Leader in that denomination for 
a long period. This excellent and worthy pair were 
known throughout the county as Uncle John and 
Aunt Jane Hendricks. Mr. H. w.as a stanch Whig 
in politics and died before the old i)arty was aban- 
doned. 

Mrs. Orendorff's birth (jcenrred on section 27, 
in this township, July 21, 1831. When but in her 
seventh j-ear her father died and she was reared by 
her mother, with whom she remained until her mar- 
riage. Bj' her union with our subject she became 
the mother of two children : Mary J., the wife of 
William M. Cox, a farmer of Bloomington Town- 
ship, and (ieorge 1'., who married .Miss Ceatla IIcjl- 



lis, and is at present residing on his fatlu'r's farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. O. are connected with the Christian 
Church of Bloomington Township. Our subject has 
helil the ollices of his township, and was once a can- 
didate for .Sheriff. He once received a fine silver 
siioon which was given as a prize to the oldest set- 
tler who should l)e present .at the Logan Cf)unt;y 
Fair, held in Atlanta. Each county had three rep- 
resentatives, Mr. O. being the oldest one present. 

The homestead vi Mr. Orendorff is pleasantly lo- 
cated on section 27, and he is surrounded by all 
the comforts of life. He has been engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits the greater part of his life, and 
has uniforndy met with success, which is the re- 
ward of industry and perseverance. 



'-^-^>^^^:5^^^ 




R. E. K. CKOTHERS, physician and sur- 
geon, optician and oculist, of Blooming- 
ton, III., occupies a high position in the 
professi<iii in this locality as a gentleman 
well versed in its intricacies and faithful in the dis- 
charge of his professional duties. Dr. Crothers is 
a native of Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson Co., Ohio, and 
was born Oct. 29, 182G. He is the son of Noble 
and Rachel (Brown) Crothers, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, and his father followed the occupation of a 
farmer. They left Ohio in the spring of 183;"). and 
coming to the Prairie State pnrch.ased a large tract 
of land in Putnam County, which they occupied 
for two years. Noble Crothers then sold out and 
returned to Ohio. After two years he came back 
to Illinois, and locating in Fultoi! County, pur- 
chased another tr.act of land, which he devoted to 
stock-raising, and also engaged in buying and sell- 
ing, becoming the leading stockman of that county. 
He continued in this business until he retired from 
active labor, and departed this life on the 1st of 
March, 1880, having survived his wife over forty 
years, the death of the mother occurring in 1837, 
in Fulton County, III. The parental family in- 
cluded five children, who grew to mature years: 
Casaline M., Mrs. Parker, after having been a resi- 
dent of Fulton County for foi'ty-nine years, re- 
moved to Chicago, and is now the inmate of the 
home of her son. Dr. Edwin S. Parker; she became 



'^ 



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138 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



-; 



the mother of four cliililren : Di-. .Ionian Parker, 
of Fulton, 111.; Louisa, Mrs. Jenkins, living near 
Vermont. 111.; \\ iiliam, of Bloomington, and Dr. 
Edwin ,S., of Chicago. Rev. Warren B., who for 
thirty year.s was a Methodist preacher for the coun- 
ties of Knox, Fulton and McDonough, and is now 
in Washington Territory ; Dr. William R., of Dela- 
van, is the leading physician and surgeon of Taze- 
well County; ^'incent, now deceased, was a promi- 
nent stock-dealer of Fulton County, and after hav- 
ing been in a snow blockade near Chicago, and 
having exhausted himself in an effort to open the 
blockade, he died from exposure that night at Chi- 
cago. 

Dr. Crothers of our sketch spent his 3'Outh partly 
upon his father's farm and in attendance at school 
until the summer of 1845, when he occupied him- 
self as a teacher for five months in the district 
school. In the fall of that year he commenced the 
study of medicine with Dr. William H. Nance, of 
Vermont, 111., and during the winter of 1 847-48 at- 
tended medic.'il lectures at St. Louis. The winter 
following he went East, and took a course of study 
in the .Icfferson Medical College of Philadelphia, 
from which he graduated in 1850. lie then came 
<lirectly to Blooming-ton and commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession, in which he has been contin- 
uously engaged since that time, and 'is the oldest 
physician now living here and engaged in practice. 
He commenced with a capital of *1« in cash and 
his medicine box, and was a stranger to the people. 
The first month his expenses were $100 over his in- 
come, but the tables were soon turned and his pat- 
rons increased as time went by, so that he now has 
a practice extending over a radius of twenty miles 
in each direction. .Since 18G5 he has given especial 
attention to the treatment of the eye and ear, in 
which he has become very proficient. In the mean- 
time he attended another course at Philadelphia, 
devoted to the study of the eye and ear at Wills 
lIos|Jital, and [yrobably has had more ex]3erience in 
this direction than any of his colleagues in this lo- 
cality. 

Dr. Crothers was married on the 1st of May, 
1H51, to Miss Maria L. DcPevv. Mrs. C. is a na- 
tive of Indianapolis, lud., and the daughter of 
Elijah Del'ew, a jproniincut merchant and stock- 



»►- ■ <• 

i ' 



dealer of lilooniingtou. The Doctor and Mrs. C. 
have become the |)arents of four children: Noble 
E., a jeweler of Paxton, 111. ; Lulu, at home; E. K., 
Jr.. also engaged in the jewelry business, and 
Rachel. In 1S74 Mrs. Crothers commenced the 
stud}' of medicine under the instructic)n of her hus- 
band, and tiiree years later attended the ^Voman's 
College of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and aft- 
erward the Woman's Jledical College of Chicago. 
In the winter of 1882-8.3 she returned to Phila- 
delpiiia, and graduated in the class of 188;i, and is 
now the ackowledged leading lady phjsician of 
Central Illinois. The}- occup}- a handsome and at- 
tr.active home in the city of Bloomington, and are 
valued and u.seful members of society. The Doc- 
tor is Republican in politics, and belongs to the 
McLean Count}' Medical Socict}'. 



.^. 



%- 

i:^-^ 



-^ 




niolher 



A. CREED, editor and publisher of the 
Ileyworth Stanclartl, is a resident of 
Bloomington, and the son of Austin G. 
and Minerva 8. (.Shannon) Creed, his 
l)cing the daughter of Cajit. Shannon, of 
Bloomington, now deceased. Austin G. Creed is a 
contractor and builder, and the j)arental household 
included two children only, our subject and his 
brother Shannon. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Berrj'- 
ville. Highland Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1853. He re- 
sided there with his jiarents until twelve years of 
age, and the family then removed to Hillsboro, 
where he attended school in the winter and worked 
on a farm during the summer season. lie grad- 
uated from Hillsboro High School in the spring of 
18(1S, and the following 3'ear removed with his 
parents to Chillicothe, Mo., where he taught school 
for several months, and then, having a desire to be 
a printer, entered the office of the Ciiillicothe 
Tribune to learn the trade. He served a full ap- 
]irenticeship, and was afterward made local editor 
of the Trihune, which position he held until his re- 
moval to Bloomington, where he arrived Nov. 25, 
1874. He worked at the case in the. Leader And 
other printing-ollices in Bloomington until Decem- 
ber, 1875, when he formed a partnershij) with Mr. 



^ 




^--O-WeMle^ 0Wv^, 



•^-i-^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



241 



t 



F. M. Doxsee, and purchased the outfit of a job 
<jftice, which they operated until the following 
June. They then removed to Ford County, and 
for six months were occujiied in the printing of a 
Democratic campaign paper. After the election 
they returned to liloomington, and Mr. Creed, pur- 
chasing the interest and stock of his partnei-, estab- 
lished the Demorratw News, which he edited and 
published until the fall of 1879. He then sold out 
to Mr. L. L. Burr, who merged the jiaper into the 
Bulletin, the present Democratic organ. In 1.S80 
Mr. Creed purchased another printing-office, and 
has since carried on a job and newspaper business. 
Mr. C'reed was married, Oct. 7, 1871), to Miss 
Jessie ¥j. Stump, and of this union has been born 
one cliild, a daughter, L. H. They occupy a 
pleasant and attractive home at No. 71.'> Soutli 
Water street. 



i^LDER JONATHAN PARK, whose por- 
iN ^^'^^^ i* shown in connection with this sketch, 
Iw — ^ is a pioneer of 1853, and a resident of sec- 
tion 26, Dale Township. He was born in Madison 
County, Ky., on the 14tli of July, 181o. His fa- 
ther, Eli Park, was a native of North Carolina, and 
his grandfather, Ebenezer Park, who was born in 
Virginia, was of excellent English ancestry, and re- 
moved from his native State to North Carolina 
when a young man. His father had died when he 
was a child, and after he became of suitable years 
he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a tailor. 
This, however, was unsuited to his taste, and he 
abandoned his trade, and going to North Carolina 
married, and engaged m farming pursuits. Dur- 
ilig the early settlement of Kentucky he removed 
his family there, it being before the day of carriage 
roads, and the journey was performed with pack- 
horses. This was about 1705. Ebenezer Park, 
after his arrival in Kentuclvy, purchased a tract of 
timber land in Madison Count}', cleared a farm 
from the wilderness, and established a comfortable 
home, where he remained until his death, which oc- 
curred at the advanced age of ninety-three years. 
The maiden of his early choice, to whom he was 
married soon after his arrival in North Carolina, 
was Miss Tabitha Mills. She accompanied her hus- 



band to Kentucky, and died there in Madison 
County. 

Eli Park, the son of Ebenezer and Tabitha 
(Mills) Park, and the father of our subject, was a 
little bt>y seven years old when his parents re- 
moved from North Carolina to Kentuck}'. He grew 
to rn.anhodd in the latter State, and was there mar- 
ried to Miss Winnifred Dillingham. He then pur- 
chased a tract of land in jNIadison Comity, and en- 
tering upon agricultural pursuits made that the 
business of his life. He departed from the scenes 
of his earthly Labors on the Oth of December, 1858, 
at the age of seventy years, four months and 
twenty-seven daj's. His wife had i)receded her 
husband to the better land on the IDth of Decem- 
l)er, 185-1, at the age of fifty-nine years, three 
months and nine days. They were excellent and 
worthy people, and of their family of twelve chil- 
dren they reared eleven to maturit}^ and instilled 
in them jirinciples of virtue and honor. 

Jonatii.an Park of our sketch was the fourth 
child and third son of his parents. Free schools 
had not been established when he was a child, and 
his early education was received in the subscrip- 
tion schools of his native county. He was reared 
to habits of industry, and when not in school was 
engaged in the lighter duties around the homestead 
and made his home with his parents until he had 
attained his m.ajority. He then started out in busi- 
ness for himself and rented a tract of land about 
ten miles from his old home, whicli he cultivated 
for two or three years, and then i)urchased a few 
acres in Madison County. He there industriously 
engaged in farming pm-suits, and as time passed he 
added by degrees to his first purchase until he was 
the possessor of 120 acres. This he sold in 1853, 
and started North with his family, including his 
wife and six children, for the j Dairies of Illinois. 
They made the journey overland and their outfit 
consisted of four horses and two w.agons. They 
carried with them their household goods and pro- 
visions, camped and cooked by the wayside, and 
slept in the wagons at night. After eighteen days of 
continuous travel they landed in McLean County. 
Mr. Park had visited the State the previous fall, 
on horseback, l)ut had not made 
land, and after his arrival het 






te the previous fall, 
le any purchase of I 
letp witii his f.amily X 



f. 



•^,f 



■242 



U 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




they spent the wiiitci- in a house belonging to 
Iliiiim (^iiinn, whose name is frequently mentioned 
in fonneetioii with the history of tlie early i)ioneers 
of this eiiunty. 

During this time Mr. Park had been looking 
about with an e3'e to business and had purchased 
lOCi acres of laud in Dale 'I'ownship on section 2G, 
which constitnes his present homestead. Of this 
there were forty acres broken, and a portion of the 
land fenced, but there were no buildings upon it. 
Mr. Park erecteil a temporary shelter for his fam- 
ily, and during the following summer built the 
more substantial residence which has been his home 
since that time. He did all the carpenter work 
himself, which he feels a just pride in saying was 
well done. He also carried on the improvement 
and cultivation of his land, and subsequently added 
to his acreage until he is now the possessor of 226 
acres, with a good set of frame bnildings and a 
generous supply of grain and stock. He has been 
successful in his business transactions, and has con- 
ducted himself in that straightforward, honest and 
methodical manner which has secured him the es- 
teem and confidence of his neighbors and fellow- 
citizens. 

The subject of our sketch was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Barthana Quinn on tlie 6th day of 
October, 18:J6, in Madison County, Ky. Mrs. 
Park was born in the latter named county Oct. 27, 
IS] 8, and removed with her husband and children 
to this State. She remained the faithful compan- 
ion of her husband for a period of fifty-four years, 
and departed this life on the 20th of August, 1882, 
in Dale Township. Their family included ten chil- 
dren, seven of whom are now living; the record is 
as follows: Minerva E. became the wife of J. J. 
Denham, and lives in Dale Township; Sidney (J. is 
also a resident of that township ; Alwilda is at home ; 
Eli is in California; Rhoda married T. E. Cutting 
and lives in Bloominton, 111. ; Sallie, the wife of S. F. 
Clark, lives on the old homestead ; Lucy married 
John C. Douglas, and they live in Madison County, 
Ky. ; Hiram, the sixth child, was born Nov. 4, 
1846, and died Sept. 1st, 1870; Mary, the young- 
est child, was born March 20, 1862, and died 
March 22, 1882; one died in infancy unnamed. 

Mr. Park became a member of the Christian 



Churcli iu 184.'>, and his wife two ye.ars later. He 
commenced preaching in 18.'i2, and was ordained 
in Kentucl<y, that same .year, as a minister of the 
Christian Church. He preached at Grassy Ridge 
Church, alternately with .John C Campbell, two 
or three years, in a school-house, and then a church 
building was erected, and they continued their 
ministerial labors together until 18,58. The Chris- 
tian Church of Dale Township was then organized 
in a school-house on section 26, and Mr. Park was 
the first |)reacher who ministei'ed to the spiritual 
wants of the congregation and continued to per- 
form this oflice until the church building was 
erected in Shirley. He is now afflicted with throat 
trouble, and has been able to speak but little 
within the past six or seven 3'ears. Mr. Park has 
recently bought a home in Bloomington, where he 
will soon move, to spend the remainder of his days. 
During his residence in Kentucky Mr. Park was 
a member (jf the State militia and held commis- 
sions as Captain and Major. He is a gentleman of 
good abilities, and has filled many offices of trust in 
Dale Township. He has been .Justice of the Peace, 
Assessor and School Director, and to whatever po- 
sition in life he has been appointed has fulfilled his 
respective duties as became an honoi'able and con- 
scientious citizen. In politics in early life he was 
an old Henry Clay Whig, and on the organization 
of the Republican party he became identified with 
and has since been a strong supporter of its princi- 
ples. During the Rebellion he was a stanch sup- 
porter of the Union cause. One of his sons, Ely, 
served three years as a soldier, doing honorable 
service for his country in Co. H, 94th Illinois \'ol- 
nnteers. 



RS. IIATTIE ENLOW, widow of .Tames 
l-;nlow, owns and occupies a fine homestead 
in Bloomington, and is a member of a 
l)rominent family in McLean Count^^, who 
were among the pioneer settlers of the Prairie State. 
Mrs. Enlow was born in Rossville, Ind., in 184i), 
and is the daughter of Robert and Eliza (Harvey) 
Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania. They were 
married in Franklin County, that State, In 1849, 
and located for a short time upon a farm there, 




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I 



i 



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MoLEAN COUNTY. 



248 



r 



whence they soon afterward removed by wagon to 
Indiana, and located in Clinton County upon 
rented land for a period of five years. They then 
removed to Illinois anil purchased eighty acres of 
unimproved land in Dale Township, this county, 
upon which Robert Campbell built a comfortable 
house, planted an orchard, and made other im- 
provements as time went tfn. The parents still oc- 
cupy the old homestead, which now comprises 240 
acres, and js one of the most valuable farms in this 
section. Their family consisted of four children, 
of whom Hattie, Mrs. P^nlow, was the eldest; New- 
ton married Miss Dora Culp, and lives on the 
homestead; William was married to Miss Anna Mc- 
Coy, March 28, 1807, in Bloomington, and is en- 
gaged in the grocery trade, and Crawford is at 
home. 

Robert Cami)bell, in issi, rented his farm, and 
coming to liloomiugton engaged in the grocery 
trade for three years, then sold tlie building and 
stock and moved back to the farm, lie has been a 
good citizen and a i)rominent man, holding the of- 
fice of Supervisor and other minor position.s. He 
is Republican in politics, an Elder and Trustee in 
the First Presbyterian Church, and one of the 
wealthy and influential men of Dale Township. 
The faithful and affectionate mother has stood 
bravelj' by her husband in his labors and duties, 
and is also connected with the church of his choice 
in IJloomington. 

Tlie marriage of .lames Enlow and Mrs. Hattie 
Campbell took place on tiie 19th of November, 
1868, in Covell, this county. The husl)and of our 
subject was the son of .lohn and Catharine (Lan- 
der) Enlow, natives of Kentucky, who came to Mc- 
Lean County, 111., in 183.J, and settled on a farm 
in Dale Township, which remained their home the 
balance of their lives. Their family included eight 
children, of whom James was the third in order of 
birth. He was born in Kentucky in 1 833, reared 
to farming pursuits, and given a pnictical educa- 
tion. At the age of twenty-nine years, the late 
war being then in progress, he enlisted in 18(J2, in 
Co. H, '.Hth 111. \'ol. Inf., became Sergeant of the 
company, and served until the close of the war. 
Upon his return from the army he engaged in farm- 
ing on eighty acres of land which had been given 

4* 



him by his father. Two years later he sold this 
and purcliased lOO acres in another part of the 
townsiiip. After his marriage with our subject they 
occupied this farm until 187.S, and then, Mr. En- 
low wishing to extend his farming operations, re- 
moved to Russell Count3% Kan., where he i)ur- 
ciiased lUO acres, and besides the improvement and 
cultivation of this engaged in mercantile pursuits, 
continuing thus jointly engaged until iiis death 
in 1880. The bereaved widow returned to Dale 
Township to her friends, witli tlie body of hei' hus- 
band, which was buried in the cemetery here. Mr. 
Enlow was a man of good business capacity, an up- 
right and straightforward citizen. Republican in 
politics, and a member of the A. (). U. W. 

After the deatii of her husband, Mrs. Enlow, the 
following year, erected her [U'esent line residence 
in lUoomiugton at a cost of over -^2,000, and has 
continued the management of the proiierty which 
her husband left to her with rare judgment and 
business tact. The four children born to her and 
her husband are : .lohn R., Robert, Mamie and Irma. 
Mrs. E. belongs to the First Presbyterian Church 
of P.Ioomiiigton, and is a lady highly esteemed for 
her womanly virtues, kindness of heart, and many 
other excellent traits of character. 



^- 



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RANK EDWARDS owns and operates one 
of the best livery and feed stables in the city 
/li) of lUoomington, being located at No. 410 

West Front street. Our subject is a native of this 
county, having been born near Pleasant Hill on the 
7th of April, 1858, and is the son of George W. 
and Mary A. (Ileney) Edwards, natives respect- 
ively of Tennessee and Troy, N. Y. (leorge W. 
Edwards left his native State when a small boy, 
and emigrated to Carter C'ounty, Kan., where he 
was engaged on a farm until 1845. He then re- 
turned East as far as Illinois, and settled at Paris, 
Edgar County, where he engaged in keeping hotel. 
Thence he removed to Pleasant Hill, McLean 
Count}', and occupied himself in the manufacture 
of furniture until 18G1. He then came to the city 
of lUooinington, engaged as a ]3aiiiter, and eight 
years later purchased a farm two and one-half 



f 



t 



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244 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



miles east of the city, where he has since lived 
He was inarrieil on the 1st of .lanunry, l.s47. The 
parental household inclLuled four ciiildren: William 
IL, who resides on the houie farm ; Frank, our sub- 
ject; Fred and Ned, at houie. 

Frank Edwards, at the age of twelve years, 
started out for himself and was employed tlie fol- 
lowing two summers in work on a farui. lie then 
learned house and sign painting, which he followed 
a few years, and during tiie fall and winter also oc- 
cupied himself in buj'ing and selling horses. In 
this latter he was remarkably successful, and con- 
cluded to give it his future attention. He estab- 
lished his present business in the winter of ISSl- 
S-2, which from a comparatively humble l)eg'inning 
now yields him a handsome income. He subse- 
quently purchased a farm in lUoomiugton Town- 
ship, which he only occupied, however, for six 
mouths, and then moved into the city. Here he 
occupies a handsome residence at No. 524 West 
Grove street, and in his business and social life is 
esteemed as one of the most valued citizens of 
Bloomington. 

Our subject was married to Miss Annie Long, of 
Kentuck}', in 1.S81. Mrs. E. is the daughter of 
George and Mary K. (Dixon) Long, of Kentucky, 
where the father died in 1868. Mrs. Long came to 
Bloomington in 1S79, and is living with her daugh- 
ter, Mrs. F^dwards. The parental family included 
six children, of whom one is deceased. Those sur- 
viving are: William A., James M., Annie, Betty 
(Mrs. A.K. White of Bloomington), and Georgia A. 



..o+o..(©J>><\^-.o4o.. 



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j^^ AMFEL F. BARNUJI, one of the self- 
^^^ made men of this county, and at present 
H\£_Jl) residing at Lcroy, is a merabei' of the 
firm of Barnum it Keenan, i)roprietors of 
the Leruy Flouring Mills. He was l)oni at Can- 
ton, St. Lawrence Co., N. V., Aug. II, 1.S24, and 
his father, Samuel B. Barnum, was a native of the 
(Jreen Mnunlain State. The father was reared to 
manhood in his native State, and was there engaged 
in a woolen mill and also learned the trade of a 
cooper. He moved to Canton, N. \., while yet a 
young man and there fullowed his wiiok'u trade and 



icontinued to reside there untilhis marriage withM. 
Rhoda Farw'ell. She was a daughter of Jeduthan 
Farwell. a merchant and manufacturer in Canton, 
who also owned a flouring and saw-mill, and a large 
stock farm in that county. He vvas a Vermonter 
by birth, and about 183.5 removed to Erie County, 
N. v., and followed his business as a merchant and 
potash manufMcturcr. About 1846 Mr. Farwell re- 
moved to Ucfiance County, Ohio, where he passed 
the remainder of his life. In 1834 our subject's 
father removed to that county and settled in Fklen 
Townsliiii, where he erected a mill and engaged in 
the manufacture of cloth, following that business un- 
til 184G. He then rented his mill and removed to 
Defiance County, where he took another mill, and in 
1847 removed the machinery from the mill at F>len 
to the one in Defianfe Count}'. He continued in that 
business for two years when lie purchased a farm 
near town and devoted the remaining years of his 
life to agricultural pursuits. He died on the farm 
in Se|)tember, 1864. His widow spent the last 
years of her life at the home of our subject, her 
demise occurring in July, 1882. There were five 
children born to the parents of our subject, of 
whom he is the eldest: PLarriet married S. A. Moore, 
and departed this life in 1872; Eliza married 
George Bruner, a resident of Bloomington ; Jedu- 
than died in Indiana: John is a resident of San 
F^rancisco, Cal. 

The subject of this notice attended the common 
schools of his native county until he was ten years 
of age when he commenced working in his father's 
mill and there learned the trade of a cloth dresser. 
He continued to work for his father until twenty- 
one years old. when he was taken into partnership. 
This relation existed for one 3'ear, when our sub- 
ject rented the mill and ran it for his own profit. 
In 1.S17 he moved the machinerj' of the mill to 
Defiance and assisted his father in setting up the 
same, when he returned to New York. His father, 
however, sent for him to return to Oliio, as the fam- 
ily were all sick and our subject s(jon after arriving 
there was taken sick himself. After convalescing 
he went l)ack to New York and remained there 
during the winter of 1847. In the spring of 1848 
he moved his family to Defiance County and en- 
gaged, in compau}' witii his father, in the manu- 



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245 



facture of cloth. This relation existed only until 
the fall of tliat j'ear, when our subject went back 
to York State, and once more settling at Eden em- 
barked in the lumber business, lie soon, however, 
went back to Defiance, and purchasing' a lot iu that 
l)lace erected a building tliereon. The climate did 
not agree with him and the doctor ordered him to 
return to Yorli State, wliicii he did, and for three 
years was more or less aftlicted with chills and fe- 
ver and unable to do any manual labor. In 18.52 
he was elected Constable and performed the duties 
of that office for one year. About this time lie 
purchased twenty-five acres of land and w.as also 
elected Justice of the Peace, and attended to tiie 
duties of that office while cultivating his little farm. 

In l.So.5 our suliject came to Leroy on a visit 
to his sister and accompanied by his fattier. The 
latter purchased IGO acres of land about one mile 
north of Lero}, for which he paid $11 per acre. 
They returned East, and the following spring our 
.subject with his family came he:e and located and 
improved a part of the land which his father had 
I)nrchased. It w.as an exceedingly dry summer 
and in consequence thereof the crops were a failure 
and our subject lost his all. He returned to New 
York $1,500 in debt and began life anew by work- 
ing at anything he could find to do until the fol- 
lowing spi-ing. He then engaged as clerk and book- 
keeper in a wholesale fruit, feed and vegetable estab- 
lishment and remained with the firm one ye:u-. In 
1858 he went on his father-in-laws' farm and as- 
sisted him luitil the fall of that year. Then in 
company with an old schoohnate our subject en- 
gaged in mercantile business, his partner furnish- 
ing the capital. Tiieir store was located at Eden 
Valley, and they continued the liusiuess for two 
and a half years when they sold out, and from that 
time until 1865, our subject performed the duties 
of .Instice of the Peace. 

In the spring of 18U5 Mr. Barnum came to 
Bloomington where he eng.-iged as book-keeper in 
a lumber-yard for Bruner & VVhitmer. He was 
with this firm five years and then, moving to Leroy. 
he, in partnership with Mr. Bruner, endtarkcd in 
the same business. He soon thereafter added the 
coal business t(j tiiat already established, and one 
year was engaged in buying grain for E. II. Hood. 



»► i ., jf. 



Iu the fall of 1871 our subject commenced buying 
grain on his own account. In 1872, in company 
with Bruner & Keenan, he purchased the flouring 
mill at Leroy, and in 1876 our subject and JNIr. 
Kccnan purchased Mr. Bruner's interest in the mill, 
and the firm has since been Barnum it Keenan. 
Mr. Barnum is also interested with Mr. Keenan iu 
farming and stock-raising, and they own in part- 
nership 380 acres of good land. 

Samuel E. Barnum was married to Clarinda 
Bunting in 1854. .She was born at Eden, Erie Co., 
N. Y., and was a daughter of Levi and Christine 
Bunting. She departed this life in 1861, and in 
1 805 Mr. Barnum was married to Eliza A. Patter- 
son. Of our subjects' first union three children 
were born : Matilda M. married Charlton Waters, 
and the}' are living at Leroy; Henry C. died in Le- 
roy in 1856, and Henry I. is a book-keeper for Bar- 
num & Keenan. The second union of our subject 
was lilest b}' the birtii of two children — Percy 
Davis and George Perrin. Mr. Barnum is a Re- 
publican in politics and has served the city of Le- 
roy as Mayor, and at present is Supervisor of Em- 
pire Township. He was President of the Empire 
Loan and Building Association during its entire ex- 
istence, eight 3'ears, and has been President of the 
Leroy Loan and Building Association since its or- 
ganization. Socially he is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, holding fellowship with Leroy Lodge 
No. 221. 

^,,j' AKON P. RHODES, a wealthy and influen- 
(Q/lII I ti.al resident of Bloomington Township, 
owns and occupies a fine estate on section 
24. He comes from a prominent family, 
the lirst representatives of whom in this section, 
settled in this part of the Prairie State before the 
land had been surveyed, in 1823. They located a 
" squatter's " claim, which, when surveyed, em- 
braced sections 22 (for the house and a small por- 
tion of land), and 14 ;ind 15. This land is yet in 
jiossession of the famil_v, and our subject owns tlie 
homestead as it was first laid out. The father was 
accident;dly killed by an engine^of the I., B. & W. 
R. R., ne;ir his home, Aug. 20, 1875, and was 
nearly eighty years of age. He was a man greatly 



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3IcLj:an county. 



f 



respected and of fine abilities, kind and generous 
in his dispositiiiii, ;ui 1 cxerrised a good iiittuenoe 
over all with whom hi^ cauic in contact. His wife, 
who before her marriage was Miss Mary Johnson, 
a native of Kentucky, cauie North in early youth, 
and met her husband for the lirst time in Cham- 
paign County. Ohio. She was a most amiable and 
lovable Christian lady, and by her noble qualities 
of mind aud character was well fitted to be the 
companion of sucii a man as her husband. She 
came to Illinois with him, .ind departed this life in 
Blooniington on the l.')th of February, 184;'). 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Eben- 
ezer Rhodes, was- a native of Maryland, where he 
was educated and reared to manhood. In his na- 
tive State he made the acquaintance of Miss Maiy 
Starr, which s(.ion ripened int<.) a mutual attach- 
ment, and in due time she became his wife. After 
their marriage they came to Illinois, where Mr. 
Rhodes, who was of a deeply religious turn of 
mind, became a local minister of the Baptist 
Church. They spent the latter i)art of their lives 
in Blooniington Townsiii|i, and here closed their 
eyes forever to the scenes of earth. 

Aaron P. Rhodes of our sketch was the j'oungest 
of his parentfi' family of nine rhildren, wiiich was 
composed of three sons and six daughters, of whom 
two sons and one daughter are yet living. He re- 
ceived an early education in the log school-house, 
and being studious and fond of books, in due time 
was prepared to enter college. About this time 
came the call for volunteer troops for the defense 
of the Union, and young Ixliodes, laying aside his 
personal interests and inclin;itions, responded to 
the call and eidisted as a soldiei' in Co. (t, 17th 111. 
^'ol. Inf., their Captain being O. A. Burgess, Prin- 
cijjal of the college where young Rhodes intended 
to ])ursue his studies. Tliej' were assigned to the 
Western division of tiie Mississippi Valley, and 
[larticipated in the battles of Frederickstown, Ft. 
Henry. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, luUa, Jackson, 
Memphis and \'icksburg. They were also at the 
siege and cai)ture of the latter city, and afterward 
in the engageinent at Yazoo, Miss. Mr. Rhodes 
escR|)ed through these many engagements and 
oiiier skirmishes without being seriously injured 
i or ini|irisoned, and at the close of the term f(_ir 



♦ 



which he enlisted received an honorable discharge 
at Springiield, in July, 1804, having served his 
country faithfully for more than three years, and 
reported for duty each time without fail from the 
laiur that he heard of the firing of Ft. Sumter until 
he was mustered out. lie did not enter the army 
for amusement or glory, but simply because he 
realized the importance of the preservation of the 
Union, and with thousands of other brave spirits 
he was willing to yield his life for this cause should 
it be the will of Providence. 

After the close of the war, and after Mr. Rhodes 
had been transformed from a soldier to a civilian, 
he returned to his home in Blooniington Township, 
and at once commenced farming on his own ac- 
count. He soon felt the need of a helpmeet and 
s>mpatiiizei-, and accordingly on the 9th of Novem- 
ber, 1 804, he was married in Bloomington Town- 
shii), to Miss Martha M. Cox. This lady was born 
in McLean C(ninty, Aug. ',), 1834, and died at the 
home of her husband, in Bloomington Township, 
Feb. 20, 187G. (For parental hi.-tory see sketch of 
David Cox.) Mrs. R. became the mother of two 
children: Edward, a bright and promising young 
man, who completed his business and law education 
at the Evergreen City Business College, and is now in 
the Normal School at \'alparaiso, Ind.; and OraM., 
who is attending school with bright prospects for a 
good education, as he is fond of his bo(.)ks aud a}i- 
plies himself faithfully. 

Mr. R. was the second time married, in Pajuiolph 
Township, this county, on the loth of October, 
1880, to BILss Lottie E. Reid, who was born in 
Champaign County, Ohio, on the 22d of March, 
1848. Her parents subsequently removed from 
that St.'ite and are now residents of Randolph 
Township, McLean County. Mrs. R. received her 
early edncition in Ohio, and came to this county 
with her parents in October, 187o. She began 
teaching when twenty years of age, and followed 
this profession for a period of ten years. She is an 
amiable and accomplished lady, and is highly re- 
s))cctcd in this community. 

Mr. Rhodes is the possessor of 800 acres of some 

of the finest farming land in this section of the 

Prairie State. It is finelj- improved and cultivat- 

I ed, and in ^iddition to the <ir<linaiy pursuits of ag- 

•P 



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f. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



247 



riculture Mr. Rhodes is giving much attention to 
the breeding of fine stoelv. He has also been en- 
gaged in the purchase and sale of mules for the 
past ten years, and lias brought to the State some 
of the finest draft animals ever exhibited in the 
Jlississippi ^'alley. His possessions, with the ex- 
ception of about KiO acres, have been the accumu- 
lation of his own industry and perseverance, and he 
has illustrated in a marked manner what a resolute 
will can accomplish. 

The family residence is a model of beauty and 
comfort, and in all its a|)pointments is indicative 
of cultivated tastes and abundant means. Tlie 
grounds around it and the liarns and out-buildings 
corres])ond with the dwelling, being shapely and 
tasteful structures, which embellish the place and 
add to the general effect of stability and attractive- 
ness. He has valuable and costlj' farm machinery, 
and all the appliances of a modern farm estate. 
Mr. Rhodes has conti'ibuted his full (puita tnward 
the development of this section, and is held in the 
highest esteem for his excellent personal traits of 
character and the cpialities which have rendered 
him a valued citizen. 



W\\ KS. NANCY ARROWSMITH, a lady well- 
known and highly respected in Leroy, 
where she has her present residence, is a 
native of Washington County, Md., and 
was Ijorn May 13, 1810. Her father, .John Oliver, 
was born in County Derr^-, Ireland, where he grew 
to manhood and followed agricultural pursuits. 
Early in life he emigrated to the United States, lo- 
cating first in Washington County, Md. From 
there, in 1812, accompanied Ij^- his wife and tin-ee 
children, he emigrated to Ohio, the removal being- 
made after the fashion of those days, overland by 
wagons. He located in Ross County, being among 
the early pioneers of that section, and purchased a 
tract of timber land upon which he erected a log- 
house and in due time o()ened up a good farm 
where he lived to see the C(juntry around him de- 
veloped and brought to a fine state of cultivation. 
He died there upon the homestead which he had 
established, on the 12th of February, 18.52, at the 




advanced age of eighty-seven years. In early 
manhood he was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Ann Beck, who was born in Maryland and descended 
from Scottish ancestrj-. She also died in Ross 
County, Ohio, Sept. 13, 1852, surviving her hus- 
band only a few months. The parental family in- 
cluded nine children. 

The subject of this history made her home with 
her parents U]itil her marriage with John Wesley 
Arrowsmith, which occurred on the 24th of De- 
cember, 1823. Mr. A. was born in Ross County, 
Ohio, Oct. 31, 1805. His father, Samuel Arrow- 
smith, and his grandfather, also named Sam- 
uel, were natives of Maryland. The latter was of 
English descent and one of the i^ioneers of lv(jss 
County, Ohio, where with the assistance of his 
children he improved a farm u[)on which he [massed 
the remainder of his days. The father of .Tohn W. 
was a young man when his parents removed to 
Ohio, and not long afterward he was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Ritter, a native of Maryland and 
of (ierrnan ancestry. The young people lived in 
Ross County until 1839, then came to Illinois, the 
journey being made overland with wagons. Mr. A. 
purchased quite an extensive tract of land, located 
in what is now Padua and Arrowsmith Townships. 
He m.ade his home in the former township and re- 
mained there until his death, which occurred in 
18+2. His widow survived him many years, mak- 
ing her home with her children the latter part of 
her life, and died in 18G'.). The town of Arrow- 
smith was named in honor of this family. 

Before his marriage .John W. Arrowsmitii [)ur- 
chased a farm near the old homestead of his father 
where he resided with his family until 1854. He 
then sold out and came overland to Illinois, their 
household goods being transported in wagons, also 
the piovisions, and thej' camped and cooked by the 
wajside. After a journey of over two weeks they 
arrived in this county, and in due time Mr. A. 
purchased 250 acres of land in Empire Township, 
besides ninety in Padua, four miles north of Leroj'. 
Later he pni-chased another tract in Arrowsmith 
Township. He resided on his homestead in Padua 
Township, until his death, Jan. 11, 1885. Mrs. A. 
now lives in Leroy with her daughter, Maria. 
Her six children are located as follows: Hannah, ' 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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Mrs. Biriie3-, is a resident of Seward County, Neb. ; 
Ross lives in Padua Townsliip, McLean Co., 111. ; 
Elizabeth J., Mrs. Wahls, lives in Empire Town- 
ship; Mary E., Mrs. Kellar, in Arrowsmith ; John 
W. in Padua, and Maria in Lero}'. 

Mrs. Arrowsmith and her husband connected 
themselves with the Methodist Episcopal Church 
early in life of which they remained members for 
a period of over fifty j'ears. In is.sy, thej' cele- 
brated their golden wedding, at which were gath- 
ered a large number of relatives and friends, and 
which was made the occasion of general rejoicing 
liecause such worthy and excellent people were 
spared so long to live among the acquaintances 
which they had attached to them by their uniform 
kindness of heart and blameless lives. 



-V!J}£/&^^ 



•'^^/^rsn^ 



^?=^EURGE IIINSIIAW, JU., deceased, and late 
III g— , of Blooniington Township, of which he was 
^^Jl one of the pioneer settlers, was a native of 
Tennessee, born near the county seat of Overton 
County on the •2()tli of December, 1820, .and de- 
parted this life June 12, 1.S74, at his home in the 
township of which he has been a resident for over 
fifty years. During this long period he had fully 
established himself in the confidence and respect 
of his fellow-citizens, and was a bright example of 
a useful and worthj^ life. 

Mr. Ilinshaw came with his parents from his na- 
tive State of Tennessee to McLean County, 111., in 
1827, when a child of seven years old. His father, 
also named George Hinshaw, was :i native of the 
same State as his son, and was occupied in farming 
pursuits. He was one of the solid and substantial 
men who came North at that period in the history 
of the development of the new territory of lllinoisj 
and assisted in opening a way for the advance of 
civilization. The country was then wild and un- 
broken, but he possessed the dauntless spirit of the 
pioneer settler of that day, and having set his hand 
to the plow, was not the one to turn back. His 
ancestors were of English (Quaker stock, hard-work- 
ing and industrious people, of whom the represen- 
tatives in this country are not now numerous. 



t 



The parental household of our subject included 
seven children, of whom he was the youngest but 
one. The family is now almost extinct, and never 
having been very prolific, a few uf the immediate 
relatives of our subject are the only representatives 
living. 

Mr. Ilinshaw of whom we write, after, attaining 
to years of manhood, was married to JNIiss Polly M. 
ToUiver, July 3, 1848, near the western limits of 
the city <if Blooniington. Mrs. Hinshaw was the 
fifth child and fourth daughter of James and Eliz- 
abeth (Maxwell) Tolliver, and was born Dec. 21, 
1828, in a pioneer log cabin of Bloomington, and 
has never lived more than five miles away from 
her birthplace. Her parents were natives of Ashe 
County, N. C, where they were reared, and dur- 
ing early youth came with their respective parents 
to Indiana, where they were united in marriage 
after attaining to suitable age. Their wedding oc- 
curred in Clay County', and after the birth of four 
children they made their preparations for a jour- 
ney to the farther West. Coming into JIcLean 
County, 111., thej' setttled in ISloomington Town- 
ship on the farm of Mr. J. II. liliodes, and in the 
log cabin where Mrs. Ilinshaw first opened her 
eyes to tlic light of day and was reared to 'voman- 
hood. 

Mr. Tolliver was successful in his western ven- 
ture, and as time passed he accumulated a large 
botly of land lying in what is now the west end of 
the city of Blooniington, and which is the site of 
some of the best buildings erected there. This 
land, afterward laid out in town lots, was entered 
by Mr. Tolliver from the Government, and he paid 
for it at'the rate of $1.25 per acre. It is now val- 
ued at hundreds of d(>llars per foot. This land he 
retained possession of until his death, which oc- 
curred April 20, 1848. He was a thorough busi- 
ness mnn, and an industrious, enterprising and re- 
liable citizen. In i)olitics he was strongly Demo- 
cr.atic, and worked hard' for the success of his party 
in this section. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Hin- 
shaw, is yet living, at the advanced age of eighty- 
seven years, and makes her home with her daugh- 
ter. She is still strong and active, and retains, to 
a remarkable degree, her mental <ind ph3-sical 
(jowers, and often relates in an inleri'sting iManner 



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RESIDENCE OF N . A . KAIVIPF, SEC. 7 . MOUNT HOPE TP 




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RESIDENCE OF NICHOLAS lYI AURER , SEC .10 , DANVER5 TP 




ffl. 



RESIDENCE ofSAML.Y. EWING, sec. 17. mount hope tp>. 



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251 






many incidents of liev girlliood and the after years 
which followed during the time <:)f the early settle- 
ment of the Prairie State. 

Mr. Hinshavv was a man of more than (irdinary 
intelligence and ability, and kept himself well 
posted in regard to matters of general interest. 
lie was well informed, an extensive reader, and 
took an active part in local i)olitics, being a zeal- 
ous worker for the success of the Democratic party. 
In business affairs he was a skillful manager, shrewd, 
and keenly observant of what was going on around 
him, and exercised good judgment in his money 
transactions. Since the death of her luisband Mrs. 
Ilinsiiaw has managed the large business interests 
left upon her hands in a highly intelligent and suc- 
cessful manner. She comes of a good family, was 
carefully reared and educated, and eminently fitted 
to be the companion of her husband. She owns 
■240 acres, which constitutes the present homestead, 
and also eleven aci'es within the limits of Normal, 
this county. Belonging to the estate tiiere is also 
a tract of land comprising 1,200 acres near Baxter 
Springs,' Cherokee Co., Kan.; they also own a three- 
story business house at No. 108 West Front street, 
Blooinington. The familj' residence is a tasteful 
structure, comfortable and convenient in all its a|)- 
pointnients, and the barns and out-buildings cor- 
respond in every respect to the dwelling. The 
children were carefully reared and educated, and 
are of invaluable aid to their mother in the man- 
agement of the large interests for which she holds 
herself responsible. Mrs. Ilinsliaw has a family of 
four children, three s(ms and one daughter; Ida 
became the wife of Dr. Hull; the sons — Ezra, Toby 
and Rolla — remain at home assisting their mother. 



.... RCIIIBALD CAMPBELL, who is de- 
IlM scended from an honorable line of Scotch 
ancestry, was born m tiie Land of the This- 
tle in 1826, and came with his parents to 
America two years afterward. In al)out 1840 he 
became a resident of Illinois, and until within the 
last three years was actively engagcMl in agricult- 
ural pursuits. He is now a resident of Blooming- 
ton, where he owns and occupies a good residence 




which was erected at a cost of |!3,100. He has been 
intimately identified with the industrial and agri- 
cultural interests of McLean County for the last 
forty years, and is held in the highest respect by 
the citizens among whom he has moved with an 
honest and ui)right ])urpose and a blameless life. 

The parents of our subject were Archibald and 
Elizabeth (Shields) Campbell, also natives of Scot- 
land. After coming to America, they stopped in 
Pittsburgh for eighteen months, and then went int<i 
.lessamine County, Ky., and were residents of Lex- 
ington for eight years following. They then 
moved to McLean County, locating in Orendorff 
settlement, where they remained one year, and 
thence removed to Old Town Township), where the 
father purchased 200 acres of land at first and sub- 
sequently added :;iM). lUwe lie remained until the 
close of his life, cultivating the soil and beautifying 
the homestead, and was buried on a [lortion of land 
over which lie h;id walked for so many years. lie 
was .Justice of the Peace for many years and an El- 
der in the Baptist Church, of ivhich his wife w.-is 
also a devoted lueinbcr. The record of their four 
sons is as follows : .bihii is a merchant of McLean 
County, and all the other brothers are residents 
here. 

The subject of this history remained with his 
parents uiilil twenty-four years old, assisting in the 
labors of the I'Mrm and receiving a practical educa- 
tion, lie then purchased fort}' acres of land which 
he paid for before his marriage, afterward making 
further purchases, first of eighty and then of 12(1 
acres, and then his father left him eighty acres. 
To this he afterward added sixty acres, and has 
also 160 acres near Earmiiigton Cit}-, and eighty 
near Amboy, Lee County. 

Mr. C^ampbell was married, in 1851, to Miss 
Mary E. Twining, a native of Pennsylvania, born 
.June 2, 18;);j, and the daughter of Thomas Twining, 
a native of the same State. Of this union there were 
born seven children, three now living, and the rec- 
ord is as follows: Mar3' B., Mrs. Wagner, w.as born 
Feb. 21, 1852, and is the mother of five children — 
Charles F., Grade (deceased), Abbie J., Edna, and 
an infant unnamed ; .Sarah E., Mrs. Gregory, w.as 
born Dec. U), 185(), and has two children — F^lla M. 
an<l tioldie E. ; Thomas A. was born May 2, 185i), 



<- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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and married Miss Mary Nogel; they have two chil- 
(licu — liowiiiil ;uul Klnor.'i; Franklin K., born Dec. 
i), ISCl, died Oct.. 1:5, ISSU; Howard .V., born Aug. 
2. 11S04, died .Ian. ;il, 1882; Charles K., born Oct. 
23, liSCT. is attending college at liinomingtou; Nel- 
lie A., born May 2 1, 1S7I, is at home with her 
|iarents. 

.Air. and Mrs. C.aic worthy meiiibers of the Meth- 
odist K|)iscopal Ciiurch of lUooinington, and in poli- 
tics our subject is a stanch Republican. He was 
School Trustee while on a birni, and belonged to 
the I'nion League. No man in McLean County is 
held in higher respect than our subject, and no lady 
is more worthy of esteem than his amiable and ex- 
cellent wife. 



^^■I^T 



— !> 



sv ,#;ILLL\M J. HALDKIDCK. a i)rosperous 
^' ler of AVhite Oak To\vnshi|i. is located 




farinei 

on section 2.J, where he has a comfortable 
homestead, and is surrounded l>y all the necessaries 
and many of the luxuries of life, lie is a native 
of the liuckeye .State, having been born in Adams 
Counrv. Ohio, Oct. I.i, 18.il). Ills parents were 
William and Margai'ct (Kane) lialdridge, natives 
of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The father was born 
in ISO:'), and is still living, lie came to Illinois in 
18r)2. a,n<l [iiu'chascd 120 acres of land in White 
Oak Townshii), uixni which he remained until 18,^8, 
and then retired from active labor and took up his 
residence in the vill.-ige of Oak (irove. His wife, 
the mother of (uu- subjc'ct, was born iu l.sOG, and 
died at the home of her husband in White Oak 
'I'ownship, in August, 18(;7. 

The parental family of our subject consisted of 
si.\ children, the record <tf whom i> as follows: 
Mary became the wife of William Ramsey, and 
makes hei- lu>n)e with her children, Mr. Ramsey be- 
ing deceased; Samuel married Mits Kirkpatrick; 
IMartha is now ,Mis. A. Hart; .lames W. married 
Miss Martha .lohnsou ; William .1., of this sketch, 
was the fifth child; (ieorge T. married ISHss Hattie 
Ewins, now deceased; his second wife was Miss 
Amanda Leach. 

The subject of this history was reared by his par- 
(■ul>. and icmained under the home roof until he 



had attained his majority. He was married Nov. 
21, 18(;7, to Miss Caroline Wright, who was born 
in Ohio, Feb. G, 1848. Mrs. B. is the daughter of 
Samuel ami Mary (Balas) Wright, both natives (jf 
Ohio, where the father died Nov. I.i, 1871'.. 'J'lie 
mother still survives, and is now living at Chenoa, 
this c(_)nnty. The household circle was completed 
by the liirth of eleven children, as follows: Mary 
.]. was the eldest; Nancy died when sixteen years 
of age; Samuel A. died in 18G7, aged thirty-five 
years; William H. and Albert S. are residents of 
Mound City, Kan., the latter being Mayor; Sarah 
C, the ttt-in sister of Albert, is living at Chenoa, 
this county; Flizabeth A. died when a small child; 
.John B. is living in Kansas; Martha died iu in- 
fancy; Caroline is Mrs. Baldridge; James A. ilied 
when two years of age. 

William J. Baldridge came to Illinois in the 
spring of LS52, beluga lad of thirteen years. He 
received a fair education in the district schools, 
and was reared to habits of industry and principles 
of honor. He commenced early in life to lay his 
|)lans for the future, and was willing to work for 
his possessions. He is now the owner of 240 acres 
of fine land, and is an extensive breeder of fine 
horses, turning his attention mostly to Norman and 
Clydesdale stock. His stables incliulc four fine 
Morgan roadsters, which are models of endurance 
and speed. As a stock-breeder he has gaiuetl an 
enviable reputatii>n in this vicinity. ;iud has exer- 
cised ailmiralile judgment in the management and 
care of valual)le animals. 

Mr. Baldridge h.as been prominent in the affairs 
of the county since attaining to years of manhood. 
He was elected Supervisor on the Republican 
ticket, in 187'.), and has served the county in that 
capacity six terms. He has been Chairman of the 
committee on education, and has been the eucour- 
ager and supi)orter of eveiy measure to advance 
the [)rosperity and intelligence of the people of 
this section. He has held all the minor offices of 
White Oak Township, and is highly esteemed in 
the councils of his townsmen, for his cool and tem- 
perate judgment and the general fund of informa- 
tion which a.ssists him in determining questions of 
importance. In religious matters he has been no 
less active th;iu in civil affairs. He was reared iu 






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McLEAN COUNTY. 



253 



the Presbyterian Churt-li, l)ut is now connectert 
with the Methodist, holding the oftiees of Trnstee, 
Steward and Superintendent of the Sunday-School. 

During the progress of the late war Mr. Bald- 
ridge enlisted as a L'nion soldier in the l)4th Regi- 
ment, Illinois \'oUinteer Infantry, as a private, and 
participated in several general engagements. He 
was in the Western and Southern armies, and takes 
pride in the knowledge that he was never beaten in 
a race with the rebels, never under arrest, never 
iu the hospital and never wounded in battle. After 
serving three years he received his honorable dis- 
charge, in 1865. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baldridge became the parents of 
nine children, namely : Clarence Myrtie, who died 
at the age of twelve years; Lucia, lola, Mary Ma- 
bel, William C, Estella, who died in infancy; Mar- 
garet; Edith who diedin infancy and .lohn Carl. 
In politics Mr. Baldridge is Republican. 



♦■^«^->-i="^^ 



*>^5^~ 




^J^EORXtE H. cox, of Bloomington, jiroprie- 
tor of the Hungarian Roller Mill, is one 
of the rising young men of the cit}', and is 
rapidly attaining to a prominent position among its 
industrial interests. Mr. Cox was born in Dixfleld, 
Oxford Co., Me., Nov. 22, 1848. His father, 
Thomas .1. Cox, was a general merchant of Dix- 
fleld, and his mother, who before her marriage was 
Miss Almira Millett, was a native of Norway. Both 
are now deceased. 

The subject of this history spent his boyhood 
in his native town, and there received his primary 
education. He soon afterward went tt) the city of 
Boston, Mass., and engaged .as clerk in a store. In 
June, 1866, he started for the West, and landing in 
Bloomington, became book-keeper for his brother, 
Thomas J., who had preceded him to this locality 
and had set np in business for himself. After five 
years thus occupied young Cox purchased a one- 
fourth interest in the Eagle Mills, and later a half 
interest. He then sold out and purchased the 
Vienna Mills at Peoria, which he operated about 
five years, and until the property was destroyed \>y 
fire. This calamity involved a loss of nearly *!(;,- 
OOO, liut was insured for a little over |1 2,000. Mr. 



»►-■-^*■ 



Cox then returned to Bloomington, and purchased 
the Union and Hungarian Mills, which he remod- 
eled and enlarged, and put iu a complete roller 
system. He is still ojterating these mills, the Union 
having been changed in name, being now known 
as the Crown Roller Mills, and which are located on 
tiie Illinois Centr.al Railroad. The Hungarian 
Mills are on the Chicago A' Alton Railroad, and to 
both are secured the best of shipping facilities, 
having a capacity of 350 l)arrels in twenty-four 
hours. The grades ui)on leaving this point go to 
local points, and the mill feed to Philadelphia, and 
includes the best grades of flour sold in the States 
of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Missouri. The lower 
grades arc shipped to New York City for exporta- 
tion. 

Mr. Cox was married, Se])t. 1, 1872, to Miss Clara 
M. Bruner, of Bloomington, daughter of (George 
Brnner, Esq. They have one child living, a son, 
Herman W. ; a daughter, Lutie Dell, died when six 
years of age. Mr. Cox commenced business on a 
small capital, but by energy and close application 
has accumulated a handsome property. He is a 
practical and thorough business man, greatly re- 
spected by liis friends and associates, and is con- 
tributing his full share toward the prosperity of 
this section. 




lyZ^^^ENRY BEDELL, deceased, formerly oceu- 
Yj pied a |)ioniint;nt jiosition among the ex- 
tensive landowners and successful stock- 
raisers of I'adua Township. He was born 
in Greene County, N. A'., May ;», 1 806, and departed 
this life at Ids home in I'.-idiia. Township, this 
county, March 21, 1,S8L He was the son of Wil- 
liam Bedell, also a native of the Empire State, who 
spent his entire life in (ireene County, wliere he fol- 
lowed agriculture for many years and then retired 
from active labor to enjoy the fruits of his early 
industry. He lived to an advanced age, dying in 
Athens, N. Y. The motlier died when her son, Henry, 
was but a youth. He started out early in life to 
do for himself and after arriving to years of man- 
hood was united in niarri.age with Miss Deborah 
Searles, of New Baltimore Township, Greene 
County, N. Y., their wedding occuring on the 2',.»th 



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2o4 



lAFcLEAN COUNTY. 



of .I:uiii:ir\ , 1.^40. ill's. B. also was Imni in ( ; rcciic 
('(luiity, N. v., Aug. L'!K LSI 4. After iiiarriMgc the 
voimg pedjjle settled in their native enunty and 
there their seven children were born: Hannah . I. 
lieeanie the wife of (ieoi'ge W. I'.inLjhaiM. a farmer 
of ISiiie iMouiid Township, this county; William S. 
married Miss Cornelia A. Kowley, .and is cariTing 
on a f.arm in Padua 'l'ownslii|i; Caleli S.. who mar- 
ried Miss Delia lirown, of I'adua Townsiii|i. owns 
an<l o|)erntesan eighty aci-e farm l)nt lives upon tlie 
old lioniestcad with his mother. culti\ .■iting also a 
part of tliis; I'ahner. unmarried, is farming in Ne- 
braska; Lawrence L. is hjcated on a farm of tifty- 
three acies in I'adua Townsliiii. iiaxing been mar- 
ried to Miss Estelle C. Fuller; Henry. .Ir., mari'ied 
Miss Anna llorine, .and is c.-irrying on agriculture 
on his own homestead of lifty-live .acres in I'adua. 
Township; Philena C. married Amiieu T. Dorland, 
and lives in NelirasU.a. 

.Mr. Hedeil came with liis family to Tadua Town- 
sliiii in 1 Mil. and estalili.NlHMl a permanent homi.-- 
stead upon which he renj.aiiic<l until his de.alh. The 
homestead consists of •'i'JII .a<-rc> of fniely <adti\ .aled 
land, a handsome and commodious residence .and 
all the buildings necessar_v to the completion of a 
first-class, modern farm est.atc. Mr. I!, wasaii .act.ive 
member of the Society of Friends and in politic- .a 
st,aneli Hepublican. Hi' in all respi'cts fnllilled the 
duties of a good citi/.cai and assisted materi.'dly in 
building up the luisiness and agricultural interests 
of this section. 

0,AI.Ti:i; BAHNARD, fiu., deceased, a rep- 
resentative citizen <*f IJIooinington Towii- 



W^ ship, within whose boundaries he had lived 
f<jr a ))erio(l of about thirty 3'cars, was a iiiglilv le- 
speoted nienilier of S(.)ciety, and successful in his 
farming and business pursuits. 'J'he subject of 
this history was born in McLean County, near 
lleyvvorth, Feb. 4. l.s;!l, .and departed this li'fe 
in Bloomington Townshii). He u.as the son of 
Frederick and Mary (Canedj') ll.arnard, who came 
to this eonnty as pioneei' settlers, and passed the 
greater part of their lives afterwai'd in l^looiniiio'- 
Ion Cit_y. F'rederiek Barn;ird w.is liorn .M.arcli G, 



I 



17'.)'.i. and died in Bloomington, Aug. 25, 1851. 
The mother of our subject. was born Nov. 2, 171)4, 
and died in Bloomingttm. 

\\'alter Barnard, Sr., was the third of a f.amil_\- of 
six children, five (.)f whom lived to mature years, 
but only two of whom now survive, a son and 
daughtei'. ( )ur subject was reared on a farm with 
his parents, and there gained the ex|ierienee which 
afterward lifted him for successful operation in the 
pursuit of agriculture. Aside from general farming 
he was successfully engaged in buying and selling 
stock, and his good judgment enabled liini to ojier- 
ate successfully and prolitalily in this line. lie was 
an upright business man. and a stanch adherent of 
the liepiiblican [(arty. 

Our suliject was married in Bhx^mington, on the 
Sth of April, l.sGd, to Miss Su.san Lawrence. Mrs. 
B. is a native of Boone County, Ind., born Feb. 24, 
l8ol). Her parents came to Tazewell County, 111., 
when she was about eight years of age, and located 
upon .1 farm, where the mother died. Her father, 
in the spring of 1885, came to McLean County, 
which remained his home until his decease, which 
occiiiTcd on the 17th of July, 1885. He was a good 
man in e\('iy sense of the term, honest and indus- 
trious, and had a good influence over all those with 
whom he associated. In i)olitics he was a stanch 
Democrat, and took an intelligent interest in all 
matters pertaining to the welfare of his communit3^ 

Mrs. B.arnard was educated in Tazewell County, 
.and received careful parental training, remaining 
at home until she attained to womanhood, and after 
the death of her mother until the second marriage 
of her father. She then left home and sujiported 
herself until her marriage with our subject. She is 
a lady greatly esteemed in this vicinity, and is 
widely known for her kindness of heart and gener- 
ous womanly .sympathies. Of her mairi.age with 
our subject there have been born three children, 
one of whom. I'eter J., who was born June 10, 
18(11. died Sejit. 2(;, 1805; Lydia M., born April 
1, 1X111, is the wife of Alex Robertson, and with 
h«i- husband lives on the homestead of Mrs. B. ; 
they have two children — Perl, B., born Nov. 8, 1878, 
and .Mc\. .Jr., Aug. :W. issi. Walt-cr B.arnard, Jr., 
is .att,ending school, and makes his home with his 
mother. Mrs. B., in her own right, possesses forty- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



■2oa 



seven acres of valuable lanrl Ijesides the home which 
she occupies. She has been a member of the Chris- 
tian Church since seventeen years of age, aii<l has 
carried out in her (lail3' life and conversation the 
principles of true religion. 



-J!>t>-^»S^;* 



^ 



/^USTAVE A. ENSENliElKJER, one (jf the 
(l[ (— , go-ahead men of Bloomington, is extcn- 
^V^ll! sively engaged in the retail furniture busi- 
ness, and has been a resident of this city since the 
spring of 186S. He is a native of Bavaria, and was 
born A.ug. 31,1^51. When he was two yeais old 
his parents, George and Catharine Ensenbergei', emi- 
grated to America. After reaching New Yorlf 
City tliey proceeded to Vincennes, Ind., whence, 
after a short time they removed to Aurora,, the 
same State, where Gustave attended school. In 
1808 George Ensenberger, with his family, moved 
to Bloomington, througii the influence of Dr. 
Schroeder, the expert horticulturist of Bhjomington, 
whose circulars and advertisements li.nd attracted 
his attention. 

After arriving here young (Instave was em- 
ployed in the vineyard of ]))■. S. a few months, 
and was then employed by the Bloomington Manu- 
facturing Company, with whom he learned the car- 
penter's trade and the fitting of sash, doors and 
blinds. With this company he remained eleven 
years, and having accumulated quite a little capi- 
tal, in the fall of lis79 went into the furniture l)usi- 
ness for himself in the building iuiown as the Bee 
Hive store. Here he commenced the manufacture of 
furniture on a small scale, at the same time doing a 
retail trade. He was prospered in his undertakings, 
and in due time his business became too large for 
the old store and he then removed to the (iridley 
Building, which he occupied until 188(1, and then 
located in his jjresent quarters, having purchased 
the building formerly owned bj- Ilarwood Bros, 
and which is one of the oldest business houses in 
the city. He now carries on a general manufactur- 
ing business, to which he has added upholster_v, and 
gives employment to seven oi- eight men. His 
building is 2.5x100 feet, and tliree stories in height 
with a basement uudei' the wliole. The warcrmim 

<■ 



and shop is 31x100. the building running through 
from street to street. Mr. E. carries a large and 
well-selected stock, and besides his nwn ninnufact- 
nre buys largely from other houses. 

The subject of our sketch was married, in 1878. 
to Miss Lizzie Reiscii, of Springfield, 111., and they 
became the parents of three children — Erank (i.. 
(iustavus S. and Elnora S. Mr. and Mrs. E. are 
members in good standing (jf St. jNIary's ((German) 
Catholic Church, .and their attractive home is the 
resorl of the first-class citizens of Bloomington. 



AMES A. LASH, occupying a valuable farm 
estate in Bloomington Township, is success- 
fully engaged in the breeding of thorough- 
bi-ed Fol.and-China swine, his land lying near 
the limits of the eit}' of Bloomington. He established 
his present business in 1880, and is the possessor of 
several valuable and registered animals, the head of 
tlie herd being Cassander, No. 4297. The only 
time he was ever exhibited was at the fair of St. 
Louis, Mo., where he took the first premium in an ex- 
hil)iti()n of 800 hogs. Mr. Lash has been very suc- 
cessful in his breeding operations, and keeps from 
sixty to 100 head of swine. He began in a small 
way. but lias steadily increased his business until 
he has made a reputation as a fair dealer, and 
having a good understanding of his business. One 
of his pigs exhibited at the Chicago fair took the 
first premium, and was sold for ^200, being then 
only six months old. Its dam, Belle of ilcLaiu, is 
numbered 10,898 in the books, and is supposed to 
be the most successful breeder in the county. 

INlr. L.ash was i-eared upon a farm, and received 
his early education in the common schools. He is 
a native of Bloomington Township, nnd was born 
on the 7th of October, 1846. He remained under 
the parental roof until his marriage, being reared 
to habits of industry and economy, .and became 
well fitted for the later struggle of life. He was 
married, Oct. 19, LSI!;) in the city of Bloomington, 
to Miss Sarah l'\ Living.ston. Mrs. Lash was born 
in Lincoln, ( )!iio, on the 14th of March, 184;'), 
and came to Illinois with her parents when a 
child ten years of age. They settled in .McLean 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



County, .■iinl her father, Isaac Livingston, died in 
Normal 'I'ownsliii) in 1S74. lie was an industrious 
and eneigetic man, a successful farmer, and highly 
respected by his neighbors. The mother of Mrs. 
L., who before her marriage was Miss .Sarah Wise, 
is still living, at an advanced age, and makes her 
home in Pontiac, 111. She is a relative of Con- 
gressman \\ise, of \'irginia. and possesses the ex- 
cellent traits of a family noted for its ability and 
prominence. 

i\Ir. and .Mi's. Lash have become the parents of 
three children, tuo boys and one girl — Willard E., 
.Tosle A. and Frank — all at home. They are all 
connecti'fl with the Christian Church, and politi- 
cally Mr. L. is a stanch adherent of the Democratic 
party. 

We incorporate in this biography a sketch of 
Isaac Lash, father of the above, who has been a 
resident of McLean County since 1834, and in that 
long period has witnessed with unabated interest 
the remarkable changes whicii have taken ))lace in 
this portion of the State. 

Isaac Lasli is now a, retired farmer, and one of 
the representative citizens of the townshii) of I'.loom- 
ington. He owns and occupies a line farm estate 
lying on sections 27 and ;>4, the residence being on 
the former. He has here 240 acres of valuable 
land, well stocked .and supplied with first-class 
farm buildings. His earlier life was industriously 
em|)loyed in the establisment of his present com- 
fortable home, and his years of persevering toil 
have yielded him a handsiimc competency. 

Isaac Lash was born near A'ernon, Knox Co., 
Ohio, on the 20tli of .lannary, 1820. His father, 
Nathaniel Lash, was of (ierman descent and a na- 
tive of North Carolina. He came to Ohi<i when a 
young boy and was reared in Knox County, and 
for several years was there employed in a sawmill. 
He had been married in the meantime to Miss 
Charity Short, a lady who was born near Baltimore, 
Md., but having lost her parents when quite young 
came to Ohio with a neighbor, and was reared by 
strangers from the time she was ten years of age. 
The family of Isaac Lash, Sr., and his wife con- 
sisted of nine children, four sons and five daugh- 
ters, one of whom died in infancy, and their son 
Isaac, heretofore written of, was the eldest but one 



in the family. The parents and their eight chil- 
di'en came to Illinois in the fall of 1833, and set- 
tled in Putnam County. There the father died a 
few months later, and in the spring of 1834 the 
mother with her children came to McLean County. 
A few ye.ars later she also departed this life, having 
passed away in Tazewell County, where they had 
located a short time previous!}', and very near the 
line of .AIcLean County. After the death of their 
mother the children all lived together for a time, 
and separated later, each one being coin|)elled to 
depend upon his own resources. 

Our subject then employed himself at whatever 
he could find to do, receiving but small pay and 
working hard, but saving his money. He was em- 
pl<)3'ed by Zachariah Simmons for a period of five 
years, for which he received $200. He was stout 
and rugged and could do a man's work, and this p.ay 
seemed far out of proportion to what he re.ally 
earned. Hut money was scarce in those days, and 
the lalioi-cr felt that he should be content with cash 
even though it was a small sum. Young Lash, 
however, was healthy and energetic, and possessed 
a proi)ortionate amount of courage and resolution. 
At the age of twenty-four years he was united in 
]narri.age with Miss Anna Simmons, at the residence 
of the bride's parents in Bloomington Township, 
on the 27th of December. 18 4;"). Mrs. L. is the 
daughter of David ;ind Elizabeth (.b)nes) Simmons, 
natives resi)ectively of ^'irginia and Georgia. In 
early youth they came with their parents to Indi- 
ana, where they were reared to mature years, and 
received the advantages of an education in the 
(lublic schools. Of their union there were born 
[ three children, of whom Mrs. Lash was the young- 
est, her birth having taken place on the 1 8th of 
April, ls;iO. In the fall of that year the parents 
with their three children came west to Illinois and 
located in McLean County, soon afterward becom- 
ing residents of Bloomington Township, where they 
lived until their removal within the city, where 
they arc now letired from active labor, and are en- 
joying the fruits of their early toil and struggles. 

Mrs. Lash remained with her parents until her 
marriage, and has become the mother of nine chil- 
dren, one of whom is deceased. Of those who sur- 
vive the record is as follows: James A. married 



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-4- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



257 



Miss .Sarah V. Livingston, and tliey reside near 
the citj' of Rlooming'ton, this son, being- lii<e his 
father, a dealer in fine swine ; Eliza .J. is the wife of 
William R. Young, a farmer of Bloomington Town- 
ship; Martha A. married Daniel B. Snavely, and 
they reside on the homestead; Levi A. married 
Miss Lenora V>. Jones, who is now deceased ; he is in 
California engaged in mining; David N. is with his 
brother in Eureka, Cal. ; Andrew J. died at the 
iige of two and one-half years; Mar}' K. is the 
widow of Ed. Orendorff, and lives at home with her 
parents; Frank O. married Miss Agnes Honser, and 
resides in Vermilion County, Til.; William E. is .at 
Ixjme, and assists in operating the farm. 

After the marriage of JNIr. and Mrs. L. they com- 
meneed farming operations upon rented land, then 
made a small purchase, which they subsequently 
added to, and now have a finely improved farm 
upon which they are passing their later days in the 
peace and comfort which is their ju.st due after the 
labors and toil of their earlier years. Mrs. L., with 
three sons and three daughters, is a member in good 
standing of the Christian Church. Jlr. L. has been 
prominent in the affairs of his community since be- 
coming of suitable age, having held most i>f the 
minor ofHces.yHe was Overseer of the County 
Poor-farm for six years, and conducted the affairs 
of the institution creditably and with good judg- 
ment. Politically he is Democratic, and occupies 
an important position in the affaiis of his party in 
this vicinity. 



•>~-v-..-x<iii2j2/!g'^» 



>-y^^'^Rrff>^'\/\y^^ 




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\«?^x R. CURTLS KNIGHT, one of the best 
known and most reliable citizens of Mc- 
Lean County, came to the Prairie State 
in 1863, from Kentucky. He was born in 
Westmoreland, N. H.,on the 18th of January, 181G. 
His fatiier, also Curtis by name, was a gentleman 
farmer of New England ancestry, who came to 
America prior to the Revolutionary War, and set- 
tled in Massachusetts. The first representative of 
the f.amily in this eountr}' w.as Jonathan Knight, nn 
Englishman, who made settlement in Massachusetts. 
He was the father of only one child, the great- 
grandfatiier of our subject, who, aftei- he grew to 



manhood, in his native Slate, married Miss Dudley, 
who was closely related to the first (iovernorof 
Massachusetts. This lady lived to the advanced 
;ige of 103ye.ars, and died in Piermont, in Grafton 
Co. X. H., as also did iier husband, at the age of 
•seventy-five j^e.irs. 

Ji)uathan Knight became a prominent [ihysieian 
in that locality, and was lookeil up to as a leader 
among the men of his county. His sou Curtis, the 
father of our subject, w.as born in Westmoreland, 
\. II., and there grew to maniiood, being reared to 
farming jinrsuits. He afterward removed to Corn- 
ish, X. 11., aii<l was married to Miss Betsey Atwood, 
a New Hampshire lady, and lived there in the lat- 
ter named .State until lH4i;. The}' then removed 
to Illinois, and settled on a farm near Blackberry, 
Kane County, wheie the fatiier p.assed the remain- 
der of his d.ays, his deatli taking place about 1850, 
when he was sixty-two years of age. He was a 
man of great energy and industry, and improved 
a farm from a tr.act of uncultivated land, so that 
his widow was left in comfortable circumstances ; 
she is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. Maria 
Fonvard, at Elkhart, Ind., whose husband is con- 
nected witii a foundry in that place. The mother 
of our subject has now arrived at the advanced age 
of eighty-nine j'ears, and is a bright and intelligent 
old lady, who i-etains her natural faculties to a re- 
markalile degree. 

Curtis Knight w.as the eldest of twelve children 
liorn to his parents, seven sons and five daughters, 
all of whom are living with the exception of two. 
a son and daughter. They are all married and 
comfortably settled in homes of their own. Our 
subject was reared to farming pursuits, and edu- - 
cated at Piermont Academy. In 1834 he set out 
in life on his own .account, first coming to New 
York City, and after a tour of some of the West- 
ern .States landed in Bourbon County, Ky. Before 
leaving his native State he had h.ad .some experi- 
ence .as a teacher, aiid after arriving in Kentucky 
.again took uj) the profession which he followed 
there for three years. 

From P>ourbon jNIr. Knight removed to Clark 
County, and in due time was married to Miss 
Polly A. Emerson, a native of the latter county, 
and who bore him three children, one son and two ' 



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258 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



daughters, nil now iii.-irried : Maiw hccaiiic thu wife 
of Sclui.ylt'r Tli()nii)S()ii, of McJA'aii Coiiiitv, III ., 
aiul is now living in Bloomington Township: .lames 
1'. niairicil .Miss lAIilili'i'd Stagner, and is farming 
in the latter named townsliij); Sarah married Kufns 
Oldham, a farmer of Clark County. Ky. The 
mother of these ehildrcn died in the latter named 
State and eonntv, at the age <)f thirty years. 

In the meantime Mr. Knight had been in .laek- 
soii Connty, .Mo., where he engaged in farming for 
tliree years before returning to Clark County, Ky., 
ami before the death of his wife, and he had also, 
. as opportunity afforded, gained eonsiderable infor- 
mation in dentistry. After the death of his first 
wife he began praeticing. and was thus occupied 
for two years in Cla.rk and IMarion Counties. He 
had been successful in his bnsiiu'ss trau.sactions and 
at this time purchased a farm in Madison Ccumty, 
Ky., upon which he located, and on the 4th of Sep- 
tember, l.S;')i), was married to Mrs. Emily (Corneli- 
son) Ballard, a native of Madison County. Ky., 
who was born in 1821. vShc was reared and edu- 
cated in her native county, where her father had 
settled at .an early day, and wa.s one of the promi- 
nent citizens of the connty, in which he was proprie- 
tt)r of a valuable plantation. IMrs. Knight was edu- 
cated and accomplished, and has always occupied 
a high position in .soeicl}^ 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Knight lo- 
cateil upon the farm, and oui' subject followed his 
self-appointed trade as a, local dentist until 1803. 
The Civil War lieing then in progress, he came 
North to evade the hostile attitude of the Secess- 
ionists, himself being a radical Republican. lie 
votecl for Fremont for I'l'csident while in licn- 
tucky, ami when the National ConvcufJou assem- 
bled at Chicago on the lOth of .M;iy, 18(J0, and 
nominated Abraham Lincoln for President, he was 

, [jresent as a dele'gate and voted and worked for 
the great Illinoisan. After he returned home frijm 
the convention he began to arrange with otlier 
loyal citizens for the raising of a home giuird and 
the organization of Union clubs, and was President 
of the one in Madison Connty. Under his super- 
vision these cluljS or comp.anics linally became the 
means of holding iifcheck Morgan and ZoUicoffer, 

r who were then threatening the [leace and security 






of that section of country. The life of our subject 
was frequently threatened, and after a time ho 
deemed it expedient to remove North. As one of 
the Home (Juards he was at the battles of Wildcat 
and Richmond, and was subjected to great loss and 
annoyance of all kinds; his horses were stolen, and 
his property greatly damaged by Morgan's raiders. 
After conung North one of his sons joined the 
regidar army, and did good service in battle for 
the I'nion. 

After coming to Illinois Dr. Knight purchased 
eighty acres of land in Bloomingtcjn Township, 
whei'e he established a permanent home ami which 
he has since occupied. Pxith the Doctor and his 
excellent lady are prominently connected with the 
Christian Church at Shirley, and our subject in poli- 
tics is as thoroughly reliable as he was during the 
days of the "late unpleasantness." 



~\/W, -\«jie£r!5-^» 



^fe>..^-^J<0?nr»v.-i 



OHN II. BRYANT, contractor and builder, 
having his ollice at the intersection of North- 
oast and Di^uglas streets, Bloomington, may 
be properly numbered among the pioneer 
settlors of Illinois, as he came here in 1837 with his 
parents, being- then a young child. He was bom in 
East Candjridge, Mass., Dec. 3, 1833, his parents 
being Eben and' Martha (Brown) Bryant, natives of 
Wakefield and Charlestown, Mass. Eben Bryant 
was a farmer by occupation, and emigrated from 
the P)ay State to Illinois in 1837, settling in Pike 
County, n[)on 1(30 acres of wild land, which he im- 
jiroved and cidtivated and occupied until his death, 
which occurred in 18G6. The mother survived him 
twelve years, dying at the old homestead in 1878. 
They were the parents of five children, four now 
living, as follows: Eben F., of Pike County; John 
II., our subject; Harriet and Joseph B., of Kansas 
City. The father of our subject was a strong Abo- 
litionist, and both parents wore members of the 
B.aptist Church. 

.lohn H. Bryant was reared on his father's farm, 
:ind leceived a practical education. He remained 
at home until nineteen years old, and then served 
three years at the carpenter's trade, in Origgsville. 
He soon :if forward commenced as a contractor, 



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Residence orW.H.B all , SEC.10.,CHEErj eys GroveTowuship. 







RE51DENCE or W. H . Hoselton^Sec.&3.,AnchorTown5hip. 










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riEoiutisCL OK H ENRY Butler , Sec. 3., Cheeney's Grove Township. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



261 



which he followed in that locality until 1859, and 
then came to Bloomington. Here he first estab- 
lished himself on West Mulberr^y street, removing 
to his present quarters in 18.S4. lie now gives em- 
ployment to from five to twenty' men, ;ind among 
the important structures whieh he has had in charge 
are the City Hall, Turner Ilall, the (Jerman Meth- 
odist Episcopal Cliiircli and the Eagle Block, be- 
sides some of the finest residences in the cit^'. 

Our subject was married in 1855, to Miss Nancy 
English, a native of New Salem, 111., .and tlie daugh- 
ter of Robert and Martha (Hooper) English, of 
Ohio. Mr. English was a farmer who, after C(.)niing 
to Illinois,' settled first at New Salem, whence he 
removed to McLean County in 1803. His declin- 
ing years were spent in Normal Township, where 
his death occurred in about 18C5. 

Mr. .and iNIrs. Bryant became the parents of five 
children, as follows: (Tcorge A. is in California; 
Alice, now Mrs. Gilbert Eldridge, is the mother of 
two children — Clare and Pansy; Frank married 
Miss Mary Ellen Ingersol, and they have one 
daughter, a babe, Ethel Frances; Arthur is doing 
business with his father; Charles, the 'youngest, is 
at home. The family residence is located at No. 
806 West Oliver street, and is the resort of the best 
people of Bloomington. Mrs. Bryant is a member 
in good standing of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bry- 
ant is one of the largest contractors in the city of 
Bloomington, and both as a business man and a 
citizen, is one of the important factors in its busi- 
ness and industrial interests. 



\f5^ R. A. L. CHAPMAN, of Bloomington, has 
been a practicing physician of McLean 
County for a period of ten years and came 
to this city in 1883. He is one of the re- 
liable i)hysicians of this locality, and enjo^'s a large 
and lucrative practice in both city and country. Dr. 
Chapman was born in Smyrna, Harrison Co., Ohio, 
on the 25th of January, 1847, and is the son of Dr. 
R. C. and M.arj' (McDonald) Chapman, the former 
a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. 
They emigrated to Ohio after their marriage, in 
1848, locating in llcndrysburg, Belmont County, 
^« 




where the father of our subject engaged in the 
practice of medicine, but subsequently removed 
to Newcomerstown, where he remained until his 
death, after a pr.actice of twenty- nine years in that 
place; the mother died in 1848. Of their family 
of four children, three are now living: Catharine 
M., Mrs. Berg, of El Paso, Woodford Co., 111.; Dr. 
A. L. of our sketch, and Mary E., Mrs. Brown, of 
Newcomerstown, Ohio. 

The subject of this history remained with his 
parents until sixteen years of age, and received a 
fair education in the common schools. The war 
then being in progress he enlisted in Co. G, 7Gth 
Ohio Vol. Inf., and remained in service until the 
close of the war. He went in as a drummer boy, 
but after two months threw his drum awaj', substi- 
tuting for it a musket, and participated with his 
comrades in the battles <;f Resaca, Ga., Altona 
Pass, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain and the 
siege of Atlanta, winding u)) his military services 
at the battle of Bentonville, in North Carolina. 
After his honorable discharge from the army young 
Chaimian resumetl his studies at the High School in 
his native town, and after a three j'ears' course en- 
tered the Eastman Nation.al Business College at 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he graduated in 
18GG. In 1809 he went to Nashville, Tenn., and 
became teacher in a graded school whence, after 
eighteen months, he removed to Glasgow, Ky., 
where he taught a few months, and then returning 
home attended another term at the Iligli School. 
He then resumed teaching until 1874, in the mean- 
time reading medicine, and the following year en- 
tered the IMedical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from 
which he graduated in 1870. He commenced prac- 
tice at Bellaire, Ohio, .and in 1877 came to Illinois, 
locating in O.ak Grove, this county, where he re- 
mained until 1883, when he came to Bloomington. 
He is a member of the Board of United States Pen- 
sion Examining Surgeons, and is Secretary of Mc- 
Lean County Medical Society. 

Dr. Chajjuian was married in 1879, to Miss Lydia 
Bramwell, of Dry Grove Township, this county, 
and the d.aughter of Ezra F. and Rebecca ((Jrif- 
lith) Bramwell, of Indiana. Her parents came to 
Illinois in 1 85G, and imrchased a f.arm which they 
still occupy. The Doctor and Mrs. C. have become 






f 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



the parents of two children — Jessie R. and Mary 
C. Their comfortable and attractive home is loca- 
ted at No. 703 East ^^■ashi^g■ton street, and the^^ 
enjoy the society and friendship of a large circle of 
acquaintances. 

Politically onr subject uiiiforndy casts his vote 
with the Democratic party. iSoeially he belongs to 
the G. A. R., the Red Men, Commercial Council, 
the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the A. F. ik A. M., 
and the Knights Templar, and also a new organiza- 
tion called the I^nion Veterans Union. 

eHARLES A. BARLEY, Insurance Agent and 
Notary Public of J^eroy, is also engag-ed 
_ in the real estate, loan and collecting business, 
of which he has a thorough understanding, and is 
meeting with success. Mr. Barley is a native of 
the Buckej'e State and was born in Wayne Town- 
ship, Champaign County, Marcli 19, 1845. His 
father was (ieorge Barley, of Freilerick County, 
Va.. .and his grandfather, John Barlej', was a native 
of JIaryland liut of German ancestry .and |)arent,age. 
He was engaged in agricnltural inirsuits the greater 
part of his life, and spent ids last days in the Old 
Dominion. 

George Barley, tlie father of our suliject, was 
reared on a farm in liis native county and was there 
nnirried in the fall of 1834. A few daj-s afterward, 
acconi[ianied by his bride and equipped with one 
horse and a spring w.agon, he set out overland for 
Ohio". They located in (Greene County and thence, 
after two years, removed to Clluunpaign County. 
Here the fatlier bouglit a tract of heavy timber 
land near Urljana. There was a log cabin on tlie 
pl.ace and lialf an acre w.as cleared. He immediately 
set about its inq>i'(jvement .and cultivation, .and es- 
tablished a permanent home, where he spent tlie re- 
mainder of his diiys, Ids decease occurring in Janu- 
ary, 188."). He liad cleared the greater ])art of Ins 
land and erected a good set of fi-anie i)uildings. In 
addition to the affairs of his own fannly and his 
homestead he was always interested in the welfare 
and prosperit}" of the community around him, and 
materially .assisted in its development and progress. 
He lilled various ollice.s of trust in ids township, 



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and with the exception of two yeai'S was Trustee 
from 18.') 4 until ins death, a period of twent3--nine 
.years. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
w.as .Fulia A. .Spicknel. She also was born in Fred- 
erick County, \si., and was the daughter of Clement 
Spicknel who, with his wife, formerly a ]\Iiss Fra- 
zier, was a native of New Jersej', and the latter of 
French descent. Mrs. B. died in July, 188(;, in 
Champaign County, Ohio. Of tliis union there were 
born seven children, as follows: John W. served 
in the late war as Captain of Co. F, 134th Ohio 
Vol. Inf.; he is now Register of Deeds in Wash- 
ington Count3-, Kan. Noah F., formerly a teacher 
of penni.anship in the city schools of Lexington, 
Mo., died there Aug. 10, 1 8G0 ; Isaiah N. is a farmer 
and stock-raiser near Lawrence, Kan. ; Mary, Mrs. 
Morecraft, lives in Champaign County, Ohif); our 
subject was the next in order of birth ; Martha A., 
Airs. Hallowel, lives in Lero.y, 111., and Sarah, in 
Champaign County, Ohio. 

Charles A. Barle}^ w.as the fiftli cliild of ins par- 
ents. His childhood and 3'outh were spent upon 
the farm and he received his early education in the 
district schools. He also attended the High School 
at Url)ana for two ye.ars .and remained a resident of 
his native State until 1868. In the meantime he 
had graduated from Oberlin Commercial College, 
and during the war served in the army as a member 
of the 134th Ohio Infantry. He taught school for 
a time in Ohio, !uid after coming to tliis State con- 
tinued this occupation near Leroj' until 1870. He 
was then appointed I'rincipal of the Lero3' schools, 
which pijsition he held for four 3^ears and then w.as 
compelled to resign ou account of ill-he:dth. He 
soon afterward established his present business, and 
in 187'J .associated himself in partnei'ship with D. 
L. Mooreliouse, loan and real-estate agent. They 
operated together until September, 188G, when 
tiieir luisiness was cIoscmI up without any outstand- 
ing indebtedness. 

The manner in which the affairs of the lirm were 
conducted l)y Mr. Barley is a fair indication of his 
tact and .•diility .as a financier. He is a thorough 
business man, and his straightforward methods of 
conducting his affairs and his pi-omptness in meet- 
ing his obligations have gained him the confidence 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



263 



t 



and respect of the business community. In his 

handling of half a niilliun diillars there has never 
been a shadow of a loss or fraud, and he retired 
from the firm with a clear conscience and the good 
will of those with whom he dealt. He has been 
prominentl_y identified with various public enter- 
prises in the city of Leroy and has held various 
offices of trust. He was one of the Executive 
Committee of the company' organized to build the 
Nai'row Gauge Railroad from Leroy to Fisher, in 
Champaign County, and also Secretary of the same, 
and one of five who organized the Leroj' Libiary 
Association in 187.5. He has been City Clerk, with 
the exception of two years, since the cit3' was in- 
corporated, and was a meml)er of the Scliool Board 
from 1877 until 18811, and then declined to serve 
longer. He was Clerk of Empire Township six 
years and has been Notary Public since 1874. He 
was elected Secretary of the Empire Loan and Build- 
ing Association in 1S74, and continued in that of- 
fice while the company existed, a period of eight 
years. In 1882, when the Leroy Loan and Building 
Associatiiin was organized, he was elected Secre- 
tary, and has been re-elected each year. He is a 
member of Leroy Lodge No. 221, A. E. & A. M., 
being Master two years. He is also a member of 
Thomas Riddle Post No. 230, G. A. R. 

Charles A. Barley and JNIiss Matilda Denipsey 
were united in marriage in Ohio in October, 18G8. 
Mrs. Barley is the daughter of Jefferson and Jane 
(Bailey) Dempsey, natives of Pennsylvania, who 
removed to Ohio at an earl3' period in the settle- 
ment of Champaign County, being among the i)io- 
neers of that section. Of this union there have 
been born five children — Inez, Frank C, Jessie, 
Camby A. and Lloyd B. 



kYMAN W. BETTS, a pioneer settler of 
Bloomington 'lownship, is now comfort- 
al)ly located on section 12, where he has 
spent the greater part of forty years, and been act- 
ively and successfully engaged in general farming. 
Mr. Betts was born in Cecil County, Md., Aug. 5, 
182.0. His father, Franklin Betts, was a native of 
Richmond, Mass., born March 28, 1789, and was 



the son of Zebulon Betts, who was a farmer of New 
England, and died in Massachusetts. Franklin 
Betts, when a young man left his native town for 
the cit}'' of JJaltimore, where he engaged in the 
boot and shoe business, and where, in due time, he 
was married to Mrs. Ann Davis, a native of his 
own county. After the birth of three children, 
among whom was the subject of our sketch, the 
family removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., where two 
more children were born, both daughters. The 
three eldest were sons — Franklin M., Robert C.and 
<nir subject, Lyman "VY. The sisters, Mary A. and 
Louisa A., are now both living in Iowa. 

Mr. Betts spent the greater part of his boj'hood 
and youth in the citv of Brooklyn and afterward 
went to New York Cit}'. Then, when nineteen 
years of age, he removed with his parents to Ot- 
sego Count}', N. Y., wdiere both the latter died a 
few years later. Lyman W. then set out for the 
West, and coming into McLean County, 111., lo- 
cated near Bloomington, where he engaged in the 
cattle trade with the late Judge Davis, his half- 
brother. His good education and some previous 
experience in mercantile business, had given him a 
good insight into methods of doing business, and 
he was quite successful in his trading operations. 
His connection witii Judge Davis continued for a 
score of years. In 187(1 Mr. Betts removed to the 
farm which he now occupies, and engaged in the 
breeding of standard horses — Hambletonians. His 
two stallions are Bright Ratler and Roscoe Thorn- 
dale, magnificent animals which promise great 
things for the future. Mr. Betts has already at- 
tained a fine reputation as one of the most success- 
ful breeders of this section. The dam of these 
horses is " Roxy " from Alexander's " Norman " 
of Kentucky. 

After coming into this county Mr. Betts spent 
some years iu "single blessedness," but finally con- 
cluded that his condition would be greatly im- 
proved by the acquisition of a helpmeet and part- 
ner. He was consequently united in marriage, on 
the 19th of September, 18,53, witii Miss S. R. Da- 
vis, the daughter of Dr. David Davis, and second 
cousin of Judge Davis. Their wedding took place 
in Cecil County, Md. The mother of Mrs. Betts, 
liefore her marriage, was Miss lOmeline '\\'icks, and • 




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264 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



she is yet living in Cecil County, Md., where slie 
was born, auci is now arriveil at tlie advanced age 
of eighty j'ears. Dr. David Davis, the f.ather of 
Mrs. Betts, died in Maryland in 1S41. He was a 
siiecessful ph3^sician, and practiced in his native 
State from the time he became of age until his 
death. Mrs. Betts has still in her possession some 
rare old pieces of (^hina, and the silver buckles worn 
by her great-grandniothcr on her wedding day. 

Mrs. Betts was born in Kent County, Md., Feb. 
24, 18;51. After the death of her father, her 
mother, with a family of eight children, removed 
to Cecil County, where Mrs. Betts was reared and 
educated, and remained until her marriage with 
our subject. Of this union there were born four 
children, one of whom, William, died in 1876, at 
the age of twenty-two years; Emma became the 
wife of J. A. Jordan, trainmaster at Roodhouse, 
111.; Fannie mai'ried E. B. Mitchell, Jr., a farmer 
near Danvers, this county; Anna, Mrs. J. V. Nich- 
ols, is living with her hugband on a farm near Cov- 
ell. 111. All tile members of the family are con- 
nected with the Pi-otestant Episcopal Church, and 
Mr. Betts, politically, is a solid Republican. 



R. J. L: WIHTE, of the firm of White & 
Cuthrie, Bloomington,' is one of the lead- 
ing physicians of the city, and comes'from 
a prominent New England family, widely 
and favorably known in that region. Our subject 
was born in Westminster, Mass., on the 5th of ])e- 
ceniber, 1832, and is the son of Dr. John and 
Lucy (Flowe) White, .also natives of the Bay State. 
His grandfather, James White, was born in Massa- 
chusetts, and in his younger days learned the trade 
of a bl.acksmith, but soon afterward engaged in 
farming pursuits, in which he became very success- 
ful and accumul.ated a handsome property. The 
great-grandfatlier of our subject, Josiaii White, 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The first 
representatives of the family' in this country came 
from England in the vessel which followed the 
Mayflower, and settled in Watcrtown, Mass. From 
one of these d(!sceiided the present family. On his 
mother's side Dr. A\hitc is the eighth gencr.ation 




from John Alden, who is celebrated in verse by the 
poet Longfellow in connecti(m with Miles Standish. 

Dr. John White, the father of our subject, re- 
ceived careful home training and pursued his early 
studies in the common schools. In later years he 
entered the medical de]).artment of Brown's Uni- 
versity, at Providence, R. I., from which he gradu- 
ated with honors, and commenced the practice of 
his profession in W'estminster, Mass., following it 
there for a period of twenty-six j'ears. In 1851 
he removed to Watertowu, N. Y., where he con- 
tinued his practice and spent the remainder of his 
days, his decease occurring in 1868. The mother 
survived until t874. Their family consisted of 
five children, all of whom grew to maturity. Dr. 
J. L., our sul)ject, was the eldest of the family; 
Ellen .licc.ame the wife of Dr. J. I. Scollard, of 
Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; she was highly edu- 
cated, and became Principal of the White Seminary, 
at Clinton, which position she occupied .about seven 
j'ears; the institution was named after her. Josiah 
is a resident of California and the proprietor of an 
extensive cattle ranch in Sonoma County; he is 
also interested in silver mines in Arizona. Charles 
is engaged in the drug business at Ithaca, N. Y. ; 
Abbie married John J. Stephens, book-keeper in 
the Treasury Department at Washington. The 
f.ather of our subject was a member of the State 
LegisLature of Massachusetts and of the State 
Medical and local societies. He was a prominent 
and useful citizen, .and greatly respected for his 
natural talents and sterling worth of character. 

The subject of this biography spent his younger 
daj's in school, commencing his medical studies at 
an earlj' age and graduating in 1854, from the 
Medical Department of Harvard College, Massa- 
chusetts. He also obtained valuable experience in 
the general hospital of the St.ate in 1853. He sub- 
sequcntl}' went to Europe, spent .several months 
among tiie hospitals of P.aris, and after returning 
to the United States, came to Illinois in the fall of 
1854. His first location was in Jersej'ville, Jersej' 
County, where he remained until 1859. He then 
went to Memphis, Tenn., practiced there two years, 
and returning to Jerseyvillc, became surgeon of 
the Bo.ard of Enrollment, which jwsition he occu- 
pied until the close of the war. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



2 Go 



Dr. White became a resident of Blooiniiigton in 
1870, since wliich time he has practiced contiiuioiisly 
and talien a leading position in the profession along 
the Mississippi \'alle_v. The following year, 1.S71, 
he became snrgeon of the C. & A. R. U., which 
position he holds, together with the same on the 
Illinois Central and in the S(_)ldiers' Orphans' Home. 

Dr. J. L. White and Miss Harriet Ilawlej-, of 
Jersey ville, were united in marriage on the 10th of 
February, 1857. Mrs. White is the daughter of 
Samuel and Hannah Hawley, and of her union with 
our subject she has become the mother (.)f four chil- 
dren — Leila, Charles H., Lucy B., and one who died 
in infancw The Doctor and his family are in pos- 
session of a iiandsome home at No. 501) West 
Washington street, and enjoy the friendship and 
esteem of a large circle of acquaintances, ile has 
built up an extensive pr.actice in this vicinity and 
accumulated a competency. He is stockholder and 
J)irector in the Third National Bank of Blooming- 
ton, and a stockholder in the Plow Works and Gas 
Company. In politics he is a stanch Republican; 
socially he belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and in 
1886 was Grand Commander of the K. T. of Illi- 
nois; he is a 32d degree Mason. 



'\1/ESSE HILL, one of the honored pioneers of 
McLean County, settled in Dale Township 
as early as 1830, and during a residence of 
iifty -seven years has fidly established him- 
self in the respect and esteem of his associates and 
fellow-citizens. Since coming to this section of 
Illinois Mr. Hill has closely identified himself with 
the industrial and agricultural interests of his 
adopted county, and whenever an opportunity pre- 
sented itself has been one of the foremost to con- 
tribute of his time and means to promote its devel- 
opment and i)rosperity. As the oldest settler of 
Dale Township he is held in peculiar veneration 
and respect, and accorded that tacit acknowledge- 
ment to the worth and enterprise which have been 
his chief characteristics. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of the Blue 
Grass State, having been born five miles from 
Lexington, Faj^ette Co., K}'. His birth occurred 



on the 24th of March, 180'.), and his father was 
James Hill, a native of Pennsylvania, who, when a 
young man removed to Kentucky, before his mar- 
riage, and settled in the county where his son was 
subsequently Ixirn. He was a carpenter and mill- 
wright by trade, a skilled workman, and followed 
his trade in Kentucky until 1820. In the mean- 
time he had married, and now resolved to remove 
to the North. He accordingly started out with his 
wife and nine children for the State of Indiana. 
They proposed to make the trip overland, and 
their outfit consisted of eleven horses and three 
wagons. After crossing the Ohio River they set- 
tled in Jefferson County, Ind., where the elder Hill 
followed his trade and became prominent in the 
business affairs of that section. He built two or 
three 'gristmills, of which he superintended the op- 
erations for some years, and also carried on the 
business of cabinet-making. He passed the balance 
of his life in Jefferson County, and after a long and 
busy career departed from the scenes of his earthly 
labors in about 18G0, at the ripe old age of eighty- 
four 3' ears. The partner of his early manhood and 
the mother of our subject was Miss Mary C. Cope, 
to whom he was married about 17'J4. She was a 
native of Maryland, and after her marriage to 
James Hill accompanied him to Jefferson County, 
Ind., and died in that county two years after the 
dc;ith of her husband, in 18(J2. They became the 
parents of twelve children, whom they carefully 
trained to habits of industry and principles of 
honor and honesty, and of whom five are surviv- 
ing, and are living worthy and honorable lives in 
accordance with the precepts handed tlown to them 
by their worthy and excellent parents. 

Jesse Hill of our sketch was the fifth child of 
his parents' family. He received only a limited 
eilucation, but being naturall}' fond of books has 
always kept himself well posted in regard to all 
matters worthy of attention. As soon as large 
enough to work he assisted his father in the mill 
and distillery, and remained with his parents until 
after he had attained his majority. He then de- 
terminetl to see something of the world beyond the 
bounds of his native State, and packing a knap- 
sack started on foot for the prairies of Illinois. 
He walked from Madison to McLean County, i 



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266 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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and upon lii.-^ arrival here had $3.37^ in his poeket. 
'I'his was in 1830. He lirst obtained worlv among 
farmers, digging wells, si)litting rails, or whatever 
' his hands could find to do. Me made his home for 
the first twelve months with Col. Beeler, of Twin 
Grove, whose daughter, Jliss Xancy, became his 
wife in August of tlie following year. 

After spending one season in McLean County, 
111., ]\lr. Hill went to Indi.ana, procured a pair 
of horses, a wagon and some leather; he then 
traded one horse, the w.agon anil leather for forty 
acres of land in Twin (irove, McLean County, and 
also purchased a claim on sectitm 2, of Dale Town- 
ship. Upon this there was a log cabin partly 
finished, and into it he removed with his young 
wife and commenced housekeeping. He had no 
money with which to enter land, and it w.as entered 
for him, and he then traded his land in Twin 
Grove for the eighty acres which he now owns and 
occupies. He erected a small, round log house, 
chinked and daubed it with mud, .and built a 
chimney of sticks and dirt. He took possession of 
this place in 1833, which he has continuously 
owned and occupied since that time. The log 
cabin, however, has been replaced by a handsome 
and comfortable farm residence, and the diminu- 
tive pig-pen by a good barn and all necessary out- 
buildings. Mr. Hill has added to his liist pur- 
chase as his means permitted, and is now the pos- 
sessor of 220 acres, all in a good state of (uiltiva- 
tion. He has also erected a good set of buildings 
on two other farms. His life has been one of en- 
ergy and industry, and in his Later days he feels 
richly rewarded for the toils and difliculties of his 
early manhood. 

Miss Nancy Jieeler, the first wife of our subject, 
became the mother of three children, and departed 
this life iu Dale Township, in October, 1840. 
She was born in Butler County, Ohio, in .'Ypril, 
1808, and was the daughter of Samuel and Mary 
(Graves) Beeler, who removed from Ohio to Illi- 
nois in 1830. The children of .Tcsse Hill by his 
first marriage were: John W., who lives in Dale 
Township; .Lane, wife of Samuel Jlorgan, also of 
this township; and Martha E., Mrs. Sackett, who 
lives in Bloomington. 

For his second wife Mr. Hill, iu 1<813, married 



Miss I'lKcbo Munsell, who was liorn in Vermont 
and died in Dale Township, this count}', in 1860. 
Of this marriage tliei-e were also three children: 
N.'incy A., the wife of .lames Rogers, of Dale Town- 
ship; Zerah Munseil, of Kansas, and .lames, also a 
resident of Dale. 

Tlu^ thii'd uiarri.Mgc of .Air. Hill took place in 
1862, his wife having l)een Miss Matilda Hancock, 
of Ohio. ;uid of this marriage there are two sons 
living — Charles F. and >\'illiMm A. 

Politically Mr. Hill is a stanch adherent of the 
Democratic party. His life has included a rich ex- 
perience, and 1k' has witnessed with unabated in- 
terest the remarkable changes which have occurred 
along the Mississippi A'alley since his removal from 
the Blue Grass State of his nativity to the i)rairies 
of Illinois. The stirring scenes he has witnessed 
during the course of a long and bus_y life would 
make an interesting volume, and we cannot by any 
means do justice to them within the brief details of 
a biographical sketch. Sullice it to say that Mr. 
Hill has acted well his part, and has his :ibuudant 
reward in the position which he holds in the com- 
munity. 

■ - p i^ 1 , 



11 ul 



r 



<<1 WILLIAM 11. DOOLEY. a prosperous and 
\/iJll P''*'S'i'<^'^*> ve farmer of Empire Township, is 
™'\y one oi its most intelligent citizens, an ex- 
tensive reader, well educated and well informed, 
and a gentleman who has materially assisted in the 
advancement and prosperity of this section. He 
is a native of Clark Count}', Ky., and was born 
Aug. 1.'), 1834. His father, William Dooley, a na- 
tive of the same county and State, was born March 
1, 1804, and his grandfather, Obadiah Dooley, of 
Virginia, removed from the Old Dominion to Clark 
County, Ky., soon after his marriage, and was 
among the jiionecr settlers of that region. He 
cleared a farm from the wilderness and made it his 
home until his <lo!ith, at an advanced age, in about 
1844. 

The father of our subject was reared in his native 
county, and after his marriage purchased a tract of 
timber land ten miles from ^Vinchester, the county 
scat. He there cleared a farm and lived until 
18,")1, then disjiosed of his possessions in the Hluc 



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Grass country :i,iul started with his family, consist- 
ing of his wife :uh1 twelve children, on an overland 
journey to Illinois. They began their journey on 
the llth of November, tlieir outtit consisting of 
twelve horses and four wagons, with a. carriage, 
and arrived in BloomingtOH in just one month fn>m 
the day the3' started. There William Dooley, Sr., 
rented a house for a short time, then purchased the 
Rogers farm in Old Town Township. This he oc- 
cupied until 1S5.S. being successful in his business 
and agricultural operations, and then abandoning 
the active labors^ of life, removed to Bloomington, 
whence he removed to a farm in Padua Township, 
where he spent his last days, dying on the 7th of 
June, 1869. The mother of our subject liefore her 
marriage was Miss Minerva Morris, a native of the 
same county and State as her husband. She was 
born in 1810, being the daughter of Sanuiel Mor- 
ris, of Virginia, whence he removeil tv) Clark 
Count}', Ky., at an early day, where he cleared a 
farm and occupied it until his death in 18;j0. ilrs. 
Minerva Dooley departed tin's life in Bloomington. 
ill August, 1884. 

William H. Dooley was the fifth child of his par- 
ents' family, and was a youth of seventeen years 
when his parents reuu)ved from Kentucky to Illi- 
nois and located in this count}'. He had obtained 
a good education in the subscription schools of his 
native State and afterward assisted his father in 
carrying on the farm until his marriage. He then 
settled on a small tract oi land which had been 
given him l)y his father, and after occupying it one 
season sold it and purchased sixty acres adjacent, 
where he lived one year, then sold again and pur- 
chased liO aci-es. This he also sold, after occui)y- 
ing it one season, and after a short residence in 
Bloomington, rented for one year a farm in Nor- 
mal Township, then [inrchased eighty acres in Old 
Town Townshij). After several more ciianges of 
location he selected his present site, which he re- 
moved to on the 1st of May, 1876. This farm 
contains 1,185 acres, all improved, much of it being- 
devoted to pasture, !ind the shapely and substantial 
set of frame buildings is unexcelled in this sec- 
tion. His cattle are graded Durhanis, and among 
them are to be found some of the finest animals in 
the count}'. Everything about the premises denotes 



T 



the supervision of an intelligent and enterprising 
man, who is keeping full pace with the progress and 
improvement of the day. 

The marriage of William H. Dooley and Miss 
Eliza Naggle took place at the home of the bride's 
parents in Old Town Township, on the l'2th of 
(Jctober, 18.54. Mrs. Doolej' was born in Darke 
Courity, Ohio, May 7, 1835. Her father, Samuel 
Naggle, and her mother, formerly Miss J\Iary 
(Slechty) Naggle, were natives of Pennsylvania, 
whence they came to McLean County in 1850, 
settling first in Bloomington Township, and later 
in ( )ld Town Township, where the mother died in 
1.S71. The father died in Vermilion C'ounty in 
ISSO. Mr. and Mrs. Dooley became the parents of 
eleven children, seven of whom are living — Lillie 
May, Milton H., George E., Damaris, Obadiah M., 
Hattie and JJda B. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members 
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and our subject in politics is an uncompromising 
Democrat. He cast his first presidential vote for 
James Buchanan, and since that time has uniformly 
voted in support of the principles of his party. 
He has filled various offices of trust in Old Town 
Township; has been Collector of Taxes, and served 
on the Board of Supervisors several terms in Em- 
[>ire Township, being also a member of the School 
Board. To such men as Mi-. Dooley is McLean 
County indebted for its prosperous and prominent 
position as one of the wealthiest and most progress- 
ive counties of the State. 



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S. CRAWFOKD, a prominent citizen of 
McLean County, is now passing his days in 
ease and retirement at his pleasant home in 
Bloom ingtc)n, and as one of the prominent, 
substantial and useful members of the business 
community, is held in the highest respect, which is 
increased by the knowledge of his personal worth. 
Our suljject is a native of Center County, Pa., and 
was born on the 25th of May, 1823. He is the son 
of Rev. James and Appalonia (Helpher) Crawford, 
natives respectivelj' of Lancaster and Center Coun- 
ties. They were jointly engaged in merchandising- 
and farming, and moved to Maryland in 1 84'.», 






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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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whore thc^' spent the reiiiainrler of their days, the 
father d.ying in 185(3, nnd tiie mother in 1SG2. 
Their family consisted of eiglit children,, only two 
now living — D. F., :i resident of Odell, tins county, 
and onr subject. 

Young Crawford was reared to farming imrsuits 
and received a prac^tical education. He remained 
under the parental roof until lie had grown to man's 
estate, and had the care of ids parents until their 
death. In April, 18C5, he disposed of his interest 
in the estate, and coming to Ottawa, La Salle County, 
engaged in the manufacture of buggies and wag- 
ons, which he followed for nine j'ears. He then 
removed to Normal in order to educate his chil- 
dren, and after nine years came to Bloomlngton in 
1883. 

Mr. Crawf(n'd was married in 1 8.31, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Hinkle, a native of Maryland, and the daughter 
of Jesse and Mary A. (Falck) Hinkle, natives of 
Maryland and Virginia, respectively. They were the 
parents of ten children, of whom the following are 
living: Rebecca, Mrs. Bowdeu, resides in Stark 
County, Ohio; John F. is in Maryland; the next 
was Leonard; Elizabeth is tiie wife of our subject; 
Rev. (ieorge, her twin brother, is on the Pacific coast ; 
Rev. Richard is in Pennsylvania; Ellen J., Mrs. 
Elbin, lives in Maryland, and Mary F., Mrs. Pratt, 
in Missouri. The father of Mrs. C. was an exten- 
sive farmer and the owner of 700 acres of land. 
He died in 1871, aged seventy-tliree years. The 
motlier died in 1881, and was eighty-four years 
old. Both parents were members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Crawford became the parents of 
seven children, six now living, as follows: Asbnry 
M. is an attorney of Montana; Amanda M. lives 
at home; A\illiara A. married Miss F^lonise Smith, 
and tiiey have one child, Erastus E., of Chicago; 
CJeorge S. operates a rancli m Montana; Bertha C. 
married E. O. Hubbard, and they have two children, 
Elbert G. and Ralpli, tiie latter of whom is in Buf- 
falo, N. Y.; Elmer E. is on a ranch in Montana. 

Mr. Crawford is Republican in politics, and with 
his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Cliurch. He has Ijeen Class- Leader and Superin- 
tendent of the Sabbath-school, and w:is Trustee 
1 r niost of the time while living in Ottawa. Mr. 



Crawford purchased his residence in 1883, and 
since retiring from farm labor has engaged con- 
siderably in lili^ insurance. He is considered a rep- 
resentative citizen of McLean County, and has ful- 
filled all his obligations as a business man, the 
father of a family, a neighbor and friend. 

x^HAULES H. (iMEIILIN, dealer in aii<l 
[if^-^^ manufacturer of guns, rifles, iiistols, and 
^^<<7 carrying on general repairing in this line, 
is thus worthily adding his mite to the industrial 
interests of Bhjomington, where he is held in high 
esteem as an honest man and a good citizen. Mr. 
G. is a skilled mechanic and possesses a thorough 
acquaintance with his business, having had many 
j'ears' experience, and can turn out in a creditable 
manner almost anything in the line of fire-arms. 

Mr. Gmehlin was born in Stuttgart, Wurtem- 
berg, Germany. Feb. 22, 1834, and in accordance 
with the laws and customs of his native conn- 
try entered school when six years of age, where he 
remained until fourteen. He then went to learn 
the trade of a gunsmith to the King of Wurtem- 
berg, and after serving an apprenticeship of three 
years packed his '-kit" and removed into Switzer- 
land, where he pursued his trade oneyeiir, and thence 
to Paris, France, and five months later to London, 
England. In the latter city he spent two years, 
during which time he acquired an intimate knowl- 
edge of fire-arms and became an expert in their use 
and manufacture. 

The subject of this sketch set sail for America in 
the spring of 1854, first landing in New York City. 
He proceeded soon afterward to Hartford, Conn., 
where he secured a job in the shops of Samuel 
Colt, manufacturer of the celebrated Colt's re- 
volver. After one year spent there he came West 
to Milwaukee, Wis., where he spent twelve months. 
Thence he went to Chicago, 111., where he formed 
a partnership with George Brown, and they for .a 
short time engaged in the manufacture of guns. 
The firm was soon dissolved, and Mr. Gmehlin soon 
afterward came to Bloomington, in 1857. He en- 
gaged with the firm of H(jwlett & Clary, hardware 
merchants, as clerk and repiurer, and continued X 



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T.y;i-r,,^,^,,p,,;TnifTTnrri4.»mrirt-hrrrtinmttrt!'|t-'tM*iti-tttii u'H 



Residence or Jos. A. Pitts, Sec. 35.,[\/1t. HopeTownshi 




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Residence of A.H.Carlock ,■ 'Sec. 20., Oak Grove Township. 






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Residence ofThos.Tyson.Sec. 22.,Mt. HopeTownship. 



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■^•- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 

271 ,, 



with them until they sold out their business. He 
then conimeuced business on liis own acoouut, and 
has been deservedly prosperous. Besides the man- 
ufacture of guns and pistols he malvcs a specialty 
of repairing these and loelvs of all Ivinds. He carries 
a full stock of tlie best Ainoricau aiid EnglisLi man- 
ufactures in his line, as well as Icnives, ammunition, 
etc. He owns his business house and adjoining lot. 
The house is two stories in iieight and •2ox.50 feet 
in area. He also has a good residence <m the cor- 
ner of Madison and Marlcet streets. 

The marriage of Charles H. Gmehlin and Miss 
Henrietta Schlegel, of Bloomington, was celebrated 
in 185'J. Mrs. G. is also a native of Wnrtemberg, 
Germany, and by her union with oav subject be- 
came the motlier of four eliildren, one now de- 
ceased. Those living are three daugliters: Ida is a 
teacher in the High School of Bloomington ; Mary 
and Amelia are at home. Mr. Gmehlin is a repre- 
sentative citizen and has talvcn an intelligent inter- 
est in the growth and prosperity of his adopted 
city. He is a member of the Council, having rej)- 
resented the Second Ward for the [last two years. 
He belongs to the Turner Society, and in ail re- 
spects is fultilliug liis obligations as a useful mem- 
ber of the community. 



'~^\y\. ■-ieiie£,-©^|@^-p< 



*^^^^ZRRr»^^\/\^\^>. 



1 



"j^JTGH K. VICKROY, a highly respected resi- 
dent of Normal Townslii[), is engaged in 
^ the growing of small fruits, a.nd as a breeder 
)f Holstein-Friesian cattle. He has l)een 
a resident of the Prairie State since I >S5(J, coming 
here when a boy fourteen years uld from his native 
State of Fenns3'lvania, where he was l)orn in AYest- 
moreland County, on the 24tli (jf October, 1841. 
His parents were Isaac and Mar,;ha (Kennedy) 
Vickro}', whose famil}- consisted of four children: 
Nathan is a fruit-grower at Amboy, this State; 
our subject was the second in order of birth; John 
r. is a resident of Nornial; "Margaret is the wife of 
C. F. Lee, of Johnson County, Neb. 

Mr. Vickroy was reared to farming pursuits in 
Pennsylvania, and received a common-school edu- 
cation. Upon coming to Illinois with his uncle, 
Hugh McLaughlin, he located in Bureau County, 

<■ 



and was variously occupied at whatever he could 
find to do for two years afterward. He then engaged 
witii Samuel Edwards of Lamoille to learn the nur- 
sei-y business, and remained with him six 3'ears. 
Then, wishing to still further advance his education, 
he entered !\I t,. C'arroU Seminary, and applied himself 
closely to study for two years following. The Civil 
War then being in progress he enlisted as a private 
in Co. K, y;jd 111. Vol. Inf., and served until the 
cU)se. He was present at the battles of Jackson, 
Miss., and Champion Hills, at which latter place 
nearly one-half of his regiment was cut di>wn. 
Later he partii-ipatcd in the siege of Vieksburg and 
mimerous skirmishes, the onl}' injury which he re- 
ceived being on account of a railroad accident by 
which he sutfercd the fracture of his leg. He re- 
ceived his honorable disch.-irge at Chicago, and, re- 
turning to Bureau County, III, received the ap- 
pointment of Inspector of Spirits, and remained at 
Peoria during the winter of 18G5-GC. He after- 
ward took a course of study at Eastman Commer- 
cial College in Chicago, whence he graduated in 
18(57, and after this resumed work for ]\Ir. Edwards, 
with whom he remained a year, and afterward en- 
gaged with his brother-in-law, at Minonk, in the 
nursery business for some length of time. 

The m.arriage of Jlr. A'ickroy took place in 
1868, at Lamoille, Bureau County, the maiden of 
his choice being Miss Mary P. (iraves,' who was 
l)orn in Massachusetts, but a,t the time of her mai-- 
riage resided in Bureau Comity. Soon afterward 
our subject and his wife located at Champaign, 
where JMr. \'. was pl.-iced in charge of the gardens 
and orchards of wli;it is now the University of Illi- 
nois, and was thus employed until 1874. He then 
came to Normal and settled uixm the place which 
he now occupies. He at first purchased ten acres, 
located in the north part of the citj-, for which he 
paid *4,;J00, and has since embellished the same 
with a line residence, erected at a cost of $.5,000, be- 
.-sides other improvements which have added greatly 
to its beauty and value. Mr. Mckroy subsequently 
added to his acreage!, aiul now has in all seventy 
acres, which is mainly devoted to the growing of 
sm.all fruits, and to which he gives his entire atten- 
tion. ICveiy dollar he possesses he accumulated 
by ills own industrious efforts and good judgment. 



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272 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



lie lived ecoiiomie:illy, was careful to meet his ob- 
ligations ])roiiii)t!3', and In' this means has gained 
tile rciiutalioii of an iionest man and a good citizen, 
in piililicshe iinit'orndy casts his vote with tlie IJe- 
pnlilican i)ai'ty, although otherwise taking no a,ctive 
part. Si)cially he is a mcmher in good standing of 
the Masonic fraternity. 

Mr. and .Mis. Mckroy have liccome the [>arents 
of two children, a son and danglitcr — 11. Kdwards 
and M. K. Louise. .Mis. \. is a careful and praise- 
worthy wife and mother, and an earnest member 
of the l!ai)ti>t Church. 



SHAM CILEAD LAIN, a geiitleiu.-iu highly 
respected in the community, and .an iiitidligent 
\ and skillful farmer, owns a large tract of linely 
cultivated land, and has one of the (inest residences 
in this section. lie possesses fine natural abilities, 
great eiu'rgy of character, niid liis possessions are 
the result of his own industiT, economy and per- 
severance. 

.Mr. Lain is a native of Madison Connt3', K}'., 
and was born on the 1 1th of September, 182'J. His 
l>arents were John and Sallie (Baker) Lain, and he 
was their second son. He was reared in liis native 
county, received his early education in the sub- 
scription schools, and as soon as he became uf suit- 
able age commenced the duties of life in assisting 
his parents around the homestead, ^\■llen he had 
attained his in.ijority his father gave him a horse 
and a, .saddle, :uid this was his start in life, lie 
went from home and engaged in the buying and 
selling of cattle, and general trading. In the 
spring of IMi), with a capital of $400 he purchased 
a stock of goods, and being still further assisted by 
his father, obtained additions to this on credit, and 
conducted a very successful tr.aih' until the fall of 
1857, when he sold out and came to .McLean 
County. 

UiKin arriving here .Mr. Lain purchased a tract 
of land on section 11), in Dale Tc)vvnship. It was 
entirely unimproved, and he industriously set about 
breaking the sod and cultivating the soil, and 
erected a good set of fiamc buildings, lie was also 
obliged to fence his land, and he was thus industri- 



r 



ously (iccupied until the fall of ISO,"), when he sold 
out and purchased land in Allen Township. The 
following- spring he removed to Sliirlcy, and iii 
ct)mpany with his brother, W. B. Lain, purchahcd 
200 acres of land on section 3(i, which constitutes 
his present homestead. At the same time tlic 
lirothers oijcned a store of general merchandise in 
Shirley and conducted that business and farming 
together for the following two years, when our snli- 
ject traded his interest in the store for his brother's 
interest in the farm, and has since devoted his 
time to agricultural i)ursuits. He subscqnentlj' 
added to his landed possessions and is now the 
owner of 532 acres, the home- farm inclndiiig 200 
acres and l^lie balance of his land lying in lvaiidol|ih 
Township. It is all improved and in a good state 
of cultivation, and jMr. Lain ranks among the first 
and substantial farmers of this locality. 

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage 
with Miss May J. Boulware on the 28th of -Inly, 
1857. Mrs. L. was also born in jMadison County, 
K}'., and is the daughter of Hardin and Kuth .1. 
(McWilliams) Boulware, and by her nnion with 
our subject ha> become the mother of five children, 
all living: .Susan P. bi'came the wife of Ilenr}' B. 
Stubblefield, and lives in Dale Township; Robert, 
Albert (i., WcUie 1!. an<] Ira D. a,r(^ at home with 
their parents. Mr. and IMrs. L. are prominently con- 
nected with the Cliristiau Church i.if Shirley, and 
in |)olitics .Mr. Lain, formerly a Whig, now affil- 
iates with tlie Democratic party. 

■JY/ ACOB KYEK, one of the self-m;ide men and 
successful merchants of MclA'an, deals ex- 
tensivel}- in dry-goods and ready-made 
clothing, and establislied business here in 
March, 18s;;i. He is of th.at energetic and resolute 
character which admits of no such word as fail, and 
has m.'iintained the position whicth he first took in 
the front ranks among the business men of this lo- 
cality. 

.Mr. Ivyer was born in Butler County-, Ohio, .Ian. 
1, IS IS. His father, IJiidolph Eyer, was a native 
of Oerniany, and was educated and grew to man- 
hood in his native Em))ire. After attaining his 



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MoLEAN COUNTY. 



273 



lunjority he emigrated to America, first locating in 
Butler County, Ohio, •where he was married. In 
1843 he removed to Fulton County, the same 
State, and purchased, a farm, upon which he lived 
for thirteen years, and then selling out came to 
McLean Count3% 111. He first located in A\'liite 
Oak Township, engaged in farming pursuits, and 
afterward removed to Dry Cirove Township, fl'here 
he spent the remainder of his days, departing this 
life in 1877. 

The wife of Rudolph Kycr was formerl3' ftliss 
Barbara Gunden, who was a native nf the same 
country as her husband, and to whom he was mar- 
ried in Ohio. She accompanied him to the West, 
and now lives with her children in Dry Grove 
Township. Of these there were ten in number, 
seven of whom grew to mature j'ears, the record 
being as follows : Mary, the wife of John Barrett, 
lives in Humboldt County, Iowa; Soi)hronia mar- 
ried Edward Patton, and lives in Dry (4rove 
Township; Jacob, our subject, was the third child; 
Mattie, Mrs. Albert Wright, resides in Linn County, 
Kan.; Lizzie married Jacob Patton, .and lives in 
Dry Grove Township; Christian and Daniel are in 
Humboldt County, Iowa. 

The subject of this histor3' was the eldest son of 
his parents. He attended the district school in 
winters, and assisted his father on the farm during 
the milder seasons. He remained under the home 
roof until twenty-two years of age, then farmed on 
rented land on his own account and jiurchased an 
interest in a coru-sheller and thrashing machine, 
which he operated profitably in White Oak and Dry 
Grove Townships. In 1874 he abandoned farming 
to engage in mercantile pursuit*, having a capital 
of liOOO, the result of his own earnings. With this 
he purchased a half-interest in a store in White 
Oak Town.shi]), and put in a general stock of 
merchandise, operating there until 1882. He then 
sold out, and after a vacation of a few months 
came to the little city of McLean, as before stated. 
He has been successful since his first establishment 
here, is doing a good business and carrj'iug an av- 
erage stock of $7,000. 

]\Ir. Eyer was married on the (Jth of July, 1884, 
to Miss Laura, the daughter of Edward and Maria 
(Griest) Cadwallader, who were natives of Indiana. 



Mrs. Eyer w^as born in that State, in Darlington, 
Montgomery County, in 1803. They have one 
child. Lloyd E., liorn Dee. 14, 1885. Both are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our 
subject, in politics, affiliates with the Republican 
party. 

II. ANDERSON, of Bloomington, is en- 
gaged witli Tillotson & Fell in the abstract 
and loan business, and possesses a good un- 
_ derstanding of business matters in general. 
He was born in Greenfield, Highland Co., Ohio, 
Nov. 20, 1S2(J, being the son of John and Sarah 
(Brooks) Anderson, of York County, I'a. John 
Anderson was a manufacturer of furniture, .and 
w.as also an undertaker, besides being engaged in 
farming i)ursuits. He removed from his native 
State to Ohio in 1820, located in Greenfield, and 
remained there until his death in 1866. The mother 
died in Lawrence, Kan., in 1873, at the home of 
her son, Di-. S. B. Anderson. Both parents were 
members of the Presbyterian Church for many 
years. They had three sons, two now living, our 
sul)jeet and his b)'other, the latter being a graduate 
of the Aledical College at Cincinnati. 

Young Anderson remained witii his parents un- 
til he was twenty-two years of age, and then went 
to Pickaway County, where he remained three years 
engaged in farming. From there he went to 
Frankfort. Ro.ss Co., (Jliio, and engaged in general 
merchandising for two years, and soon afterward 
entered the Commercial College of Columbus, 
Ohio, from which he graduated in 1850. He after- 
ward ix'niained at the college one j'ear, during 
which lie iiad charge of its office affairs. 

After leaving the college Mr. Anderson engaged 
in farming in Pickaway Country, Ohio, until Sep- 
tember, 1800, when he came to Illinois and enaao-ed 
in the dr}' -goods busine.ss .at Bloomington, at which 
he continued three years. He then purchased a 
farm of 120 acres in Will C'ounty, which he occu- 
pied and ctdtivated for seven years, and then sold 
eighty acres of it, having now 340 acres. LTpon 
retiring from his farm Mr. Anderson returned to 
Bloomingt(jn, and engaged in the abstract and loan 
business on North Main .street. In 1873 he moved 



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into the court-liou.sL', wIrmc lu; has been since that 
time. 

lu 1 .s."il oiirsulijfct iiKU-i-ii'iI Miss Nanc}' F. Baiter, 
who \v:is Itoi-n Mai-eli ."), Irt.'il, and is the daughter 
of Solouiou M. and I'llizaljclh (Horsey) Balcer, na- 
tives of New "i'ork and Ohio. Her fatlier was an 
extensive fai'mer and .st(jelv-raiser, owning from 
O.OOO to 8,000 aercs of land, and shipping large 
ntinilnTs of animals to market annually. Six only of 
their ten eiiildreu an; now living: Nancy F., Mrs. 
Anderson; I.i/./.ie, Mrs. .1. X. (jarimore, of Blooni- 
ington: .lohu, of St. Louis; .Minnie. i\Irs. Baker, 
of J'.loomingtou; Flori'uce, Mrs. .J. J. Iliddelston, 
of Kudora,, Kan.; I'hillip F., of North Carolina. 

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson hectame the parents .of 
six childi'cn — Sallie B., William M., Harry A., 
Adelbert, Samuel an<l Floreiua; M. Politically our 
subject is Democratic, and with his wife is a mem- 
ber of the Independent Church of Bloomington. 
Their iiandsome and attractive residence is located 
at the cornel- of Douglas and McLean streets, and 
they are lu-ld in high esteem by a, large luiniber of 
friends. 



pKSLEY T. CHAIN', a prominent and suc- 
\/'\/// •''''*^''"'' farmer of Mt. Hope Township, is 
leasantly located on section S, and carry- 
ing on agri(;ultui-e and stock-raising in a lirst-class 
manner. He is a native of Logan County, Ky., 
and was born .Inly 20, l.Sll. His father, William 
('rain, was liorn in llie same e(jnnty, and his grand- 
father, Armisted Crain, was a native of N'irginia, 
and removed to Kentucky in an early ()eriod in tlie 
settlement of that State. He was the friend and as- 
sociate of Daniel Boone, and located near the 
BooiK! settlement wluin first becoming a resident of 
Kentucky. Ih; |)urchased a tract of timl)er land 
and cleared a farm from the wilderness, where he 
estaJ)lishe(I a comfoi'lable home and passed the re- 
mainder of iiis days. His son William, the father 
of our subject, was reared in his native count}' and 
assisted his fathei' in clearing the farm, remaining 
witii his parents until his marriage. He then pur- 
rhased a trad of lieav}' timljer land, twelve miles 
from his father's place, and cleared nearly 1,000 




•acres. Upon this he engaged extensivel}' in stock- 
raising, and hred hor.ses, muI^s and sheep, which he 
drove to (Jeorgia. Alabama and Mississippi for 
sale. He was a thoi'ough Union man, and at the 
breaking out of the war joined the Union forces 
and became Lieutenant of the 8th Kentucky Cav- 
ahy. He died in the service at Hopkinsville, Ky., 
on the 7th of March, ISO.''). His wife, before her 
marriage, was Miss Amanda McMillan, a native of 
the same county and State as her husband, and the 
daughtei- of Bloomer McMillan, a pioneer settler of 
Logan Ciiuuly. I'hey became the parents of nine; 
children, all of whom, with one exception, lived to 
become men and women: Lemuel, the second son, 
served in the war in the same company with his 
father, and also died while in the service at I'^lkton, 
Ky., Dec. 31, 1802. Tiie mother is still living, and 
a resident of Atlanta, 111. 

The suliject of our sketch was the eldest child of 
his parents' family. He remained with his parents 
and assisted his father in the duties around the 
homestead until he was fifteen years of age, and 
then made annual trips to the South with horses 
!ind mules to sell, usually si)ending his winters in 
that warmer clime. In the spring of 1800 he was 
united in marriage with INIiss Jane K. I'ortcr, a na- 
tive of Uiitler County, Ky., and born Dec. 11, 
1811. She was the daughter of Benjamin and 
Nancy (Hutchinson) Porter, of Butler County, 
Ky., and reinaiued with her parents until her mar- 
riage with the subject of our sketch. 

After his marriage Mr. Crain purchased a tract 
of limber laud in Butler County, Ky., where he 
built a log house and commenced the improvement 
of a farm. After five years he soU\ out and pro- 
ceeded uorlh into McLean County. III., and pur- 
chased in .Mt. Ilojie Township sixty acres of land 
j lying on section .5. Two years afterward he traded 
this for a, tract of eighty acres on section 8, which 
he now owns and occupies, and where he has resided 
since that time. He subsequently added to this last 
l)urchase and now has a line farm of 1 (iO acres, all in 
one body and all im|)roved. Upon this he erected 
a comfortable farm residencce. He has good barns 
and out-bnildings. and ;dl the necessary machinery 
and implements for carrying on agriculture after 
the most modern and approved methods. The 



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homestead bears evidence on every liaiid of culti- 
vated taste and ample means. 

Of the union of 'Sir. and Mrs. Crain there were 
born live children, who are recorded as follows: 
William B. is a resident of Mt. Hope Township; 
Ruric M. is a student at Uloomington, 111.; N'irgil 
U., Ira L. and Elon 1*. are at home. 

Mr. Crain is Republican in politics, and (iccn- 
pies a prominent positii.m in the Masonic fraternity. 
He has always taken a great interest in the success 
of the order, having liecomo a Mason in Kentucky 
as earl}^ as 18(>y, as a member of (iasper River 
Lodge No. "247. After coming to Illinois he as- 
sisted in the organization of McLean Lodge No. 
409, in tlie fall (jf I8G5. He also assisted in organ- 
izing Stanford Allen Lodge No. 60,5, and still holds 
memliershi[) in that lodge, having been \V<)rship- 
ful INIaster for several years. He is a great admirer 
of the doctrines of the fraternity, and has given 
liberall3' of his time and means to promote the in- 
terests of Masonry. 



■^I/EREMIAII WELCH, one of the leading 
farmers of liloomington Township, is alsi;> 
largely interested in stock-raising, tniiiing 
/ his attention principally to the breeding of 
fine horses. He makes a specialty of roadsters, and 
has in his stables several of the offspring of the 
celebrated Hero of Thorndale, the famous Ralston 
and the Clay stock, comprising in all about forty 
head, seven of these being from the Hero of Thorn- 
dale, and remarkably fine animals. He also has ani- 
mals of a speedy family' on both sides. For beauty 
and symmetiy the anim.als exhibited on the farm 
of Mr. Welch will compare fav<.iralily with anj' 
others in the State. 

The home farm of Mr. Welch is located on sec- 
tions 27, 34, .35 and 30, the residence being located 
on the first named. His landed possessions in 
Bloomington Township aggregate abv)ut 400 aci'es, 
besides about 100 in Vermilion County. His 
dwelling, liarns and outhonses are finely built and 
correspond with each other, l)eing models of taste 
and convenience, and the whole estate presents one 
of the prettiest spots in the landscape of McLean 



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Connty. Mr. Welch became a resident of this lo- 
cality in 1834, making his first settlement in Downs 
Township, lie has been successfully engaged in 
his present business since a boy fourteen years of 
age, exhibiting at an early period of his life a pe- 
culiar adaptabilit}' for his chosen Held of operations. 
Of this he makes a science, and has studied the 
hal)its and needs of animals in more than an ordi- 
nary degree. He possesses the faculty of develoi)- 
ing their finest qualities, and in return is rewarded 
by a handsome income from his oi^erations in this 
dei)artmcnt of business. 

'J'lie subject of our sketch was born in Vigo 
County, Ind., July 10, 1827. His father, Solomon 
Welch, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of stanch 
L'ish ancestry. He was reared to manhood in his 
natives State and was there married, in Northamp- 
ton County, to Miss Susan Jacoby, a native of the 
same State and of Crerraan descent and parentage. 
After marriage they removed to Central Ohio, 
where s(>veral of their children were born, and sub- 
sequently removed to Vigo County, Ind. The family 
circle incluiled ten children, only three of whom 
are living, two s<.ins and one daughter: Jeremiah, 
of our sketch; Albert, and a sister, Elisa J. 

Our subject was the ninth child of the family, 
.•uid his father died at Ft. Harrison Prairie, Ind., 
when his son Jeremiah was only six years old. Two 
years later the mother and her children came to 
Illinois, and locating in McLean Count}' made their 
fin;d home in Downs Townshij), where the children 
grew to mature years ami where the mother closed 
her eyes to the scenes of earth in the fall of 1867. 

'J'hc subject of onr sketch was reared and edu- 
cate(l in Downs Township, and while still a j'oung 
boy began to earn his own livelihood, working at 
whatever his hands could find to do and being em- 
ployed by the month for one or two years. After 
liccoiiiiugof age he liegan to operate a farm on his 
own account and met with success. Five years 
later he took unto himself a partner and helpmeet 
in the [lerson of Miss Sarah J. Myers, their mar- 
riage c)ccurring Feb. 17, 18')3. Mrs. Welch was 
born in Kentucky, and at the age of six years came 
with her jwrents to Illinois, and they settled in 
liloouiington Townshijj. She remained with them 
until her marriage, in the meantime receiving a fair 
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odiication in the c-ominon sfli<>()ls, :uid assisting her 
molher in lionsehohl lUities. Hor imrcnls are both 
now dceenserl, but their nniiies nre hehl in kindly 
ronienibrance by a hirge oirole of fi-iends and ac- 
(luaintanees. They were most wortliy and excel- 
lent jjeople, and trained theii- children in those 
principles of honor and honesty which they had 
made the rule of their own lives, and the good in- 
llnenee whicii they shed around t-heni will live for 
years to (tome. They were natives of the South 
and of Knglish and (iernian ancestry. 

Mr. and Mrs. Welch have become the jjarents of 
five children, one of whom is deceased: Mar3' S., 
the wife of L. K. Calhoun, resides on a farm in 
\'erniilion Count}', 111.; Minerva married Charles 
VVagn(n-, .-i farmer of (Tillum, this county; John is 
carrying on agricultural operations on a farm in 
Bloomington Township, and is married ; Li/.zie C. 
Kershaw resides on section 35 ; William Henry is 
attending school at Bloomington. 111. These chil- 
dren form a bright and interesting family, and are 
the joy and comfort of their parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Welch settled in this township soon 
niU'V their marriage and began life at the foot of 
the ladder. They were poor in purse but united in 
their elforts to establish a permanent and comforta- 
ble home, and this they have accomplished to their 
abiMidant satisfaction. They are now possessed of 
a good share of this world's goods, and in their 
later years are reaping the rich reward of earlier 
toil .-lud self-denial. They arc highly esteemed 
among their neighbors and fellow-townsmen, and 
are members in good standing of the Methodist 
K[)iscopal Chuich. Mr. \V. lias been prominently 
connected with the affairs of his township since 
coming here, has been a member of the Board of 
Trustees, Townsiiip Supervisor, Commissioner of 
Highways, etc. Politically he is a solid Kepublican. 

In connection with the present business of Mr. 
Welch it is onlj' just to say that his rei)utatiou as a 
breeder of fine horses is by no means confined to 
the limits uf his townshij). Some of his roadsters 
arc familiarly known on the streets of Chicago and 
New York City, being driven by some of the finest 
horsemen and wealthiest citizens of these cities. He 
h.'is carried off laurels at the local and State fairs, 
and his favorite st;allion Lam|ilii>hter has won the 




first premium at various fairs for the last fourteen 
3-ears. The colts of this animal are sold at high 
prices. The stock farm of jNIr. Welch is complete 
in all its a|)i)ointments and has already become one 
of the notiible features of this section. 



lEV. GECUCK AV. BUIINS, deceased, was 
^ late a |)ri)niinent member of the Cen- 
'^\\\ tral Illinois Conference of the JMethodisl 
^Episcopal Church, and died while in attend- 
ance at this conference, of malarial fever, at Ke- 
wanec, Oct. 14, l.S,S4. He was born in Wheeling, 
W. Va,., June 2, 1835, being the second child and 
eldest son of Kev. John Burns, a prominent minis- 
ter of the same church, belonging to the Muskingum 
Conference. John Burns was the son of a Scotch 
gentleman whom it is supposed was a native of 
Ayrshire', where he was reared and received a fine 
education. He came to the United States when a 
j'oung man, and followed the vocation of a teai-her 
in A'irginia and Ohio. He was a man of influence 
and greatly respected wherever known. His son, 
John Burns, inherited much of his father's talent, 
and during the early days was appointed Ciencral 
Superintendent of the Methodist Protestant Church 
in the United States, and also served as President 
of the Conference for many years. He labored in 
the ministry' during a period of fifty years, preach- 
ing in the States of Ohio, A'irginia and Pennsylva- 
nia, lie was celebrated for his clear and logical 
reasoning powers, and was considered one of the 
first pulpit orators of his day. He was a close stu- 
dent, an extensive reader, and distinguished him- 
self by that unobtrusive and modest bearing which 
rendered liiin an object of respect and affection 
wherever known. 

(ieorgc W. Burns, following in the footsteps of 
his honored father, became in early life a hard stu- 
dent, and entered upon his ministerial duties when 
twenty-two years of age, being licensed in Steu- 
ben ville, Ohio. He entered upon his first charge at 
Brownsville, that State, in IS57, when twenty-three 
years of age, bcung then a member of the Methodist 
Protestant (.'hurch, with which he remained con- 
nected for the following sixteen years. After with- 



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drawing from this lie united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and thereafter, during the re- 
mainder of his life, devoted his time and attention 
to the cause of religion, iu the ministry. His edu- 
cation \tas begun in Steubenville, Ohio, whence 
later he went to I'niontown, I'a., and took a clas- 
sical course in the college there, from which he 
o:r,aduated after three years. Becoming also desirous 
of gaining an insight into the metliods of general 
business transactions, he took a thorough course in 
Dnlf's Business College at Pittsburgh, Pa., which 
proved of great advantage to him in his supervi.^ion 
of the finances of the churches oyer whicli he aft- 
erward iiad charge. 

Rev. George W. Burns was united iu marriage 
\yith Miss Emma H. iMouser, Sept. 2, 18(j;!. Mrs. 
B. was born in INIarion, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1S40, being 
the daughter of Isaac and Anna, (Strawliridge) 
Mouser, natives respectively of Virginia, and Peun- 
s}'lvania. They became residents of Ohio in early 
}'0uth, and were married in Marion, that State, in 
February, 1835. There they located, .and tbt 
father became one of the most successful cattle deal- 
ers of that section. He died there u\niu the home- 
stead which he had established in 1804. Later the 
mother removed to Shelbyville, 111., where she de- 
parted this life in 1874. Mrs. Burns, after a course 
iu the High School of JM.aricju, completed her edu- 
cation in the Wesleyan University at Delaware, 
Ohio. After her marriage with Rlr. Burns they 
located at Ridgeville, Md., whence they removed 
to Liverpool, Ohio, where, in addition to his minis- 
terial labors, Mr. B. became Superintendent of the 
public schools, and where he labored with such per- 
sistence and faithfulness that his iiealth was sei'iously 
impaired. He was connected with the Methodist 
Protestant Church for some time after coming to 
Illinois, but was admitted to the Central Confer- 
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch in 1873, 
at Galesbnrg. Ilis first appointment was at Oil- 
man, 111., where after two years he was removed to 
Carthage Circuit, and afterward was eng.aged for 
some time in different parts of Illinois. Finally, in 
1883, he was assigned to Chenoa, but iu the mean- 
time made his home iu Bloomington, where his 
death occurred. Although cut down in tlie piime 
of life the result of his good works and his inlluence 



will be apparent for many years to come. His earn- 
est and devoted life secured him the affection and 
confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances, l)y whom his name will ever be cherished in 
tender remend)rance. He left a widow with a 
family of five children: Anna E. completed her 
education at Wesleyan University, and is now a 
teacher in the Second Ward of Bloomington; John 
W. o|)erates the farm of his mother, which con- 
sists (.)f IGO acres of good land, in Padua Township. 
He also has received a good education, which w.as 
completed at Wesleyan Universitj% of which Carrie 
E. was also :\ student, and is now a te.acher in the 
public schools of Padua; George P., living .it 
home, is pui'suing his studies in the High School of 
Bloomington, and Katie W., the youngest, attends 
the public schools. The home of Mrs. Burns iu 
Bloomington is pleasantly located at Xo. 1404 
North ^lain street, where she has a good residence, 
which is the resort of the cultured people of the 
city. Jlr. r.urus was a strong anti-slavery man, 
and was greatly interested in the success of the 
temperance nH)Venient, arraying himself on the side 
nf the Prohiliition party. 



s«l 1» ILLIAM B. LAIN, of Dale Township, this 
\rJ/ county, a prominent and successful farnuir 
^/^ and stock-feeder and shipiier. is operating 
successfully on his fine farm located on section 3(i. 
He is iu all resjiects a representative man of one of 
the leading counties of the Prairie State, full of en- 
terjirise and energy, and presenting an example 
worthy of inntation by the rising generation. 

Mr. Lain is a native of the P>lue Cxrass State, 
having been born in Madison County, May 28, 
1827. His father, John Lain, of Virginia, was 
born iu Albemarle County, and his grandfather, 
Isham Lain, was also born in Virginia, and de- 
scended from English ancestry, his father, the 
great-grandfather of our subject, having been a na- 
tive of England, and emigrated to America in the 
colonial days, -settling in Virginia. This latter 
gentleman was twice married, and the two families 
am<)unted to sixteen sons, seven of whom served 
iu the Pevolntiouary War. The grandfather of ^ ' 



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our subject, oue of the seven, served under Gen. 
Washington. :uid received a iiension d\iring the 
last years of iiis life, lie emigrated from Virginia 
to Tennessee before the da.ys of carri.age roads, 
making the removal with pack horses. He spent 
two years at the norlli fork of llolston River and 
then removed to Kentucky, following Boone's 
trail, and settling in that part of the State now in- 
cluded in .Madison County. There he purchased 
a tract of timlierland, cleared a farm in the midst 
of the forest, and establi.-hed a home where he re- 
mained the balance of his life. He departed from 
the scenes t)f his earthly labors in 1851, after hav- 
ing arrived at the advanced age of over ninety-six 
years. The maiden name of his wife was Nanc.y 
Lauili. She was a native of Virginia, followed her 
husb.and in all his wanderings, and died in M.adison 
County, Ky., at the age of eighty year.s. Their 
sou, the father of our subject, was born in 1795, 
and was about nine years old when his parents 
moved to Kentucky. He there grew to manhood 
and married Miss Sallie Baker, of .Alaryland. He 
purchased land in .Madison County, Ky., near his 
father's homestead, engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, and reiriaiued there until his death, which 
occurred in 1807. His wife died in the same 
county, Nov. 15, 18,S5, at the age of eighty-two 
ye.-irs. They were most e.vcellent and worthy 
people and devoted members of the Christian 
Chui'ch. 

'I'he parents of our subject iiad a family of eight 
children, seven of whom grew to years of maturity. 
William 15., our subject, w.as the eldest born; Isham 
C. is a resident of Dale Township; Isaiah lives in 
r.lue .Mound Townshii); Shelton II. and Burgess 
\\'. are in Madison County, Ky. ; Klizabeth nnir- 
ried Thomas II. Todd and died in St. Clair County, 
.Mo.; Nellie B. became the wife of Y. J. G.arrett, 
and died in Madison County, Ky. 

William B. Lain was reared in his native county 
before the day of free schools. His father was a 
m.-in of more than ordin.ary intelligence, and full}' 
r(>ali/.ed the advantages of education. lie accord- 
ingly couti'il)uted his full share toward the main- 
teuaucc of a su))scrii)tion school, and provided for 
all his i-iiildren the means of an ordinarily fair ed- 
ucation. William B. remain<'d with his parents 



until he was twenty years old, employing his time 
alternately in work and study, and then entered a 
boarding-school in the same county to receive a 
still further course of instruction. Seven years 
later he was married and moved to Missouri, set- 
tling in St. CUair County, being among the earliest 
pioneers of that region. He entered a tract of 
Government laud and purchased another tract ad- 
joining, and pursued farming and school teaching 
ill that section until 1S57. He then returned to 
Kentucky and settled in Rockcastle County, where 
he eng.agcd in mercantile pursuits until l.SC.l, when 
he sold out and came into McLean County, 111. 
He purchased KiO axa-es of land in Dale Township, 
which he operated for one _year, then went to Shir- 
ley in this county with his brother, and purchased 
a tract of la.nd lying on section 30 in Dale Town- 
shii). He then located in the town and engaged iu 
trade as before, carrying on a general merchandise 
business for the following twelve years. In the 
me.'uitinu' he |)iircliased the farm which he now 
*wns and occupies, .'ind in 1875 settled ujjon it and 
has since made it his home. He has greatly im- 
proved the condition of the premises since he first 
took possession and has brought the land to a fine 
state of cultivation. He has been greatly pros- 
|jered iu his farming and stock operations and ships 
annually large uunil)ers of stock to Chicago. 

Mr. Lain was married in Rockcastle County, Ky., 
Sept. 27, IS 111, t<) Miss Ziporah Todd, who was 
born iu that county, Aug. 12, 1832. She conies 
from an excellent and prominent family, and w.as 
tlie daughter of .loiui and Mary (Heaton) Todd. 
Her grandfather, William Todd, a native of Mary- 
land, was one of the earliest settlers of Kentucky, 
and owne<l tlie first ox-cart ever brought into Mad- 
ison County. 

— ,-S ••o«o.@v><^^4-.o*o <v-"— 



GICORGK CHURCH, a resident of .McLean, 
IMt. Ilojie Township, is one of the old set- 
tlers of this county. Mr. Church was born 
at Rome. Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Feb. 18, 1822. 
His father, Calvin Church, was born in Last Ilad- 
daiii, JMiildlesex Co.. Conn., .and the paternal 
gr.andfather of our subject, Joseph Church, was 



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likewise .1 native uf Cuniiccticut and of English 
ancestry. The graiKlfether spent his entire life in 
the State of his nativity, and died on his farm near 
East Haddani, where he liad lived all his life. Tlie 
father of onr snbject was reared on the latter farm, 
and when a young man went to Ashtabula County, 
Ohio, where he was nnited in marriage with Miss 
Susan Crowell. She was born in the Nutmeg State, 
and removed with her parents to Ohio when three 
years old. Her father, William Crowell, was one 
of the first settlers in Rome, Ohio, lie bought 
timber land and improved a farm in the neighbor- 
hood of that place, and there spent the latter years 
of liis life. Our subject's father also bought tim- 
ber land ■ near the same place, which he occupied 
until 1833, when he sold it and removed to Geauga 
Conntj', Ohio, and located at Thompson. He 
bought a house, acted in the capacity of " mine 
host," and also engaged in merchandising at that 
place, making it his home until his death, in IHi'u. 
His wife died at the residence of her son in Akron, 
Ohio. 

The subject of this notice was the eldest son born 
to his parents, and assisted his father in the store 
and about the hotel, making his home with his par- 
ents until 1.S44. He then went to Leesville, Conn., 
and engaged in a cotton-mill, to learn cotton 
dressing. He worked in this place for a year and 
a half, when he embarked in tlie cotton business in 
Battenville, N. Y., and was thus occupied for two 
years. Returning to Ohio he operated his father's 
hotel for a time and then served as Postmaster at 
Thompson. In 185G he came to Shipman, Ma- 
coupin Co., 111., and in the fall of that 3'ear located 
on a farm and was there occuiiied for a little more 
than a year. At the expiration of that time he 
moved to Blooniington, and leasing a hotel kept 
public house for a year and a half, after which time 
he rented a farm in Mt. Hope Township, and fur 
some years tbereafter was occupied in farming on 
rented land. In 18G0 onr subject removed to the 
village of McLean, where he has continued to re- 
side until the present time. From 1870 to 1883 
he clerked in the mercantile establishment of F. A. 
Wheelock, and previous to that time he had been 
engaged in the lire insurance business. He also 
served eight 3'ears as Deputy Sheriff, and has held 



the positions of Constable, City .Justice and Town- 
ship and Town Clerk. 

Mr. Church was married to INIiss Margarette 
Hall in 1851. She was born in Rhode Island, and 
has borne our subject four children: Susan T., the 
wife of William T. Oibbs; William (i. and Clara 
E. are residents of McLean ; the latter is the wife 
of "William M. King, Postmaster of McLean; Liz- 
zie died in infanej-. Mr. Church is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, and holds fellowship with 
Lodge No. 4G9 of McLean. In politics he is a 
stanch Republican. 



■^ACOB FUNK, a highlj' esteemed farmer, 
1 and one of the most extensive stock-raisers 
of McLean County, is a native of this coun- 
tj', and was born in Funk's Grove Town- 
ship. The date of his birth was April 7, 1830, and 
he is tlie third son of Isaac and Cassandi-a (Sliarpe) 
Funk, a sketch of whom appears in another part of 
this work. 

As soon as old enougii, young Jacob commenced 
to assist his father in all the various kinds of farm 
work, and herded cattle during the summer season 
on the wild prairies of his native township. At 
the age of twelve years he went to Chicago and 
lived with au uncle there, also following his old oc- 
cupation of herding cattle and sheep, outside the 
citj' limits. Chicago was then a small town, with 
l)robably 5,000 inhabitants. The greater j)art of 
the land now occupied by the city was wild prairie, 
and Jacob Funk frequently herded a flock of sheep 
on the ground which is now occupied by the Grand 
Pacific Hotel. He remained with his uncle ten 
months, and then returned home to his father in 
McLean County, where he lived until fourteen 
3'ears <if age, and then again started for Chicago 
and the home of his uncle with whom he had lived 
before. He was accompanied by his father, and 
tcigether thej' pursued their way overland to Indi- 
ana where they intended making a short visit. 
J.acob was there taken sick, and after an illness of 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



three weeks, his father, who had gone home in the 
meantime, retnrned for him and removed him 
home on a bed. After this he remained with his 
father until his marriage, when he settled on the 
farm which he now owns and occupies, and a part 
of wliich was given him by his father. Only a 
few acres were then improved, but he set himself 
industriouslj' about its cultivation, and by degrees 
increased Ids possessions until now he may be 
ranked among the large landed proj^rietors of the 
.State, owning 2,600 acres, and all under a good 
state of cultivation. This land is divided uj) into 
several farms which are furnished with suitable 
buildings and occupied by tenants. Mr. Funk 
manages his extensive possessions, and upon his 
land are raised in large numbers, horses, cattle and 
hogs. He grazes from 400 to 600 head of cattle 
annually', and also operates as a shipper, sending 
his animals to Chicago. As we might expect, the 
income from these enterprises yields him a hand- 
some sum annually. 

Jacob Funk was married to Miss Mary A. Walt- 
man, Nov. IK, 1S,'),S. Mrs. Funk is a native of 
Bedford County, Pa., and was boin .Tune 15, 1838. 
(She is the daughter of Michael and .Julia Ann (Wil- 
son) Waltman, and of her marriage with our sub- 
ject there have been born three children — Charles 
A., Clara Ma>' and Dean N. They are .all now at 
home with their j)arcnts. The tw'o eldest were 
educated at Wesleyan University, 151oomington ; 
the youngest son received his preparatory course at 
Peekskill, N. V., and is now a student at Yale Col- 
lege. 

The farm residence of our subject and his fam- 
ily is M, handsome brick structure, one of the most 
elegant in tlie I'rairie Slate, and botii within and 
without is indicative of cultivated tastes and am- 
ple means. Its inmates are surrounded by all the 
comforts of life, and enjoy the confidence and es- 
teem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 
In politics Mr. I<'unk is strongly Republican, and 
as a business man is straightforward and system- 
atic in ids (operations, meeting his obligations 
pronii)tly, an<l in all respects conforming to the 
duties of a good citizen whose influence is widely' 
felt, and whose transactions largely affect the wel- 
^ ' fare of his communitj'. He is known far and wide, 




and his portrait, which we give in connection with 
this sketch, will be welcomed by his many friends 
throughout the county. 

ESTFK GREEN, one of the leading busi- 
ness men of P.loomington, and an extensive 
dealer in hard and soft coal, has his 3'ards 
at the corner of Howard and Mulberrj^ streets, and 
his city office at No. 314 North Center street. Mr. 
Green is a native of England, w.as born in 1846, 
and IS the son of .lohn and Alartha (Fox) Green, 
who also were natives of Engl.and. .John Green 
carried on draying and transportation business, and 
the grandfather of our subject w.as a woolen man- 
ufacturer. After his decease his son .John contin- 
ued the business until his death, which occurred 
Jttly 15, 1850. Six years after the death of her 
husV)and, the mother of our subject came with lier 
family of three children to the United States and 
at once proceeded westward to Illinois, settling 
first at Jcrseyville, .Jersey County, where thej' re- 
mained until 1858. They then came to Blooming- 
ton, where the mother has since lived. Lester, of 
our sketch, was the eldest child; Anna, Mrs. Rag- 
land, lives in Chicago, and has four children — Wal- 
ter, .John, Rosa and Violet. .John is a locomotive 
engineer .and makes his home at liloondngton. 

Ive^ter Green received a good education, his 
younger days being mostl3' spent in school, .and he 
pursued his studies three years after the family be- 
came residents of liioondngton. He was then em- 
plo3'ed by the mouth at farnung, and continued at 
this and other work until 1867, when he started a 
dra}' line and oi)erated it for about four 3'ears; 
then at the same headquarters he opened his pres- 
ent oflice and has now built up .an extensive and 
lucrative trade in coal. He gives cmi)lo.yment to 
four men and uses four double teams in the de- 
livery of orders. Iiesidos this business he has also 
dealt considerably in real estate. He purchased 
his present property, wldch includes his home and 
oflice, in 1871. He is now one of the leaders in 
city affairs, iiaving held the office of Alderman in the 
Second Ward and is Vi(!e-Pi'esidcnt of the Bloom- 
ington Co-operative C^oal Conipau}'. He always 



4 



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McLean county. 



283 i i 



takes an active interest in the welfare of his city 
and county, and contributes liberally of his means 
to the support of every worthy enterprise. His 
latch string always liangs out to the poor and needy, 
and he is in all respects one of the useful factors 
in the social and business elements of the city. 

Mr. Green w-as united in marriage with Miss 
Ellen Steele in 1870, and they have three children 
— Gertrude, Flora and Ida. Mrs. Green is the 
daughter of Alexander and fSivillia (McGowen) 
Steele, who were natives of Oiiio. The little 
household is surrounded by all the comforts of 
life, and enjoys tiie esteem of a large circle of ac- 
quaintances. 



.-^t^—;*^^' 



■■<^'«if-*^*<f-» 



t 



\Y7AC'0B FLEMING, general merchant at 
Holder, Old Town Township, and also Su- 
pervisor of the township, was born in Ilunt- 
l^/,' ingdon County. Pa., June 2, 1.S41. The 
father of our subject, John Fleming, was born on 
the Emerald Isle in 1810, .and emigrated to the 
United States with his parents in 18-20, settling in 
Fulton County, 111., in 184'.). Our subject's mother, 
Elizabeth (Kitt) Fleming, was born in Pennsylva- 
nia. After the parents' marriage tliey settled in 
Huntingdon County, Pa., and there lived for about 
ten years, when they remo\'ed to Fulton County, 
111., where their demise occurred. The fatlier died 
in July, 1882, and tlie mother Jan. 11, 18(38. The 
parental family consisted of twelve children, nine 
of whom lived to attain the age iif man and woman- 
hood, .as follows : James, J.acob, William, Samuel, 
Frederick, Joseph, B. E., John P. and M.aggie J. 
Three died in infancy, .and only six are living at 
this writing. 

Jacob Fleming was the second son and child 
born to his parents, and was but eight years of .age 
when they removed to Fulton Country, 111., and 
there in the common schools he received his edu- 
cation. Our subject continued to live with the old 
folk until he was twenty years of age, when he en- 
listed in Co. G, 50th 111. Vol. Inf., as a private. 
Soon, however, he was promoted Corporal for mer- 
itorious conduct, then First Sergeant, then First 
Lieutenant, and subsequently commissioned Cap- 



tain. He was in the service nearly four years, and 
during that time received no serious wound or in- 
jury. He accompanied Sherman in his march to 
the sea, and particii)ated in the battles of Ft. Henry, 
Donelsou, Corinth, Miss., Altona Pass, and others, 
besides many skirmishes. 

After his discharge from the service Mr. Flem- 
ing returned to Fulton County, and at once en- 
tered upon the duties of a pedagogue, which he 
folk>wed for a little more than a year, and then, in 
February, 18(;7, came to this county and settled in 
Old Town Township. There he engaged in farm- 
ing and has continued to make that township his 
home until the present time. He carried on his 
farming operations until 1874, and then embarked 
in mercantile pursuits at Holder, in company with 
his brother William, under the firm name of Flem- 
ing Bros. This relationship continued until 1884, 
when our subject bought out his bi'other's interest, 
and at [jresent carries on the business al(.)ne. He 
lias a general stock of merchandise, suflicient to 
meet the wants of all his customers, and in addi- 
tion to his mercantile business is largely engaged 
in buying and shipping grain and stock. Mr. 
Fleming is the owner of 420 acres of land, all of 
which is under an advanced state of cultivation. 
He has a fine residence in the vill.age of Holder, 
and has met and is meeting with signal success in 
the conducting of his different br.anchesof business. 

Mr. Fleming and Miss Susan D. Hughes, daugh- 
ter of Robert E. and Ollie (Harlan) Hughes, were 
united in marriage in Fulton County, 111., Jan. 28, 
18G3. Her father was a native of Ireland and her 
nujther of English ancestry. After their m.arriage 
they settled in Indiana, whence they moved to Ful- 
ton County, where thej' resided until their death; 
his demise occurred in 18G2, and hers in 1850. 
They had three children — Sarah A., Martha and 
Susan 1). Susan w.as born in Fulton County, 111., 
Jan. 3, 1843, and remained .an inmate of the par- 
ental household until her marriage with our sub- 
ject. By this union eleven children were born — 
Ollie E., Fred E., Joseph B., Mary E., Ida H., 
Charlie A., John K., Maggie, Robert H., Jessie G. 
and Bernie E. Ollie E. and Charlie A. are de- 
ceased. 

Mr. Fleming has held the ollice of Commissioner 



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284 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



of Highways for nine years. He was elected Su- 
pervisor of Old Town Township in the spring of 
1 884, and still holds th;it oflice. He was appointed 
Postmaster at Holder under the Grant administra- 
tion, aii<I has held that ollice eontiiuiously until the 
present time, with the exfcption of two years when 
his brother was the ineiind)cnt of the office. Mr. 
Fleming was one of tlie organizers of the Third 
National 15ank of Bloomington, and is yet a stock- 
holder of tiie same. ]Mrs. Fleming is a member of 
the Christian Church, and in politics our subject is 
a Republican. 

/ OHN W. ARROWSMITH, An., a highly re- 
spected resident of Padua Township, is suc- 
cessfully operating the farm of his mt)tlier. 
(^^[// which is pleasantly located on section 32. 
From this he derives a handsome income, and is also 
the owner of sixty aci-es of good land on section 5, 
Emjjire Township. The father of our subject was 
John W. Arrowsmith, Sr., a native of Ross County, 
Ohio, where he passed his childliood and youtli, and 
developing into manhood eng.aged at farming pur- 
suits. There also he w.as married to ISIiss Nancy 
Oliver, a lady of Irish parentage and descent, but 
a native of Marj'land. After marriage the young 
people settled on a farm in Green Township, Ross 
Co., Ohio, whence in 18o4 they emigrated to Illi- 
nois, ni.'iking the journey overland with teams. 
Tiiey settled in Padua Township, on section 32, 
where the fatiierof our subject purchased ICO acres 
of land, and ninety acres in Empire Township, on 
section 5. He was born Oct 31, 180;'), and de- 
parted this life Jan. 11, 1885, on the homestead 
whieh lie had established in this county. The wife 
and mother is yet living, making her hunic with her 
younger daughter, Nancy ]\1., at Leroy. 

The subject of this iiistory w.as born in Green 
Township, Ross Co., Ohio, June 13, 1849, being 
the ^^oungest but one of a family of eight chil- 
dren, two of whom are deceased. He was five 
years of age wiicn his parents removed from the 
Buckeye .State to Illinois, and received his educa- 
tion mostly in Padua Township. He remained au 
inmate of the parental home until 1873, then going 



into Seward County, Neb., engaged in farming, 
being also married there on the 2d of September, 
1875, at the home of the bride's jmrents, to Miss 
May M. Davis. Mrs. A. was born in Lee County, 
Iowa, in the vicinity of Keokuk, Dec. 27, 1855. 
She was the daughter of James T. and Amanda E. 
(Collins) Davis, natives respectively of Pennsylva- 
nia and Oiiio. They removed West while young, 
and were married in Lee Count}', Iowa. After 
marriage they went to Nebraska, settling on a 
farm in Seward County. Later the father returned 
East to Butler County, Neb., where he died July 
27, 1882. The mother married again and is now a 
resident of Lincoln, Neb. 

Mrs. Arrowsmith was the elder of her mother's 
two children, and went with the latter to Nebraska, 
remaining with her until her marriage. Of her union 
with our subject there have been born five children 
— Preston D., ]Mau<lalena, Rose O., John W. and 
Alvin R. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Arrowsmith 
located in Seward County, Neb., where thej' lived 
five years, and then came to Illinois, settling first at 
Stumptown, this county, and in about 1885 re- 
moved to their present home. Mr. Arrowsmith po- 
litically is a stanch adherent of the Democratic 
party, and .as a l)usiness man and citizen is consid- 
ered one of the valued members of the comratinit}-. 



'.^ IfclLLIAM B. MYERS, m.i 
\/iJl/ S''^"'^ ^"'^ engaged in cal 
Wi 218 South Main street. 



WILLIAM B. MYERS, manufacturer of or- 
abinet wi>rk at No. 
Bloomington, is a 
native of York County, I'a., and was born March 
31, 1840. His parents were Lewis and Lucy 
(Bond) Myers, natives of Germ.any, who emigrated 
to the L'nitcd States before their marriage, and be- 
came husband and wife in the city of Baltimore, 
Md. They located in York County, Pa., and there 
spent the remainder of their lives, the father being- 
engaged in the cabinet business. Lewis Myers 
died in 1878, and tlie mother of our suliject in 
187i). The i)arental household included nine chil- 
dren, seven now living. 

William B. Myers was the iifth child of his par- 
ents, and remained an inmate of his father's house 






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McLEAN COUNTY. 



285 



until twenty-one years of age. He then learned 
the cabinet trade, and coming west, located first in 
Decatur, 111. Ho became a resident of Blooiuing- 
ton in 18GG, and with the exception of three years 
this city has Ijcen his home since that time. He 
was engaged with Andrns Bros, for a period of ten 
years. 

Mr. Myers was married in lisGS to Miss Jennie 
Weire, of Decatur, the daughter of George and 
Emeline Weire, and bj' her union with our subject 
she has become the mother of two children — Charles 
and James A. They have a pleasant home at No. 
•217 South Center street, and enjoy the society of 
many friends. Mr. Blyers belongs to the I. O. O. 
F., and is one of the most worthy citizens of an 
industrial community. 



-^ 



\1 OHN RODMAN, an old pioneer of this 
count}', and one of the old settlers of tlie 
State, highly respected fi.ir his sterling worth 
^7/ and integrity, is passing the sunset of life on 
his farm of 180 acres on section 22, Old Town 
Township. Mr. Rodman was the sixth in order of 
birth in a family of eleven children, and flist saw 
light in Berks County, Pa., Dec. 5, 1817. lie was 
reared upon his father's farm, and continued to re- 
side with the old folk until he had attained the age 
of manhood. He then left the parental rooftree 
and began farming for himself. Prior to this, how- 
ever, his parents had removed to Zanesville, Ohio, 
and it was there that our subject received his edu- 
cation in a log school-house in Muskingum County. 

It was during the year 1838 that our subject first 
began to do for himself. He began farming on 
eighty acres which his father had previously given 
him in Hopewell Township, and for thirteen jears 
was occupied in that maimer, when he went on an- 
other farm given b}' his father, consisting of eighty 
acres of timber land in Ohio, and was interested in 
its improvement and cultivation until he concluded 
to tiy his fortunes farther West. Following up this 
conclusion he, in the fall of 1854, accompanied by 
his wife and seven children, came to this count}-, 
and settled on section 22, Old Town Township. 

Ml". Rodman has continued to reside upon the 



same section on which he settled when he first came 
here, until the present time, with the exception of 
about three years, and has been continuously occu- 
pied in agricultural pursuits. He is at present the 
owner of 180 acres of v.aluable and productive 
land, on which he has a good set of farm buildings, 
and is one of the self-made men of the county. 

ilr. Kodinan was married in Muskingum County, 
Ohio, Feb. 15, 18.'!8, to Mary J., daughter of Leg- 
gett and Nancy (Gutridge) Grey, natives of Vir- 
ginia. Mrs. Rodman was born in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, M.ay I, 1819, and of her union with 
our subject seven children were bom, four of whom 
are living — Ann, Joseph L., Lucinda and E. L. 
Ann is the wife of Homer Boise, and they are liv- 
ing at Bloomington, 111. ; Joseph was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Hayes, and is a farmer of 
Old Town Township; Lucinda became the wife of 
Jeremiah Whiteomb, who is also a farmer of Old 
Town Township; E. L. married Miss Louisa t^ogle, 
and they are likewise residents of Old Town Town- 
ship. The deceased children of our subject and wife 
were named Worthington N., Laura and Margaret 
A. The latter was the wife of John Craig, and de- 
parted this life in Old Town Township. 

j\Ir. Rodman has held some of the minor offices 
in the township. He has taken a deep interest in 
the cause of the Master, and with his wife has been 
a member of the Methodist Protestant Church for 
almost twoscore years and ten, and all their chil- 
dren are members of the same denomination. In 
politics he is a stanch Republican, and socially is 
possessed of a genial and kind disposition which 
has made for him innumerable friends, not only in 
Old Town Township, but throughout the entire 
county. 

■rwjAMES POINDEXTER, a native of McLean 
County, and who has here spent the greater 
part of his life, was born on the farm where 
he now lives, on section 17, Bloomington 
Township, on the 10th of September, 1843. His 
father, Arnett Poindexter, was a native of Virginia 
and of French descent, their earlier ancestors go- 
ing with William the Conqueror from France to 
England, whence, later, they emigrated to the 



»► f -. <^_ 



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r 



286 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



t 



it 



United States, and located in Virginia at about the 
time of the close of the Revolutionary War. The 
first representatives in this country were two broth-' 
crs, one of whom located in Lexington, Ky., where 
afterward the father of our subject met his future 
wife, Miss Elizabeth Duncan. After their marriage 
and the birth of six children, four sons and two 
daughter, the family removed Nortii to Illinois, in 
18:!ll,and settled in Bloomington Township uiion a 
tract of unimproved land, most of the country 
around them still being in its original condition. 

Arnett Poindexter was a miller by trade, and 
had owned mill property in Kentucky which was 
devoted to the manufacture of woolen goods. After 
coming to this county he erected the first woolen- 
mill within its borders, and successfully followed 
this calling until his death, which occurred in about 
1844. Our subject was then about one year old 
and the youngest of the family. He remained on 
the farm with his mother and brothers and obtained 
a fair education in the pioneer schools. When 
quite young he was greatly interested in the opera- 
tions of the honey-bee, and as he grew older he 
soon began to make a business of caring for these. 
lie has now about 200 colonies of Italian bees, 
from whicli he obtains large quantities of honey, 
usually taken in the comb. 

The mother of our subject departed this life in 
March, 1874; five of his brothers and sisters lived 
to mature j'ears, and two brothers and one sister 
are yet living. On the 2r)tli of December,^! 879, 
our subject was married in Bloomington Township 
to Miss Elizabeth Brigham, the daughter of George 
and Lydia (Shinn) Brigham, the former of Boston, 
Mass., and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. They 
were married in Pike County, 111., and located there 
upon a farm, where the father passed the remainder 
of his days. The mother is living with her son, 
Asa Brigham, in Bloomington Township. Mrs. 
Poindexter was born in Pike Count}', 111., Dec. 20, 
1843. She came to McLean County with her par- 
ents when twelve years of age, was educated in 
Normal, and began to teach when nineteen, which 
she followed until her marriage with our subject. 
Of this union there has lieen born one child — 
.lamesina Pearl. 

The homestead of Mr. Poindexter embraces 

^« 



seventy-five acres of finely cultivated land, a com- 
fortable residence, all necessaiy barns and nut- 
buildings, and witiiin and witJK^nt gives evidence 
of the supervision of a well-directed and intelligent 
mind. Mr. P. is highly respected in his community, 
is Democratic in politics, and in all respects a use- 
ful and valued mcmher of society, lie possesses 
considerable literary taste, and lias been a corres- 
jiondent of the Ainerk-an Bell Journal for some 
time. He was also Secretary of the Bee-Keeper's 
Association of Central Illinois in 1884, which po- 
sition he occu|)ied for some time afterward. 



^^^S 



yyiLLIAM KINC;, deceased, was formerly 
/ one of the most successful farmers in 
Bloomington Township and ranked among 
its valued citizens. He owned a good farm of oOO 
acres on section 1 it, where his widow and youngest 
son are now living and operating a part of the 
homestead. Mr. King was liorn in Somerset County, 
Pa., Feb. 2o, 1813, and was of pure German ex- 
traction. He was first married to Miss Amelia Col- 
burn, who was also of Pennsylvania birth and Ger- 
man jincestry, and whose parents s|)ent nearly their 
entire lives in Somerset County, Pa. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. K. remained 
in Penns^dvania until aliout 183G, when they re- 
moved to Illinois and located upon what is now 
familiarly known as the old King homestead. Of 
their union there were born three children, all liv- 
ing and recorded as follows : Ellen became the 
wife of Josei)h Nye, a farmer of McLean County ; 
William married Miss Sarah Alexander, and is 
farming near Farmer City, 111. ; Amelia married 
Mr. .John Debolt, and is residing on a farm with 
her husl)and in Martin Township, this county. Mrs. 
Amelia C. King departed this life at the home of 
her husband in Bloomington Township, Aug. 12, 
1844, greatly mourned by her family and a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances. 

The second wife of Mr. King was Miss Ann \au 
Nostin, to whom he was married in Bloomington 
Township on the 2Gth of February, 1845. This 
lady was li(irn in Hamilton County, Ohio, Nov. 2, 
1824, her parents being Abraham anil Margaret 



n 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



287 



(Cook) Van Nostin, natives of New Jersey, of New 
England parentage and Gei'inan ancestry. They 
were married in Hamilton County, Ohio, whence 
they removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there 
to McLean County, where the father died in Ran- 
dolph Township in about 1S40. The mother is 
still living, and raalvcs her iKjme with her grandson, 
P^lias King, in Bloomington Township, having ar- 
rived at tlie advanced age of eighty-four 3'ears. 

Mrs. King, by her marriage with our subject be- 
came the mother of six children, four now living, 
as follows: David married Miss Crystal Shermer, 
and is farming in Cheney's drove Township; 
Alice became the wife of John Foster, who is farm- 
ing near Shirley; Elias is engaged in farming pur- 
suits in Bloomington Township; Zei)haniali II. lives 
with his mother at the old homestead and is carry- 
ing on farming; he was married, Feb. 23, 18iS7, to 
Miss Anna Burning. 

Mrs. King and her husband were among the 
carl}' residents of iMcLean County and favorabl}' 
known as being numbered with its most valued and 
worthy citizens. In politics Mr. King was a mem- 
ber of the old Whig party, and served as Justice 
of the Peace for a mimber of years. The sons are 
all Democrats. Mr. King died Oct. 2«, 18.54. 

^^1 B. IIOBLIT, Cashier of the National State 
(@lU\ Bank of Bloomington, is a native of Illi- 
nois, and was born in Fulton County on 
the 10th of March, 1844. He is the son 
of Mahlon S. and Mary A. (Thomas) Hoblit, the 
father a native of Ohio and the mother of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

The early life of Mahlon S. Iloblit was employed 
in mercantile pursuits in this State, partly in Can- 
ton and partly at Atlanta. He was busil}' employed 
until 1857, when he was obliged to abandon active 
business on account of his wife's failing health, and 
removed to Minneapolis, Minn., where his life ter- 
minated in 18G8; the mother survived her husband 
for a period of seventeen years, dying in Atlanta, 
111., in 1885. Both were members of the Baptist 
Church. The father was one of the first men in 
Illinois to advocate the principles of the Kepul)- 




lican party, taking an active part in its organization 
here, and was also greatly interested in the estab- 
lishment of schools and churches and the success of 
temperance. His latch-string always hung out to 
the wayfarer, and the poor and needy found in him 
a stanch friend and helper. 

The parental household of ten children was bro- 
ken into by the death of four of its members; the 
living are as follows : Almeda, Mrs. McCrary, 
lives in Little Falls, Minn. ; Isaac N. is a dealer in 
live-stock .at Minneapolis. Minn.; Alvin B. is our 
subject; Lizzie Z. resides in MinneaiJolis; Mahlon S., 
Jr., is farming near Monticello, Minn., and Daniel 
S. is also living near the latter-named place ; John 
T., who died of fever at Stone River while in the 
army, was first to enlist in the three months' service 
at Minneapolis; he was city editor of the Tribune 
of that city; Isaac N., who was also in the army, 
was injured at the first battle of Bull Run, but re- 
covered, and at the expiration of three months 
they both re-enlisted, and served nntil the close of 
the war; they belonged to the famous Minnesota 
First. 

The subject of this sketch remained at home 
until seventeen years old, and after his parents went 
North, attended the Minneapolis High School. He 
subsequently engaged as a clerk for his brother, a 
merchant in Canton, 111., where he remained two 
years. He then enlisted in Co. B, 8th 111. Vol. Inf., 
and during a service of thirteen months participated 
in several engagements and skirmishes, being at the 
siege and capture of Spanish Fort, Ft. Blakeley and 
Mobile, Ala. He escaped injury, and after receiv- 
ing an honorable discharge returned to Canton and 
clerked for the dry-goods merchant, A. C. Babcock. 
The following eighteen months were spent in Sauk 
Center, Minn., with the firm of Moore & McClure, 
who were eng.aged in merchandise and milling. He 
then came to Atlanta, 111., and was connected with 
the banking house of Frank, Hoblit Bros. & Co. 
from 1 8()7 to 1 873. Then, on account of ill-health, he 
accepted a position as Deputy Collector of Internal 
Revenue at Springfield, 111., but after two j'ears re- 
signed. Then, in company with a few friends he 
assisted in the establishment of the Farmer's Na- 
tional Bank .at Pekin, 111., where he occnpied the 
position of Cashier three 3'ears. He was then con- 



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288 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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4" 



cerned with others in the organization of the Na- 
tional State Bank of lilooiuiuiJtdn, of whifh he is a 
stock-lioliler and Director, and lias been Cashier 
since lis? 8. 

Mr. Hoblit was nuirricd in 1S76, to Miss Annie 
E., danghter of Capt. Isaac and Elniira (Neal) 
Keys, who were natives respectivel.v of Illinois and 
Kentncky. To Mr. and Mrs. 11. there have been 
born two sons — Edward M. and Harris K. The 
residence of our subject and his family is located at 
No. 315 East Chestnut street, and they enjoy the 
friendship and society of the cultured citizens of 
Blooniiugton. They are both members of the First 
Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Hoblit uniformly 
votes the Republican ticket, and is an honored 
member of the G. A. IJ. He is also a member of 
the K. of P. Lodge, and lias been I'ast Chancellor. 
His energy and enterprise have placed him in the 
front rank with the business men of Bloomington, 
and he is the substantial supporter and encourager 
of every measure tending to its credit and welfare. 



"if]OHN MURRAY, deceased, was one of the 
prominent and well-to-do farmers of Mc- 
Lean Countj-, and was a resident of Old 
Town Township. He was born in County 
Tipperary, Ireland, al)Out 1821. When about 
twentj'-eight j^ears of age he came to the conclusion 
that he could better his financial condition in life 
by emigrating to the United States, and following 
up his conclusion he landed upon the soil of our free 
Republic in 1849. He selected as the place of his 
residence the State of Ohio, and after residing there 
for seven years he concluded to come still further 
West, and in 18oG became a citizen of McLean 
County by settling in Old Town Township. There 
lie determined to make his permanent liome, hav- 
ing, as he often said, great faith in the future de- 
velopment of the country. He purchased a farm 
in that township, and was industiiousl}' engaged in 
agricultural pursuits tiiere until Aug. 10, l,s.s(j,the 
date of his demi.se. At this time he was tlie owner 
of 320 acres of valuable and productive land, 
vvhiclihe had accpiired through Ids own energy and 
perseverance. He was a self-made man in every 

^1 



respect the word implies, and what he possessed up 
to the date of his demise had been acquired, as 
stated, through his own exertions and not as the re- 
cipient of any legacy whatsoever. 

Mr. INIurray was married at Bloomington, 111., 
Sept. 14. 185(1, to Miss Eliza Loughman, who was 
born in (Queens County, Ireland, Feb. 22, 1837. 
She was about .seventeen years of age when she 
came to the United States, and of her union with 
Mr. jMurray eleven children have been born : Anna 
is the wife of Frank Schlink, and they reside in Peo- 
ria: the others are Edward, Michael, John, Jlaggie, 
Thom.as, Martin. .lames, Mary, Joseph M. and Will- 
iam. James died in infancy. Mrs. Murray and her 
children are members of the Catholic Church, as was 
our subject. In iiolitics ]\Ir. Murraj' was a Demo- 
crat. His remains are interred in the Catholic 
Cemetery at Bloomington. 



^|pj^]OBERT S. HOWARD, of Leroy, has been a 
resident of the Prairie State since 1858, and 
has built uj) for himself a good record as a 
^^^mau of the highest integrity, and one who 
has exerted a good influence in society. He -is an 
ardent Prohil)itionist, earnestly and actively op- 
posed to the use and manufacture of spirituous liq- 
uors, and a devoted member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Churcli, with which he has been prominently 
connected since 1845. A large portion of his lime 
has been given to the promotion of those ideas 
which he believes to be for the welfare of thecora- 
munit.v, socially, morally and religiously, and he 
has contributed liberally and cheerfully of his 
means to these ends. 

Mr. Howard is a native of Madison County-, Ky., 
and was born June 15, 1827. His father, Ignatius 
Howard, was a native of the same State, and his 
grandfather, of English birth and parentage, was 
one of the earliest pioneers of the Blue Grass 
region. He served as a soldier in the Revolutit)u- 
ary War, and yielded up his life on the battle-field 
as a tril)ute to liberty of thought and conscience. 
By iiis death there were left a widow and two small 
children, the father of our subject being but three 
or four years old wiien ins father died. The 



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w 




Residence of A.T. Mitch ell, Sec. 23., Dale Township. 






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j^;liHllllli'IIIIHlh|ll!ll!illlil[!MI|]ll^ 



Residence of Joseph Denning^ 808. E.Chestnut5t.,Blooiviington. 




t 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



291 



mother subsequently married Thomas Taylor, of 
Marlison County, Ky., who became a well-to-do 
farmer. Ignatius' Howard was reared on the fai'm 
of his stepfather, and lived there until a few years 
before his death, his last days having lieen spent in 
Owen County. He and his only luotlior, .Tames, 
served as soldiers in the War of LSI 2. The maiden 
name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth 
.Stalker. She was als<i a native of Madison County, 
Ky., and died at the home of her husband in Owen 
County. The parental household consisted of 
eight children. 

Robert S. Howard was the sixth child and tiiird 
son of his parents, and remained under the home 
roof until sixteen years old. He then went to Jes- 
samine County, Ky., and became an apprentice to 
learn the cabinet-maker's trade. In -lune, 184(J, he 
enlisted in the 2d Kentucky Infantry, C'ompany F, 
the latter being known as ".lessamine Blues," un- 
der command of Capt. Willis. He was mustered 
into service on the 9th of June, and mustered out 
late in the summer of liS47. His war experience 
was in the tei-ritory of Mexico, where he partici- 
pated in the battle of Bucna Vista, and where his 
Captain, Colonel, and Lieutenant-Colonel, Henry 
Clay, Jr., were killed. 

After the close of his army service Mr. Howard 
returned to his cabinet trade, and in the latter pari 
of 1848 started in business on his own account, in 
Jessamine County, Ky., and operated there for the 
following ten years. In 1858 he emigrated to Illi- 
nois, and purchased eighty acres of land in Empire 
Township, this county, where he carried on farming- 
six years. He then rented his farm and again re- 
turned to "jour" work at his trade in Blooming- 
ton, where, after a year thus occupied, he opened a 
furniture store. He conducted this until 1872, 
then sold out and came to Leroy and opened a 
store of the same kind, which he operated until 
1883, when he sold out and retired from active 
business. His homestead comprises twenty acres 
of land within the city limits, upon which is a good 
set of frame buildings, and he owns other valuable 
property in this vicinity. 

Mr. Howard was married, Dec. 27, 1848, to Miss 
Lavina Sageser, who was a native of Jessamine 
Count3', Ky., and born Dec. 17, 1830. Her father, 



Henry Sageser, was a native of the same county and 
State, and her grandfather, Frederick Sageser, was 
a native of Germany, whence he emigrated in early 
manhood, and spent the last years of his life in 
Jessamine Clounty, Ky. His son Henry, the father 
of Mrs. H., spent his entire life in farming pursuits 
in his native county. He was married to a Miss 
Nanc3' Woodard, a native of his own country, and 
they became the parents of thirteen children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard have no children of their 
own, but liave reared two others. Joseph F. Sage- 
ser, the nephew of Mrs. H., was taken in charge by 
our subject and his wife when six months old, 
carefully reared and educated and given the best 
advantages; he is now a prajcticing physician of 
Ciucago, and a leading member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. The other child, a little girl by 
the name of Annie Cook, became an inmate of the 
household when six years of age, and remained 
until her marriage. 

Mrs. Howard is a member of the same church as 
her husband, and has been his active helper and 
sympathizer in all his good works. Our subject, 
before the war, was Democratic in politics, when he 
j(jined the ranks of the Republicans,' but since 1872 
has identified himself with the Prohibitionists. He 
voted for Green Clay Smith in 1870, for Neal 
Dow in 1880, and for St. John in 1884. In 187G 
and 1880 ho cast the only vote for prohibition in 
this township, and has been among the bravest in 
the opposition which lias been attendant upon the 
efforts to abolish that which bl'ings such untold mis- 
ery to tliousaud.-f (if human beings. 

--->5 ■•o»o..(§^)'v®••o*o v^— 



»;ILLIA]M aiARCUS COX, one of the most 
i\a/// successful farmers and stock-growers of 




Bloomington Townsliip, is finely located 
on sections 34 and 3."j, the homestead being located 
on the latter. Mr. Cox has carried on his farming 
operations intelligently and successfully, and of 
late years has devoted his attention principally to 
the breeding of Short-horn and Jersey cattle, sheep, 
horses .and swine. Mr. Cox is a native of McLean 
County, and was born on his father's old homestead 
in Bloomington Township, Aug. 9, 183G. A his- 



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292 



McLEAN County. 




tory of his parents will be found in the sketch of 
Diivid Cox in nnotlior imrl of tliis woi'lc. 

Our subject icniaint'd under the parenbd roof 
nntil he was twenty-six years of age, and on his 
tn-enty-sixtii liirtiiday, the late Civil War being- 
then in progress, he enlisted as a soldier of the 
Union, and joined his command at liloomington, 
being assigned toCo. F. 94th 111. Vol. Inf., Col. Orme 
commanding. They were sent to the Dei^artment 
of the West, and later went to Meksburg, after- 
ward to the (iulf, where they remained for about 
one year, and were then ordered to New Orleans. In 
August, lcS(;;i, Mr. Cox returned home on a fur- 
lough, and in December of that year returned to the 
army and joined his regiment in Febrnary follow- 
ing, with whieli he remained until his final dis- 
charge, which also occurred on his birthda_y, Aug. 
9, 18U.'). 

Mr. Cox participated in all the engagements and 
skirmishes of his regiment, Ix'ing in the fight at 
Springfield, Mo., and at the siege of A'icksburg, re- 
maining in the latter place nearly one month be- 
fore the snrrendei' of the city. They returned to 
New Orleans in December following, and then went 
on an expedition across I^ake Fontchartrain under 
command of Lieut. Col. Webl), of the 77th Illinois 
Regiment. While the fleet was crossing a lake the 
vessel which contained Mr. Cox and his comrades 
foundered, and Mr. C. was seriously hurt in the 
ankle by falling from the deck to the hull of the 
boat through a trap-door. Afterward, at the siege 
of Spanish Fort on Mobile Bay in March, 1865, 
while on duty, a large shell burst within a few feet 
of him, and he narrowly escaped being torn to 
pieces. Aside from the slight wounds thus received 
and some slight illness, he escaped uniiarmed, and 
very seldom failed to report at roll-call. He served 
in the army just three years to a day. 

At the close of his army life Mr. Cox returned 
to his home in Woomington Township, and (jn Dec. 
4, 18G8, was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. 
Orendorff, daughter of Oliver and Sarah L. (Hen- 
drix) Orendorff, a sketch of whom will be found in 
another part of this volume. Mrs. Cox was born 
in l>loomington Township, Jan. I, 1850, and com- 
pleted her education in the Normal Universitj' at 
Normal. 111., where she received (Lxcellent and prac- 



tical instruction, choosing those studies which 

would lie of service to her in later years. After 
leaving school she returned to her parents, and re- 
mained witii them until her marriage with our sub- 
ject. She is the elder child and only daughter of 
a family of two children. 

Shortly after his marriage Mr. Cox located upon 
a tract of land and engaged in farming pursuits. 
lie has been successful in his agricultural and busi- 
ness transiictions, and is now the owner of lof) acres, 
all Hnely improved, and under a good state of cul- 
vation ; he also owns property' in Normal. His 
homestead is pleasantly located, and he has a com- 
fortable residence and out-buddings, and all the 
appliances of a good modern farm estate. Mrs. 
Cox is a member in good standing of the Christian 
CMnirch, while Sir. C. is a Methodist in religious 
belief. He is Republican in politics, and uniformly 
casts his vote in support of the principles of that 
party. He is straightforward and uitright in his 
business transactions, and enjoys in a marked de- 
gree the confidence and esteem of his fellow-towns- 
men. 



'Yl EREMIAH WHITCOMB, a well-to-do and 
prosjierous farmer residing on section 22, 
Old Town Townshij), is an offspring of 
Francis and Jane (Evans) Whitcomb, na- 
tives of New Hampshire and Ohio respectively. 
When about thirt}' years of age the father, in cora- 
pan3' with a brother, went to York State, whence 
the father came to Illinois in 1817, and settled in 
\'ermilion County. For over fort^' years he heard 
of none of his relatives. Jane (Evans) Whitcomb 
was a daughter of William Evans, one of the early 
settlers of Bloomington, this county. The parents 
of our subject were united in marriage in A'ermil- 
ion County, this State, and made settlement there, 
and in that county' the father was engaged in the 
manufacture of salt. Subsequently he embarked 
in the milling business, and still later in life fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer. In 1849 the 
jiarents moved to McLean County, and settled in 
Old Town Township, where the father continued at 
his chosen vocation. He lived to attain the ad- 
vanced age of eightj'-six years, and she departed 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



2!) 3 



this life wlien in her seventy-eighth year, both dy- 
ing in Old Town Township. 

The i»a,reiit;xl household lof our su))ject included 
seven children who lived to attain the age of ma- 
turity, and Jeremiah was the fifth in order of birth. 
He was born in A'ermilion County, 111., Jan. 10, 
1839, and was ten j'ears of age when he accompan- 
ied his parents to this county, and since that time 
has been a resident of .Old Town Township. His 
education w-as received in tiie common schools of 
this county, and his years tiuis far in life have 
been devoted almost exclusively to agricultural 
pursuits. lie is at present the owner of 233 acres 
of valuable land, and is meeting with success in 
the prosecution of his vocation. 

Mr. Whitcomb was married in Old Town Town- 
ship to Miss Lucinda Kodman, Feb. 27, 1802. She 
is the daughter of John and Mary J. (Grey) Rod- 
man (see sketch of John Hodman), and was born 
ill Muskingum County, Ohio, March 27, lts43. 
Their union has been blest by the birth of the fol- 
lowing children : Sylvia, Lillie A., May, William 
A., Mary F. and Alma E. May is the wife of 
M. Adams, and they are living in Downs Town- 
ship. Mr. "Whitcomb has held the otiice of Super- 
visor two years. Justice of the Peace eight years, 
Township Clerk two years, Township Treasurer 
four years, and School Trustee for several years, and 
is at present Township Treasurer. In politics he is 
Reimblican. Mrs. Whitcomb religiously holds fel- 
lowship with the Methodist I'rotestant Church. 



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V|^^ M. CAMPBELL. Tne subject of tiie fol- 
I It lowing brief history owns and occupies a 
l\e^) good farm on '^section ;32, Bloomington 
Township, and is successfully engaged in general 
agriculture and stock-raising. Ilis homestead con- 
sists of 120 acres of finely improved land, stocked 
with good cattle, and supplied with a fine set of 
fi-ame buildings. With the exception of a few 
years Mr. Campbell has made this place his home 
since he came to McLean County in 1849. 

N. M. Campbell was^ born in Monroe County, 
Ind., March 30, 1842. His father, Rev. John ()., 
and his mother, Sallie A. (Campbell) Campbell, 

4* 



were both natives of Bourbon County, Ky., and 
descended from excellent Scotch-Irish ancestry. 
They were reared and married in their native State, 
and soon afterward came Noi'th to M<_)nroe County, 
Ind., where, after^ eleven years, and the birth of 
three children, they 'returned to Kentucky on ac- 
count of failing health. While in Indiana the 
father of our subject had frequently olticiated in 
the pul|iit of the Christian Church and followed 
pi-eaching afterward with the excei^tion of a few 
years. 

After their return to Kentucky, Mr. Campbell 
became greatly opposed to the principles of slavery 
and decided to remove away from it. lie accord- 
ingly proceeded to Illinois, where freedom reigned 
and all enjoyed tiieir liberty. He secured a wild 
tract of land in JMcLean County, on which stood a 
small Idg cabin, into which he removed his family. 
He now liegan to preach in earnest, and his iiealth 
greatly improved by tiie change. He labored 
faithfull_y among the settlers with good results, and 
on the 3d of April, 18.53, was greatly pleased iu 
being able to assist in the organization of the 
Grassy Ridge tMiristian Churcli, which started in 
with about a dozen members and Mr. Campbell as 
Elder and minister. In due time a church edifice 
was erected on section 32, and upon ground do- 
nated l)y Wilson Lindle3'. The church thus started 
has been well kept n[i, and the building still occu- 
pied for religious purposes. Rev. J. G. Campbell 
conducted the services of this charge for ab(.)ut a 
quarter of a century, and in the meantime also of- 
ficiated at other places and was an active agent of 
the McLean County Missionary Society. The 
good seed thus early sown by the father of our sub- 
ject sprang up and brought forth fruit, and is felt 
to-day in the religious intiuences which prevail 
throughout that locality. 

The subject of our sketch in early life was 
greatly devoted to his parents, and labored on his 
father's farm early and late. He attended the com- 
mon schools during the winter seasons until he was 
twenty years of age and remained under the pa- 
rental roof until his marriage. This interesting 
event took place Oct. 27, 1864, at the home of the 
bride's parents in Bloomington Township, the lady 
of his choice being Miss Mary S. (juiim, daughter T 



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294 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1 ' 



of S. M. and S. A. (Boulwai-e) Qiiinn, of Rich- 
mond, Ky. Ilcr parents were born and married in 
the Bhie Grass State, and the fatlier died at the old 
home in Bloomington Township in 1882, aged 
about sixty-six years. Mrs. Campbell was born in 
Kentucky, May 215, is 17, and came North with 
her parents when a young cliild, living with them 
in Bloomington Townsliip until her marriage. She 
has become the mother of two sons: Charles L., 
born March 10, 18(;0, and Ira C, Oct. IS, 1869. 
Both have received a good education and are liv- 
ing at home with llieir parents. 

Mr. Campbell and his family are active members 
of the Christian Church in (irassy Ridge, of which 
our subject lias held the olHce of Deacon for sev- 
eral years and is now Elder in the church at Bloom- 
ington. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the 
Republican party. 

^/OSEl'lI B. A VERS, u retired farmer now 
living in the enjo3'ment of a competency in 
the village of Danvers, has spent his entire 
(^^/ lifetime in tills county, having been born in 
the city of Bloomington on the IDth of November, 
1831. Bloomington, at that time, probably could 
have hardly been called a city, and our subject has 
noted with keen interest the changes which have 
taken place in his native count}- within a period of 
over fifty years. He has also furnished his full 
([uota to its growth and prosperity, having been 
one of its most progressive and substantial citizens. 
The subject of this history was the son of James 
T. and Rebecca B. (Bloomer) Ayers, natives re- 
spectively of Madison and Fayette Counties, Ohio. 
James T. Ayers was born Nov. 14, 180o, and de- 
parted this life in Buford, S. C, on the 10th of 
September, IKG;"). Mrs. Rebecca B. Ayers was 
born Oct. l.'i, 180('i, and jjreceded her husband 
to the unknown land on the 2d of March, 1848. 
The parents of our subject were fairly educated in 
their youth, and were married in Ohio in 1825. His 
father was a man of line abilities, an extensive 
reader and possessed a valuable fund of general 
information. They emigrated to the Praii'ie State 
in the fall of 18ol, locating first in Tazewell 



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County, whence they removed to McLean County 
and settled near Lexington. James Ayers served 
as a soldier in the LTnion Army, first as an 
Orderly Sergeant, and was afterward appointed 
Regimental JNIail Messenger. After going to Nash- 
ville he was retained by Gov. Johnson of Ten- 
nessee as recruiting ollicer, and was afterward a|}- 
pointed Chaplain and assigned to duty in the l()4th 
Regiment of Cohired Troops at Buford, S. C. 

Joseph B. Ayers remained under the parental 
roof until he was eighteen years of age, and on the 
27th of April, 1851, was married to Mi.^s Sarah C. 
Haybarger. Mrs. Ayers was born July 26, 1832. 
in Augusta County, \a., and is the daughter of 
Abraham and Mary (Crowbarger) Haybarger, who 
were of (ierinan descent, but natives of Maryland 
and Mrginia respectively. The father was born 
Nov. 11), 171)8, and died in McLean Count}', 111., 
in 184.'!. Mrs. H. was born July 5, 1800, in Rock- 
ingham County, \'a., and died in Danvers Town- 
ship, this county, in September, 1885. They were 
worthy and valued citizens, and members in good 
standing of the Presbyterian Church. Their house- 
hold included seven children, as follows: Susan M. 
married William C. Ilinshaw; George C. died in 
infancy; John C. married Miss Catharine Peuter- 
baugh; David K., unmarried, died at the age of 
twenty-three years; Sarah C. is the wife of our sub- 
ject; Elizabeth R. is now Mrs. John Smith, and 
Julia A., Mrs. D. B. S. Smith. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ayers became the parents of eight 
children, of whom the record is as follows : John 
Thompson, born April 12, 1852, married Miss Hat- 
tie A. Estes; William Henry, born June 29, 1854, 
married Miss Emma Neal; one son, born Sept. 3, 
1853, died in infancy; INIary Elizabeth, born Dec. 
30, 1850, married M. L. Keplinger, of Carlinville, 
III.; M daughter was born Jan. 2, 1856, and soon 
afterward died; Joseph Lincoln, born Jan. 16, 
1859, died October 20 of tiie same year; Seymore 
Warren was born Aug. 12, 1801, and Frank David, 
June 1 5, 1 865. 

Our subject in early life purchased a farm at 
Mosquito Grove, in this county, which he occupied 
for thirty-five years, and where he carried on agri- 
culture with fair success, and his sons now occupy 
it. He is a member in good standing of the 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



2i)o 



Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, with which he united 
ill 1853, and held the office of Steward. The father 
of our subject died, as stated, in Buford, >S. C, with 
tj'phus malarial fever. When but twenty years old 
he commenced his ministry in the Methodist Elpis- 
copal Church as a local preacher. He possessed 
fine talents, was fairly educated and a natural ora- 
tor. He was the means of great good during his 
life, being active and useful and a sincere Chris- 
tian. His wife was also connected with the same 
church, and a worth}' helpmeet of her liusband. 
They were the parents of eleven children: Mary 
J. became the wife of W. Walters Wallace ; Nancy 
was the second, who died in infancy; Richard died 
in infancy; the next was our subject; then followed 
William T., Catharine, Margaret, Benjamin II., 
Henry C, Sarah E. (deceased), and an Infant son, 
who died unnamed. The parents of Mrs. A3'ers 
came to Illinois in 1 8o4. and located in Tazewell 
County, whence they came to Danvers Township 
three years later, wliere they remained the b.ilance 
of their lives. 

^pNDREW R. DILLMAN, a prosperous and 
W/Li j successful druggist of the little city of Mc- 
ffi Lean, has been a resident of this county 
since 1867, and during a period of twenty 
years has full}' established himself in the confidence 
and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was born in 
a log cabin in Lewis Township, Brown Co., Ohio, 
Jan. 11, 1841. His father, Conrad Uillman, was 
a native of Maryland, and his grandfather, Andrew 
Dillman, was of pure German ancestry, and came 
to America with his father and mother when a 
young child. They located in Maryland, and later 
removed to Kentucky, wliere they passed the re- 
mainder of their lives. 

Conrad Dillman was quite young when his par- 
ents removed from Maryland to Kentucky, and he 
there grew to manhood and married Miss Lydia 
Reed, a native of Jessamine County. After their 
marriage they I'emoved to Ohio, and the elder Dili- 
man purchased a tract of land and cleaied a farm 
in Brown County. He was generous-minded and 
liberal, always willing to assist a friend, and by the 



signing of notes lost the whole of his property. 
In 1841 he removed from Brown to Clermont 
County, Ohio, where he cultivated rented land and 
worked .at the carpenter's trade until his death, 
which occurred in 1859, at the age of si.xty years. 
His widow afterward removed to Illinois, and spent 
the remainder of her days with her daughter, Mrs. 
M.argaret Houser, of Champaign County, departing 
this life in December, 1882, in the eighty-second 
year of her age. The parental household consisted 
of nine children, three sons .ind six daughters, 
eight of whom are still living. 

The subject of our sketch was the seventh child 
of his parents. In early youth he was attacked 
with hip disease, .and w.as an invalid for a period of 
eight years. His father being poor he could do 
but little toward educating his children, but An- 
drew R. was fond of his books, and while confined 
at his home pursued his studies, and with the as- 
sistance of the district school fitted himself for a 
teacher, and commenced this occupation at the age 
of eighteen years. He taught during the winter 
seasons and in the summer pursued farming on 
rented Land for eight years, and during this time 
took a partial course of study at Prof. Laycock's 
Academy at Felicity, Ohio. In 18GG he decided to 
remove further West, and accordingly journeyed 
across the State of Indiana and located in McLean 
County, pursuing his first duties as a pedagogue in 
this State, in the town where he now resides. After 
one year thus employed he secured a position as 
clerk, and followed this in various stores in Mc- 
Lean for the next four years. In 1874 he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster, which position he held until 
December, 1885. In 1872 he officiated as clerk in a 
drug-store, where he gained much v.aluable inform- 
ation, and held the position as druggist's clerk for 
tlie following ten years, when he opened a drug- 
store on his own account, and has successfully op- 
erated it until the present time. 

The marriage of Andrew R. Dillman and Miss 
Joanna Croswell was celebrated April 2, 1808, in 
the village of McLe.an. Mrs. D. is the daughter of 
John M. and iMary Croswell, and was born in 
1837. By her marriage with our subject she has 
become the mother of one child, a daughter, Ora 
Litta. They occupy a pleasant and comfortable 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



home and enjoj' the esteem and respect of a large 
circle of friends :uul acquaintances. Mr. Dillman 
is Republican in politics, and he and his wife are 
connected witii the Methodist P^piscopal Church. 

Mr. Dillman li:is been prominent in the affairs of 
liis town since CDniing here. He is local editor of 
the iNIcLean Lf')is, and has served six years as Po- 
lice Jlagistrate of the village. lie lias taken a de- 
cided interest in educational matters, and served 
as a member of the School Board, doing what he 
could to a(l\:incc tile educational and moral inter- 
ests of his comnumity. 

The McLean Lena was established in 1879, by 
D. G. Palmer, as an independent paper, lie con- 
ducted the pa])er until June, 1885, when our sub- 
ject became the editor. It is now owned by 
Critehfield Bros. The Lens is a seven-column 
folio, issued every .Satnrdaj-, and is abrighr, newsy 
sheet. It is well I'dited, and has a lil)eral country 
circulation. 

\Y)01IN F. welch, a farmer and stock-grower 
of Blooinington Township, is located on 
section 3.5, and in addition to the ordinary 
^^Jj pursuits of agriculture is extensively en- 
gaged as a breeder of fine stock. He carries on 
farming on one of his father's places, which con- 
sists of 240 acres. In his stock-raising operations 
he makes a si)ecialty of horses, and exhibits some 
among the best s))ecimens of their kind in this sec- 
tion of McLean Count}^ 

. Mr. Weh'h is a native of McLean County, and 
was born on the farm which he now occupies but 
which is owned by his father. Eighty acres of this 
was purchased by the latter at an early day for the 
consideration of one yoke of oxen. For a history 
of the |)arents of oursubj<'el tlu^ reader is referred 
to the sketch of .leremi.'ili \\'('lch on another page 
of this work. 

John F. Welch remained a inenil)er of the paren- 
tal household until his marriage. In the meantime 
he received his primary education in the common 
schools, and completed his studies at Wesleyan 
College, Bloomington, where he took a course of 
practical mstruction such as ho judged would be 
of use to him in later years. He was married, Oct. 



29, 1885, at the home of the bride's parents in Le- 
roy, McLean County, to Miss Lizzie C, the 
daughter of John W. and Emeline (Buckles) Ker- 
shaw. The father of Mrs. W. was the only son of 
Joseph Kershaw, an English gentleman who settled 
in the Prairie State at an early period in its history, 
and was the only representative of the family bear- 
ing that name in this country. His wife, the grand- 
mother of Mrs. W., was of 'N'irginian parentage and 
American ancestry, but born in Illinois, her family 
being of German descent. The parents of Mrs. 
W. are still living, and make their home in Downs 
Township. The wife of our subject was born in 
the latter township Jan. liO, 1867. She was reared 
under the parental roof, and completed her educa- 
tion at the U. B. College, of Westfleld, Clark 
Co., 111., and subsequently took a course at Wesleyan 
College in the city of Bloomington. She .also be- 
came an accomplished musician, and in her other 
studies attained to a high degree of perfection. 

Mr. and Mrs. Welch have become the parents of 
one child — Bessie K., who was born July 2, 188G. 
Mrs. W. is a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. 
Welch alliliates with the Republican party. 



^J!^^ 



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/^^ HRISTIAN BECK, a prosperous farmer and 
i\[ ^ stock-raiser of Dry Grove Township, is the 
^^>7 owner of eighty-six acres on section 4, and 
is engaged iirincipall.y in the breeding of fine horses 
and cattle. His farm is finel_v cultivated and im- 
proved, and he occupies a handsome country resi- 
dence which is indicative within .and without of 
cultivated tastes and ample means. His barns and 
oul-buildiugs are of first-class description, and his 
business trans.actions are carried on with that 
method and system which is one of the requisites 
of thrift and prosperity. 

Mr. Beck was born in Woodford County, this 
State, on the 8th of June, 1848. He is the son of 
Peter and Catharine (Gingery) Beck, who were of 
German birth and p.arent.age. Peter Beck was born 
in about 1 805, emigrated to America in ISSJi, mak- 
ing his lirsl location in Pennsylvania whence, four 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



297 



years later, he came t(_) the Prairie State and died 
in Woudford County, Sept. 17, IS.'iO. The mother 
was born May 27, 1809, is still living, and re- 
mains a widow. She makes her liome with her 
son Christian. Of their eight children the record 
is as follows: Barbara was l)orn July 11, 1833, 
and died in infancy; Daniel was born Oct. 8, 1834; 
f^lizabeth, Oct. 9, 183lJ, and married Andrew 
Keefer, of Allen County, Kan. ; John was born 
Nov. 21, 1838, and died when twenty-six years of 
age; Ellen, now Mrs. A. Stei)hens, w.as born Feb. 
19, 1841; Peter was born Nov. 21, 1843, and mar- 
ried Miss Lydia Miller; Catherine, born May 9, 
1846, died at the age of one year and twenty days. 

Christian Beck of our sketch was the youngest 
member of his father's famil}\ lie remained under 
the parental roof until he was twenty-six years of 
age, and on the 3d of January, 1874, was married 
to Miss Barbara Schick. Mrs. B. is a native of 
Butler County, Ohio, was born April 19, 1847, and 
is the daughter of Joseph and Magdalena (Augs- 
berger) Schick, her parents being natives of Ger- 
many, and are still living in Tazewell County, this 
State, which has been their home since 18.')(). 
Their family of eleven children included the fol- 
lowing : Elizabeth, Barbara, Magdalena, Catharine, 
Joseph, Mary, Annie, Francis, Lydia, Fannie and 
Rosa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Beck have become the parents of 
four children — Ida M., Amelia A., Mary O. and 
Rosa L. In religious belief Mr. Beck and wife are 
members of the Mennonite Church, and politically 
he votes the Democratic ticket. The Lake Erie & 
Western Railroad crosses the southwest corner of 
his farm. 

y;ILLIAM BUCKWORTII, one of the lead- 
ing druggists of Leroy, is a native of Sus- 
sex County, Del., and was born Feb. 7, 1829. 
His father, Curtis Buckworth, was a native of 
Maryland, but was reared and married in Delaware. 
He removed, in 1832, to Ohio, and located seven 
nules from Chillicothe, in Ross County, where he 
purchased a tract of heavil}' timbered land, in the 
midst of which was a log cabin. Here he estab- 
' lished himself with his family, and lived to improve 



a farm of over 400 acres, erecting good buildings 
and providing all the appliances of a first-class farm 
estate. After witnessing the remarkable changes 
which occurred during an interval of thirty-seven 
years, and keeping full i)ace with the progress of 
the age, he departed this life on the homestead 
which he had established in 18G9, when seventy- 
nine years of age. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Ellen Draper. She was born in Delaware, and 
was the daughter of John Draper, a native of the 
same State. She became the mother of four chil- 
dren, and died four years after locating with her 
husband in Ohio, iier decease occurring in 183G. 
The sister of our sul)ject, Susan by name, became 
the wife of John Tliouias, accompanied her hus- 
band to Missouri, and died there in 18G3; Alexan- 
der D. lives at North Platte, Neb., and has served 
as State Senator; he w.as formerly 9. physician, and 
later Register of the land-ofiice . of North Platte, 
and at present is engaged in the banking and real- 
estate business. 

William Buckworth received his early education 
in the common school, and attended two terms at 
Frankford Academy in Ohio. When twenty-two 
years of age he commenced the study of medicine, 
under the instruction of Dr. William Latta at 
Frankford, and in the winter of 18.54-.55 attended 
a coiM'se of lectures at Starling Medical College at 
Columbus, Oiiio. The following spring he com- 
menced practice at Clarksburg, Ohio, and in the 
fall of tlie same year came to Illint>is, locating first 
at Mt. Zion, .Macon County. In 18G2 he attended 
lectures in the Oiiio Medical College at Cincinnati, 
from which he graduated in June, 18C3. He tiien 
returned to Mt. Zion, and after practicing eighteen 
mouths there removed to Champaign County, 
where he spent six years in the practice of his pro- 
fession, and fi-om there he came to Leroy. In 
1871 he inirchased the drug-store of Guy & Sims 
in this place, which he has successfull}^ conducted 
since that time. He is a thorough-going business 
man, geni.'d, courteous and obliging, and a great 
favorite in the business circles of his community. 

Mr. Buckworth was married in Greenfield, Ohio, 
Nov. 15, I800, to Miss Mary S. Parish, who was 
born in Koss County, Ohio, in 1831. Of this union 
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298 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




there were born two (^liiUheii : l);uui L., who is as- 
sociated with Ills father in business; Maggie Ellen 
died in infancy. The store is finely equipped and 
doing a good business. Our subject is Republican 
in politics, anil in .-dl respects is fullilling the obli- 
ffiitions of a good citizen. 



-^,, NSKL 1). HOWARD, of JMcLean, is senior 
dWuill member of the firm of Ilowai'd & (jifford, 
dealers in harilware. lie is a native of 
Taunton, I'.ristol Co., Mass., and was born 
Aug. 18, 18;U. His father, Ansel Howard, Sr., was 
a native of West I'.ridgevvater, Mass., and was born 
June 24, 180.'J. Our subject's grandfather, .Simeon 
Howard, was a native of the same town, and it is sup- 
posed that ills great-grandfatlier, Klialcim Howard, 
was also born there. Kliakim Howard was a farmer 
there, and Clerk for the town of Bridgewater in 
early days, and died there. Simeon How.ard was a 
farmer and miller, and served as a soldier in the 
War of 1812, and with the exception of the time 
he was in the armj', spent his entire life in Bridge- 
water. Ansel Howard, Sr., was reared in Bridge- 
water, Mass., and served his apprenticeshiii there at 
carriage-making. When twenty years of age he 
went to Taunton, where he worked as a " joiu' " for 
one year, and then engaged in business on his own 
account as a manufacturer of carriages and coaches. 
After the construction of the Taunton \' New Bed- 
ford branch railroad lie added to his other business 
that of car-building, cuuying on this latter depart- 
ment until 18.00, and manufacturing carriages until 
1807. He then disposed of his i)r(^perty in the 
East, and coming to this State located in McLean 
County, and has since lived a retired life, spending 
the most of iiis time with his son, our subject. 

Ansel Howard, Sr., in early life was unitetl in 
marriage with Miss Louisa ^\'ilbur, the mother v! 
our subject. She w.a.s born in Kaston, RLass., Sept. 5, 
1804, and dejiarted this life in Taunton, April 4, 
1834. Mr. Howard aftei-ward married Miss Phrebe 
Bucklin, also a native of Jlassachusetts, and who 
died in Fall River, that State, in LSS;"). Of the first 
marriage there wei-e four cliildren: J^onisa W. died 
May 11, 1843, in Taunton; .Maria W. Iiecame the 



wife of Daniel .McFarland, and lives in Mt. Hope 
Township; Ansel D., our subject, was the third 
child; .lames O. died Feb. 8, 1830, in Taunton. 
Of the second marriage there was one child, a son, 
Charles W., who died F^eb. 27, 18;VJ. 

The subject of this history remained under the 
home roof and attended the city schools of Taun- 
ton until fifteen years of age. He then engaged as 
clerk in a drng-stcjre, and later in a boot-and-shoe 
store. When seventeen years of age he began an 
apprentic<'shi|) at carriage-building, serving three 
3'ears, and then spent two 3'ears in a locomotive 
manufactory. He became remarkably skillful in 
the use of tools, and after working as a "jour" in 
a wagon-shop one year, went into partnership vi^ith 
his father and operated with him until the fall of 
18.o7, and the following spring came to Illinois. 

After arriving in this county our subject en- 
gaged at farm work with S. J. Chapin for a brief 
time, afterward going into DeWitt County and 
working at his trade. There, after eighteen months, 
the siioj) in which he was emploj'ed was destroyed 
by fire, and lie lost a large number of valuable 
tools. He then went to Independence, Iowa, 
whence he returned after nine months to Waynes- 
ville, this State, and from there came to Heyworth 
in this county, where he built a shop and en- 
gaged in the manufacture of carriages and other 
vehicles four years. He then came back to the Prai- 
rie State and tiiis county, and purchasing a farm in 
Mt. Hope Township, engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits until 1875. He then sold out, and going to 
McLean engaged in the furniture trade. In 1881 
he became associated with his present partner, 
Lab.au F. (jifford, and added hardware to his other 
stock. The firm is on a substantial basis, and doing 
a profitable and steadily increasing trade. 

Mr. Howard was married in October, 1855, to 
Miss Alary B. Hunter, who was a native of Warren, 
R. I., and the daughter of ^\'illiam S. Hunter, of the 
same town and State. Rufus Hunter, the grand- 
father of Mrs. H., was a native of Rhode Island, 
and in early life followed the sea in the whaling- 
service. His fatiier served as a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War, and his son Rufus was in the War of 
1812. William Hunter, the father of Mrs. Howard, 
followed the sea from the time he was sixteen until 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



301 



t 



he was thirty 3'o:irs of :ige, and then engaged in 
ship-bnilding in Warren, R. I. He left New En- 
gland in 1S58, and crossing the Mississippi settled 
in Buchanan County, Iowa, and still lives there 
upon a comfortable homestead. He married, in 
early manhood, JMiss Sarah Luther, who was born 
in Rehoboth, Mass., and died in Warren, R. I., in 
1840. For his second wife William S. Hunter mar- 
ried Miss Lydia Luther, a sister of the first lady. 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard have two children — Mary 
L., the wife of Laban F. Gifford, of McLean, and 
Ella M., who married Willis Snow, and lives in Mt. 
Hope Township. The parents and daughters are 
members of the Congregajtional Church, of which 
Mr. Howard has been Treasurer and one of the 
leading members for several years. He has in all 
respects fulfilled the obligations of a good citizen, 
and enjoys the fricndsliip and esteem of the com- 
munity in a marked degree. 



lEV. GEORGE WILSON, of Bloomington 
Township, a gentleman of rare literary abil- 
ity, a minister of the Baptist Churcli, and 
)who has also combined the peaceful and 
pleasurable pursuit of agriculture with his other 
life labors, has been a resident of McLean County 
since 1 858, at whicli time he located upon a purchase 
which he made nearly twenty j'ears before. He has 
been remarkably successful in las undertakings in 
life, and to his agricultural pui'suits has added that 
of stock-raising, which lie has carried on exten- 
sivel}' and profitably for a number of j'ears. He is 
the owner of .570 acres of land, 320 in this count}', 
and 250 in Ford County, 111., and since becoming 
a resident of this locality has aided materially in 
the building up of its industrial and agricult- 
ural interests, as \i ell as its great moral bulwarks. 
The subject of tliis history was born in Allegheny 
Count}', Pa., on the 22(1 of August, 1817. His 
father, Samuel Wilson (who alwa3-s spelled his 
name Willson), was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and 
was united in marriage with Miss Elizabetli Crag- 
head, whose descendants were of the same races. 
The mother was a native of Maryland, and her 
father was a Captain in the French and Indian 




War, and also a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. 
After the marriage of the parents of our subject 
they settled in Pennsylvania, wliere they spent the 
remainder of their lives. 

George Wilson remained in his native State, re- 
ceiving careful home training and a good educa- 
tion. He pursued his primary studies in private 
schools, and at the age of sixteen years attended 
Franklin College, in Harrison County, Ohio. After 
completing his studies in this institution he en- 
tered Theological Hall, a seminary of learning 
which is conducted by the LTnited Presb^'terian 
Church, and there received literary and ministerial 
instruction, under the tutorship of Rev. Dr. John 
Pressley. Before entering on his theological stud- 
ies his father died. He sjient three years with Dr. 
Pressley, and was then licensed to preach by the 
Presbytery of the Associate Reform Church of 
Blonougahela. He was ordained in the fall of 
1841 by the Mansfield Presbytery, but after a few 
years withdrew from the church of his early 
choice and received immersion from the Baptist 
Church, with which he has since been connected. 

After a few j'ears of ministerial labor in Mans- 
field, Ohio, Mr. Wilson came to Illinois and engaged 
in the ministry in this State. Prior to making this 
his home in (1839) he had traveled over the larger 
portion of tlie State, conversed with many educated 
and intellectual men, and here began the more 
practical development of liis religious thought and 
ideas. These he soon began to put upon paper, and 
in the course of time became quite noted as the 
author of a valuable religious work, "Baptismal Con- 
troversj- Reviewed," which is a voiy logical work, 
consisting of 434 pages, bound in cloth. He has 
also in manuscript a work entitled " The Kingdom 
of God Developed, According to the Inspired Rec- 
ord and Predictions." Many j-ears of his life were 
spent in this latter work, and it will soon be placed 
in the hands of the publishers. In this Mr. Wilson 
hopes to fill a vacant niche in sacred literature. Al- 
though his literary Labors have consumed much 
time and labor, Mr. Wilson has worked indus- 
triously alike at his farming pursuits. 

The marriage of Rev. George Wilson and Miss 
Margaret Taggart was celebrated in Belmont 
Count}', Oiiio, in 1841. Mrs. W. w.as a daughter 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



of Rev. William T.aggait, D. D., a prominent min- 
ister in the Associate Keforni Church of Ohio. 
She was born Oct. l(i, 1^<21, and reared in her na- 
tive .State, receiving a liberal education, and by 
her union with our subject became the mother of 
seven children, viz. : Sarah E., Mary J., William 
T., Margaret C, Amelia A., Maria I. and (ieor- 
giette C. The family occupy a handsome and 
comfortable residence, and are surrounded by a 
large circle of friends and acquaintances. This fair 
home w.as invaded by death March 18, 1887, when 
the faithful wife and fond and tender mother was 
taken from them. 

Her decease was caused by a complication of 
diseases, principal!}' of the liver and lungs. She 
had suffered much for many years, and was often at 
the " Cates of Death," but rallied, and was active 
to the last attack, which commenced with hem- 
orrhage of the lungs and terminated in stragula- 
tion. 

Tenacity for early impressions and teaching was 
the predominant trait of her mind, and .she never 
gave up any of them while she could resist the evi- 
dence .against them. 

In her last attack .she could talk Init little ; but 
in former attacks of chills, caused b}' the obstruc- 
tion of the gall duct, she raved much, continually 
repeating detached [)ortions of Psalms in meter. 
With these Psalms she was f.amiliar from childhood, 
and could sing them without book or precentor, 
and when no human voice could impress her she 
had all the counsel, praise and prayers enstamped on 
her mind, mingled with incoherent thoughts. She 
was a life member of the Iowa Baptist State Con- 
vention, the P>ible Union, and of the Missionary 
Union. The following beautiful and tender lines 
were penned by Mr. Wilson, whose heart was bur- 
dened with a sense of his loneliness at the loss of 
his beloved life companion : 

Xow rcsl ill |)(>;ici', tliy joiu'iicv is o'er. 
.'\m(1 uc dm i';irlli shall iiieel, no nioi-c; 
ril lre:i(l alone tliis tlioniy path, 
.\iiil thiish up our work at last. . 

Then I shall talk as spirits do, 
.\nil leal 11 what now is known to you: 
The life we now beijiii by faith 
Will not be altered'by death. 



And when the Savior comes again, 
Vi'o hope to follow in His train; 
The earth a Paradise will be. 
And here again I'll walk with thee. 

The '•casket'' now eiieloses thy form. 
But thy bosom and head 1 can see: 
Thy face is pale, yet fresh as tlie morn; 
'I'hy closed eyes return no look unto me. 

Mai-f^aretl we ai-e going to take thee away. 
To dwell in thy lonely liouse of elay : 
Thy ])l:iee at home will be empty still, 
F(u- no other one thy place can till. 

'I'hy c'ollin is lowered, we l)id thee adieu. 
The earth replaced conceals tliee f^oiii view. 
The l.-ist sight I took, thy imajie impressed 
AVhat time can never erase from my breast; 
Nor can ) foroet m_y first days with you: 
Thou wast young, fair, lovely and true. 

OI thy grave is so lonely, and I feel as if thou 
Felt its loneliness, too, and desertion, e'en now. 
Thank God! Not here! Thy sjiirit is o-one. 
i stand beside thy eold grave alone. 
At home, tlnni, with those lirst you have lov<'d. 
And had gone before you had removed. 

I stand alone. No voice from thee speaks 
Jle joy ;ind peace, nor me reproaelies 
For c-onsigiiinjj thee to this cold. dark, and 
Drear abode. Thou art at liome^the lietter 
liome and lietter ecunpany : but still 1 tVid — 
I feel— my better judgment eaiuiot change 
5Ij' feelings. My last impressions must 
(irow dim with age and worn out with cares. 
Labors, and sorrows thou wilt not know. 

In politics Air. Wilson is a stanch Republican. 
He was a strong anti-slavery man, and during the 
earl}' history of the party assisted greatly in the 
establishment of its principles, by giving lectures 
for this purpose whenever time and opportunity 
permitted. At the same time he vigorously ad- 
vocated the abolition of slavery, and there is no 
doubt that his words at th.at time left an ineffaceable 
impress upon the people of Ohio. He can now pass 
down the sunset hill of life with the consciousness 
that he has been a good and fathful servant in the 
cause of right and justice. It is with pleasure that 
we give the j^ortrait of Mr. Wilson with this brief 
outline of his life, .■i,nd as a fitting companion 
picture we give that of his wife. 



Si^m-^B-^^^^^ 



4' 



ESEK E. GREENMAN, one of the earliest 
pioneers of McLean County, came to this 
,. — ./ section Aug. 29, 1829, and after following 
farming the greater part of his life retired from 
active labor and removed to Leroy, where he is now 
living in the enjoyment of a competency. He was 
— •► 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



303 



bom three miles fioui ^\"atel■fol•^l, Washiiigtun Co., 
Ohio, Jan. 23, 181(3. His father, John (Ireennian, 
was a native of Providence, R. I., and his grand- 
father, Jeremiah Greenman, was of Welsh birtli and 
parentage, .Tnd came to the United States when a 
young man. He was accompanied by two brothers, 
and they locatetl in Providence, R. I. During the 
struggle of the colonists for independence he was a 
commissioned officer of tiie Revolutionary War, 
and was taken prisoner by the British at the battle 
of Quebec. -After being released he engaged in 
farming pursuits, and subsequently emigrated to 
Ohio, and spent the last years of his life in Wash- 
ington County. His son John, the father of our 
subject, was a young man when his parents removed 
from Rhode Island to Ohio. He had received a 
good education in his native State, and taught 
school in Washington County before his marriage. 
After this event he located on a farm, but still de- 
voted the greater part of his time for twenty j'ears 
to the profession of a teacher. 

In 1826 he removed to W.aterford, where he 
leased a hotel and ferry, which lie operated for one 
year, then removed three miles up the river, where 
he purchased sixty acres of land, and lived until 
1829. Early in August of that _year he started for 
the West, accompanied by his wife and nine chil- 
dren, together with Setli Baker and family. The 
entire journey was made overland with teams. Mr. 
Greenman had one pair of horses and a wagon, and 
Maj. Baker, one yoke of oxen and a horse in lead. 
They camped and cooked by the wayside, and the 
journe}', especially through Indiana, was slow and 
tedious. In places the sloughs were so bad that all 
the animals were required to pull one wagon 
through. Each cheerfully assisted the other, how- 
ever, and the}' arrived at " Blooming Grove " on 
the 20th of August, halting at the home of their 
former neighbor, and the brother of Maj. Baker, 
Dr. Isaac Baker. After looking around three or 
four days the}' found a vacant double log house in 
the grove, four miles south of the present site of 
the city of Bloomington. Into one end of this Mr. 
Greenman removed with his family, while the other 
was reserved for school purjioses, JMr. G. officiating 
as pedagogue. 

In November following James AUin, a merchant 



from Vandalia and proprietor of a store at the 
south part of the grove, came along looking after 
his interests there and to seek a new location. He 
made a claim to the land which is the present site 
of Bloomington, and induced the father of our sub- 
ject to remove his family there, and in considera- 
tion let hiin have the west half of the southwest 
quarter of section 4, Mr. Allin reserving twenty 
acres off the east side for the purpose of laying out 
what was the original site of Bloomington. This 
sixty acres is on the east side of Madison street, 
and within one block of the court-house. Mr. 
Greenman built a double log house between Wash- 
ington and Front streets and near Madison, and this 
was the second house put up on the original site of 
the city of Bloomington. Mr. Greenman also en- 
tered a tract of eighty acres on what is now section 
G. This transaction took place on the 22d of Feb- 
ruary, 1 830, and our subject has in his possession 
the receijit for the money, which was signed by 
William L. D. Ewiiig, Receiver, who was after- 
ward Governor of Illinois. In this house Lydia E. 
Greenman, the sister of our subject, taught the first 
school opened in Bloomington, in the summer of 
1830. 

The father of our subject, in the meantime, as- 
sisted Mr. Allin in the store, which he had moved 
there in the spring, and in the fall and winter he 
taught a term of school two and one-half miles 
southwest of the future citj'. In the spring of 
1831 he sold his land and removed to Dc Witt 
County, entering a claim three miles south of 
Waynesville. He removed there with his family, 
and in October of that same year was seized with 
f.ital illness and died. The family then returned 
to McLean County and entered eighty acres of 
Land two and one-half miles southwest of Bloom- 
ington. There was a log cabin on the place, into 
which the family moved, but on account of the se- 
verity of the weather soon left it and rented a 
house in Bloomington. In 1833 the mother of our 
subject was again married, to Dr. Isaac Baker, and 
spent the last j'ears of her life at his home in 
Blooniingtou. After the death of her first husband 
she kept her family together until they were all 
able to care for themselves. 

Esek E. Greenman was thirteen years of age i ' 



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304 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4, 



when he came to McLean County with his parents, 
and fifteen when his father died. He remained 
witli his mother two years afterward, and then went 
to learn tlie trade of a carpenter and joiner, at 
which he served until the summer of 1835, when he 
went to Dixon's Ferry, now in Lee Count}', 111., 
and after following the business of helping build 
cabins on Old Man's Creek, shortly after the lilack 
Hawk War, proceeded from there to Tlattsville, 
Wis., where lie entered the lead mines and remained 
one and one-half years. lie then returned to 
lUoomington for a year, and was variously em- 
jiluyed there and elsewhere until 1838. He then 
went to Ced.ar County. Iowa, in compan}' with two 
brothers, where they entered two claims, broke and 
fenced the land, built a cabin and made other im- 
provements, and then, leaving one brother in 
charge, our subject and the other went into Daven- 
port to earn money by which to secure their pur- 
chase. Our subject was then taken sick, and fmnlly 
returned to Bloomington. His mother then sold 
the land near there and gave each child his share 
of the estate. Esek E. and his brother again 
started for Iowa with teams, and while on the way 
ran across a, mill site on Skunk River below Au- 
gusta, in Des Moines County, Iowa, and concluded 
to stop there and ])uild a saw and grist mill. This 
was in 1840, while Iowa was yet a Territory. In 
.hine, 1843, our subject sold his interest in the mill, 
and returning to IJloomington, purchased a carriage 
and proceeded to Chicago, where he purchased a 
stock of dr^'-goods and notions, and starting home- 
ward peddled them through the country. Late in 
the fall of 1843 he stopped with Hiram Buck, the 
popular landlord of the Lero.y hotel, and Mr. Buck 
induced him to settle at Lero}' and estal)lish a 
store. Mr. Buck offered t(j board him for $1 a week 
as long as he would stay. Mr. Oreenman formed a 
p,artnership with S. I). Baker, and witii $250 worth 
of goods on hand, and another i'lOO worth pur- 
chased in Bloomington, on credit, and a good team, 
started in business here Feb. 13, 1844. They op- 
erated together for fourteen j'ears, carrying a gen- 
eral stock of everything required in those days, 
from a thimble to a grindstone, and accumulated 
suflicieut means so that in time our subject pur- 
r ch.ased a farm of 240 acres a few miles west of Le- 



roy. He still remained in town, but controlled his 
farming interests for about two years, and then en- 
gaged in the grocery trade. In 1868 he sold out 
and retired from active business with a fine compe- 
tency, which will enable him to p.iss the remainder of 
his days surrounded by all the comforts of life and 
many of its luxuries. The third year after Mr. 
Greenman commenced renting his farm he made 
a lease with (Jeorge W. Segler, and Mr. Segler 
has now occupied the place for the long period of 
nineteen years, as tenant, which probably has not 
a parallel case in McLean County. 

The marriage of Esek E. Greenman and Miss 
Martha Pearce was celebrated Feb. 14. 1848. Mrs. 
G. was born in Mechanisburg, Champaign Co., 
Ohio, Feb. 27, 1S31. She became the mother of 
eight children, and departed this life Jul}- 14, 
1864. Only three of their famil}' are living: 
Mary Belle is the widow of Scott Crumbaugh, and 
resides with her father in Lero}' ; John E. and 
Charles E. are also at home. Mr. Greenm.an was 
formerly a Democrat in politics, but h.as been a 
Republican since tlie organization of this party. 
He has been Postmaster of Leroy, was a member 
of the School Bijard for nine years and School 
Treasurer six years. Socially he belongs to the Le- 
roy Lodge No. 221, A. F. <fe A. M., Bloomington 
Chapter. 

During his long residence in this vicinity Mr. 
Greenman has fully established himself in the cojili- 
dence and respect of his fellow-townsmen, and has 
assisted materially in the growth and development 
of Empire Township. He h.as been a man of ex- 
cellent judgment and foresight, and whether at car- 
pentering or mining, teaching, farming or in trade, 
he was uniformly successfid, and whenever he en- 
countered dilliculticsdid not allow them to overcome 
him, but returned to the attack with renewed 
vigor. He displayed rare judgment in liis mining 
operations and seemed to have an intuitive knowl- 
edge of the richest leads. ^VlK'u he and his partner . 
first began the}' followed the suggestions of the lat- 
ter and dug without results, but when they changed 
to where Mr. Greenman believed they would find a 
rich vein of ore it proved as he h.ad predicted. Mr. 
G. was at Belmont when it was the capital of AVis- 
consin, and traveled over a considerable portiim of 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 






305 



the three States of Iowa,, Wisconsin and Jllinuis be- 
fore there was any railroad or even a wagon track. 
Pie has witnessed strange scenes, remarkable 
changes, and no man has viewed with more satis- 
faction the growth and development of the (ireat 
West. 

The mother of our subject, before her marriage, 
was IMiss Ruth White, and siic w.as born in Barnard, 
Vt., Dec. 31, 1703. Her father, Deacon David 
White, a member of the Presb3'teriaii Church, was 
born in Hardwick, M.ass., when lie removed to Ver- 
mont in 1799, and frcjm there to Washington 
County, Ohio, where he died in Watcrford Town- 
ship, Nov. 13, 1810. His wife died Nov. 21, 1841. 



-vi!U2/&^i" 



^4— «-S*fiW:^a»- 



« ► ■. j * 



(^S5^ AMI'EL I. LEACH, Supervisor of Jit. Hope 
^^^^ Township, is a highly respected resident 
Id// D) of the village of McLean, where he owns a 
comfortable estate, and by his energy and 
industry has <jl)tained the means whereby he is 
now able to enjoj' the good things of life, while his 
excellent personal traits of chiyacter, his ready 
S3'mpathy and uniform kindness of disposition have 
gained him the deep res])ect of his fellow-citizens. 
The subject of this biography is a native of the 
Old Granite State, having first opened his e3'es to the 
light among the New Hampshire Hills, in Cheshire 
County, and the town of Westmoreland. The date 
of his birth was Dec. 31, 1840. His father, Bradley 
Leach, was a native of the same town and county; 
his grandfather, Isaac Leach, also a native of Ches- 
hire Count}', was a farmer by occupation, spent his 
entire life in the count}' of his birtli, and departed 
from the scenes of his eartiily labors after having 
attained the ripe old age of over ninety j'ears. His 
son Bradley, the father of our sidjjeet, in earl}- man- 
hiiod learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he 
followed since that time at Westmoreland, Ches- 
hire County, where he still resides, "being now 
eighty-one years of .age. After having arrived at 
years of manhood he was united in marriag'e with 
Miss Eliza Woodward, a native of Westmoreland, 
Cheshire Couijty, and she still remains his faithful 



and affectionate compani(jn, being his junior by 
one year. The household circle embraced eight 
children, five of whom .are still living. 

Samuel I. Leach was the fifth child and third son 
of his parents' family. He was reared under the 
parental roof, receiving a fair education in the com- 
mon schools and in the academy at South "N'illage. 
He was fond of study and ambitious to excel, and 
after he had completed his primary course, pur- 
sued a more advanced one at Meriden, N. H., and 
eng.aged in teaching, which he pursued the three 
succeeding winters. At this time, the late Civil War 
being then in progress, he enlisted as a soldier of 
the Uni(ui, Aug. 31, 1862, in Co. A, 14th N. H. 
Vol. Inf., and served in the army until the close 
of the war. The first year he was employed at 
Brigade Headquarters in the Quartermaster's De- 
partment, on detached service, and he was after- 
ward assigned to duty at Campbell General Hos- 
pital, Washington, D. C. At the close of the war 
he received an honoraljle discharge with his com- 
rades, on the 21st of .Tul}', 18(3.5, and immediately 
returned to New Hampshire. After visiting among 
his old friends and ac(juaintances for about a 
month he came west to McLean Count}", 111., .and 
engaged .as book-keeper for C. C. Aldrich, with 
whom he luas continued with the exception of one 
year since that time. In 1883 he associated him- 
self in partnership with R. E. Gifford, and opened 
a grocery sture, which h,as now become one of tlie 
leading establisiunents of its kind in this vicinity. 
To their first stock he has added a line of general 
merchandise, and now enjoys an extensive and lu- 
crative trade. 

i\Ir. Leach vv.as united in marriage with Miss 
Nanc}' jNIaria Blake, on the 12th of October, 1862. 
Mrs. Le.ach is a native of Swanzey, Cheshire 
Count}', N. II., and the daughter of Benjamin C. 
and Emeline (Aldrich) Blake, a native of the s.ame 
town and county. Benjamin C. Blake learned the 
trade of a tanner, and after f()llowing this a few 
years departed this life at the early age of twenty- 
six years. Tiic maiden name of his wife w.as Eme- 
line Aldrich. She is still living, and makes her 
home with her son-in-law, the subject of our sketch. 

Samuel I. .and Mrs. Nancy M. Leach have be- 
come the parents of five children, as follows : Fred y r 



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30fi 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



S., Carlon W., Blake, Carrie De Etta and Mattie 
Maria. 

Mr. Leacli was Towiisliip Clerli for fourteen 
years. He is also Township Treasurer, which of- 
lice he has occupied since 1H74. He has been a 
member of tlie Board of Trustees for a number of 
years, a position which he still holds, and was ap- 
pointed in November, 18«4, Supervisor nf Mt. 
Hope Township, elected in 1885, and re-elected 
in 1886. He is Republican in p(jlitics, and so- 
cially belongs to the G. A. R., Harrison W. ^Yood 
Post No. 173. He also belongs to the A. F. & A. 
M., being a member of Lodge No. 4G9, McLain 
.and Bloomingtqn Chapter, De Molay Commaiid- 
ary No. 24, at Bloomingtcm. 

Mr. Leach, in connection with his official duties, 
has the supervision of his farm, which is operated 
by a tenant, and is quite extensively interested in 
stock-raising. It comprises 237 acres of land, all 
under a good state of cultivation, and yields him a 
handsome income. 




(I/_^0N. SAMUEL "REVAN KINSEY, a prom- 
'^^ inent and we.aUliy fanner of Mt. Hope 
Township, owns and occupies a valuable 
farm estate which is pleasantly located on 
section 12. He is an old and valued resident of 
McLean County, and has <i)ntril)utod his full share 
toward the development of the resources of this 
section. He is possessed of line abilities, is of an 
energetic and enterprising turn of mind, and has 
always had in view some wortliy aim and object. 
Mr. Kinsey was born in Highland County, Ohio, 
on the 19th of Septemlier, 1824. His father, .John 
Kinsey, and his grandfather, Christopher Kinsey, 
were both natives of North Carolina, the latter 
emigrating from his native State to Clinton County, 
Ohio, during the earl}' settlement of that county. 
He there purchased a farm and ]iursued the jicace- 
ful calling of an agriculturist the balance of his 
days. His son John, the father of our subject, 
there learned the tr.ade of a millwright, and later, 
that of a carpenter. Soon after his inai'i'iage he 
removed to Higliland Count}', and in about 182.") 
returned to Clinton. He was industrious and en- 






terprising, and was afterward engaged as a builder 
and contractor. In 1 840 he engaged to build a few 
miles of stone pike that extended from Cincinnati 
to Columbus, which he completed, but which, owing 
to the dishonesty of his partner, proved unprofitable. 
In the spring of 1843 he removed from Ohio to 
Illinois, accompanied by his wife and six children. 
Their outfit consisted of six horses and twu wagons, 
and they carried the greater i)art of their houseliold 
belongings, and camped and cooked by the way- 
side. The first stop was made in the soutli jiart of 
Logan County, where they were obliged to wait 
for the waters of Salt Creek to subside before they 
could proceed further. They then journeyed to 
the northern i)art of the county, and settled two 
and one-half miles southwest of the present site of 
the then unknown city of Atlanta. The elder Kin- 
sey then l)eing unable to buy land, rented for the 
succeeding three or four years, afterward going to 
Tazewell County, 111., and engaging in his former 
business as a builder and contractor. He there 
superintended the erection of several Large barns 
and two county bridges on the Mackinaw Creek, 
and in this vicinity he spent the last years of his 
life. 

The mother of, oiu' subject, lieforc her marriage, 
was Miss Elinor Bcvan. She was born in Virginia, 
attended her husband in his various wanderings 
after their marriage, and died at tlie home of her 
daughter in the village of McLean, Sept. 22, 1872. 
They had become the parents of nine childi'en, of 
whom the record is as follows: .Jonathan, the eldest 
born, died in Logan County, 111.; Samuel B., our 
subject, was the second son; Lewis lives in Mt. 
Hope Township; Milton in Tazewell County ; .lohn 
died in Ohio; Louisa married Lafayette Archer; 
Ruth lives in McLean, and also Stacy B. ; Nathan 
L. served as a soldier of the Union in Co. G, 33d 
111. Vol. Inf., and died in the army. The parents 
were reared in the (Juaker faith, to which ]\Irs. 
Kinsey adhei'ed until the ck)se of her life. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his par- 
ents during his cliildhood and 3'outh, pursuing his 
education in the common schools, ami in the differ- 
ent branches of work in which he was engaged. 
He came to Logan Countj' with his p.arents and 
lived with them one year, after which, during the 



; 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



307 



winter seasons, he taught school, and during the 
summer was engaged in farming pursuits. In 1850 
he entered 1 CO acres of land on the southwest quar- 
ter of section 12, in what is now Mt. Hope Town- 
ship, and commenced the improvement of a farm. 
Three years later he moved upon it and since that 
time has occupied it continuously. The land is all 
enclosed and in a good state of cultivation, and 
Mr. Kiusey has a comfortable set of frame build- 
ings on it. He subsequently added to his first 
purchase, having 160 acres in another part of the 
township and fifteen acres of timber in Logan 
County. 

Mr. Kinsey was married. , Ian. IG, 1847, to Miss 
Mary Stephens, a native of Logan County, 111., 
and the daughter of Adam and Mary Stephens, who 
were pioneer settlers of that section. This lady 
only remained the companion of her husband for 
six short 3'ears, departing this life in 1853, after 
having become the mother of two children: Guy 
H., who died at the age of twenty-seven years, and 
one who died in infanc}'. In 1854 Mr. Kinsey w.as 
married to Miss Millicent Stephens, the sister of 
his first wife, and of this union there were born 
five children, of whom the record is as follows: 
John is a resident of Piloomington; .Jarvis H. lives 
in Mt. Hope Township; Nathan L. lives in Mc- 
Lean Village and is employed as a teacher; Effle 
married Terah Earns worth and they reside in this 
township, and Maude is at home with her parents. 

Mr. Kinsey has been prominent in the affairs of 
this locality since first coming luu'e, his talents and 
ability being duly recognized by his fellow-citizens. 
For two years he was the Assessor and Treasurer 
of Logan County, and the second year after com- 
ing to McLean was elected Assessor, and since that 
time has held the office of Commissioner of High- 
ways for twelve years. He has been School Treas- 
urer for the same length of time, and a member of 
the Board of Supervisors for the iiast ten years. 
In 18G2 he resigned his position on the Board, hav- 
ing received a commission from Gov. Yates as a re- 
cruiting officer for volunteer soldiers, and in six 
d.ays raised a company of ninety-six men, of which 
company he was elected C^aptain. Tliis was named 
Company A, and it constituted a part of the 1 17th 
Illinois Regiment. They marclied to the scene of 



>► ■ jH > 



conflict and were engaged in the battles at Sabina 
Cross Roads, and were in all the battles of Sher- 
man's meridian campaign. Then, on account of 
ill-health, Capt. Kinsey was obliged to tender his 
resignation, and on the 10th of May, 1864, reached 
home and for some time was incapacitated for anj' 
active labor. 

In 1884 Capt. Kinsey was elected to represent 
the 28th District in the Lower House of the Illi- 
nois Legislature, and re-elected in the fall of 1886. 
His abilities here, as elsewhere, were at once ac- 
knowledged, and he was placed on various impor- 
tant committees, embracing roads and bridges and 
canals and rivers. He has served his constituents 
faithfully and conscientiously, and enjoys the re- 
spect and esteem of the people of his community in 
a marked degree. In politics he was originally a 
Whig; his first vote for President was for Henry 
Clay, and on the organization of the Republican 
pai-ty he became identified with its principles, and 
has been a stanch supporter of that party since. 



<f7 EWIS HARLEY, deceased, late a highly re- 
~ spected resident of Logan County, 111., was 
a native of Pennsjdvania, born in Decem- 
ber, 1820, and departed this life at his home in 
Logan County, 111., on the 6th of January, 1871. 
He liecame a resident of that county in 1844 and 
Ijuilt up for himself an enviable record as an hon- 
est man, a good citizen, and a valued member of 
the community. He commenced at the foot of the 
ladder in life and his career offers a striking illus- 
tration of what may be accomplished by inborn 
principles of honor, truth and resolution, and 
perseverance in battling with the difficulties of life. 
The father of our subject, Abraham Ilarley, was 
also a n.itive of the Keystone State from which he 
removed to Ohio when his son Lewis was yet a 
child. He settled with his family near Dayton, and 
after living there a few years they proceeded further 
westward and finally located in this countj^ being 
among its earliest settlers. Their location was near 
a handsome grove which later received its name 
from and in honor of the Ilarley family, which it 
still bears. There, in the course of time, and after 



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308 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



our subject had grown to years of discretion, the 
father and son established a comfortable home, im- 
proved a fine tract of land and erected a sawmill. 
The tide of prosperity, however, finally turned 
against them, and by a series of misfortunes the 
property was lost to the family and its various mem- 
bers scattered in different directions to look out for 
themselves as best they could. Lewis was turned 
out into the world with all his earthly possessions 
tied up in a pocket handkerchief. He had been 
reared to habits of industry, however, and his 
bright • intelligent face soon secured him friends. 
He first engaged to work by the month in a distil- 
ler3-, and at once commenced to save a portion of 
his earnings. A few years later and at the time of 
his marriage he was the owner of forty acres of 
land in White Oak Township. This he sold after- 
ward and purchased a tract of wild land, eighty 
acres, in Mt. Hope Township. Upon this he built 
a frame house, where he resided with his wife 
and family for two years, in the meantime break- 
ing the sod and fencing the land, and two years 
later sold it at an .advanced price. This enabled 
him to purchase 400 acres of land in Iowa. He 
did not remove there, however, but soon disposed 
of this purchase, and in company with two brotiiers, 
Guy and Marian Tuttlc, built a sawmill near Kick- 
apoo River, and was engaged in opei-ating this two 
years. He then disposed of his interest in the mill 
and purchased 320 acres of land (ju sections 13 and 
14 of what w.as afterward Atlanta Township, Log.an 
Count}'. On .account of insnilicient means he only 
put up a small frame house liere, into which he re- 
moved his family and commenced the improve- 
ment of his purchase, lie planted hedge all around 
it and divided it into fort\-;icre fields. 

About this time the w.ar came- on, and lie at once 
laid aside his personal and private interests and 
])roffcrcd his services to assist in the preservation 
of the Union, becoming a member of Co. A, 117th 
Illinois Infantry. He performed his duties bravely 
and faithfully as a soldier, encountered with his 
comrades the dangers and vicissitudes of war, 
which he escaped unliarmed, and at the close re- 
ceived his honorable discharge on the 7th of Au- 
gust, 1805. He then returned to his home in Logan 
County and resumed his farnuug pursuits. His 






•4^ 



iicultii, howevi'r, had become greatly im[)aired from 
privation and exposui-e in the army, but he made no 
application for a pension and endured his afiliction 
as patientlj' and bravely .as he had done when on 
the march and in the field. 

Mr. Harley w.as remarkably enterprising and am- 
bitious, and willing to labor cheerfully to accomplish 
any desired residt. His ambition led him to labor 
for a comfortable home and a competency, .and his 
worthy effoi'ts in this direction were richly rewarded. 
At the time of his death he was the owner of a fine 
homestead, consisting of ,340 acres of land, a good 
brick residence, large frame barn, and all the neces- 
sary out-buildings required by a first-class agricult- 
urist. The farm was well stocked with high grade 
.animals, the sale of which, .after his death, amounted 
to .about 15,000. His marriage with Miss Eliza- 
beth J. Haughey occurred in Febru.ary, 1849, in 
McLean County. Mrs. Harley was born in Greene 
County, Ohio, Aug. 7, 1831, and w.as the daughter 
of Joseph and Esther (White) Haughey (see 
sketch of Matthew Haughey). After their m.ar- 
riage^Mr. and Mrs. Harley settled in Logan County, 
and lived there until the following August, when 
they moved into the house of Mrs. Ilarley's father, 
where they remained during the winter, while Mr. 
H. built a house on his own land. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harh'V there were 
born two children : Abraham died when two j'cars 
and five months old ; Fr.ancis Marian, the surviving 
son, was born in Logan County, 111., July 8, 1855. 
He pursued his early studies in the common schools 
and complet(Hl his education b}- attendance at the 
State Normal University. He now owns and occu- 
pies a part of the old homestead in Atlanta Town- 
ship, Logan County, and has elsewhere about 300 
acres of valuable hand. He married Miss Fidelia 
M. Tuttle, who was born in Logan Count}', and is 
the daughter of Guy and Martha A. (Roach) Tut- 
tle. They have one child, a d.aughter — Edna. 

Since tiie death of her husband Mrs. H. has ad- 
nunistered u[)on the estate. She remained upon 
the homestead until 1878, and then purch.ased prop- 
erty in McLean, where she erected a fine residence. 
She has in her own right IGO .acres of Land, which 
comprises a part of the home farm and which is 
operated by a lessee. She is a lady of fine business 



V 



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^^:^j:~z^2^' '■^'MV^iii'^ ' '■^'^- ^'^ 






Residence of H enry Patton ,Sec.1,,Dry GroveTownship, 







Residence ofJ. J. Ham, Sec.33. Hudson Township. 







aB^a^aajiJs^aS^a^Ja^aSitH&jaiKafc^^ i&aS:^'^1^gm>■■)^ -^ .»fe.^~ ^ '^•'1^j)i^a«*'Sfr?"^?Sji#i^.^,.JMe--%,<ji^„<iJs^-vB'^ ^' 



Residence: of W" Goodfellow,S!:c. 15. .Dale Township. 



t. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



capacities, greatly respected in ber commtinit}' on 
account of her personal worth, and a member in 
o'ood standino- of the Consrregational Church. 



"€-'^^- 



-6= 



y;iILLET L. JMARTIN was born in I"a<lua 
Township, Dec. 28, 1843, and it has been 
his home until the present time. He was 
here reared to manhood, educated in the district 
schools, and remained under the parental roof un- 
til he attained his m.ajority. He was trained to 
habits of industry and honest.y, and at an e.arly age 
gained a good insight into business methods, and 
when quite young was intrusted with the buying 
and selling of cattle, and other .affairs in which he 
displayed more than ordinary ability. With this 
valuable experience he obtained a good start in 
early life, and has now a beautiful farm homestead, 
finely located on section 31, Padua Township. This 
comprises 277 acres, of which 21(J lie in Empire 
Township, on section G. His land is all improved. 
The farm residence is a handsome and convenient 
structure, and the barn and other out-buildings 
correspond with the general air of thrift that per- 
vades the whole premises. His agricultural ma- 
chinery and his stock are of the best kind and kept 
in fine condition. Mr. Martin has labored indus- 
triously since he first started out for himself, and 
while yet in the prime of life is reaping a rich re- 
ward of perseverance and energy. 

The first marriage of Mr. Martin occurred in his 
native township, on the 21st of Jaiuiary, ISGi), 
when he was united with Miss Damaris Dooley. 
Mrs. M. was born in Clarlc County, Ivy., and came 
North with her parents in 1851, remaining under the 
parental roof until her marriage. Of this union there 
were three children. This lady died at the home 
of her husband in Padua Township, Nov. 7, 1872. 
Since the death of the mother, one child has passed 
away. Those surviving are Mary J. and Florence 
M. The second wife of our subject, to whom 
he was married Jan. 6, 1876, was Miss Cynthia, 
daughter of Martin and Catharine (Foust) Baum, 
who were both natives of Pickaway County, Ohio, 
where they were reared, educated and married. 
They remained ou a. farm in thcii- native .State un- 




til 1874, then removed to Illinois and settled in 
Padua Township, where the mother died in 1884, 
being sixty-two years of age. Mr. Banni now lives 
with his daughter, the wife of our subject, and 
is sixty-two years old. Both were members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. B. is Re- 
publican in politics, airs. Martin and her twin 
brother, John C.,were born in Pick.away County, 
Ohio, Aug. 7, 1850. Tlie parental lionsehold in- 
cluded six children, three sons and three daughters, 
all of whom are living, m.arried, and settled in 
homes of their (_)wn. Mrs. M. was educated in tlie 
schools of her native county, being a j'oung lady 
when her parents removed to tlie I'rairie State. Of 
tlie present marriage of our subject there were born 
four children — Laura H., Elberta F., Charles A. 
and John II. Mrs. M. is a member in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our 
subject politically is a solid Republican. As a citi- 
zen, farmer and business man, he is regarded as one 
of the leading spirits of his community, and is lield 
in high respect. 

zp^EPHART CRICHFIEEl), a resident of 
III (=p Funk's (irove Townsiiiji, tliis coiint3-, was 
^^11 born in De Witt County, 111., Oct. 23, I.S;-i;!, 
being the youngest son of Sainneland Lydia (Dun- 
can) Crichfleld, natives of Pennsylvania. Our 
subject w.as but a young child when his iiarents 
came into McLean County and settled in Funk's 
(irove, wliere lie attended tlie district scliool and 
assisted his father in the improvement of the farm, 
lie remained under the parental roof until his mar- 
riage, and then settled on tlie old ImnKJstead, and is 
now the owner of ninety-^iue acres of this. He lias 
erected a good set of frame buildings and is en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising, which 
he has carried on with uniform success. 

Mr. Criclifield was married, Dec. 30, 1<S77. to 
Miss Chrissie Baker, wlio was born in Funk's (Jrove 
Township, Jnl.y 10, 1800, and is the daughter of R. 
Harris and .Alary (Taylor) Baker, a sketch of wlioin 
is given in another part of this Album. Mr. and Mrs. 
C. became the parents of four children — Ilattie 
Ma}-, Alice, Nellie and Samuel. Mrs. C. is a mem- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



ber in good staiuliiig of the Christian Church. Mr. 
C. is Repiihlic-ui in politics, and in all respects a 
worthy citi/en and useful member of the com- 
munity. 

The f.Hther of our suliject, Samuel Crichfield, was 
born in Fayette County, Pa.. April 10, 1817, and 
was the son of .lames Crichfield. lie grew to man- 
hood in his native county and was there married to 
Miss l.ydia Duncan, a native of the same State. 
In 181G they removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, 
where they remained until 1853, then started for 
Illinois with four horses and two wagons, making 
the entire journey overland, camping and cooking 
by the way. After arriving in the Prairie State, 
James Criehtield rented land in De Witt County a 
few years, then purchased a tract of wild land in 
this county, in what was afterward Funk's drove 
Township. He improved a farm and built up a 
comfortable homestead, upon wliicli he remained the 
balance of his days, departing this life on the ■24th 
of .Tanuary, 1880. The wife and mother died in 
Septendier, 1877. The household circle was com- 
pleted by the birth of eight children. 

W^^ALENTIKE NAFFZIGER, Postmaster at 
vl\~/// Danvers Village, and carrying on a trade in 
\^ general merchandise, is one of the valuable 
Cerinan citizens of this locality who have con- 
tributed so much toward its devehjpment and pros- 
perity. Our subject w.as born in Ilesse-Darmstadt, 
(ierman^', Alarcii 12, 1842, and is the son of Chris- 
tian and liarbara (Staehly) Naffziger, natives of the 
same I'rovince, and who are still living, lieing now 
residents of Danvers Townshij). Christian Naff- 
ziger was born Jan. 17, 1803, and his wife, Barbara. 
Jan. 22, 180."). They emigrated to America in the 
fall of 1853, and landing in New York City pro- 
ceeded westward' to Chicago, locating in Danvers 
Townshiji, tliis county, on tiie 19th of March, 1854. 
The father of our subject is a farmer by occui)ation 
and the owner of 120 acres of valuable land in 
Danvers Township. Both parents are members of 
the Mennonitc Church, and Mr. N. is Democratic 
in politics, lie greatly enjoys tiie political freedom 
of his adoi)ted country, being a gentleman who en- 



r 



joys the privilege of expressing his views and main- 
taining them. The parental family consisted of 
ten children, of whom the record is as follows : 
I'^lizabeth, Mrs. Steitz, is a resident of St. Louis, 
Mo. ; Catharine married Phillip Klenk, and they 
live in Seward, Neb. ; Peter is a merchant of Stan- 
ford, this county ; Helena married Mr. II. Naffziger, 
one of the pioneers of McLean County; Christian 
is deceased, his wife and daughter live in Princeton, 
111.; INIaria died in Germany; Jacob died in Dan- 
vers Township; our subject was the eighth in order 
of birth; John married Miss Mary Imhof, and is 
living on the home farm; Barbara became the wife 
of Jacob Brenncman. and lives in Dry Grove Town- 
shiii. 

The sul)ject of our sketch remained under the 
l)arental roof until he had attained to years of 
manhood, and on the 28th of F'ebruary, 18G7, was 
united in marriage with Miss Henrietta Naffziger, 
the daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Naffziger) 
Naffziger, natives of (ierniany, who emigrated to 
America in 1840, and after a residence of ten years 
in Ohio removed to Illinois, in 1850. The family 
consisted of eight children, viz., Augustus, Freder- 
ick, Edward, Henrietta, Albert, Julius, Julia, who 
died in infancy, and Ida, now Mrs. Arthur Hulbert, 
of Arrowsmith, this county. The wife of our suIj- 
ject was Ijorn in Ohio on the 13th of June, 1848. 

Mr. Naffziger was reared on his father's farm 
and received a fair education in the public schools. 
He remained with his parents until he attained 
his majority and .afterward, for a few months, en- 
gaged as clerk foi- Mr. Abbot, of Danvers. Dur- 
ing the progress of the late war he enlisted as a 
Union soldier in Co. D, 'J4th 111. Vol. Inf., and 
when this regiment was mustered out was trans- 
ferred to the 37th and promoted Corporal. He 
participated in all of the general engagements around 
Mobile, Ala., and Ft. Morgan, and served along 
the Rio Grande River for several months. In July, 
1804, his brigade reshipped to New Orleans; he 
was activ(^ly engaged at the siege and capture of 
Ft. Morgan, Mobile and Spanish Fort, and received 
his honorable discharge at Huston, Tex., on the 1 5th 
of M.'iy, 18(50. After returning from the army he 
located in Diy (irove Township, and engaged in 
farming. He emigrated to Kansas in 1870, and re- 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



315 



enabled to bu.y a place of his own, which was lo- 
cated in Muskingum County. Continuing to re- 
side in that county until 1853, he emigrated to this 
county, and spent the first winter two and a half 
miles north of Danvers. He then rented a farm in 
Bloomington Township, and for two years was oc- 
euiiied in farming in this manner. In the spring 
of 1855 he bought 120 acres of land on sections 
23 and 28, Old Town Township, and immediately 
moved upon the same, and has made that his home 
until the i)resent time. lie is now the owner of 
200 acres of valuable and productive Land, and has 
met and is meeting with success in the jirosecution 
of his vocation. 

Mr. Rodman and Miss Eliza Wolf were united 
in marriage in Muskingum County, Ohio, Feb. 17, 
1833. She was born in Virginia, May 18, 1811, 
and has borne our suliject ten children — William, 
Joseph 11., Francis A., James M., Samuel A., Eliz- 
abeth A., Scamon C, Julius N., Winfield S. and 
Oscar. Joseph died July 3, 1855, when in his 
twentieth year ; Willi.am married Miss Apjilegate, 
and they are living in Old Town Township; Fran- 
cis A. married Miss Angeline Matthew ; she died, 
and he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda 
King, and they are at present living- in Old Town 
Township. James M. and Eliza Linton became 
man and wife, and live in Piatt County, this State; 
Samuel A\ is married and a resident of Vermilion 
County, 111. ; Elizabeth is the wife of William II. 
Porter, a farmer of Old Town Township; Scamon 
C. and Emma Flemming became man and wife, 
and they are living iu Butler County, Kan.; Julius 
N. married Miss Clara Colvin, and they are living 
in Piatt County ; Winfield S. and Miss Josephine E. 
Badley were united in marriage, and are at present 
residiug in Bloomington; Oscar O. selected as his 
life companion Miss Kate B. Schultz, and they are 
living in Old Town Township. 

Mr. Rodman was the first Supervisor of Old 
Town Township, and held that office for five years. 
He -was also Justice of the Peace twelve years. 
School Director, and held other minor offices in the 
township. He is and has been a member of the 
Methodist Protestant Church for fiftj'-six years. 
His wife was a member of the same church for ui>- 
1 ' ward of forty years, and departed this life Jan. 2.S, 



t 



1880, in Old Town Township. In politics Mr. 
Rodman votes the Republican ticket, and in 1862 
was a delegate to the State Convention and like- 
wise was elected to the same honor in 1880, 1884 
and 1880. Abraham Lincoln was the first lawyer 
to whom Jlr. Rodman ever paid a fee. 

When our subject first came to Old Town Town- 
ship wild game prevailed in abundance, and being 
exceedingly fond of hunting, he engaged in the 
sport, and during the winter of 185G-57 killed 
twelve deer in Old Town Township. In 1881 he 
obtained a position in the office of Secretary of 
State, in the shipiiing department, and held the 
same for four years. He has been an active fac- 
tor in the development of Old Town Township, 
and has contributed his quota toward its progress. 
He has also taken considerable interest in church 
affairs, and iu 184(i, prior to his settlement here, 
was a delegate to the Gener.al Conference at Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and in 186G was a delegate to the 
(ieueral CVmvention at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. 
Rodman has in his possession a genealogy of the 
Rodman family from the original Rodman of Bar- 
badoes— 1(520 to 1886. 

->-5— ^^ o«!M((i»>-^.>o— $.-^<. 

OIIN lAIARSHALL HITCHCOCK, deceased, 
formerly a resident of this count}^ was born 
in York County, Pa., Sept. 3, 1820, and was 
/ the son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Marshall) 
Hitchcock, and grandson of Isaac Hitchcock, a na- 
tive of England. The grandfather cauie to this 
couutry during the Revolution and was a pedagogue 
by profession. Caleb Hitchcock was born and 
reared to manhood in Maryland. He first saw 
light in Hartford County, near Baltimore, that 
State, Jan. 18, 1797. He there learned the trade 
of a miller, and followed the .same in Maryland for 
some time, and then in Ohio, whither he had re- 
moved. Later in life he was engaged in mercan- 
tile jjursuits and also carried on a large farm in 
Harrison Township, Perry Co., Ohio. He spent 
ihc last years of his life on the farm in that county, 
dying there in 1875. The mother of our subject 
w.as born in Baltimore, and died at the home of her 
daughter in Morgan County, this State, in 1879. 
Eleven children were born to the parents. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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Our subject ntteiided the |)ublic schools in his 
younger years, and when he was of sufficient age 
assisted in the hibors on the farm, lie liveJ at 
home witli his parents until his marriage, and then 
engaged in trade at Oakfield, Terry Co., Ohio. He 
was thus occupied for two years and then bought 
a farm in tliat county, where tlie city of Corning 
is now situated, and carried on farming. lie sold 
his place in September, 18.')!, and bought another 
near the home of his father, and located uijon it. 
In 185-2 he went to California, via the Isthmus, and 
was absent from home until August, 1856, his wife 
in the meantime residing with his and her parents. 
While living in California he engaged in mining, 
meeting with partial success. Returning liome he 
continued his farming operations until the breaking 
out of the late war and then, fSept. 20, 1861, en- 
listed in Co. A,62d Volunteer Infantry, and served 
his country faithfully and well until Sept. 24, 1862, 
when he was discharged on account of disability. 
He was in the Armj' of the Potomac and participated 
in several important battles. May 20, 1864, he 
again enlisted, this time for 100 days, and j<jined 
Co. G, 101st Ohio National Guards. He was mus- 
tered iu as Sergeant, and continued to serve until 
the close of the war. He particijiated in all the 
engagements in which his regiment fought, which 
were numerous and bloody, and eseaj)ed from the 
field of conflict without serious injury. Returning 
from the war he, in 1805, sold his farm in Ohio and 
that year came to this State, and bought a place in 
Mt. Hope Township, this county. He farmed this 
place for nine years, then rented it, and purchasing 
the McLean Hotel, filled the position of "mine 
host" until Sept. 20, 1876, the date of his demise. 

Mr. Hitchcock was married to IMiss Mary J. 
Rink, May 12, 1850. She was born in Baltimore 
County, Md., March 3, 1832. Her father, John 
Rink, was a native of Germany. He came to 
America with an uncle when one year old, his mother 
having died in the old country. He was reared 
to manhood in Pennsylvania. There he learned 
the tr.ade of a tailor, and moving to Baltimore, 
Md., worked at his trade until 1845. He then went 
to Perry County, Ohio, and continued working at 
his trade until 1872, when he moved to Armstrong, 
Tazewell Co., 111., and continued laboring at his 



vocation until a short time before his death, which 
occurred in November, 1880. The maiden name 
of the mother of Mrs. Hitchcock \vas Belinda H. 
Marshall, a native of Baltimore County, Md. She 
died in Ohio in .Tune, 1868. 

After the death of our subject Mrs. Hitchcock 
continued to manage the hotel until 1880. July 
14 of that j'ear the luiilding was destro3'ed by 
fire, and Mrs. Hitchcock then went to Atlanta, and 
rented a hotel which she conducted on her own ac- 
count. She then rettn'ucd to this county, and in 
1882 had the jiresent hotel erected. It is com- 
modious and conveniently arranged and is well kept. 
Mrs. Hitchcock is the mother of two children by 
our subject, Addis and Mazilla. She and her 
daughter Addis are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



/^*\ HARLES C. MAYER, an enterprising Ger- 
(|f man citizen of Leroy, was born in Schwen- 

^^^7 ningen, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, 
Germany, Nov. 19, 1847. He is the son of Law- 
rence and Anna Maria (Ilaller) Mayer, who were 
also natives of the same Province, the father being a 
cooper by trade, which he followed in his native 
country until 1863. He then started for the United 
States, embarking at Havre, France, in June, .and 
landing in New York City in August. From there 
he proceeded to Buffalo, and engaged in a sash and 
blind factory. He then journeyed West to Blichi- 
gan, and locating in Ann Arbor spent the last years 
of his life there with his son. The mother had died 
in Schwcnningen, in 185II. Four of their children 
accompanied the father to America: George lives 
in Avoca, Iowa, and is a jeweler by trade; John is 
a cabinet-maker, and lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. ; 
our subject was the next oldest; Kate died in AVis- 
consin; J.acob, the eldest son of the family, served 
in the German army, and died there from the 
effects of wounds received in battle. 

The subject of this history attended school in 
his native country until he was fourteen years old, 
and was then apprenticed to watch and clock mak- 
ing, serving at this until his departure for the 
United States. After reaching Buffalo he learned 



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mcjLean county. 



31' 



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the liarljcr's trade, .it which he .ifteiward worked in 
Ciiieiiiiiati, St. Louis and Bloomington. In 1807 
he came to Leioy, and ojiening a barber-shop con- 
tinned his former occni)ation nntil 18.S1. In tlie 
meantime he added to it the jewelry business, and 
in 1881 disposed of the barber-shop, since tlien 
having devoted his entire attention to his trade iii 
jewelrj' and the repairing of watches and checks. 
His is the only establishment of the kind in tlie 
city, .and yields him a handsome income. 

Mr. lMa3'er was married in Lerov, on the 10th of 
July, 1871, to Miss Nannie .T. Oibbs, who was born 
in Leroy, and is the daughter of .Tohn and ISIary 
Gibbs. Mr. and Jlrs. M. have become the parents 
of six children — Edith, George, John L., Charles, 
Bertha and Frank. The family attend the Lutheran 
Churcli, and our subject in politics uniformly casts 
his vote with tlie Democratic part}'. He is a mem- 
ber of the City Council and Collector of Taxes, and 
socially belongs to Leroy Lodge No. "i'il, A. F. & 
A. M. 

\^^,ELSON O. LACOCK, a successful and pros- 
I /// P^''*^"'' farmer residing on section 1, Old 
lk\,^, Town Township, is the son of Rezin and 
Eliza (Oliver) Lacock, natives of Washington 
County, Pa., where they were married and settled, 
and where the}' continued to live until called to a 
better home. The father w.as a farmer, and fol- 
lowed his calling in his native county until his de- 
mise. He became the head of a faniil}' of three 
children, of whom Elisha and Nelson lived to at- 
tain the age of manhood. 

Nelson Lacock was born in Washington County, 
Pa., July 4, 1817. When he was five days old 
his mother died, and young Lacock was placed in 
the home of his grandparents, with whom he lived 
until he had attained the age of manhood, engaged 
the while in attending the common schools and in 
working on a farm. April U, 1842, our subject 
was married to Sarah Williams, daughter of Abra- 
ham and Sarah (Hannah) \\'illiams, natives of West- 
moreland County, Pa. After their marriage her par- 
ents went to Greene County, Pa., whence they re- 
moved to Washingtiui Count}', that State, and from 
there came to this county, arriving here in 18o6, 
4* 



and settling near White Oak Grove, where the fa- 
ther continued to labor at his calling, that of a 
farmer, until his death, and where his goosl wife 
also died. Abraham Williams became the father 
of eight children — Elizabeth, Khoda, Rebecca, 
Richard, Mary, Abraham, Sarah and Robert E. 

Sarah, IMrs. Lacock, was boi'ii in Cireene County, 
Pa., March 22, 1823. She lived with her parents 
until her marriage with our subject, which union 
has been blest by the birth of eight children, the 
record of whom is as follows: Elizabeth is the wife 
of Joseph M. Smith, and lives in Bloomington, 111. ; 
Lu/.ettee died of diphtheria when eighteen years old ; 
Abraham died when sixteen years old; Timandria 
died when fourteen yearsof age, of diphtheria; Rob- 
ert R. was united in marri.age with Miss Grace Ma- 
son, and they are living in Padua Township; .Sarah 
A. is the wife of E. D. Benjamin, and they are living 
in Old Town Township; Oliver N. is married to 
Minnie Young, and they live in Padua Township; 
Cromwell lives at home. 

Mr. Lacock has held some of the minor offices of 
his township, and he and his wife are active mem- 
bers of the Christian Church, to which denomina- 
tion they have belonged for many years. He was 
Elder in a congregation of that denomination. In 
(xilitical [irinciple he is a Republican, but since the 
birth of the Prohibition p.arty has voted for its suc- 
cess. Mrs. Lacock is one of those kind-hearted 
Christian women found in every portion of our 
land, who .sympathise with the poor, and has never 
turned the hungry from her door, believing 4s she 
does that "It is more blessed to give than to re- 
ceive, and in.ismuch .as ye have done it unto one 
of the least of these, my disciples, ye have done it 
unto me." 



\f7AMl-;s S. (;E()RGE, a highly respected 
farmer and carpenter of Danvers Township, 
plea.santly located on section oG, is a native 
of Pendleton County, \a.. and was born on 
the 24tli of March, 1824. His parents were Will- 
iam and Mary A. (Hawkins) George, both natives 
of Virginia, and the mother of German ancestry. 
William George was a carpenter by trade; he was 
born in 179G, and removed to Champaign County, 



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318 



McLEAN COUNTY 



III., where he died in April, 1.^75. The parents 
were married in Hampshire County, Va., in 1816, 
the mother being- eighteen j^cars old. She removed 
with her husband to Illinois, and died of cholera in 
Danvers Township in IW;")!, at tiie age of fifty-four 
years. Tiie parental household included the follow- 
ing children: Satnuel married Miss Rebecca Idle- 
man, in Virginia; John died of cholera, in 18,54; 
Thomas married Miss Collins Hetts; Jamas S. is the 
subject of our sketch ; Catharine, Mrs. Simons, lives 
in Harrison County, \V. \'a. ; iClsie, the wife of 
Klijali White, resides in Kandol[)li County, W. Va. ; 
M.ary became the wife of Willi:un IJrown, of Vir- 
gina; Sandi married Silas Sniitli, of Tazewell 
County, 111.; Rebecca uiai-ried William Enimett, of 
Ta/.c^well County, 111., and William married Miss 
E. Deinming, of McLean County; Abraham and 
Isaac were twins, tiic first married Miss Coram, and 
Isaac married Miss R. Cook, of JMcLcan County, 
111. 

James S. (ieorge became a resident of the Prai- 
rie State in 18.V2, and for two years followed the 
trade of a carpenter. Not being quite satisfied 
with the results in this direction betook up farming 
pursuits, locating on the tract of land which he 
now owns and occupies. 1 le is making a specialty 
of stock-raising, and deals in high grade Short-horn 
cattle. 

After coming to Illinois tiic subject of our 
sketch was married to .Miss ICIizabeth Bennett, on 
the 12th of September, is."),'), in Tazewell County. 
Mrs. George was born in \irginia, on the 12th of 
September, 1821), and is tlic daughter of .John and 
Catliarinc ((Jrapes) Bennett, natives of the same 
State, the father born in 17!>7. He emigrated to 
Iowa .'iftcr his marriage, and died lliere in 1873. 
The mother died in Tazc^well County, this State, in 
18;5G, leaving four children, two boys and two 
girls. Eliza married .lohn Roarbeck; Elizabeth, 
of our sketch, is the seccjud child; David married 
Miss Salina (Jrecn; \Villiani w.as killed b}' lightning 
when sixteen years old. Tlie education of our sub- 
ject and his wife was necessarily somewhat limited, 
their jtarents l)eing pioneers of a new countr}-, and 
schooling facilities very meager. Realizing the ad- 
vantages of mental cultuie the.y have given their 
children the best advanUiges which the schools of 



Of the.se children John 
David P>. married Miss 
, Ida and Elmer are at 
Mrs. George have not 
any church organization 
the Scriptures, and en- 
pts of the (iolden Rule, 
in politics, and in all re- 
and a valued nuMiiber of 



4-<i^5<f-pK3— 



the present day afford, 
died of cholera, in 18,')4; 
Charity I'erry ; .lames W. 
home. While Mr. and 
identified themselves with 
they arc firm believers in 
deavor to follow the prece 
Mr. (4eorge is Democratic 
s])ects is a worthy citizen 
society-. 



'I'OIIN GAY, an enteriirising and intelligent 
farmer of Kmpirc Township, owns and oc- 
cu])ies a comfortable homestead of 200 
acres on section 3. He is a native of Pick- 
away County, Oiiio, and was born in 1842, being 
the son (jf .lames (Jay, deceased. The latter was 
also a native of Ohio, his birth occurring in Pick- 
away County on the 1st of April, 1809. The 
father of the latter, .John (iay, .Sr., removed from 
his native .State of Pennsylvania to Pickaway 
County, Ohio, being among the earliest settlers of 
that region. He purchased a tract of timber land, 
cleared a farm from the wilderness, and established 
a comfortable home, where he passed the remainder 
of his days. There .T;imes Gay, the father of our 
subject, grew to manhood, and was married to Miss 
I'ermelia Ross, a native of New Jersej\ He in- 
herited a part of the old homestead in Pickaway 
County ;iud lived upon it until the fall of 18,52. 
Then, accom|)anied by his wife and ten children, 
he started overland to Illinois. After twelve daj's' 
travel they landed in Pi.itl County, where James 
(;:iy cultivated a tract c^f rented land for two years 
and then coming into JNIcLean Count}', i)urchased 
the northeast (piarter of section 3, in what is now 
Emi)ire Township. Thirty acres of this was broken 
and fenced, and there was ujjou it a frame house 
and log stable. Here, the father of our subject 
settled with his family, and here his life terminated 
on the ()tli of ,July, 1881. He had been prosperous 
in his farming and business operations, and at the 
time of his death his laud w.as finely improved, well 
fenced an<l under a good state of cultivation. The 
wife and mother departed this life Feb. 17, 1871. 
One child w.as born to them after coming- into this 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



321 



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State, and of the eleven born to them the record is 
as follows: David died in Empire Towushij); 
Mary was married and her hnsband died in the 
army, and she now lives at Weedman Station ; Mar- 
garet, the widow of Abner Brown, lives with her 
brother on the old homestead ; Martha became the 
wife of Chamber Dynes, and died on the homestead 
in 1870 ; our subject was the next in order of birth ; 
P^lizabeth married F. M. Rutlcdgc, and lives in Em- 
pire Township; Eliza, Mrs. C. IT. Best, lives in 
Shelby County, Iowa; Reason R. lives in Ilancociv 
County, Iowa; William, in Farmer City; Sarah, 
Mrs. Frank McFarland, in Nobles County, Minn.; 
Mary F., Mrs. Jacob AVilliams, in Empire Town- 
ship. 

John Gay was a lad of twelve years old when he 
came to tJiis county with his parents. His youth 
and childhood were spent in attendance at the dis- 
trict school and assisting his father on the farm, and 
he lived with his parents until one year before his 
marriage. He then engaged with his brother 
David in operating a rented farm for about five 
years, and afterward rented a farm by himself 
west of Le Roy, upon wiiieh he remained until 
after the death of his wife. He then returned 
to the old homestead for a 3'ear, and witii the ex- 
ception of the time that he was engaged with his 
brother William, has lieen a resident there since. 
His marriage with Miss Mary L. Buckles occurred 
in 1867, at the home of the bride's parents in 
Downs Townshij). Mrs. Gay was born in Empire 
Township, and is the daugliter of Peter Buckles, 
one of the early pioneers of this count}'. Our sub- 
ject is Democratic in politics, and in all respects is 
fnlfillino- the obligations of a good citizen. 



"i*S^ AVID II. ROUNDS, formerly a prominent 
contractor and builder of Bloomington 
Township, is now one of the most success- 
ful breeders of fine horses in McLean 
County. lie was formerlj' associated in business 
with a partner, and they engaged in building oper- 
ations for about ten years under the firm name of 
Vanschoick & Rounds. The firm is now dissolved, 
and Mr. Rounds devotes nearly the whole of his 
time and attention to developing the qualities of 




t 



that noble animal, the horse. He is making a spec- 
ialty of roadsters, and is the only man in McLean 
County who has raised a horse that has made a 
record liy his training, coming within 2:30, and the 
only man in the county who has developed the 
speed of a horse t<j a record of 2 :2-l^, which is the 
record of the chief of his stables, which is known 
as Rounds Sprague, and is registered as No. 4194. 
This animal is the son of Governor Sprague, his 
dam being Davis Maid. ]\lr. Rounds purchased 
him at the age <if twenty months, and lias made 
him what he is. There is also attached to iiis sta- 
bles, Belmont Sprague No. 4.527, wliich, .althougli 
young, gives indications of something be3'ond the 
ordinary, which will soon i)lace him upon an equal- 
ity with his sire. Rounds Sprague, and dam. Lady 
Rodm.an, by Belmont No. G4, and gr.and-dam, 
Ratty Rodman, by Alcalde No. 103. Mr. Rounds 
also owns the fine colt Brownell, No. G0U4, which 
possesses the most style of anj' in his stables. He 
was sired l)y Lumps, whose record is 2:21, his dam 
being Mambrunello, and the second dam )jy Pilot, 
Jr. His co.ach stallion, Abdallah Bruce, and which 
possesses iiarticularly graceful movements for a 
large horse, is on record, and when upon exhibi- 
tion received the highest praise from Judge Ar- 
thur Catiin, whose knowledge of a good horse, and 
success in developing, proves him to be a man of 
no ordinary judgment. With these horses Mr. 
Rounds has built for himself an enviable rejiu- 
tatiou as a breeder and developer. He has fol- 
lowed his present business for nearly thirty 3'ears, 
although a part of the time he was engaged as a 
builder and contractor. He lives near the city 
limits of Bloonungton, and is well and favorably 
known throughout this section, as mucli for his per- 
sonal traits of character as for his success in his 
chosen calling. 

The "Mark-Field Monthly" of March, 1886, 
has given a length}' notice of the Vanguard Stud, 
by which the collection of horses bred by Mr. 
Rounds is familiarl}' known throughout this sec- 
tion. It editoriall}' remarks: "The truth of the 
matter is tliat Mr. Rounds has employed his brains 
in tiio most effective manner, and to the greatefet 
possible advantage. In addition to this he has 
been wonderfully, fortunate in getting hold of a 1 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



lot of dams whose pedigrees contain in harmonious 
union about all the elect blood lines which are 
known to the trotting register, and whose forms 
and breeding qualities arc admirably adapted to the 
head of the stud. The splendid success with which 
the efforts of the owner of the Vanguard Stud have 
been crowned, is easily traced to the sound judg- 
ment and practical wisdom that were employed in 
la3'ing the foundation of that interest. That the 
plucky, intelligent and thoroughly honest labors of 
Mr. Rounds are an enduring credit to himself and 
a source of untold profit to the city of Blooming- 
t(^n, cannot for one moment be denied." We can- 
not, in the space of a brief biography, name the 
various members of his family of eiiuines, but it 
will be safe to say that the collection has no supe- 
rior, if any equal, in this portion of Illinois. The 
animals are models of beauty and symmetry, and 
those whose speed has been tested, give indications 
of remarkable feats to be |)erformed in the future. 
Mr. Rounds is a native of Lewis County, N. Y., 
and was born Oct. 2h, 1830. When a young child 
his parents removed to Medina County, Ohio, and 
later, in 1841, journeyed still further Westward, 
coming to the prairies of Illinois, making their lo- 
cation in Fulton County. In 18.5G they all came 
to Bloomiugton, which has remained their home 
since that time. The parents are still living, and 
make their ht)nie with their son, our subject. The 
father, Samuel I). A. Rounds, was a native of Bos- 
ton, Mass., and the mother, who, before her mar- 
riage was Miss Amy Hatfield, was born in the State 
of New York. 

David II. remained witii his parents until he had 
attained to years of maniiood, and was married at 
Farmington, 111., in 1852, to Miss Laura Sweet, a 
native of Allegany County, N. Y., who had come 
West vvitli her parents one year previously. Of 
this union there have been born eight children, four 
of whom are now deceased: Alice, who became 
the wife of ,1. M. (irant, a farmer, and resides at 
Elwood, 111.; Nellie, Olivia and Amy are at home. 
The deceased are George A., Mary, Spencer and 
Samuel D. Mr. and Mrs. Rounds are prominently 
connected with the ]\Ietliodist Episcopal Church, 
and in politics tlie subject of our sketch is a Re- 
publican. 



Among the numerous portraits of the leading 
citizens of McLean County given in this volume, 
we are confident none are more deserving a prom- 
inent place or will be received with greater favor 
than that of Mr. Rounds. 



f 



ONAS SILL has been a resident of Dry 
Grove Township since 18.57, and is now lo- 
cated on section 10. His has been a varied 
l^^J and busy life, interspersed with travel to 
various parts of the world, including two trips to 
Europe and visits to different parts of the United 
States ; in fact he has seen the wonders of the prin- 
cipal cities of the world, and his experiences, if 
written out, would make an interesting volume. 

Mr. Sill was born in Bedford County, Pa., on the 
10th of Ajnil, 1819. He is the son of Daniel and 
Catliarine (Stililer) Sill, natives of the same county 
as their son. Daniel Sill was born in 1778, and 
died in Pennsylvania in 1850, at the age of sev- 
enty-two years. He was possessed of a good Fin- 
glish and German education, and was engaged in 
farming pursuits the greater part of his life. Mrs. 
Catharine Sill was born in 1786, and departed this 
life in 1848, after becoming the mother of sixteen 
children, nine sons and seven daughters, viz. : Eliz- 
abeth, So])hia, Henry, Jacob, Catharine, Isaac, Dan- 
iel, Zachariah, JMary, Jonas, George, Michael, Hcnr}' 
(second), Mary (second), Susan and Nancy. Of 
these only six are living. The parents were mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church and were people 
highly connected in their community, training up 
their family to habits of industrj' and principles of 
honor and virtue. 

Jonas Sill was married in his native State, to Miss 
Theresa Boyei-, on the 22d of October, 1841. Mrs. 
Sill was born in Somerset Count}', Pa., Oct. 26, 
1816. Her parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth 
(EUrich) Boyer, natives of Maryland. Of this 
union there were born four chiUlren, two sons and 
two dauglitcrs. William, who married Miss Nora 
Swallow, is living in this county; Elizabeth, Mrs. 
John Lucas, resides in Missouri; Catharine, who 
married Rev. Andrew Latimer, a minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Latimer was 



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McLean county. 



323 



born in New York State, in 1838, and reared in 
Canada, where his education began. lie came to 
Illinois in 1868, and completed his studies at Evan- 
ston College, near Chicago, entering the ministry 
the following 3'ear. He is now located at Durham, 
Marion Co., Iowa, and to himself and wife have 
been born two children : Simpson J., I)orn Sept. 29, 
1874, died Sept. 27, 188U; Arthur H. was born July 
4, 1878. Mr. Latimer is distinguished as a revival- 
ist, and is one of the most prominent clergj'uien in 
his locality. Daniel M., the other son of our sub- 
ject, was born Dec. 3, 1851, and is still an inmate 
of the p.ircntal home. He is highly educated, com- 
pleting his studies in the Wesleyan University at 
Bloomingtou. On account of failing health he 
went to Oregon and spent four years, and after re- 
turniug to Illinois, made a trip to Europe. 

Mr. Sill is the possessor of 210 acres of finely 
cnltiv.ated land, upon which he has erected a taste- 
ful farm dwelling with all necessary barns and out- 
buildings. Of late years he has been largely en- 
gaged in the breeding of fine stock, especially 
horses, of which he has imported choice specimens 
of Clydesdale and Norman. Of these he has made 
three importations and disposed of them to parties 
in Oregon and other portions of the Northwest. 
His farm is beautifully located in the central part 
of the township, and the local elections have been 
held at his shop for the last sixteen years. Mr. 
Sill is Republican in politics, and has been a mem- 
ber of the Evangelical Association for a period 
probably of forty-seven years. He has been closely 
identified with the agrieultur.al and industrial inter- 
ests of this section for the last thirty years, and has 
contributed his full quota toward its development 
and growth, and in presenting his portrait, we give 
that of one of the leading and representative men 
of McLean County. 

\¥?OHN FRY, a native of Greene County, Pa., 
now owns and occupies a comfortable home- 
stead in Empire Township, on section 19. 
(^^/ He comes of worthy and substantial ances- 
try, being the son of Abraham and Mary (Becken- 
baugh) Fry, the father born in the eastern part of 



r 



the Keystone State, and the mother in Greene 
County. The paternal grandfather of our subject 
was a native of Germany, and the maternal grand- 
parents were of German descent, but born in Penn- 
sylvania. Abraham Fr}' departed this life in 1827, 
leaving a wife and seven children. Just previous 
to his death he had visited Licking County, Ohio, 
and selected a farm there, which he had paid for 
by the sale of his property in Greene County, Pa. 
To this the widow and her children removed, set- 
tling in Burlington Township. The journey, a dis- 
tance of 160 miles, was made overland with teams, 
in the manner C(jmmon to the pilgrimage of the 
eai'ly pioneers. They took their household goods 
along, .and camped and cooked by the wayside. 
There was a log cabin on the place, which the fam- 
ily occupied for some years, and forty of the 175 
acres were partly cleared. Our subject and his 
brothers cleared all but thirty acres of the remain- 
der. The mother kept her family together until 
the.y had grown to mature years. Twenty years after 
the death of her first luisbaud she was married 
.again, was again widowed, .and during the last 
years of her life made her home with her children. 

John Fry was the sixth child of his parents, and 
was born Sept. 4, 1824. As soon as large enough 
he assisted his parents in the labors of the farm and 
lived with his mother after her second marriage. 
He attended the common schools in Ohio, and after 
he had attained his majority .and was married, pur- 
chased the interest of the other heirs in the old 
homestead. This he occupied until 1870, and then, 
selling out, removed to this State and count3', and 
located upon the place which he still owns and oc- 
cupies. This comprises 205 acres of land, all en- 
closed, with a fine sti'etch of pasture and good im- 
provements. He was reared to habits of industry 
and economy, and inherited from his substantial 
German ancestors the traits which have constituted 
him a valuable and reliable member of the com- 
munity. 

The m.arriage of Mr. Fry with Miss Rebecca 
Liming was celebr.ated Feb. 17, 1849. Mrs. F. was 
born in Monongalia County, W. V^a., July 7, 1829. 
Her parents were Samuel and Jane (Brown) Lim- 
ing. They removed to Licking County, Ohio, when 
Mrs. F. was a young child, and spent the last years 




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McLEAN COUNTY. 



of their life there. Of tliis luiiun there are seven 
children living, .is follows: Sns.in, the wife of 
James W. Long, is a resident of Calhonn County, 
Iowa; Abraham also lives in that county; Ellen 
married Leroy Oliver, and they live in Downs 
Township; William is a teacher in Bellefllower 
Township; Charles A., John Wesley and Eliz.abeth 
]\Iay are at home with their parents. 

Our subject -iiid his wife are members in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the 
supp<jrt of which they contribute liberally .and 
cheerfully. Mr. Fry cast his first Presidenti.al vote 
for Gen. Cass, and was Democr.atic in politics until 
the formation of the Republican party. His pres- 
ent possessicms are the result of his own industry 
and perseverance, and he has contributed his full 
share toward the growth and development of his 
ado[)tod township. His homestead is finely located 
and (ileasant to look ujjon, and our subject is con- 
sidered one of the representative men of the lo- 
cality. 



H. MORRIS, of the firm of Ga- 
lusha & Morris, dealers in hardware at Le 
Roy, is, with his partner, carrying on an 
extensive .and lucrative trade. Mr. M. 
was ))orn in Empire Township, this county, April 
27, 184(1. His father, Leon.ard M. Mori'is, was a 
native of North Carolina, whence he removed at 
an e.arly day to Indiana, where he lived until 1844; 
then, with his wife and one child, he came into Illi- 
nois, making the journey overland, and arriving at 
Le Roy, in this county, with $1.75 in his pocket. He 
located upon a tract of rented land, which he culti- 
vated for a number of j'ears, and then purchased 
forty .acres one and (jne-half miles west of Le Roy. 
To this latter he added eighty .acres, which he con- 
tinued to cultivate and improve until the fall of 
1884, when he sold out and removed to the home 
of his daughter, Mrs. Helmick, in Monroe County, 
AIo., where he departed this life on the 8th of Au- 
gust, 188.5. His wife, the mother of our subject, 
was formerly Miss l>avina Pugsley, who wiis a na- 
tive of Maine, and the daughter of Joseph Pugsley, 
of the same State, whence he removed to Indi.ana, 
being among the earliest pioneers of that State. 




Soon afterward he pushed on to Illinois and located 
in Empire Township, this county, being among the 
earliest settlers of this region. Of their six children 
five grew to liecome men and women: Sarah O. 
m.arried James Helmick, and they live in Monroe 
County, Mo.; Alfred II., our subject, was the .sec- 
ond child; Ch.arles W. died in Empire Township, 
June 2(i, 1883; Marcus P. lives in West Township, 
and William J., in Sedgwick County, Kan. 

The subject of this history pursued his prim.ary 
studies in the town of Le Roy, and assisted his 
f.atheron the farm. He remained under the paren- 
tal roof until twentj'-one 3'ears old, and was soon 
afterward married and located upon land. After 
farming in this manner for twelve years he ])ur- 
chased land in iMupire Township, which he occu- 
pied and cultivated until December, 1880. He then 
purch.ased a one-half interest in the store of Mr. 
G.alusha, with whom he has been associated since 
th.at time. 

Mr. Jlorris was married, April 9, 18()7, to Miss 
Elizabeth Wyckoff, who w.as born (m the line of 
Licking and Fairfield Counties, Ohio, and was the 
daughter of Matthew and Nancj' (Finckbone) 
Wyckoff, natives respectivelj' of Virginia and Ohio. 
Of this union there have been born four children, 
all daughters — Ella M.ay, Mary Agnes, Eva and 
Daisy Alice. Mr. Morris is Republican in politics, 
and has held the ofHce of City Treasurer of Le Roy. 
Sociallj' he belongs to Le Roj' Lodge No. 149, 
I. O. O. F. He is a straightforw.ard and energetic 
business man, and in all respects a repre;sentative 
citizen. 

-^ ^^3 ^^^ 

/p^EORGE McINTOSH, plumber, .and carry- 
jll (— -, ing on a good trade in gas and steam-fit- 
^^51 tings, is contributing his full share to the 
business interests of Bloomingtou, and thus fulfill- 
ing the oblig.ations of a good citizen. He is a na- 
tive of Scotland, born in the city of Brechin in 
M.ay, 1844. His parents were George iind Agnes 
Mcintosh, by whom he was reared and sent to 
school, whei'e he received a good education. He 
learned the trade of a plumber in his native city, 
serving an apprenticeship of six years, and at the 
expiration of this time proceeded to the cit^' of 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



325 



(Jlasguw ami worked :is a "jour" for one year. 
From tliere Le went to Dublin, where ho spent one 
year, and thence to the city of London, England, 
where ihe worked at his trade two years. From 
there he sailed for America, and after spending a 
week in Jlontreal, Canada, where work was dull, 
set his face Westward, and soon found a job in 
Chicago, 111., from which he derived a handsome 
salary of $4.75 i)er day. 

Mr. Mcintosh spent two years with one firm in 
that city, and was then detailed to go to Blooming- 
ton, where he completed a contract for the firm, 
and where he decided to locate. He became a per- 
manent resident of the city in 1808, and establislied 
himself in business. Three 3'ears later his stock 
was destroyed by fire, and having no insurance he 
lost everj'thing. His credit, however, was good, 
and he soon recovered from this dis.aster. He once 
more opened up a stock of fixtures, his business 
l)lace being located under the First National Bank, 
at the corner of Washington and Main streets, 
where he operated successfully, and in due time 
was enabled to put up the [iresent convenient and 
commodious building. This occupies an area of 
22x90 feet, with two stories and baseinent. 

Mr. Mcintosh is a straightforward business man, 
and takes a genuine interest in the prosperitj' of 
his adopted city, and there are few worthy enter- 
prises that have not received his encouragement 
and support. He was married in 1870 to Miss 
Helen, daughter of John McGregor, of Bhxmiing- 
ton, and they iiave two children — (ieorge and 
Adella. 



n 



eHRISTIAN W. NAFZK JER, a retired farm- 
er now living in the village of Stanford, 
this county, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
(Germany, on the 28th of Maj-. 1819. He is the 
son of Christian and Elizabeth (Fisher) Nafziger, 
and his fathc)-, born in 18G7, died in JMarch, 1819, 
leaving a widow and five children. The mother, 
born in 1788, after the death of her husband emi- 
grated to the United States with her family, and 
died three j'ears later in Illinois, in September, 
1854. The family lived one year in Ohio. 

Our subject preceded the balance of his mother's 



family to America, coming here in 184(j, landing 
in New York City on the 22d of September, 
whence he went to Butler County, Ohio. He was 
employed as a farm laborer in that State for a jier- 
iod of eight years, and in the meantime was mar- 
ried to Jliss Elizabeth Ehresmaim, March 15, 1849. 
She was born in Ilesse-Cassel, Germany, in Novem- 
ber, 1823, and came to America in July, 1842, 
where she and her sister joined their father and 
two Itrothers, who had already been here three 
years, and located in Butler County, Ohio. Her 
father died one year after her marriage, His fam- 
ily consisted of two sons and three daughters, of 
wliom Barbara married Mv. Berck; Frederick may- 
ried Miss Emma Jacobs; Christian is deceased; 
Elizabeth, of our sketch, and Ellen, who married 
Jacob Musleman. 

A few years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Nafziger came to Illinois, in 1854. Mr. N. rented 
land the first 3'ear and then purchased eighty acres, 
to which he afterward added a like amount, and be- 
side this, which comprises the homestead, has 120 
acres within one and a half miles of the village of 
Stanford. In 1878 he engaged in the lumber business 
in Stanford and was thus occujjied for five years, at 
the end of which time he sold out and retired from 
active business. He has been a h.ard worker in his 
time, and iiis possessions are but the just reward of 
his early industry. 

Mr. N. became connected with the Masonic fra- 
ternity in 1877, being a member of Allin Lodge 
No. ()()5, and is a warm supporter of the principles 
which he learned to admire long ago. He is a 
member in good standing of the Mennonite Church, 
of which he has been a liberal and cheerful sup- 
porter, and [)olitically is a reliable Democrat. He 
is held in the highest respect in this conuunnity for 
his usefulness as a citizen and his excellent personal 
traits of character. 

JVIr. and Mrs. Nafziger became the parents of six 
children, the record of whom is as follows: John H. 
married Miss Amelia Nafziger (a cousin) ; Chris- 
tian F. married Miss McWilliams, and is living in 
Allin Township; Eliza M. became the wife of 
Henry Linker, of Tazewell Count}', this State; 
(;ustoff A. married Miss Birtha Ilauter, and 
lives in Tazewell County ; Lena E., Mrs. George 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



AVright, is a resident of Stanford; William .1., mar- 
ried Miss Martha J^aml), ami is located in Allin 
Townsliip. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Nafziger departed this life on the 
•21st of February', 1884, of consumption. She was 
a lady greatly beloved by her husband and family, 
industrious, cheerful and affectionate, a good wife 
and loving mother, and at her death mourned by a 
large circle of friends and acquaintances. She was 
a sincere Christian, a member of the Mennonite 
Church, and by her daily walk and conversation 
exerted a good inrtuence over her household and 
all who enjoyed her acquaintance. Her memory is 
held sacred bj' her husband and famil}', who sus- 
tained in her death an irreparable loss. 



^~T/-..~\tillZ£/©-^-«| 



^^.S^ZiOT*^ -Vrt/-" 



^-A OLOMON S. PORTER, a prosperous farmer 
^^^■^ of Norm.al Townshij), is pleasantly located 
on section 15, where he owns a valuable 
homestead, and is c.irrying on his agricult- 
ural pursuits skillfully and with success. He has 
i)eeu a resident of the Prairie State for a period of 
over thirty years, all Ijut one of which have been 
spent in Norni.al Township, ami during this long 
period, by his uprigiit course as a citizen and a 
business man has fully established himself in tiie 
confidence .and esteem of a large circle of friends 
and associates. 

Mr. Porter was Ixini in Muskingum Ciiunty, 
Ohio, on Christm.as Day, 1828. His father, William 
Porter, w.as born in Washington County, Pa., and 
his mother, formerly Miss Mary Ritchie, in Erie 
County. They were reared and married in their 
native State, whence they removed to Muskingum 
County, Ohio, in about 1 806, being among the 
early pioneers of the Buckeye State. William Por- 
ter there opened up a fai-m in the wilderness and 
established a permanent home, where he and his 
wife resided until their death, which occurred in 
1832, both dying within one week. They left a 
family of twelve children, ui whom the subject of 
our sketch was the youngest, and he was but four 
years old when thus sadly orphaned. He was taken 
into the family of his eldest brother who resided 
on a farm, where ho remained until sixteen years 



of .age and received the advantages of a common 
school education. He then started out to take 
care of himself. He pursued his studies for some 
time afterward, paying his expenses by teaching 
.and clerking alternately. He then became collector 
for a large foundry, and in 1857 started for the 
West. 

Young Porter, after leaving Ohio, came into 
La Salle County, 111., and during the summer sea- 
son engaged in farming pursuits. In the winter he 
still followed collecting for his former emplo3'ers, in 
the south part of the State, where the company had 
sold a large number of stoves. The following year 
he came into McLean County, and has been a resi- 
dent of Normal Township since that time. The 
first purchase of Mr. Porter in Normal embraced 
250 acres of land on section 10, which he cultivated 
and improved industriously for many j'ears and 
which still remains in his possession. He removed 
to his present home in 1874. His landed property 
now includes 378 acres, which are under a good 
state of cultivation and largely devoted to stock- 
raising. 

The marriage of Solomon S. Porter and Miss 
Amanda M. Shueey took place in Ohio in the 
spring of 1859. Mrs. P. was born in Muskingum 
County, that State, and by her marriage with our 
subject has become the mother of seven children, 
one of whom died in childhood and another at the 
age of fifteen years. Those living arc: Ida, Walter, 
Weldon, Bessie and Willie. The homestead is one 
of the finest in McLean County, and is equi|)pcd 
with all the aiipurtenances of a first-class country 
estate, and Mr. Porter and his family are living in 
the full enjoyment of the good things of this life, 
and he is in all res|)eets rated as a representative 
citizen of one of the wealthiest counties of the 
Prairie State. 

The career of the subject of this history is a 
striking illustration of what may be accomplished 
from an exceedingly sm.all beginning. Mr. Porter 
started out early in life, .and " paddled his own 
canoe" singly and alone, with but little education 
.and no money. He w.as thoughtful .and studious, 
however, and improved upon his meager early ad- 
v.ant.ages to the best ability. His spare time w.as 
devoted to study, and he made such good progress 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



327 



that he was given the position of a teacher, and 
with tliis and the small salary which he received as 
collector he managed to save a little from time to 
time until he was enabled to come West, which 
was then the " promised land " to the enterprising 
and ambitious young man. He was possessed of 
good judgment and made the most of his oppor- 
tunities, and those who have known him and 
watched his coui'se for the last thirty years rejoice 
to see that he is reaping the just reward of perse- 
vering industry and a straightforward and upright 
life. 

eOL. WILLIAM H. SCROG(;S, a well-to-do 
and infliienti.al farmer of Hudson Township, 
owns one of the finest countrj' estates in 
McLean County, and is widely and favorably 
known as one of its most valued citizens. Col. 
Scroggs was born in Highland County, Ohio, on 
the 2ith of November, 1835. Ilis parents, Alex- 
ander and Lavina (Rodgers) Scroggs, were natives 
of the same State. Alexander Scroggs was a 
farmer by occupation, and remained in his native 
State until his death, wiiich occurred in 1862. The 
mother subsequently removed with some of her 
children to Wari-ensburg, Mo., where she departed 
this life in 1885. The parental household embraced 
nine children, one of whom died in infancy, and 
eight attained their majority. The record is as fol- 
lows: James A. is a resident of Pottawatomie 
County, Kan.; William H., our subject; John (t., 
of Warrensburg, Mo. ; Josie, the wife of Capt. W. 
C. Marlatt, resides in AVarrensburg, Mo.; Alexan- 
der, near Wichita, Kan. ; Mary L. became the wife 
of Capt. James Crawford, of Greenfield, Ohio; Sadie 
died at the age of twenty-four years; Erskin E. 
lives near Warrensburg, Mo. 

The subject of this sketch was the second child 
of his i)arents' family. He was reared to farming 
pursuits, attended the common schools, and com- 
pleted his education in the Academy at South Sa- 
lem, Ohio. After becoming a young man, in 1859, 
he entered Monmouth College, in Warren Count}', 
111., and pursued a thorough course of study for 
one year. Be then returned to Ohio and taught 
school, intending to re-enter college; but when the 



Civil War broke out he decided to proffer his serv- 
ices to aid in putting down the Rebellion. He en- 
listed in Company C, 81st Ohio Infantry, on the 
I'Jth of September, 1861, as a private. The regi- 
ment was equipped at Benton Barracks, Mo., and 
young Scroggs soon afterward was appointed First 
Corporal. They ei^barked on a river steamer the 
following March, at St. Louis, arriving at Pitts- 
burgh Landing, Tenn., on the 17th. From there 
the regiment moved toward Corinth, Miss., arriv- 
ing there on the 29th of May, and Mr. Scroggs was 
there promoted Fifth Sergeant. At the battle of 
Corinth he was wounded in the right arm and 
shoulder, and as a soothing medicine for this re- 
ceived the appointment of First Sergeant. 

On the 1st of January, 1863, Mr. Scroggs was 
transferred to the 111th United States Colored In- 
fantry, and on the 29th of January following Sergt. 
Scroggs received a Captain's commission. He 
was subsequently captured in an engagement with 
the rebels under Gen. N. B. Forrest, and held until 
Nov. 24, 1804, when he was exchanged, and joined 
his command at Nashville, Tenn. He was soon 
afterward assigned to duty as Assistant Inspector 
of Defences, and ordered to Murfreesboro, Tenn. 
In July, 1865, he was mustered as Lieutenant-Col- 
onel, but retained on general court martial, receiv- 
ing his final discharge in November, 1866. 

After being relieved from his position as an In- 
spector of Defences, Col. Scroggs was sent to New 
Orleans, thence to Mobile, where he arrived the 
morning following the explosion of Dick Taylor's 
amunition at that city. He was intending to leave 
New Orleans on a boat which started previously, 
and which, at the time of the disaster, was blown to 
jneees. Col. Scroggs has in his possession a fine 
steel engraving, in the center of which is his war 
record, and which was presented to him by C. B. 
Davis, a member of the staff of Gen. Thomas, and 
architect of the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio. 

After his retirement from the army Col. Scroggs 
was assigned to duty as Assistant Superintendent of 
the National Cemetery at Ft. Donelson, where he 
remained until April, 1867. He then came north to 
Illinois, and purchased the farm upon which he 
now resides, where he has devoted his attention 
mostly to stock-raising. His homestead consists of 



t 



i 



328 






McLEAN COUNTY. 






1-1:7 acres, uiidur oood cultiv;iU(>ii, with a comforta- 
ble ami substantial farm dweiliiio-, a good barn and 
outhouses, and all the apijliances of a lirst-class ag- 
riculturist and stock-raiser. Col. 8croggs is Re- 
pulilicau in i)i>litics, liberal in his views, makingut 
his aim to cast liis ballot for worthy men, irrespect- 
ive of [larty. lie has frecjueutly l)een the incum- 
bent of local ollices, more to please his friends than 
to gratify his own inclinations. He is a member 
and the Commander of Post C 11 , G. A. Iv., and in 
religious matters coincides witli the doctrines of 
the l>a[)tist Church. 

After liis return from the army Col. Scroggs was 
married, in Warren, I'a., on the 3d of January, 
18G7, to Miss Harriet, the daughter of Robert and 
Elizabeth (Orr) Barber. Mrs. S. was born in Niag- 
ara County, N. Y., Aug. 28, I.SIO. Of this union 
there were seven children, two of whom died in in- 
fancy. Those surviving are Charles R., M. Alice, 
Richard E., William C. and J. Harvey. Col. 
Scroggs has taken particular care to give his chil- 
dren the advantages of a good education, so that 
they may become honored and useful members of 
society. 



yklLIilAM J. HAHH), residing on section 12, 
/ Dry drove Township, is a farmer, brick- 
^^f^ layer and house-builder, and in the prose- 
cution of his several trades is uniformly skillful 
and successful. Mr. Baird was born in Fayette 
County, Pa., in November, 1821, and is the son of 
Aaron and Margaret (Allen) Baird, also natives of 
the Kej'Stone State. Aaron Baird was born May 
30, 1786, and died in his native State on the 18th 
of November, 1870, having arrived at the advanced 
age of eighty-five years. The mother was born 
April 14, 1786, and died in Pennsylvania Aug. 22, 
1834. The father was a farmer by occupation. 
Republican in politics, and an active Elder of the 
Prcsbytei'ian Church, of which both parents were 
members for a good many years. Of their family 
of thirteen children the record is as follows : the 
first born died unnamed; Maria became the wife of 
E, Finley; I'^liza, Mrs. B. V. Miller, is now de- 

4» 



ceased; Jane and her husband, AVilliam Brown, are 
both deceased; John A. married Miss E.J. Wilson; 
Robert died at the age of two years and eleven 
months; Mary died when eleven months old; James 
P. married Miss Harriet Riley , who is now deceased ; 
William J. of our sketch was the next child; Robert 
A. married Miss Nancy Acklen; George E. died 
when nine years old; Josiah W. died aged four 
years; David A. married Miss Elizabeth Ridgeway. 
Of the second marriage of Aaron there were born 
three children — Emma C, Sanford W. and Haven E. 
William J. Baird of this sketch was united in 
marri;ige with Miss Maria Wilkins, in Pennsylvania 
on the l(!th of October, 1845. Mrs. Baird was the 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hastings) Wil- 
kins, natives of Penns3'lvania, who are both now 
deceaseil. Their family of five children is recorded 
as follows: William, Jane, Nancy, James and 
Maria. Jlr. and Mrs. Baird, after their marriage, 
remained in Penns3ivania until. 1860. They then 
I'emoved to, Montgomery County, Mo., and re- 
mained through the summer, coming in the fall to 
AIcLean County, where he has since remained. 
The following 3'car he purchased eighty acres of 
land, and in 1868 another eighty acres adjoining. 
Upon his homestead of 1 60 acres he erected a fine 
dwelling in 1864, and in 188.0 renovated and 
rebuilt it so that it is now two stories in height and 
makes a commi)dic)Us and handsome residence. He 
is also supplied with all iieccssar_y barns and out- 
buildings and the other aiiimrtenauces of a modern 
countr3' estate. 

i\Ir. Baird learned brickla3'iug in his native 
State, and has followed it consideraljl3' in the last 
forty-five 3'ears. He has now practicall3' abandoned 
it and gives the most of his attention to the busi- 
ness of his farm. The family of Mr. and Mrs. 
Baird included four children, as follows: Aaron 
died when nine days old; William W. married Miss 
Landgartha Hayes, and they are living in this 
count3'; Elizabeth J. is at home; .Tames I), married 
Miss Ann Eliza Mc Williams, and is living in McLean 
County. 

Mr. Baird is Republican in politics and takes a 
great interest in the success of the temperance 
movement. He h.as been a member of and .an 
Elder in the Presb3'terian Church at Normal for 



-!► ■ <• 




EESIDENCE OF FRANK KRAFT, 5EC 17 TOWANDA TP. 



^■i-VV^'.T^.J -^ , tr.^-^ 







'f^jr^fc^wife^^^ga5v5g^^§^'^^'^^\^^ 



^ •■wi;ir^^5^'-i<''^-''*''3 ■^^^S^'-S?^' 



RESIDENCE OF GEO.W. Bl NCH A IVI . SEC .32 , BLUE MOUNDTP. 




5^^ 



n n n ri ; 







{E5IDENCE OF LUKE CARNELL, SEC. 33. Blue mound TP. 



fe 



i 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



331 



a period of fifteen j'ears. He lias been an earnest 
worlicr in the cause of religion and a clieerful and 
liberal contributor to the maintenance of the church. 



-E>- 







1 ' 



NDREW J. SPRINGER, one of the intelli- 
gent and progressive farmers of Allin 
Township, is a native of the Buckeye State, 
having been born in Butler County, Ohio, 
April 22, 183G. His parents were Christian and 
Magdalena (Engel) Springer, natives of France, 
the father born Sept. 18, 1792, and the mother 
B^eb. 4, 1798. Christian Springer was a miller by 
trade, and with four other brothers, served under 
Napoleon in the war of 1812, in his native country, 
for a period of four years and then deserted, for 
the third time, finally coming to the United States. 
He arrived here on the 12th of June, 1830, and 
landed at New Orleans, whence he proceeded to 
Hamilton, Butler Co., Ohio, There he followed 
farming upon ninety-four acres of land of which 
he became the owner and occupied this farm un- 
til November, 1854. He then removed to this 
State and count}', settling in Danvers, where he 
lived two years. He then purchased 600 acres of 
land, upon which he farmed until within a few3'ears 
of his death, which occurred Oct. 3, 1879. The 
mother died Sept. 13, 1870. The parents of our 
subject were married in France on Christmas D.ay, 
1822. Their children were ten in nuudjer and 
recorded as follows : Catherine died in France in 
infancy; Joseph E. married Miss Reiser, and lives 
in Stanford; Peter D. married Miss Bi'enainan; 
Christian W. married Miss Stalter; Magdalena 
became the wife of Mr. Nicholas Reiser; John 
married Miss Sherbine; Andrew .J. of our sicetch 
was the sixth child ; Catherine became the wife of 
ISIr. Peter Schurtz; Mary, the wife of Mr. David 
Plabecker; George died in Ohio. The jjarents were 
members of the Mennonite Church. 

Andrew Springer received a fair education in the 
common schools and lived with his parents until 
he had attained his majority. He was then married, 
July 22, 1875, to Miss Eliza Slaughbough, and then 
purchased eighty acres of land in Allin Township. 




His present homestead consists of 14C acres, all 
finely cultivated and improved. The children of 
our subject and his wife, six in number, were Will- 
iam E., Daniel A., John (J. (died Feb. 22, 1887), 
Mary M., Anna A. and Lucrella; the latter died 
March 9, 1883. 

Mrs. Springer is the daughter of Daniel and 
Blary Slaughbough, natives resi)cctively of Mar}-- 
land and (ierman}'. Her father was born in 1827, 
and her mother in 1822. They were married in 
1 849, and became the parents of six eliildren — Eliza, 
John, Catherine, Mary, Anna and Susan. Mr. and 
Mrs. Slaughbough live in Danvers Township and 
are members of the Mennonite Church. Mr. Sprin- 
ger is Democratic in politics, a temperate and law- 
abiding citizen and a worth}' member of the com- 
munity. 

REDERICK MEYER, senior memlierof the 
rni of Me3'er it jNlartens, merchant tailors 
)f Bloomington, is a gentleman skilled in 
his trade and occupying a good position in the 
business community. He is a native of Germany, 
having been born in Prussia, March 17, 1840. His 
parents, Christopher and DoraT. Elizabeth (Thiede) 
Meyer, emigrated to America in 1852, landing in 
New York City, whence they came immediately 
West and located in Bloomington, this State, where 
they settled permanentl}' and spent the remainder 
of their lives. The mother departed this life Jan. 
28, 1881, and the father Nov. 17, 1885. Their four 
children, all sons, are still living. 

Frederick Meyer of this sketch was started to 
school when six 3'ears of age and continued until 
fourteen. He then commenced to learn the tailor's 
trade, at whicli he served an apprenticeship of three 
years, and then worked as a "jour" while in his 
native country. After his arrival in Bloomington 
he continued at his trade, and in 1872 went into 
business on his own account as a merchant tailor. 
In this lie was eminently successful, having a good 
knowledge of the business and being skilled in all 
its departments. He entered into partnersliip with 
Charles Martens in 1873, and the}' have since oper- 
ated together profitably and harmoniousl}'. 

Mr. Meyer was married in 1804, to Miss Dora 



'i 



t 



M^ 



, i 332 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



T. Piigels of Bloom iiigton, aiul they have three sons: 
Edward F., in tlic grocery business; Otto C, a 
tailor liy trade, and Albert \V., still a youth and 
attending the Iligii School. The family residence 
is pleasantly located at No. (JOG West Jackson street, 
and onr subject and his family enjoy the cstcen; of 
many friends. .Mr. Meyer is a niendier of IThl 
Lodge No. 305, J. O. O. F.., the German Free 
School Society, Mutual Aid No. fi, the Turner So- 
ciety, and Rebecca Degree Lodge No. 8."i. In many 
of these he has occupied all the chairs and has 
often represented various fraternities at the meet- 
ings of the (Irnnd l>odge. lie is serving his second 
term as President of the Turners. 



^M 



'^^^^ 



l: 



OlIN K. 15ENJAMIN a prominent and 
influential fanner of I'adna Township, oc- 
cupies a line homestead on section 7, eom- 
(irising 2o0 acres of finely cultivated land, 
upon which is erected a handsome modern dwelling 
and all the other buildings required by the pro- 
gressive agriculturist. Mr. Benjamin took posses- 
sion of this farm in 18.54, where he has since lived, 
and has firmly established himself in the confidence 
and esteem of his comnuinity. He is a gentleman 
of line abilities, an extensive reader, and one who 
takes an active interest in current events whether 
they ccmceru his county, or the State and Nation 
at large, lie is a native of New York, born in 
Columbia County, Oct. 17, 1824, and is the sou of 
Darius Bcnjtimin, a native of the same county and 
State, where he followed agricultural pursuits suc- 
cessfully and spent his entire life. He was married 
in early manhood to Miss Martha Rogers, also a 
native of Columliia County, N. Y., who survived 
her husband several years, and finally removing to 
the AVest, died at the home of her son in Old Town 
Township, this county, in 1884, after arriving at 
the advanced age of ninety years. 

John R. Benjamin was the fourth of six sons 
born to his parents, and remained under the home 
roof until twenty-one years of age. He then 
journeyed into Chester County, Pa., where ho lo- 
cated, and three years later was united in marriage 
4». 



IZ- 



;;;Tj'C<J^ 



p^ 



m^r^' 



Tigiair 



■^ 



j^^ AMUEL H. BROWN, a successful farmer 
^^^^ and stock-raiser of Drj' Grove Townsl\i|), 
\v^l3' ""'"* ^^^'-^ occupies a fine homestead on sec- 
tion 1 4. He has been a resident of the 
Prairie State since 1836, and an interested witness 
of its growth and develo|nnent. Our subject is 
the son of Nathaniel and Dollie (Benedict) Brown, 
who were both natives of Vermont. Nathaniel 
Brown was born in 1784, and died in 1843. He 
served in the War of 1812, holding a commission 
as Captain, and was also Captain in the Vermont 
State Militia. He afterward settled down to agri- 
cultural pursuits in Windsor, Vt., where he spent 
about forty years, and in 1838 removed to Mc- 
Lean County', where his death occurred. 

The birth of our subject took place on the 12th 
of August, 1815, and he was bereft of the tender 
and affectionate care of his mother when a child 






with Miss Sarah Beaver, who was born and reared 
in that county. Her parents, who were of Penn- 
sylvania birth and German descent, after marriage 
pas.sed their lives in Chester County, ami there 
their remains are buried. Of the union <jf our sub- 
ject and wife there were born six children, two 
of whom died in infancy. Deborah became the 
wife of T. J. Moore, a farmer of Padua Township; 
Timoth\' married Miss Agnes McBarns, and is car- 
rying on farming in Old Town Township; by his 
former marriage he was united to Miss Anna Coolc, 
by whom he had one son, Arthur; Martha, Mrs. 
Willis B. Mills, resides with her husband in Putnam 
County, this State, the latter being a tile manufac- 
turer; George D. operates with his father on the 
homestead. 

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin arc active members of 
the Society of Friends, with which they have been 
connected for thirty-seven 3'ears, being charter 
members of the first organization in Padua Town- 
ship, in 18G1. Of this church onr subject is one of 
the pillars, and has been an Elder foi- many years. 
He is Repulilican in politics, and has occupied the 
offices of Road Commissioner and Overseer of the 
Poor. 



■^►:..>^4> 



t 



■^^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



333 




six years of age. His earlier years were spent on 
his father's farm near the town of Rochester, ^'t., 
wliere he pursued his primary studies at the com- 
mon schools. At the age of twenty-one years he 
came West, driving a team to Buffalo, wlience he 
toolv a steamer to Detroit, Mich., arriving after a 
trip of four days, and walked from there to t'lii- 
cago in company with tliree otiiers. After two 
weeks spent in Chicago, our sul)ject struck out for 
Peoria, and from there to Clermont, in Tazewell 
Count}', these wanderings taking him late into the 
fall of the year. He remained in Ta/.ewell County 
six years, being employed most of tiie time as a 
farm laborer. When he landed in Peoria he had 
but $1..50 in his pocket. At the close of his first 
two years of labor lie found liiinself the possessor 
of $400, but the third 3ear he met witli misfortune 
in the loss of his health, and spent nearly' the whole 
of these hard earnings for medicine and in the pay- 
ment of doctors' bills, being disabled for a period 
of ten months. As soon .as able he resunaed his 
former occupation, and S(K)n afterward, in 1843, 
entered forty acres of (iovernment land in Dry 
Grove Township, McLean County, and entered in- 
dustriously upon its inii)rovement and cultivation. 
He then became interested in a steam sawmill, 
which he operated for two years and sold at a loss. 
In 1854 he purchased a half-section of land from 
the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and sold 
160 acres of it at a i)rofit of *100. The 160 acres 
left he has now converted into a valuable farm, 
and occupies a fine dwelling, in the rear of which 
is a good barn and all necessary out-buildings for 
the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. 

The marriage of Samuel H. Brown and Miss 
Fidelia Munsell took place June 22, 1840. Mrs. 
Brown was a native of \'ei-mont and remained the 
comianion of her husband only five short years, 
dying on the 1st of April, 184.T, leaving three chil- 
dren — Sarah, George and Angeline. On the 2oth 
of December, 18.50, Mr. Brown married for his sec- 
ond wife. Miss Mary E. Henry, and they became 
the parents of six children — Norman E., Charles 
E.. Fred S., John J., Lincoln H. and Truman E. 
Mrs. Brown was born in Butler County, Ohio, 
March 23, 1828, and caine to Illinois with her par- 
ents when a child four j-ears of age. Mr. and Mrs. 

4 * 



Brown are members of the MetlxKlist Episcopal 
Church. 

I\Ir. Brown has held the office of Justice of tiie 
Peace for twelve years, and was Assessor three 
yeai's and School Trustee eighteen 3'ears. Politi- 
cally, in former times, he affiliated with the A\'iiig 
|)art_v, and now votes with the Republicans. 

(ieorge Brown, the eldest son of our subject, 
served as a soldier in the Union army in the ;)4th 
Illinois Infantry. He was mortally wounded at 
the siege of \'icksburg on the 16th of June, 1863, 
but lived until the 11th of Novejnber following. 
Of the children of our subject there are now only 
two living — Fred S. and Angeline. Fred S. mar- 
ried Miss Ella Stevens, the daughter of Mrs. Kep- 
ner by her first husband. They carry on the home 
farm. Angeline married George Brown. 



JOSEPH P.AKER, a prominent an<l highly rc- 
I siiccted resident of Funk's (^rove, came to 
the Prairie State in September, 1835, accom- 
panied by his parents, .after an overland 
journey from Ohio with horses and wagons. Mr. 
Baker was born in IMcConnellsville, Morgan Country, 
that State, Feb. 21, 1834. His father, Samuel C. 
Baker, was also a native of the Buckeye State, born 
in Washington County, in 1807. The grandfather 
of our subject, Samuel Baker, Sr., was a native of 
Connecticut, born A|)ril 25, 1775, and removed to 
Ohio at an early d.ay, being among the pioneers of 
that State. He first located near Marietta, and in 
company with other settlers made his iiome in a 
block house so as to be protected from the Indians. 
After removing to Illinois he settled in DeWitt 
County, on a tract of wild land, from which he im- 
proved a farm and cstablisiied a comfortable home, 
where he remained until his death, which occurred 
June 21, 1852, at the age of seventy -seven 3'ears, 
one month and twent^'-one da3's. The grandmother 
died Nov. 3, 1870, aged ninetj'-six years and three 
days. 

Samuel C. Baker, the father of our subject, grew 
to manhood in Ohio, and was there married to Miss 
Mary Murphy, a native of \'irginia. He learned ^ 
the cooper's trade in early life, at which he worked T 



-•►^■-#» 



i 



i 



334 



■► 11 4* 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



a part of the time, and when not in demand at that, 
chopped wood, and was employed at the salt works 
near liis home. In September, 1835, accompanied 
liy his wife and two chihlren, he removed from 
Dhitj to Illinois, purchasing land in what is now 
known as Waynesville Township, DeWitt County. 
There were two log cabins on the land and the 
family took up their abode in one of these, which 
was equipped with homemade furniture. Mr. Baker 
kept the cabin in good repair, enlarged it as was 
necessary, and occupied it with his family until 
after the war, when he erected a frame house. lie 
was prospered in his agricultural and business pur- 
suits, and at one time was the possessor of 280 acres 
of land. Both himself and wife are still living, and 
make their home with one of their sons near 
AV'aynesville. Four of their five children are now 
living: Rhoda A., the wife of Joseph Robb, lives 
in Waynesville Township, DeWitt Co., 111.; Joseph, 
our subject, is the next eldest; William died in 
1839, when six months old; Isaac and John live 
near Waynesville, 111. 

Joseph Baker was the eldest son of his parents, 
and was one year old when they removed to Illi- 
nois. After becoming of suitable age he attended 
the pioneer school at Rock Creek (irove. The 
school-house was built of logs with puncheon floor 
and seats; the chimne}' was built outside, of dii't 
and sticks, and light was let into the structure 
through panes of greased paper. His education 
was carried on'mostly during tiie winter season and 
in tlie summer he assisted his father on the farm. 
When seventeen j'ears of age he bought four yoke 
c>f oxen and commenced breaking prairie. This he 
followed four seasons, and in the meantime was also 
occupied in assisting to grade the track of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad. He remained under the 
parental roof until his marriage, and afteiward pur- 
chased a tract of school land in Barnett Township, 
DeWitt Count}', from which he improved a farm 
and lived there until 18G0. He then stdd out and 
purchased 120 acres on section 11, of Funk's 
Grove Townshij). This land was partly fenced, 
and upon it stood a small frame house into which 
he removed with his young wife and lived there 
until 18G5. He then .sold out and purchased 
the farm which he now owns and occupies. This 



1^ 



contains 209 acres all in one body, enclosed with 
good fences. Mr. Baker has also put up a good 
set of farm buildings and keeps everything in good 
shajjc. The homestead is a model of neatness and 
taste. 

The wife of our subject was formerlj' Miss Jlar- 
garet T.aylor, and the}' were married on the 25th 
of (September, 1856. Mrs. Baker was born in 
Perry County, Ohio, April 1, 1 836, and is the sister 
of Mrs. II. Baker, of whom a sketch is given in 
another part of this volume. Of this union there 
were born ten children. The record is as follows: 
Rhoda A., Mrs. W. J. Rainier, and Lctha Ella, Mrs. 
Frank Stout, live in Funk's Grove Townshij); 
George C. married Miss Anna Larison, and lives in 
Funk's Grove. The remainder are — John W., 
Samuel, Benjamin, Ilattie, Arthur and Joseph 
Howard. 

Mrs. Baker belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. INIr. B., formerly a Whig, novv casts his 
vote with the Republican party. He has filled vari- 
ous offices of trust in his township and held the of- 
fice of School Director many years. He has al- 
ways taken an interest in educational matters and 
in every enterprise which has had for its object the 
welfare of his county and community. He was 
Township Collector two years and a member oi the 
Board of Supervisors for the same length of time. 
Besides the home farm he owns 200 acres on section 
34 of Funk's (irove Township, and devotes his at- 
tention principally to the raising <>f grain and 
graded stock. 



^344 



f=fK- 



■fylAMES McTWlG(4AN, Superintendent of 
the Bloomington Electric Light Company, 
^_^^ I in which he is a stockholder, is a gentleman 
(^// well fitted for the responsibilities wliich de- 
volve upon him in this capacit}-, having a thorough 
knowledge of the recpiirements of his position. He 
is well posted on all matters connected with the 
electric s^'stem, having been associated with some of 
the best works in this and other States. He has 
had the supervision of the plant in this city since 
the worlvs wei'e started, and Is probably the most 



r 



-}- 



i 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



335 



competent man in the city for the office vvhicli he 
occupies. 

Mr. McTwiggan is a native of Scotland, and was 
born in August, 1847. His parents emigrated to 
America, and after arriving at suitable years James 
returned to his native country, where he learned the 
trade of a millwright and pattern-maker. After re- 
turning to the United States he spent some time in 
the city of Boston, among the leading firms, repre- 
senting his trade, and in connection with this ac- 
quired a good knowledge of the electric light sys- 
tem. In 1884 he came to this county and began 
the construction of the Bloomington Electric Light 
Works. After getting everything in running order 
they started by furnishing 100 lights, and continued 
until they had 240, of which 211 were exclusively 
for the lighting of the city. The works now have 
a capacity of 300 lights. They are put up in the 
best style and equipped with the latest improve- 
ments. 

Mr. McTwiggan became interested in the elec- 
tric light system when it was first brought to the no- 
tice of the public, in 1877, and since that time has 
given it his close attention. The result of this has 
been that he has become an expert in all its depart- 
ments, and possesses the best of judgment in his 
capacity as Superintendent. 



-^V- 



••o«o.-^£j^<^-o>o.. 



i 



^^\\ OX BROS., dealers in general merchandise 
(([ at Hudson. Harry W. and Herbert M. Cox 

^^^ are twin brothers and youngest sons of 
James H. and Mary A. (Chadbourne) Cox, and 
■were born in Bloomington, July 17, 18C1. After 
receiving such instruction as is afforded by the 
common schools they attended the High School de- 
partment of the Illinois State Normal University 
three years. Their father being engaged in gen- 
eral mercantile business, they grew to manhood ac- 
customed to and experienced in the same in connec- 
tion with completing their school studies. In 1881 
they became associated as partners with their 
father, and carried on the business under the firm 
style of J. H. Cox & Sons until Jan. 1, 1884, when 
they became sole proprietors, and are now conduct- 
ing an extensive trade successfully and profitably. 

-4* — 



The "Cox boys" are upright young men,iof ex- 
cellent character and habits, and enjoy the confi- 
dence of the people among whom they have lived 
their entire lives. In polities they are Republicans, 
the friends of law and good order, and are rapidly 
becoming important factors in the business inter- 
ests of this section. Harry W. a is member of Cus- 
ter Division, No. 22, Uniformed Rank, Knights of 
Pythias; Herbert M. is a member gf Company G, 
4th Regiment I. N. G. The latter was married on 
the 1st of October, 1885, to Miss Downej', the 
daughter of William H. and Laura W. Downey, of 
Atlanta, Logan County, where she was born. They 
have one daughter — Edith M. Mr. and Mrs. Cox 
are members in good standing of the Baptist 
Church. 

^/OHN J. MITCHELL, a highly respected and 
successful farmer of Dale Township, is 
pleasantly located on section 23, where he is 
carrying on general agriculture after the 
most approved methods. Mr. Mitchell is a native 
of the Dominion of Canada, and was born on the 
28th of October, 1832. While still a youth he re- 
moved with his parents to Ohio, where they lived 
until aliout 1838, and then proceeded still further 
westward, to the prairies of Illinois, stopping in 
Paris, Edgar County, and from there moved to 
McLean County. (See sketch of Isaac P. Mitch- 
ell.) Soon after arriving in this State the subject 
of our sketch began to assist his father in the labors 
of the farm, driving a breaking team of four yoke 
of oxen, and being otherwise employed as circum- 
stances demanded. In the meantime he also at- 
tended the pioneer school of Bloomington, then an 
humble hamlet of a fevv houses, pursuing iiis educa- 
tion mostly in the winter season. He i-emained 
with his parents until after his marriage, and with 
his Ijrother Andrew managed the home farm. 

Jlr. Mitchell settled upon the place which he 
now owns and occupies in 1880. It is comprised 
of 225 acres, being partly located on sections 22 
and 23. His land is all enclosed, under a good state 
of cultivation, and is supplied with a substantial set 
of frame Iniildings, which Mr. Mitchell erected after 
taking possession of the property. In addition to 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



the onliiiiiry pursuits of agriculture he is giving 
consid(!r:il)le attention to stock-raising, and lias a 
herd of grade cattle. 

The marriage of John J. Mitchell and Miss Char- 
lotte English was celebrated in Clinton, DeWitt 
Co., 111., on the 12th of February, l.SCl. Mrs. M. 
is a nativfi of Erie County, Pa., and the daughter 
of Joiin and Eliza (Harris) English, the date of her 
birth Iieing Feb. 1, 1813. The family circle of our 
subject and his wife has been completed by the 
birth of nine children, :dl living, and named as fol- 
lows: Isaac r., M;uy E., John D., Jeanette S., 
Jessie ('., Robert A., Elisha M., Edna J. and Nel- 
lie I). Lsaae married Miss Nettie Rogers, and lives 
at t'dvell, this county ; Mary E. became the wife 
iif Fr;iiik {''onger, and lives in Hand County, Dak. 
Mis. Mitciiell is connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. M. uniformly 
casts ills vote with the Republican party. 

The comfortable home of Mr. Mitchell exhibits 
the evidences of cultivated tastes and ample 
means; iiis children are being carefully- trained 
and educated, and as successful, energetic and 
valued citizens lie and his family are held in tiie 
highest respect by their community. 



' NTONE MEVER, deceased, a late member 
of the brewery firm of Meyer & Wochner, 
was a native of IJaden, (iermany, and born 
^ on the River Rhine, in April. 1832. He 

was educated in his native country', and when six- 
teen years of age sailed I'oi- America, huiding at 
New York City. There he learned the brewing 
business, and tiien proceeded to .St. Louis, Mo., af- 
terward to Muscatine, lnwa. and thence; to Spring- 
field, HI., remaining in the latter city two years. 
In July, lisG2, he came to Bloomington and i)nr- 
chased a small brewer}' on the site of wiiere the 
present large one is now located. He formed a 
partnershii) with his brother-in-law, Francis X. 
AN'ochner, which continued until the death of our 
subject, in Ai)ril, 1883. They were prospered in 
their undertaking, and in due time erected a large 
Ijuilding where they operated an extensive and 
|)rofilal)le business. 




Mr. Meyer was married in 1862, to Miss Sophia 
M. Wochner, second daughter of Francis X. and 
F^lizabeth (Maurer) Wochner. She was born in 
Sangamon County, 111., and by her marriage with 
our subject became the mother of six children — 
Henry, Sophia, Antone, William, Edward and Os- 
car JoseiJi. Mrs. Meyer and all her children are 
members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Siuce the 
death of the husband and father, there has been no 
change in the name of the firm, the widow rejire- 
senting her husband in the business in a creditable 
and etticient manner. 

\f?ts R. GEORGE W. MASON, a le.-iding physi- 
cian and surgeon of Bloomington, has 




been a resident of the city since the spring 
of 1880, and has built up an extensive and 
lucrative i)ractice. Dr. Mason was born in Polo, 
Ogle Co., 111., Aug. 8, 18.00, and is the son of Al- 
len C. and Nancy A. (Wilcoxson) Mason, natives 
respectively of Riiode Island and Portsmouth, 
Ohio. 

Allen C. Mason left his native State in child- 
hood and removed with his parents to Cayuga 
County, N. Y., where thej' located upon a farm, 
and he was there reared to manhood and received 
a i)raetical education. In 1834 he set his face 
westward, and coming into Ogle County, 111., en- 
tered a Ir.-icl of land, and also engaged in carpen- 
ter work. On the 21st of August, 184',), he was 
mai-ried to the mother of our subject, and they lo- 
cat<!d at Polo, Ogle County, until 180.'), when Mr. 
Mason removed to Normal, where he engaged in 
mercantile l)usiness and spent the remainder of his 
life, his decease occurring April 17, 1870. He was 
a prominent man in the community, a member of 
the lirst ollicial board at the organization of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Normal, and Super- 
intendent of the Sabbath-school for a number of 
j'cars. Politically he was a strong Republican, 
greatly interested in educational matters, his chief 
reas(ni for i-emoving to Normal lieing that it af- 
forded better facilities for the education of his chil- 
dren, lie was a )uenil)er in good standing of the 
A. F. A A. M., and highly resi)ectcd by .all who 



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McLean county. 



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knew hiin. The mother is still living, and a resi- 
dent of Normal. Of the four children which com- 
pleted their household circle, three are now living: 
Dr. George W., our subject; Lettie A., Mrs. Dr. 
William E. (Juine, of Chicago, and Allen C, a resi- 
dent of Tacoma, W. T., the latter being engaged 
as an attorney, and in the real-estate business, and 
until recently was editor of the Tacoma A^ecs. 

The subject of this biography commenced attend- 
ing school when four and one-half years old, which 
be continued in the winter seasons until fourteen. 
He was a bright and studious boy, and at this 
early age entered the model department of the 
.State Normal University. At the end of twoj'ears 
he went into the Normal Department of the same 
institution, from which he graduated in IKG'J. The 
course of stud}' and training in this department 
admirably fitted him for the profession of a teacher, 
and he was chosen as Principal of the High .School 
of Paris, Edgar County, where, however, he re- 
mained but a short time, leaving this to take a 
similar position iu the High School at Charleston, 
Coles County. At the expiration of his term here 
he was placed in charge of the Kramer .School at 
Little Rock, Ark., and after a year in the .South 
went to Pekin, Tazewell Count}', and graduated in 
the first class from that institution in 1873. He 
then went to Hannibal, Marion Co., Mo., and con- 
ducted the High School there for three years. In 
the meantime he was married to Miss .S. Jennie 
Rudd, of Little Rock, Ark., and the daughter of 
Henry and Mary Rudd, residents of that State. 

Dr. Mason and his young wife located at Little 
Rock in the fall of 1876, and our subject com- 
menced the study of medicine with Dr. James A. 
Dibrell, Jr., being at the same time engaged as 
Principal of schools. Dr. Mason, after a thorough 
course of study in the Medical College at Chicago, 
graduated with high honors in 1 880, and delivered 
the Valedictory address. He served a term as 
Interne of Mercy Hospital. The following spring- 
he came to Bloomington.and entered actively upon 
the practice of his profession, which he has fol- 
lowed continuously since that time. He was the 
first President of the Bloomington Microscopical 
Society, and is a Staff Surgeon and .Secretary of 
St. Joseph's Hospital. 

-^ — — ^^— 



Dr. Mason has won for himself a high position in 
the profession here, and belongs to the American 
Medical Association, the Illinois State, the Central 
Illinois and the McLean County Medical Societies, 
and the Physicians' Club of Bloomington. He is 
Republican in politics, and socially is identified 
with the JNIasonic Lodge, Wade Barney No. 512, 
also Remembrance Lodge No. 77, of the I. O. O. 
F., is Past Regent of E. O. Haven Council of the 
Royal Arcanum, and is Past Grand of the Odd 
Fellows. He was a charter member of the Y. M. 
C. A., of Bloomington, and with his wife is a mem- 
ber in good standing of the First Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 

Dr. and Mrs. Mason became the parents of two 
children, of whom only one is living — Mary C. 
Their residence is located at No. 201 North Main 
street, the Doctor having his office at his residence. 
He is a gentleman of fine education, aside from his 
proficiency in his profession, and numbers among 
his friends and associates the most cultured people 
of tlie city. He is an extensive reader, a close 
student, and bids fair to become one of the lead- 
ing lights of the profession in the Prairie State. 



<|l li/HXIAM T. M. MILLER, a farmer, and at 
\/7j/l present making his home in Bloomington, 
V^^ was born in Christian County, Ivy., Auf. 
17, 1831. His parents were James and Isabella 
(Moore) Miller, natives of Rockingham and Rock- 
bridge Counties, ^'a., who became residents of 
Kentucky in 1808. In the spring of 1835 they 
removed to INIcLean County, III, settling in Bloom- 
ington, where James Miller engaged in both mer- 
chandising and farming, also having a branch store 
in DcAN'itt County. He became j)rominent in pub- 
lic matters and was .State Treasurer from 185G to 
1858. The latter year he was elected to the same 
position, but was obliged to resign soon afterward 
on account of failing health. He donated the lot 
and contributed much of the money to build the 
first Methodist Episcopal Church in Bloomington, 
in about 1837. He was Class-Leader and Steward 
for many years, and indeed, one of the pillars of 
the church until his decease. He withdrew from 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



active business in 1851, and spent the remainder 
of his life in the enjoyment of tiie society of liis 
friends and in doing- good as he liad opportunity. 
Of the live children born to .lames and Isabella 
Miller, only three are living — Robert A., William 
'1'. M. and James E. The father departed lliis life 
Sept. 2:i, l,S72,and the mother Dec. 2'.t, 188.'). 

The subject of this biography remained at home 
until he was twenty-four years old, and commenced 
dealing in real estate in IS.'i-i. He was thus occu- 
pied a number of years in Bloomington, when he 
purchased 100 acres of Land in Randolph Town- 
ship, and altiiough he never lived there, was busily 
occupied in its care and cultivation. In 1857, in 
company with Cnl. Hogg, he purchased fourteen 
acres within the city limits and laid out his portion 
in lots, which he disposed of at a fair [U'ice and 
which enabled many a mechanic with humble 
means to secure a good home. He built his present 
home in 18G7, and in 18G8 engaged in partnership 
with George D. McElhiney in the real estate busi- 
ness, which relationship continued until the death 
of his partner in 1871, when the business was con- 
ducted b}' himself until 1878. He is the owner of 
valuable city property aside from his home resi- 
dence. 

Mr. Miller was married in 185(!, to Miss Ik'lle 
Lee, the daughter of Robert iVIcCart, of Kentucky, 
and the3^ became the parents of nine children, all 
living — Ida B., Cleon, .Juliet, Marcus A., Wave, 
Kstclla, Homer, Maude and Lola. ]\Ir. Miller is an 
in(lei)endent Democrat and one of the solid and 
substantial men of McLean County. He was Assist- 
ant Supervisor of Hlooniington Township from 
1878 to 1884, and in other respects has been 
identified witii its growth and piosperity. 

-^ .#>#. ^ 




R. F. H. M( iXTOSIL D. D. S., a highly 
esteemed member of the dental profession 
in the city of Bloominglon, has a finely 
appointed oflice, located on the corner of 
.Main and .Jefferson streets, and has built up a prof- 
itable and lucrative business. Our subject is a 
native of Bureau County, 111., and was born on the 
12th < if .March, I85f.. His parents were .John C. 



r 



and Lydia A. (Hoyt) Mcintosh, both natives of New 
York State, and his father was engaged in farming 
pursuits and railroading. They settled in Bureau 
County in 1849, where the father died in 1881, and 
where the mother still resides. Of their family of 
eight children, four only are living: Albert K. mar- 
ried Miss Annie Gettings, and is engaged in farming 
near Lamoille, HI. ; George married Miss Lucy R. 
Randall, and is engaged in farming near Dover, 
Til.; Fred H. is the subject of our sketch; Marga- 
ret B. resides in Bureau County, 111. .John C. 
Mcintosh was essentially a self-made man and i)os- 
sesscd of consideraI)le ability. He obtained a fair 
education through his own persistent efforts, and 
was beloved and respected by all for his genial 
sympathies and his liberal and hospitable traits of 
character. The poor and needy always found in 
him a friend ready to aid. Both parents were 
members in good standing of the Congregational 
Church. 

The subject of this history i)assed his youthful 
summers in the manner common to most farmers' 
boys, and attended school during the winter seasons 
until he was nineteen years old. He then assumed 
the duties of a teacher, his first school being near 
Arlington, in Bureau County. After one j-ear 
thus employed he engaged with the I. M. B. So- 
cietj' of I'rinceton as Assessment Clerk, which 
position he occupied for two years, and then com- 
menced the stud^' of dentistry under the instruction 
of Dr. G. T. Smith, of Princeton. Four years 
later he completed his course of study in the Phila- 
delphia Dental College, from which he graduated 
in the class of 1881. He then came to Blooming- 
ton, and formed a partnership with Dr. Will X. 
Sudduth. After a few months Dr. S. left to finish 
his studies, and our sul)ject, purchasing his interest 
in the Inisiness, has since that time practiced alone. 
It is safe to say that he ranks among the best dental 
surgeons in the State, .as his large pr.actice fully in- 
dicates. 

Dr. Mcintosh is a valued niember of the pro- 
fession, being a member of the Illinois State and 
the Central Illinois Dental Societies. Notwith- 
standing the arduous duties of a pressing business 
he has found time to identify himself with the 
social amenities of life where he believed he would ^ ' 



^^^^ 





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McLean county. 



341 



be the means of doing good. He is now President 
of the Y. M. C. A., is Superintendent of tlie First 
Congregational Sabbath-school, also Treasurer of the 
church, and a member of the Board of Trustees. 
Socially Dr. Mcintosh is a member of tiie Royal 
Arcanum, and in politics easts his vote in sui)port 
of the principles of the Republican party. He has 
recentl}' invested in real estate in the city by pur- 
chasing a house and l<.)t at No. 408 East North 
street. Whether this is indicative of any furtlier 
interesting event, remains to be seen. 

'if/OHN STlTBBLEFn<:LD, son of the late lam- 
ented Robert Stubblefield, one of the best 
known men of McLean County, was born 
in Fayette County, Oiiio, .luue 4, 1820, and 
came to Illinois witii his parents when four and 
one-half years old. Robert Stubblefield was born 
in Halifax Countj', ^'a., and was the son of Edward 
Stubblefield, Sr., who was the son of John Stul)ble- 
field. The latter, with two brothers, P^dward and 
William, came from England. Edward Stulilile- 
field, Sr., married Miss Mary (Lightfoot) Munford, 
daughter of William (^reen and Ann (Stanhope) 
Munford. She was of English birth and ancestry, 
and acted as a private secretary t(_i her father dur- 
ing the Revolutionary War, in which Mr. Munford 
served as Colonel. He not only devoted his per- 
sonal energies, but loaned the Government a large 
amount of money to assist it in freeing his adopted 
country from the P.ritish yoke. An extended 
history of Robert Stubblefield, the father of our 
subject, will be found in another part of this work. 
John Stubl)lefield was reared to manhood in 
McLean County, and remained under the parental 
roof until 1842. His father then gave him the 
use of twenty acres of land, and he rented a log 
cabin of Isaac Funk, and in it commenced house- 
keeping with his young wife. He had already en- 
tered forty acres on section 5, of what is now 
Funk's drove Township, and during the latter part 
of the time he lived with his father, had made 
some improvements on his own land. He subse- 
quently erected a frame house 10x18 feet, into 



which he moved his family' in December, 1840. He 
was prospered in his labors, and from a compara- 
tively modest beginning is now the owner of 2,000 
acres of land in McLean County. 

The marriage of John Stubblefield and Miss EUi- 
sannah Ilouser took place in December, 1.S42. 
Mrs. S. was born in Harrison County, Ind.. and is 
the daughter f)f David and Elizabeth (Dillman) 
Ilouser. Of her union with our subject there were 
born the following children: Sarah E., Mrs. Ray- 
burn, lives in Funk's Grove; David R., in Dale 
Township; George W., in Bloomington; Phineas, 
in Funk's Grove Township; Mary Frances, Mrs. 
Crnm, lives in Cass County ; Heiuy B., in Dale 
Towushii); Simon Peter, at Funk's (irove, and John 
W., at home. The family liomestead is one of the 
finest in McLean County, and Mr. Stubl)lefield, 
with his housch^)ld, is widely and favorably known 
throughout this section of the State. He has held 
the various oHices of trust in his township, and has 
always taken great interest in educational and relig- 
i(.)us matters. He was Trustee for several years, 
and a member of the Board of Sui)ervisors. Mr. 
and Mrs. S. are both members of the Methodist 
Episcopal ChiH-ch, with which our subject has been 
connecteil for nearly fifty years. He has been 
among its most liberal supporters and held its most 
important otlices. He ranks among the best men 
of an old and honoralile race, and will be remem- 
bered by the citizens of this locality long years 
after he shall have been gathered to his fathers. 

David R. Stubblefield, the eldest son of our sub- 
ject, was born in the pioneer log cal)in of his par- 
ents in Funk's (irove on the 13th of April, 1840. 
He first attended school a distance of three miles 
from his home, and pursued his studies in winter 
until seventeen years of age. His summers were 
mostly employed in herding his father's cattle- on 
the prairies, which are now occupied Ijy beautiful 
homesteads and all the indications of prosperity 
and thrift. In those early days wolves and deer 
were alnindaiit, but Daviil, imbued with the 
courage of his forefathers, felt little fear of any 
living creature, and he pursued the even tenor of 
his way until called to other duties. In politics 
Mr. S. is Rei)ublican; prior to the formation of the 
Republican he alliliated with the Whig l)arty. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Among those represented in the portrait depart- 
ment of this vohime, none are more worthy than 
Mr. anil Mrs. .loim Stiihblelield. 

JACOB MAURKR, a prosperous and intelli- 
gent German fanner of Montgomery Town- 
siiip, AVoodford Co., 111., owns and oc- 
' cnpies a good homestead on section 26, 
where his indnstry and energy have caused him to 
become snceessfnl in his business transactions and 
establislicd liini in the esteem and confidence of his 
fellow-citizens. jSIr. Manrer was born in the little 
Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, Nov. 1, 1(S34. 
He is the son of Samuel and Magdalena (Schwart- 
zentrubor) Jlaurer, natives of Germany, the father 
born in 1795, and the mother in 1800. Samuel 
Manrer was a farmer by occupation and emigrated 
from his native country with his famil}' in 1800. 
They lauded in New York Citj', and immediately 
came westward to the Prairie State and to McLean 
County. Here Mv. M. purchased eighty-five acres 
of land and erected a small dwelling, which he oc- 
cupied with his family until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1863. The wife and mother departed 
this life Nov. 3, 1884. Their eight children were, 
I'hebe, the wife of Frederick Heideufelter ; Chris- 
tian; Peter; Elizabeth, Mrs. Eckhart Wendrath; 
Jacob of our sketch; John, who married Mrs. liar- 
bara Iinhoff; Daniel, who married Miss Helen Otto, 
and Catharine, wiio became the wife of Earnest 
Linnemau. 

Jacol) Manrer preceded liis parents to this coun- 
try' five years, iiis arrival being in 18.55. He first 
located in Pennsylvania and engaged as a farm la- 
borer by the month for two years following. He 
then went into Butler Count}^ Ohio, where lie was 
similarly occupied, and thence journeyed westward 
to this county, where he first located in Dry Grove 
Township, and worked by the month. He was mar- 
ried in 1.S59, to Miss Catharine JManrer, and in 1872 
purchased IGO acres in Woodford County, which 
constitutes his [jrescnt homestead. The wife of 
our subject is the daughter of Peter and Mary 
Manrer, natives of France, the former being born 
^ ' March 24, 1787, and the latter, Dec. 3, 1795. They 



were married in France in 1825, and in 1.S30 came 
to the United States and located in Butler County, 
Ohio. They remained there eight years, and thence 
removed to Woodford County, 111, where Mr. M. 
purchased IGO acres of land and where b(jth parents 
resided until his death. Their nine children were, 
Joseph, Barbara, Mary, Anna, ^Magdalena, Peter, 
Christian, John and Catharine. 

Jacob Manrer and his wife have become the par- 
ents of nine children — Magdalena E., Daniel E., 
Mary I., Eniiel J., Erwin J., Feodor W.,Emma C, 
Elma A. and Etta D. Our subject is a Democrat 
in politics, and both he and his wife are worthy 
and valued members of the Mennonite Church. 

«— H==5 ><s>XO>-fe> e^:=:: ~»- 

(jp5^ H.AS HUBBARD, M. D., a skillful and 
^^^^ l)opular ph3"sician of Hudson, this county, 
M/\M) has been a resident of the Prairie State 
since 1855, at which time he located in 
McLean County, and during a period of over 
thirty years has been widely and favorably known 
as a conscientious practitioner and a good citizen. 
Dr. Hubbard was born near M.aysville, Chautanipia 
Co., N. Y., on the 9th of May, 1821. His parents 
were Solomon and Hannah (Willard) Hubbard, 
also natives of the Empire State. His earlier days 
were passed on the farm, and at the age of ten years 
the famil3' renu)ved to Buffalo, N. Y. Here, eight 
years later, our subject commenced the study of 
medicine, and at the age of twent^'-one, in 1842, 
graduated from Casselton Medical College of Ver- 
mont. He commenced the practice of his chosen 
profession at Buffalo, continuing there until 1855, 
and then came to Illinois. For three years he was 
located at Hloomington, whence became toHiulson, 
and is now the (tldest physician in this place. He has 
been ,"1 close student, an extensive reader, and a valu- 
able contributor to the prominent medical journals. 
Politically he afllliates with the Republican jjarty, 
but finds little time in an extensive practice to de- 
vote to political matters. Religiously he has been 
connected with the Baptist Church for a period vt 
thirty-two years, working actively in its mainten- 
ance and support and to advance generally the 
cause of religion. 

Dr. Silas Hubbard was united in marriage with 



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343 



Miss Julia Frances Read in New York City, in 
1849. Mrs. H. is tlie daughter of William and 
May (Hoye) Read, natives of Pennsylvania and the 
District of Columbia, and by her union with our sub- 
ject has become the mother of five children, of 
whom the record is as follows: Hannah Frances, 
the wife of John D. Larkin, resides in Buffalo, N. 
Y. ; Albert (1. is also a resident of that city; Daisy 
M., Mrs. Alvin AY. Carloek, lives in Hudson, this 
county ; Mary E. and Honor A. are at home. The 
family are widely and favorably known throughout 
this section and are valued as among the most 
intelligent and useful members of the community. 



--v«ji2je£/©-^» 



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■^/UDGE J. E. McCLUN, a highly respected 
resident of Bloomington, now living in 
peace and comfort, retired from the active 
duties of life, is a native of Frederick 
County, Va., wliere he was born in 1812. He is the 
son of Thom.as and Elizabeth (Bailey) McClun, 
who were natives of Penns^'lvania, and moved 
when children to the Shenandoah Valley vvith tlieir 
parents. The ancestral MeCluns came from the 
North of Ireland, and were of Scotch-Irish descent. 
The first members of the family in this country set- 
tled in Pennsylvania at an early period in the his- 
tory of that State, and located in Lancaster and 
Chester Counties. The grandfather of our subject, 
Thomas McClun, was there born, and reared a 
Quaker, and became prominent in the affairs of 
that locality. He moved to the Shenandoah Val- 
ley in about 1770, settled upon a farm, and reared 
his family in those principles by which his fore- 
fathers had distinguished themselves. 

The maternal grandfather of Judge McClun, Will- 
iam Bailey, was a Revolutionary soldier, and died 
in the service of the colonies. He was of English 
ancestry and parentage, and one of the early pio- 
neers of Chester County, Pa. Thomas McCluu, 
the father of our subject, was the parent of seven 
sons, of whom the Judge was the youngest born. 
Thomas McClun died at the old homestead in A'ir- 
ginia, in 1820. The mother survived her husband 
for a |)eriod of twenty-three years, spending her 
last daj's with her son, in Bloomington, her death 



occurring on the 1st of June, 184ti. She was reared 
an Episcopalian, but in the latter years of her life 
was identified with the Methodist Church. 

Judge McClun, of our sketch, distinctly remem- 
bers many of the incidents connected with his 
childhood, and other matters which he noticed 
with the interest of a bright and Intelligent lioy, 
among which was the election of John Quincy 
Adams, in 1824, and the contest which occurred 
between Adams and J.ickson. He witnessed the 
inauguration of Gen. Jackson, who received the 
oath of office from John Marshall, and he well re- 
members hearing a sermon by old Bishop Asbur}', 
who preached at a camp-meeting near his mother's 
house when our subject was only three and one- 
half years old. His education was begun in the old 
cabin school-house, nearly two miles from his 
home, with puncheon floor and slabs for seats and 
desks, and where he taught school when he became a 
young man, for a period of three years. He had 
forty pupils under liis charge, who ranged all the 
way from six to twenty-two years old. 

Some two years after he had attained his major- 
ity 3'oung McClun removed from his native State 
to Springfield, 111., whence he came to McLean 
County, in 1836, and located in Bloomington. He 
was greatly impressed by the scenes then surround- 
ing the spot, the deer roaming over the prairie, the 
howling of wolves at night, and the abundance of 
all kinds of wild game, with thousands of prairie 
chickens flying over and amidst the tall grass. At 
Springfield he became acquainted with Abraham 
Lincoln, and also Stephen A. Douglas, who was just 
commencing the practice of law at Jacksonville, 111. 
Mr. McClun, during his first years in Bloomington, 
was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and also estab- 
lished a stage-line, running from Danville to Peo- 
ria. He was energetic and industrious, and at an 
early day gave indications of his ability to become 
a leader in his communitj'. After filling v.arious 
minor positions, in 184D he was elected Judge of 
the Probate Court, and afterward a representative 
to the General Assembly of Illinois. These posi- 
tions he held with great credit to himself and satis- 
faction to his constituents. Aftervcard, in con- 
nection with a few other gentlemen, he established 
the Home Bank, which for many years transacted \ 



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f. 



344 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



an extensive business, and has been largely identi- 
fied with the growth and prosperit_y of the city. 

The marriage of .Judge McClun and IMiss Han- 
nali llaricness took place on the 31st of .Tanuary, 
18;5;i. The wife of our subject is a native of Ohio, 
and the daughter of Samuel and Esther (Evans) 
Ilarkness, of Rhode Island. Of this m.arriage there 
were born eleven chihlren, six of whom died in in- 
fancy ; the others are Klisha H., a real-estate agent 
of Englewood, 111. ; Isaac B., who died at the age 
of thirty-one years; Edward is connected with the 
IJoard of Pulilic Works of Chicago; Robert, who 
is a miller, Mild lives in Chicago; Esther E., Mrs. 
Martin, who lives in Bloomington. The .Tudge and 
his amiable and excellent lady are prominent mem- 
bers of the Methodist Elpiscopal Church, he having 
been connected with this denomination for sixty 
years. The}' occup3' a handsome residence at No. 
405 Went .Jefferson street, and enjoy the society 
and friendship of tlie most cultivated people in the 
city. 

Judge McChiu has been one of the moving spir- 
its in <levelopiiig the resoui'ces of this section, and 
to iiim the city of liloomiugton is great!}' indebted 
for her standing and position among other promi- 
nent cities of the Prairie State. The wife c>f our 
subject is noted for her refinement and kindness of 
heart, and the entire family are widely and favora- 
bly known for their high character and personal 
wortli. In politics Judge McC'luu is a I'lohibition- 
ist, and is praying for the extermination of tlie liq- 
uor trallic. 




rr>H»: 



\**. U. WILLIAM Mcknight, one of the 
honored pioneers of Illinois, has been a 
practicing ph^'sician of the State for many 
years and a resident of Normal since 
March, 1883. He has been a close student, an ex- 
tensive reader, and has enjoyed a large and lucra- 
tive practive in other poi'tions of the State. Here, 
the longer he is known the more he is resi)ected as 
a skilled and reli.able practitioner, and as a citizen 
is one of the most valued members of the commu- 
nity. I>r. McKiiight was born in Allegheny County, 
Pa., May 20, 1823, his parents being Jacob and Isa- 
bella (McNeil) McKiiight, also natives of the Key- 



stone State. In about 1826 the family removed 
to Guernsey County, Ohio, where they settled upon 
a farm and where the father died at the age of 
sixty-eight years; the mother survived until she 
was seventy-six years old, and then p.assed peace- 
fully from earth, d^'ing upon the homestead which 
they had established in Ohio. The jiarental family 
embraced six children, one of whom died in child- 
hood and one son at the age of sixteen. A daughter, 
Julia Ann, became the wife of .James Atchison, 
of Muskingum County, Ohio, and died in her prime, 
leaving a family of little children. The three liv- 
ing are : Neil, a farmer residing on the homestead 
in Guernsej' County, Ohio; Margaret, who lives 
with him, and the subject of our sketch, the latter 
being the eldest of the family. 

When the parents of Dr. McKiiight removed to 
Ohio he was but a child three years of age. His 
youth and boyhood were passed upon the farm and 
in attendance .at the district and a select schooL 
At the age of twenty years he commenced the 
study of medicine witii Dr. Stephen B. Clark, of 
Cambridge, (Jhio, who continued his preceptor for 
three years following. He then took a course of 
lectures at Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, and 
engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in 
Muskingum County, Ohio. In the fall of 1848 he 
came westward to Illinois, and located in Gran- 
\illc, Putnam County, where he practiced until 
18G1. He then entered upon a course of study at 
Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he 
graduated tlie f<jllowing year and resumed his prac- 
tice in Granville. In 18G8 he removed to Clay- 
ton, Adams Count}', returned to Granville three 
years later, where he built up an extensive and lu- 
crative practice, and later came to Normal for the 
better education of his children. 

Dr. McKiiight was first married in 1847, to Miss 
Elizabeth Henderson, of Muskingum County, Ohio, 
who became the mother of five children, viz., 
Herman L., now a Ijankcr in Battle River, D. T. ; 
Hannah, a resident of Normal; Jennie, the wife of 
George M. Adams, of Bloomington, and Emma 
and George, residing at home. Mrs. Elizabeth Mc- 
Knight departed this life at Clayton, 111., in 1870. 
The second marri.age of Dr. McKnight occurred 
Dec. 20, 1871, his present wife having been Miss 



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MqLEAN COUNTY. 



345 ,, 



Amanda Moore, who was born in Putnam Count}', 
this State, and is the daughter of Sheperd and Mar- 
garet Moore. Of this union there were born two 
sons — William and .Joseph. Their residence is 
pleasantly located and they count among their 
friends and associates the cultured people of the 
little city of Normal. Politically Dr. McKnight 
inclines to the principles of the Republican party, 
but confesses that his practice engages too much 
of his attention to enable him to give any portion 
of his time in assisting the iioliticians. 



■^^^-il^ 



"JYlOHN P. M( LEAN, junior partner of the firm 
of Steere & McLean, is assisting to conduct 
a prosperous boot and shoe trade, and ranks 
among the enterprising and representative 
business men of Bloomington. The house is lo- 
cated at No. 117 North Main street, and they en- 
joy the patronage of the best citizens of Blooming- 
ton and vicinit}'. Mr. McLean is the oldest retail 
boot and shoe dealer in the city. lie was born in 
AV'ellsville, Columbiana Co., Ohio, in LS4.5, and is 
the son of John and Rachel (Wiley) McLean, na- 
tives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The 
father of our subject removed to the Buckeye 
State when a young man. While yet a boy he 
commenced running on the Mississijjpi River, en- 
gaged in flat-boating and trading in the Southern 
States, and followed the rivers for fifteen years. 
At different times he was Captain of five steam- 
boats — the " Germantown," " New Lisbon," "North 
Queen," " Hibernian " and the " Kentuckj'." He 
was on the Illinois River for a period of five 
j-ears, and ran from Pittsburgli to New Orleans, and 
also from La Salle to St. Louis. He finally aban- 
doned the river in 18.5.5, and coming to Illinois, set- 
tled in Normal Township, this county, and en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising. He is still 
living, as also are the five children of the parental 
household; the latter are all residents of Blooming- 
ton. Rebecca A., Mrs. Rugg, is the mother of five 
children — Anna, Josephine B., Grace, Orra and 
John; Cynthia T., Mrs. Temple, h.as one child, a 
son — Dwight; Josephine, Mrs. Moore, is the mother 



of two children — Annie and William; the two 
youngest were John P. and Emma B. The father 
of our subject was Supervisor and Road Commis- 
sioner of Normal Township, is Republican in poli- 
tics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
Both parents are connected with the Presbyterian 
Church. 

The subject of this history' remained at home 
until 186.5, and while in Ohio pursued his studies 
at the Wellsville Union School. After coming to 
Illinois with his parents he attended the Normal 
University and the Commercial and Western Col- 
leges. His first experience in the boot and shoe 
line commenced as clerk with O. Rugg, with whom 
he remained for a period of eighteen years, being 
head man and book-keeper during the last two 
years. He then engaged with W. J. Brownell & 
Co., and remained with that firm over five years. 
On the 22d of February, 1862, Mr. McLean, in 
company with Mr. Steere, established the present 
business, which they have continued to this time 
(1887) with marked success. They employ from 
four to six men and carry the heaviest stock of 
any firm of the kind in the city. 

Our subject was married, in 1869, to Miss Clara 
D., the daughter of E. B. and Frances (Dean) 
Steere, natives of New York, and of this union 
there was born one son — Arthur D., now a clerk in 
his father's store. The family residence is located 
at No. .306 East Locust street, and the home of our 
subject is in all respects indicative of culture, taste 
and ample means. He has become considerably 
interested in the purchase and sale of city firoperty, 
and in all respects ranks among the enterprising 
business men of McLean County. He is Repub- 
lican in politics, and a member iivgood standing of 
the A. F. & A. M., Blue Lodge Chapter and De- 
Molay Commandery No. 24, K. T. 



*S DWIN W. BAKEWELL, a highly respected 
resident of Normal, where he is engaged in 
the pursuit of agriculture, was born in 
Wellsburg, Va., on the 20th of July, 1812. His 
parents, Samuel R. and Ann Maria (Bean) Bake- 
well, were natives of England, and were united iu 




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346 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



marriage previous to tlieir emigration to tlio United 
States. Tiio father was an inventor and nnmufact- 
urer, and educated to mercantile pursuits. Among 
other useful and desirable inventions which he has 
produced was that of a j^ress for making brick out of 
(by clay. After a l)usy and prosperous life he died 
in his native England, while from home on a busi- 
ness trip, at about the age of sixty -six j'ears; the 
mother survived him a number of years, and died 
at the age of seventy-seven years. The parental 
family included six children, all of whom attained 
their m.ajority, and three arc yet living: .Salina, the 
wife of Rev. Alexander Campbell, of the Camp- 
bellite Church, and now a resident of Al.abama; 
Edwin W., our subject, and ThcronH., of Mounds- 
vllle, W. Va. 

Mr. Bakewell of this sketch received a common- 
school education, and served an apprenticeship at 
the printer's trade. lie afterward followed farm- 
ing and hotel-keeping in his native .State. In 1845 
he cnugrated to Illinois and settled in Normal, 
where he purchased 3G0 acres of land and engaged in 
farming. When the State Normal University' was 
located at that place lie donated forty acres of land 
to be used for the purpose of teaching agricultural 
chemistry, but as the land was never used for the 
purpo.se, it was in consequence forfeited. 

Mr. Bakewell followed farming for a number of 
years successfully, and then retired uiiou a compe- 
tency. He ranks among the earlj' pioneers of the 
Prairie State, .and has watched its development and 
growth with interest and satisfaction. Although 
his life has been a quiet and unostcntations one, he 
has performed the obligations of a law-abiding citi- 
zen, and lias exerted a a good inliucncc upon those 
with whom he has come in contact. In early life, 
politically, lie w:is a Wiiig, l)ut is now independent, 
voting for the best man irrespective of party. He 
has never been an aspirant for ollicc, and has occu- 
pieil his time principally in attending to his busi- 
ness affairs, llcligiously he has been connected 
with the Christian Church since seventeen years of 
age. 

Mr. Bakewell was married on the 17th of March, 
18;5.!, to Miss Julia Ann I'arshall, who was born 
in the State of Now York. Of this union there 
were horn six children, as follows: Campbell N. 
<• 




resides in F'armington, 111.; Irvin II. is at home; 
Melvin was killed by a railroad train, at the .age of 
thirty -eight years; Salina II. is the wife of AVill .S. 
Erett, and resides at Ash Grove, Mo., her husband 
being President of the college at that place; Lutie 
M., the wife of James M. Dawson, resides at Lex- 
ington, 111., and one daughter died when two years 
of age. 

^HOIMAS H. EWINS, Supervi-sor of Hudson 
Township, is a native of this county, and 
was born in Dan vers Township, Oct. "2, 1837. 
His father, James P. Ewins, was born in the Old 
Granite State, where he grew to manhood and 
learned the tr.ade of a shoemaker. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Stickney, also of New Hamp- 
shire, and they soon afterward started for the 
West, locating first in Cook Countj% 111., whence 
they afterward removed to this county, .settling in 
Dan vers Township in 183G, and engaging in agri- 
cultural pursuits. There the father died in 1849, 
and the mother a few months later, in the same 
year. Of their nine children, eight grew to mature 
years, and five are still living. John A. is a resi- 
dent of Dan vers Township; Mary P., the widow of 
James A. Allison, of Eureka, 111. ; F^liza, the wife 
of Samuel Ramsay ; Alice, Mrs. William Harbord, 
lives in California, and Thomas H. 

The subject of this history was reared in Dan- 
vers Township, and educated in the district schools. 
After the death of his parents he lived with his 
brother John on the old homestead, where he 
worked at farming a part of the time and after- 
ward became clerk in a store. At the breaking out 
of the late war he enlisted as a Union soldier in 
Co. C, 2Uth 111. \'ol. Inf., and with his comrades 
first met the enemy at the battle of Eredericks- 
towu, Mo. He was next at Et. Henry, and after- 
ward at Donelson, where he received a gunshot 
wound in the left wrist, which dis.abled him for 
further service, and he was consequently honorably 
discharged, in July, 1S62. 

After returning from the army, Mr. Ewins pur- 
sued his studies for one term in Wesleyan Univer- 
sity, and then engaged in clerking at Danvers. In 
18G6 he purchased eighty acres of land in Hudson 



Ti 



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-.1 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



347 



Township, which he occupied until 1S81, and fol- 
hjwed agricultural pursuits. He then sold out, and 
removing to the village of Hudson, engaged in 
general merchandising until ISSO. He is Repub- 
lican in politics. He serve<lsfrwo terms as Collector 
in Danvers Township, and is now serving his sec- 
ond term as Supervisor in fflfe^on. The onl}' so- 
ciety with which he has ever connected himself is 
the G. A. R. 

Mr. Ewins was married in Danvers Township, 
Nov. 1, 1S66, to Miss Emeline Wallace, who was a 
native of Mercer County, Pa., and in early child- 
hood came to Illinois with her parents. They were 
Hugh and Catharine (Lotzenhauzer") AVallace. Of 
this union there have been born three children, of 
whom one died in infancy, and two, Edwin S. and 
Katie A., are at home. 

L. ]\IOORE, one of the enterprising busi- 
ness men of Bloomington, is extensively 
engaged in the manufacture of harness and 
saddles, of which he keeps constantly on 
hand a fidl line, with collars, robes, whips, nets, 
trunks, etc. Mr. Moore is a native of Menard 
County, 111., and was born Feb. 6, 1829. He is 
the son of John N. and Phcebe (Scott) Moore, na- 
tives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, who, 
after their marriage, located in Menard County, 
111., in 1821. This was a part of Sangamon County 
at that time, and John Moore entered land and also 
purchased a farm, becoming finally the possessor of 
440 acres. He and his wife shared in common with 
the other pioneers the hardships and difficulties in- 
cident to a new settlement. Their family included 
ten children. The mothers of that day spun and 
wove the cloth which they made into garments for 
their families, Mrs. Moore doing the same, and be- 
ing one of the most busj'^ as well as one of the most 
excellent of housewives and mothers. Both par- 
ents were members of the Presbyterian Church, of 
which John Moore was an Elder, and to the sup- 
port of which he contributed liberally and cheer- 
fully of his means. He was Justice of the Peace 
in his township for manj' j^ears, and joined in wed- 
lock scores of couples who came many miles to 




have him say the few words that would complete 
their happiness. He was universall}^ loved and re- 
spected by all, and after the record of a worthy 
and useful life folded his hands for his final rest in 
1848. The mother survived until 1870, departing 
this life at her home in Menard County, 111., where 
they first settled, at the age of seventy. 

The subject of this sketch was the fifth child of 
the family and remained under the parental roof 
until eighteen years old, receiving a common- 
school education. He then left home and went to 
Jacksonville, 111., and apprenticed himself to learn 
harness-making. In 1857 he hired a horse and 
rode to Bloomington, a distance of sixty miles, 
where he rented a shop on the southwest side of the 
square and proceeded to eug.age in business for 
himself. He operated alone for the following two 
years, and then took in Mr. P. Whitmer as partner. 
After two ye.ars Mr. Moore purchased the interest 
of Mr. W., they having in the meantime moved to 
the corner where the People's Bank now stands. 

Here Mr. Moore remained until 18.58, being 
prospered in his business and giving employment 
to from four to six men. He then removed to 
North Main street, and four years later, during the 
progress of the late war, sold out and enlisted as a 
Union soldier in Co. K, ;)4th 111. Vol. Inf. He was 
appointed Regimental (Juartei'master, which posi- 
tion he held until the close of the war. He partici- 
pated in the battle at Prairie Grove, Ark., and the 
siege of N'icksburg, when his regiment was sent to 
the Rio Grande to take charge of the forts along 
the river. With his comrades he was then sent to 
Ft. jNIoi'gan, of which they took possession, and 
afterward to Spanish Fort. At the close of the 
war Mr. Moore returned to Bloomington and pur- 
chased Ijack his old business from the man to whom 
he had sold, and has continued it successfully since 
that time. In 1870 he removed to his present lo- 
cation, and his business has increased so that he 
now employs from six to ten men, his transactions 
being the largest of any house of its kind in the 
city. He is a straightforward business man and 
forms one of the important factors in the indus- 
trial elements of the city. 

Mr. Moore was married, in 1852, to Miss .Toanna 
Beaty, a njitive of Champaign County, Ohio, and 



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348 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



the daiigliter of Johu Bcaty. Of this union there 
have been born seven children, four of whom are 
still living — Laura, James, John and liuth. The 
family residence is located on West Washington 
street at No. 508, and its inmates are surrounded 
by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
life. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, of which our subject is an Elder. 
Socially Mr. Moore belongs to the G. A. R., and 
uniformly casts his vote willi the Republican party. 



^ ^-*-B 




1^ 



W. BENTLEY, gunsmith and dealer in 
sporting goods at No. 20G West Front 
street, Bloomington, is a native of Ken- 
tucky, born in 1831. Young Bentlej", dur- 
ing his earlier j'ears, worked on the farm in sum- 
mer and attended schools through the winters until 
nineteen years of age. He then learned the carpen- 
ter trade, which he followed from 1849 to 1854^. in 
the meantime also being engaged as a contractor and 
builder. He came to McLean County in 18.')5, set- 
tling first in the village of Heyworth, and thence, 
in 1 804, removed to Bloomington, soon afterward 
engaging in his present business. He subsequently 
purciiased a lot, put up a substantial brick build- 
ing, and employs two men. 

Mr. Hentley was married in 1853 to Miss Mary 
J. H<ioton,a native of Clark County, Ky., and the 
daughter of Nicholas Hooton, who now niakfcs his 
home with our subject. 'I'lu! residence of Mr. 
Bentley and his family is pli'asantly situated at No. 
511) West Jackson street, and they enjoj' the confi- 
dence and respect of the community in a marked 
degree. Mr. B. is independent in |)olilics, and so- 
cially belongs to the Masonic fraternity and Knights 
of I'ythias. 

jVMES T. (;IL1)ERSLEE^'K, one of the 
peaceable and unostentatious citizens of 
Hudson Township, occupies a comfortable 
homestead on section '2i'>. owned l)y his 
father, where he is carr3'ing on agricultuial opera- 
tions witli fair success. Our subject is the son of 



Charles T. and ISLary A. Cildersleeve, and was born 
in Hudson Township on tiie 10th of March, 1861. 
He was partially educated in the common schools, 
pursued his studies at the Illinois State Normal 
University' five foiii%,and completed his school 
days by an attenil-uicdtof two years at the Univer- 
sity of Wooster. Oft^ After his return to Hud- 
son Township our subject was married, on the 8th 
of December, 1883, to Miss Nettie A., the daughter 
of J. J. and P^lsie ^L Ham. Mrs. G. was also a 
native of Hudson Township, born on the 'iCth of 
March, 1865, and by her union with our subject 
has become the mother of one daughter, Elsie, born 
Oct. 15, 1885. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. G. settled 
upon the farm where they now reside and which 
belongs to the father of our subject, the latter hav- 
ing full charge. It comprises 320 acres of finely 
cultivated land and yields a handsome income for 
the tilling of the soil. Mr. Gildersleeve is in all 
respects a praiseworthy citizen, and although young 
in years bids fair to become a prominent man in 
his community. In politics he is strongly Demo- 
cratic, and in religion a firm adherent to the Baptist 
faith. 



/^^) ^^^'^^^^^^^^ ^''- ^'.^'^^ of the lirm of Ilasen- 
[l( winkle X' Cox, of Hudson, owns and oper- 

^^^' ates the Hudson pjlcvators, which arc a 
great convenience to the citizens of this locality, 
and yield their |)roprietors a handsome income. 
Tlie sulijcct of this historj' is the eldest son of 
James H. and Mary A. (Chadbourne) Cox, and 
was born in AVaterford, Me., Sept. 25, 1848. The 
family came to Illinois in the fall of 1851, settling 
at Hudson in this county. Here Charles E. grew 
to manhood and completed his education in Shurtleff 
College, at Upper Alton, where he took a three years' 
course. His tastes were inclined to mercantile pur- 
suits, and he had previously' clerked in the store of 
his father, beginning, in fact, as soon as he was 
large enough to reach the top of the counter. His 
school days ended in the spring of 1866, and he 
then established a drug business in Hudson, which 
he operated for one year and then became associ- 
ated with his father, the firm name being J. H. 



> 



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RESIDENCE OF TIIVIOTHY KRAFT , SEC , 3 ,T0 WA NDA TOWNSHIP 



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RESIDENCE AND FARW PROPERTY OF JOHN A. HEFNER, SEC5 . 15 & 22 .MONEr CREEK TP 



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RESIDENCE OF W? LEM K E , 5 EC . 34- , BLUE MOUND Township 



H. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



351 



Cox & Sun, and afterward Cox & Aldricli. Then 
Charles E. Cox and J. W. Aldrich formed a part- 
nership under the firm name of Cox & Aldrich, in 
the drug business, while at the same time thej' op- 
erated in live-stocli, lumber and grain. On the 
11th day of November, ISSi^^our subject having 
withdrawn from the aforesaid Business, became a 
partner of William Ilasenwiiiivlo, with whom he has 
continued since that time. 

The marriage of Charles E. Cox and Miss Effie 
Dart was celebrated in September, 1871, at Hudson. 
Mrs. Cox is the daughter of William Dart, and was 
born in this State in 1854. By her union with our 
subject she became the mother of six children, one 
of whom died in infancy, and the five living are 
Merton D., Lena Mabel, Claude Herbert, James 
H. and Charles W. 

Mr. Cox is Republican in politics and has been 
School Treasurer of the township for several j'ears, 
although he prefers to give his attention to his own 
private concerns, lieligiously he is connected with 
the First Baptist Church, and as a man and a citizen 
he is lield in the highest esteem I33' the [teople of 
his locality. 



isisMa^*^-^ 



^j^EOROE H. MILLER, architect, and a iiighly 
III (--, respected resident of Bloom ington, first 
^^^ opened his eyes within the limits of this 
city on the 7th of May, 1850. His parents were 
George and Louisa (Sheurcr) IMiller, wlio were of 
German birtli and parentage and natives of the 
Province of Wurtemberg. They emigrated to 
America in 1855, after their marriage, and after a 
brief season spent in tlie State of New Yorlv, came 
to Illinois and settled in Bloomington, where the 
father of our subject engaged in business and con- 
tinued successfully for a number of years. lie is 
still living, but now retired from .active labor, and 
resides at No. 318 South Madison street. The pa- 
rental familj' consisted of eight children, seven 
now living, viz., John M., George H., Harry II., 
William B., Andrew, Charles and Ida. Sophia 
died in 18()8, at the age of ten years. Before com- 
ing to this countr}^ George Miller, Sr., served in 
r the German Cavalry for a period of five years. He 



was a good business man and gave each of his 
children a practical education. 

George H. 3Iiller at the age of fifteen engaged 
to learn the business of an architect with II. Richter, 
of this citj% witli whom he remained four years, 
and then went into the employ of J. T. Harris, of 
Columbus, Oliio, as draughtsman. Thence he jour- 
neyed northwest to Chicago, and was there em- 
ployed by the firm of F. & E. Baumanu in the same 
capacity for six months. He tlieu came to Bloom- 
ington and engaged with II. A. Miner, witli whom 
he remained ten years, and in 1882 commenced 
business for himself. He employs two men, and 
being one of the leading architects of tlie city en- 
joys a fine patronage. His business othce is lo- 
cated at the corner of Main and Front streets. 

Mr. Miller occupies a good position among the 
citizens who have known him from his earliest 
youth, and has been intrusted by them with various 
important olHces. He was elected City Treasurer 
in 1883, and is now serving as Alderman of the 
Third W.ard. In politics our subject is a conscien- 
tious Democrat, and in all respects is fultilling his 
obligations as a good citizen. A great many of the 
finest buildings of Bloomington and surrounding- 
country have I)een designed by Mr. Miller, among 
which may be mentioned the McLean County .lail, 
(German Catholic Church, German Lutiieran, (ier- 
man Metliodist Episcopal Church, Turner's Hall, 
Odd Fellow's Hall. George Brand Building, B. S. 
Green, H. J. Iliggins & Co., E. B. Gridley. L. II. 
Kerriek, and numerous other buildings, and lias a 
great amount of work throughout this entire State. 



^ FORGE FOREMAN, a prominent resident 
>f the little city of McLean, is a blacksmith 
ly trade, and has obtained quite a reputatif)n 
as an importer of English draft horses. He was 
born in Norfolk County, England, Jan. 23, 1841, 
and is the son of George and Hannah (Loads) Fore- 
man. His father was .also a dealer in horses, and 
spent bis entire life in Norfolk Countj'. At the age 
of fifteen years our subject was apprenticed to the 
blacksmith trade, at which he served four 3'ears, 
and was afterward emplo3'ed at "jour" work until 




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352 



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McLEi).N COUNTY. 



18G3. He tlieu caine to America, locating first in 
Torontt), Canad.-i, wliere lie worked until ISfi"). lie 
then came West to Illinois, and passed the follow- 
ing winter in McLe;ui ('ounty. In the spring he 
returned to Canada, where he spent the summer, 
and then, in tiic fall of ISGO, he returned to this 
locilit^', rented a shop at McLean, and commenced 
Ijusiness on his own account, carrying on horse-shoe- 
ing and general repairing, lie is a natural me- 
chanic, and so(^n gathered about him numerous 
friends and [jatrons, becoming one of the most 
popular artisans of the kind in this vicinity. In 
1872 he couDnenced dealing iu horses, first pur- 
chasing the Xornian stallion, Louis Najwleon. The 
following }ear he ]iurchased a CU.ydesdale stallion, 
imported from C;inada. In IBs;], accompanied by 
his wife and daughter, he returned to England, 
where he combined business with pleasure, visiting 
anu>ng his old friends and acq\iaintances for sev- 
eral months, and in the meantime looking around 
among tiie line stock of his native county and vi- 
cinity. While on this ti'ip he purchased the cele- 
brated Knglish draft horse "Stowbridge," which he 
still owns. In ISS.") he maitv' another trip to En- 
gland, •■md brouglit li:ick with him four v;ilu.able 
animals, two of which he sold ;it a high i)rice, and 
the other two still remain in his possession. 

Mr. ['"orenian was married, in Octolier, IS(17. in 
New York, to Miss Emily lUuiton, who was born 
in his own county and there reared to womanhood. 
They became the i)arents of one child, .-i daughter, 
Alice, who still remains at home with her par- 
ents. Mr. Foreman is in nil respects an enterjiris- 
ing and progressive citizen, and a valued mend)er 
of the community. In [xilitics he is Republican, 
.and socially belongs to AIcLean Lodge No. 409. 
A. E. &. A. M. 



4^-# 



-v 




EXHY W. :\I(C()H.AIICK, Ph. D., of Normal, 
I is one of the self-m.ade men of the I'rairie 
State, who has, through his own persever- 
ance and love of learning, (jbtained a line 
education under adverse circumstances, and from 
a humljle position in life, now takes his rightful 
place among the intelligent minds of the age. 



•►-■-4^ 



Prof. McCormick is a native of Ireland, born in 
County Mayo on the 5th of February, 1837. His 
parents were Edmund Burke and Betty (Rowan) 
McCormick, also of Irish birth and parentage. 
The former came to the Ihiited States in I.s.'jI, and 
engaged as clerk in New York City. He only 
lived, however, two years after coming here, his 
death occurring in 1853. 

That same year our subject crossed the waters to 
join his father, and ui)on arriving here found that 
he had died ten days before. Henry then occu- 
pied himself in various pursuits. After a brief 
visit with relatives he went to Ohio, and in Wash- 
ington County was employed for one year as a la- 
borer on a railroad. He then went onto a farm in 
Guernsey County-, Ohio, where, for his services, he 
received $11 per month. After a few months he 
was taken ill and remained in feeble health until 
the following spring. He then went to Walworth 
County, Wis., .and was there employed .as a farm 
Laborer during the summer of 1855, at the rate of 
.^100 i)er year, attending school during the winter 
season, and '• doing chores " for his board. Deter- 
mined u|)on securing a good education, he ,alter- 
nated his farm work with the pursuit of his studies, 
and in due time entered AVayland University at 
Beaver Dam, Wis., where he took a thoiough course 
of (.)ne year, ;inil at the exi)iration of this time 
again resumed his farm labors. In November, 
1859, he commenced teaching in .-i district school 
in Walworth County, near the State line, where he 
was employed four nu)nths at ^1(1 per month, and 
" boardeil round." The following Christmas he 
was united iu marriage with jNIiss Numantia B. 
Kinyou, who was born in New York State, but in 
cliildh(jod removed with her parents to Wisconsin. 
In the spring of UsOO Mr. McCcirmick located on 
a small farm owned by his wife, and situated in 
Le Uoy Township, Boone Co., 111. To this he re- 
moved with his wife, cultivated his land in sum- 
mer and taught school in the winter seasons, con- 
tinuing thus enii)loyed until the spring of 1805. 

The mother of our subject, in the meantime, who 
had remained in Ireland when her first husband 
came to tlie United States, was married the second 
time in her native country, and with her daughter 
and husband came, in 18G3, to the United Stsites. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



353 



and settled in Athens County, Ohio. Of tlie first 
marriage there liad been only two cliildren, our 
subject, and his sister Alice, who became the wife 
of Peter Deane, and now resides at Lake \'iow, 111. 
The step-father of our subjec^ was Anthony IJun- 
lavy, and of tlio marriage of liis mother witli this 
gentleman, there were born two sons — Christopher 
and James. 

In 1800 our subject concluded to adopt the pro- 
fession of a teacher for the future, and in order to 
prepare himself more thurouglily for its duties and 
requirements, he entered the Illinois State Normal 
University, where he remained for the following- 
three years, and from which he graduated in June, 
1868. He was then elected Principal of the Nor- 
mal Public Schools, which position he occupied for 
a year, and in the summer of 18G'J was elected to 
a professorship in the University, first as Professor 
of Geography, to which has since been added history. 
After graduating at the Illinois State Normal Uni- 
versity, I'rof. McCormick took the Post Graduate 
course at Illinois Wesleyan University, and re- 
ceived the degree of A. M.,to which was afterward 
added that of Ph. I). In his histor}' have been il- 
lustrated the results of resolution and perseverance 
in a marked degree. When landing in New York 
City young McCormick possessed but a half crown 
(sixty cents) and even this small sum he loaned to 
a lady before leaving the vessel, so he practically 
began life at the foot of the ladder in the New 
World. Too much credit cannot be given to the 
possessor of such wise determination, and such 
courage amid many ditliculties. 

Prof, and Mrs. McCormick have become the par- 
ents of five children, as follows: Alice is the wife 
of Oliver R. Trowbridge, Principal of the Lacon 
Schools; Nelson K. is a practicing physician at 
Bloomington; Edmund 15., Ferdinand C. and 
Henry G. are at home. The family residence is 
pleasantly located between Bloomington and Nor- 
mal, and its inmates are surrounded by all the com- 
forts and many of the luxuries of life. They en- 
joy the friendship and association of the most cul- 
tured people of this vicinity. Although not a pol- 
itician. Prof. BlcCormick upholds the princiijles of 
the Republican i)ai-ty, with which he uniforml}' 
casts his vote. He is an active member of the 



Methodist Episcopal Church, belongs to the A. F. 
& A. M., and is an Alderman of tlie city of Nor- 
mal. His intellectual and social attainments have 
constituted him one of the most valuable members 
of society, and one of the bright lights of a rarely 
intelligent community. 



fe<^5*:^«^M^ 




OWLANIJ N. EVANS, City Clerk of 
Bloomington, has been a resident here since 
1856. He was born on a farm in Cambria 
I County, Pa., in June, 1834, being the son 
of David R. and Ann (Jervis) Evans, both natives 
of Wales, who emigrated to the United States early 
in life and located in Pennsylvania. There the 
father died in 1847; the mother is stilUiving. The 
parental household included four children, of whom 
our subject was the eldest. He remained under 
the home rocjf until fifteen years of age, assisting 
his mother in the duties around the farm, and tiien 
served an-ai)prenticeship to the carpenter's trade. 
Upon comi)leting this he went to Ohio, where he 
staid one j'car, and in the fall of 1856 pushed on 
further westward to the Prairie State. He worked 
at his trade in Bloomington until the outbreak of 
the late war, and then enlisted as a Union soldier 
in Co. C, 20th 111. Vol. Inf., seiving four and one- 
half years in the Western army. He was engaged 
with his comrades at the battles of Ft. Donelson, 
Shiloh, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and 
marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. 
He served as a private one year, and was then pro- 
moted First Lieutenant, being afterward given a 
Captain's commission. Afterward he became Ma- 
jor of the regiment, with which rank he was mus- 
tered out at Louisville, Ky., in July, 1865. 

At the close of his military career Maj. Evans 
returned to Bloomington, and engaged as book- 
keeper for the Bloomington Stove Works, and J. 
W. Evans ife Son, with whom he remained until 
May 1, 1886, when he was elected to his present 
oltice. He served as Alderman from the Sixth 
Ward two years, and in other respects has been 
prominently identified with the affairs of the city. 

Mr. Evans was married in May, 1870, to Miss 
Mary L. Parke, who was born in 1842, and the 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



f 



E 



I 



daughter of Siuiiui'l S. Paikc, ;iu uld rcsidfiit of 
Blooiiiiinjjtoii. jMr. niul Mrs. K. have one chihl, a. 
daughter, Ida l^iicretia. They occupy ;i pleasaut 
home on Douglas sti'eet and enjo_y the society of 
many vvarui fn't'iids. .Mr. i'jvaus is connected with 
the (i. A. K. 

-^>> o*o..@>>,A^..o«o V-- 



11. MOKSK, political and city editor of the 
ISlooininglon Lender, first opened his eyes to 
the light on tht! rugged New England coast, 
being horn in the town of .lay, Franklin Co., Me., 
Sept. 14, liS.jO. His [tarents were Moses and J.,ouisa 
(Cooper) Morse, natives vi the same State, where 
his father w.as a prominent citizen and largelj' en- 
gage<l in railroading and as a stock dealer. lie emi- 
grated West to Minnesota, and died in the cit}' of 
INIinneapolis, in l.s(;i. The molhcr is still living 
and resides with her daughter in Wisconsin. Of 
their seven children three only are living, as fol- 
lows: Keulien S. is a resident of Beetown, Wis.; 
Mary ■!., Mrs. Pierce, resides iu Cassville, Wis.; 
our suliject and the two aliove mentioned are the 
only living children. The mother of our subject 
received a line education, and after the death of 
her husb.and gave her children all the advantages 
in her power. She po.ssessed fine abilities as a writer 
and was a contributor to several publications in 
the East. She is regarded with the highest respect 
and admiration by all who know her as having done 
her part well, and having overcome ditliculties be- 
fore which many others would have been discour- 
aged. 

Young Morse attended the common schouls un- 
til thirteen years of age, and then began to learn 
the -'art preservative." In the meantime he pur- 
sued his school studies under the instruction of 
a private teacher, so that at eighteen years of age 
he was prepared to enter college. When he had 
completed his apprenticeship at Farmington, Me., 
he was made foreman of the Chronicle office and 
afterward became editor. He was also connected 
with the Liberal Jiejiubliean of Augusta, and after- 
ward with the Portland Dniii/ Adoertiscr, and was 
city editor of the Suiidaij Times for a period of 
seven years. Mr. Morse came to Bloomington iu 
M* 



Fel)ruary, 1<S<S1, and assumed the |)Ositiou which he 
now occupies. He "•stumped" the State of Jlaine 
for the Oarfield ticket in i8.s(), and was heartily 
urged to speak in manj- other States through which 
his fame had spread. 

Mr. Morse was married in 1.S72, to i\Iiss Fjunice 
Newell, a native of Halifax, N. .S., and they 
have seven children, all living — Fred. R., Annie L., 
Florence P., Clinton W., Harvej- R., Adlai S. and 
(iertrndc. The family residence is pleasantly lo- 
cated ;it \o. lUX; North East street, where its in- 
mates enio3' the society' and friendship of the 
cultured |)eople of the cit3'. IMr. Morse is Repub- 
lican in politics, and a member in good standing of 
the A. F. &: A. i\I., and the Modern Woodmen. He 
is also a member and w.as one of the organizers of 
the Knights and Ladies of the Round Table. He 
has been i)rominent iu city affairs, and was elected 
Alderman of the Sixth Ward in ISHC 

Mr. Morse, as a writer, possesses line abilities and 
has alre.'idy placed himself among the leading 
journalists of the State. He has also indulged in 
the lighter literature of the day, and as a story- 
writer has gained considerable popularity. His con- 
nection with the Ijcader has lent added interest 
to that striking sheet, and he is universally regarded 
as a favorite among newspaper men and a useful 
and worthy member of s'ociet3^ 

^OHN A. MILLER, a resident of McLean 
County since 18.57, was born in Carroll 
County, Ohio, June 17, IH.il. His father, 
\)v. Thomas Miller, was born in Maryland 
in ISOl, whence he removed to Ohio with his par- 
ents when a l»oy. The mother of our subject, 
Rebecca (Harrington) Miller, was also a native of 
Ohio, and was the second wife of Thomas Miller. 
Of her mariiage with him there were born ten 
children, and of these eight are still living, John A. 
being the eldest. 

The subject of our sketch received a common- 
school education, and at the age of twenty years 
commeucisd work at the carpenter's trade. He was 
married in 1854, to Miss Eliza J. McGiffen. She 
was born iu (Guernsey Count}', Ohio, Feb. 14, 




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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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35r) i i 



1829, her parents being William and Lydia (Hut- 
terfield) McGiffen. Three years later they came 
to Illinois, locating first at Shirley, whence they 
removed two years afterward to Hudson, where 
our subject now resides. He followed his trade 
until about 1882, and since tliat time has occupied 
himself with an apiary, consisting of sixty stands 
of bees, which lighter labor affords liim much 
satisfaction and serves to furnish employment for 
his active mind and hand which wouM not be con- 
tent in idleness. 

Before la3'ing aside his active laltors as a car- 
penter, Mr. IMiller for twenty-five j^ears was en- 
gaged as a contractor and builder, frequently 
employing a force of twelve or fifteen men, and 
many of the most important buildings in tlic 
vicinity of Hudson stand as monuments of his 
skill and handiwork. He has been uniformly suc- 
cessful in life, and has fairly earned the rcinitation 
of an honest man and a good citizen. 

Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sillier there 
were born four children, viz. : Sarah M., the wife of 
George llasselton of Hudson; Mary R., Mrs. James 
Middleton of Whiteside Country ; Emma F., the 
wife of Stephen B. Houghton of Hudson, and 
Harvey, who is .at home witli his parents. 

In politics Mr. Millec is a stanch Republican, 
and religiously h.as been connected with the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church for many years as one of 
its most active and useful members. 



^^ HRISTIAN C. MARTENS, of Bloomington, 
(if^l is a member of the firm of Hyde & Mar- 
^ii<'' tens, who are successfully engaged in the 
manufacture of buggies, spring wagons and car- 
riages, and also handle all kinds of farm machinery, 
carriage iron and wood stock. Mr. Martens is a 
native of Prussia, and was b(jrn in 1 854, being the 
son of Charles .1. and Henrietta (Schroder) Jlar- 
tens, natives of the same country. Charles J. Mar- 
tens emigrated to America in 18G1), .and proceeded 
directly westward, settling in Bloomington the fol- 
lowing year, whei'e he followed his profession .as a 
musician. The parental family consisted of eight 
children, five now living. 



i 



-4«- 



The subject of this biography w.as the seventli 
child of his parents' family. He attended school 
until fourteen years old, then worked upon a farm 
one year, and afterward at blacksmithing in his na- 
tive country. After arriving in Bloomington he 
contiuned as a journeym.an for six years, and then 
formed a partnership with Mr. Hyde, which h.as re- 
mained until the present. Their new block was 
erected in 187G. Tliey give employment usually 
to aliout fifteen men and are doing a fine Inisiness. 

Mr. Martens was married in 1882, to Miss Car- 
rie, daughter of Frederick Agle, of Bloomington, 
and they have one son — Ernest W., who was born 
in 1S83. Mv. Martens is Democratic in politics, 
and with his wife belongs to the German Lutheran 
Church. Their residence, situated at No. 320 South 
Main street, is the home of refinement and culti- 
vated tastes, and they enjoy the friendship and as- 
sociation <:>f the cultured people of Bloomington. 

OIIN H. SPANGLER owns and occupies a 
comfi>rtable homestead in Allin Township, 
on section 28, .and has been a resident of 
tlje Prairie St.ate since'' 18.5G. He was born 
iu Franklin Countj', Ohio, M.arch l;j, 1821), being 
the son of Eli and ^Ia)-y (B.arbee) Spangler, natives 
of \'irginia, the father born March 12, 179.5, and 
the mother March 25, 1802. Eli Spangler w.as a 
farmer by occupation ;uid followed that calling .all 
his life. The parents were nuxrried March 14, 1822, 
and at once removed from the Old Dominion -to 
Franklin County, Ohio, and located u[)on rented 
land, where the father died not quite ten years 
later, on the 1st of January, 1832. Mrs. S. sur- 
vived her husband over fifty years, and died in 
this county Aug. 23, 1886. Their children were 
Susan, Margaret, Mar}' A., John H. and Eli. The 
mother of our subject was a member of the United 
Brethren Church. After the death of his father 
John II. resided with his mother until he was six- 
teen years old, and woi'ked out by the month on a 
farm until his marriage, winch occurred in 1850, 
tiie maiden of his choice being Miss Caroline 
Haines. The young couple went to housekeeping 
upon rented land, .and in 1804 our subject pur- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



chased the i)n>si'ut hoiiiostcad of IGO acres. This 
is finely cultivated and improved, with a tasteful 
and snlistantial farm dwelling, a good barn and all 
necessary o;!t-iuiildings retiuired by the intelligent 
and progressive farmer. 

The parents of Mrs. Spangler were Jacob and 
Sarah llaincs, natives respectively of Pennsylvania 
and Virginia. Her father was born Sept. 17, 1794, 
and her mother Dec. IT), 1 .s02. They were mar- 
I'ieil .Inly .'), l&2\, lirsl, locating in Piclniont 
County, ()iii(^ Thence they removed to Illinois 
in isr»(i, locating in Mt. Hope Township, this 
county, where they passed the remainder of their 
lives, th(' fatlun' dying in 1S7(), and the mother in 
1871. Their ten children were IM.artha, Adeline, 
Samuel, Horatio. John, Sus.-ui A., liolicrt, Levi, 
William J. and Jane ]!. 

Mr. and Mrs. Spangler are memlxu-s of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church, and in i)olitics our 
subject is a strong Uei>uhlican. Of their seven 
children three died in infancy unnamed; William 
S. married Miss Sarah A. McReynolds, Jan. 14, 
IS.so, and lives in Allin Township; Kliza F. mar- 
ried IJanjamin Kauffman, Dec. 24, 1<S74 ; he is de- 
ceased, and she lives in Allin Townsliii>; John mar- 
ried Miss M:uy K. McReynolds, J)ec. 2;!, ISSO ; they 
have one child which died in infancy unnamed ; 
Margaret E. was the youngest of the family. 




i- 



-€-^g 



,,J LEXANDKR IMcKLFRESII, a retired far- 
OCJII mer and resident of Le Roy, has been a 
resident of the Prairie State for nearly 
thirty years. He was born in Ohio County, 
\V. Va., Sept. 22, 1S17, his father be!ng Jesse Mc- 
Elfresh, a native of Maryland. His gnind father, 
Richard M., is also believed to have been a native 
of that State and there spent his declining yeai-s. 
The father of our subject was reared on a farm in 
his native State and when a young man went to 
Pennsylvania. He remained there about two years 
and in the meantime removed to West Virginia, 
settling on Short Creek, in Ohio County, where he 
engaged in farming and spent the last years of his 
life. The mother of oui' subject before her mar- 
riage was Miss Ann E. Murphy, who was born in 



Pennsjdvania and was the daughter of Alexander 
Murphy, a native of the North of Ireland, who 
came to America when a 3'oung man and was mar- 
ried to a German lady. Mr. Murphy teamed across 
the mountains, and met his death by a fall from his 
w.agon, receiving injuries from which he soon died. 
His widow, the grandmother of our subject, after- 
ward removed to Holmes Co., Ohio, and died there at 
the home of her daughter, at the age of one hundred 
and two years. The parental household included 
seventeen children, ten sons and seven daughters, 
of whom our sul)ject was the fourth son and 
seventh child. His parents were poor, and as soon 
as large enough he assisted in the support of the 
family. His first work was in a wood-yard on the 
Ohio River, where he commenced when ten years 
of age, and received for his labors from 15 to 
$S per month. He worked in this way for about 
six j'ears, and then in company with a brother, 
rented a farm, which they operated for about five 
years, and tiien our subject decided to learn the 
cabinet-ni.iker's tr;ide. After two years at this and 
two more at carpentering he resumed farming with 
his brother-in-law. When twenty-six j'ears of age 
he was married, in Jefferson County, Ohio, and 
rented a farm there. He had about $200, which 
he had saved from his earnings, and this enabled 
him to carry on a farm. He operated in this man- 
ner until 18.').s, and then came to Illinois, making 
the journey with two horse-teams and being accom- 
piuiied by liis brother-in-law, Robert Hanson. The 
family came iiy rail. He first rented land in Downs 
Townshii), this county, two years, then purchased 
eighty acres upon which was a sni.all house and a 
straw shed. He moved with his family into the 
house, and they continued to reside there until 
1S7G, the first house in the meantime having been 
replaced by a comfortable frame dwelling and the 
straw shed by a good barn. In the year last named, 
Mr. McE. rcutecl his farm and purchased the place 
wliich he now <i\vns and occupies in Le Roy. He is 
now living retired from active business and sur- 
roundiil by all the comforts of life, and is reaping 
the rcwartl of his early industry. 

'I'he marri.'ige of Mr. iSIcElfresh took place Jan. 
4, 1843, the lady of his choice being Miss Lydia 
Han.son, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 

357 a 



Nov. 10, 1825. Her father, John Hanson, a native 
of Ireland, came to the United States with his par- 
ents when five years of age and was reared in 
Pennsylvania. He learned the trade of a blaclv- 
smith in Lancaster County, and after his marriage 
removed to Ohio, settling in Jefferson County, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. Tlie 
mother, formerly Miss Lydia Galloway, was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania. They became tlie parents 
of ten eliildren, three sons and seven daughters. 

Mr. and Mrs. McElfresh have no children of 
their own. Their adopted daughter, Almira, he- 
came the wife of Charles Roach, now deceased. 
Mr. McE. belongs to the Cumbcrl.and Prcsbj'terian 
and Mrs. McE. to the Methodist Episcopal Churcli. 
The paternal grandmother of our subject's wife was 
a sister of Gen. Montgomer3% wiio fell in liattle at 
Quebec during the Revolutionary War. 

'i^m- — -^^"^ 




f 



pyi'ERKING. Tlie subject of tlic follow- 
ing brief liistory, wdio is successfully en- 
gaged in farming pursuits on section 2, 
Ury Grove Township, is principally' occu- 
pied in the breeding of Norman and Clydesdale 
horses, of which he keeps in stock about twelve 
head, and exhibits some of the finest animals in 
this section. His farm estate consists of 320 acres 
of choice land, with three good farm houses and all 
necessary barns and out-buildings. He has been a 
resident of the townshi[) since 1SG5, and has fully 
established himself in the confidence and respect of 
his neighbors. 

Mr. King was born in Butler County, Ohio. Feb. 
6, 18.38, and is the son of Christian and Phu'be 
(Barnett) King, of German ancestry, and who 
were reared and married in the Fatherland and 
emigrated to America at an early daj'. They lo- 
cated in Butler County, Ohio, a short time, and 
then came to McLean County, 111., where they 
spent their declining years and both are now bur- 
ied. Their eight children were Christian, John, 
J.acob, Daniel, Peter, Barbara, Samuel and Joseph. 
Peter King, at the age of five years, came with his 
parents overland to Illinois. They first located in 
Woodford County, whence, after three years, they 
4» 



removed to Dry Grove Township in McLean 
County, and located upon the farm of 1(10 acres 
which the father had purchased. Here our subject 
grew to manhood, engaged in farming pursuits. 
Christian King religiously adhered to the Menuon- 
ite belief, and reared his children in the same w- 
ligious faith. He lived to the age of seventy -eight 
years, and passed away leaving a record of an hon- 
est and worthy life. Our subject was married on 
the r)th of February, 18(i0, to Miss Barbara llodler, 
who w.as born in Ohio F<!b. 8, 1838. She came 
with her parents to Illinois in 1854, and they lo- 
cated in Dale Township, this county, where they 
passed the remainder of their days, both being now 
deceased. Ten of their children are ntiw living, 
and the record is as follows: Imhoff was born in 
1839; Mary, Dec. 13, 1840; Magdalena, Feb. 7, 
1842; Annie, Dee. 13, 1843; Joseph, Oct. 9, 1845; 
Peter, Nov. 20, 1847; Elizabeth, March 29, 1850; 
John, Feb. 27, 1853, and is now deceased ; Lydia, 
Aug. 31, 1854; Daniel, April 28, 1857. 

Mr. and Sirs. King of this notice became the par- 
ents of eight children, as follows: Lucy A., born 
July 8, 18G4, married Daniel King, and lives in 
White ();ik Township; Emma N., born Sept. 10, 
180(;, married Daniel Augustine, of AVhite Oak; 
Phu'be L. was born Feb. 7, 1861); Amelia M., July 
1(1, 1871; Rosa E., Sept. 27, 1873; Lewis I., Jan. 
30, 1 870 ; Mary M., deceased, w.as born Jan. 8, 
1801, and died Nov. 29, 1804; Christian, deceased, 
was born Aug. 9, 18C2, and died Nov. 26, 1804. 

Mr. King takes an active interest in all matters 
pertaining to the welfare of his township. He has 
served two terms as School Director, and in <.)ther 
w.ays has assisted to advance the cause of educa- 
tion and morality. He is a peaceable and law- 
abiding citizen, and held in great respect bj' his 
fellow-townsmen. 



'-Tp\)ENJAMIN BEDELL, living on section 1, 
L-^ Old Town Township, and a gentleman who 
//Ml ill h.as followed agricultural pursuits thus far 
^^^ in life, is a son of William and Hannah 
(Bradbury) Bedell. The father was born on Long 
Island, .and the mother iu England. They were 



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35 S 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






married in this c(.)untry, and settled in Greene 
Connty, N. Y., wlici'e the father followed tiie voca- 
tion of a farmer, and where both heads of the fam- 
ily eontinned to reside until their death. Seven 
cliildren were born of tliis nnion, named William, 
Hannah, I'hebe, Abiain, lU'nj:unin, Kllenand Eliza- 
beth. 

Henjaniin ilecldl was Ijorn in (!reene County, N. 
Y., April \->, l.S-2(l. He was reared to farm labor 
on his father's farm, and when twelve years of age 
his parents removed to Athens, on the Hudson, 
and tliei-(! <)ur sidijeet continued to reside until 
ISls. He Mien settled t)n a farm in the neighbor- 
hood of Athens, and for nine years was employed 
in its cultivation and improvement, when he sold 
it and moved to Oneida County, N. Y. There he 
purchased another farm, and continued his labors 
nntil the fall of I.SOO. Disposing of this place with 
the hope of bettering his financial condition in a 
country farther west, he came to this county, locat- 
ing in Old Town Township, where he remained ft)r 
one year. He tiien piireha.sed a farm in Blue 
Mound Township, where he lived and industriously 
labored until 1871. During that year he bought 
a [ilace in Old Town Township, moving upon it 
in the spring of that year, and has made it his home 
until the present time. His farm consists of sev- 
enty-one and a half acres, is well stocked, and has 
good buildings upon it. 

The marriage of our snbject with INliss Jlary A. 
Cook was solemnized in Albany County, N. Y., 
Dec. 14, 1848. She is the daugiiter of Charles II. and 
Sarah (Armstrong) Cook, natives of New York. 
Her parents settled in Albany County after their 
nnion, and there the father engaged in farmingand 
wagon-making, carrying on quite an extensive busi- 
ness in both branches of his occupation. He died 
in the city of Albany, X. V., and siie in the same 
county. The issue of their union was four chil- 
dren — Ransom, John W., Alexander and Mary A. 
Mary A., the youngest of the family, was born in 
Albany County, X. Y., Jan. 20, 1826. She lived 
at home until her marriage with our subject, and 
by that union nine children have been born, the 
record of whom is as follows: Elizabeth is the wife 
of Justine I'ierson, and they are living at IJennet, 
Neb.; Charles II. died when seven years old; Will- 
ie 



iam departed tiiis life wdien two years of age, and 
Edward died in infancy; Alice is the wife of Sam- 
uel Cole and they are living in Old Town Town- 
ship; Adelaide died in the latter-named township 
in 1883, when twenty-three years old; Clara is the 
wife of William N. Cole, a fanner of Old Town 
Townshij); Hainiah and Sarah both died in infancy. 
Mr. I>. has held some of the minor ottices of his 
township. He and his wife belong to the sect 
known as Friends, and in politics our subject is an 
earnest and faithful su|)porter of the principles of 
the I'rohibition party, but prior to its birth was a 
stanch iicpuMicau. 



^r-i^ 



-<5- 



^fp^jOP.KRT S. McINTYRi;, engaged in the in- 
' snrauce and real-estate business, with his 
otliee and residence at Bloomington, is a 
!i^nativ(^ of Rhode Island. He was born in 
Providence, Sejit. 20, 18.36, and his parents were 
Samuel and Elizabeth (McFarland) Mclntyre, na- 
tives of Ireland and of Scotch descent, who came 
to the [iiitcd States at an early day in their lives. 
Our subject's father was a farmer by calling, and 
Robert S. passed his boyhood days o\\ the farm in 
St. Clair County, 111., and there lived until he was 
twelve years of age. He accompanied his parents 
to this county in 1848, and located with them in 
Rloomington. In that city he entered the jirint- 
ing-olljee of .lesse AV. Fell, and learning the trade 
continued !it the same until 1861. 

During tiie year last named our subject enlisted 
in Co. A, i)4th 111. \o\. Inf., as a private. He was 
soon ])romotetl (.Quartermaster Sergeant of his regi- 
ment, in which capacity he served till the expiration 
of his term of enlistment. He was mustered out in 
July, 1 8()5, and returned to Rloomington ; that same 
fall he was elected County Clerk of McLean 
County. Assuming the duties of his oflice in De- 
cember of that year he continued faithfully to 
serve the citizens of the county for a term of four 
years. On retiring from the Count}' Clerk's office 
Mr. Mclntyre engaged in the insurance and real- 
estate b\isiness. In 1880 he was elected Assessor 
of Bloomington, city and township, and has held 



i 



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McLEAN COUNT r. 



-.1 



363 




that office continually since. Mr. Mclntyre is Sec- 
retary of the Bloomiugton Loan and Home Asso- 
ciation, and is one of the thorough-going and en- 
terprising business men of the city. 

Robert S. Mclntyre was united in marriage with 
Sarah E. Worlej', of Taylorsville, Christian Co., 
111., in l<s(Jo. This union has been blest by the 
birth of the following children, namely : Florence 
M., Jessie I., William, Donald and Ralph S. So- 
cially Mr. Mclntyre is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, also of the G. A. R., the A. (). U. W., the 
Ro}'al Arcanum and Improved Order of Red Men. 



ENRY C. SHOLTY, one of the most exten- 
sive farmers of Dale Township, came to the 
Prairie State during the period of its early 
settlement and has watched tiie growth and 
progress of this section with the interest which 
every intelligent man feels in the development of 
the country or State which he calls his home. Mr. 
Sholty was born in Lancaster Count3% I'a., on the 
7th of March, 1833. His father, Jacob Sholty, was 
also a native of the Ke3fstone State, and was I)orn 
in the county of Lancaster in 180.5, and his grand- 
father, William Sholty, was a native of Holland and 
came to America when a young man. He was poor, 
and not having money enough to pay his fare over, 
the ship's Captain sold his time and he worked 
three 3'ears and nine months to liquiilate the debt. 
After coming into Pennsylvania he purchased a 
small tract of land in Lancaster County, upon 
which he carried on farming operations for the bal- 
ance of ills life. While a j'oung man he had 
learned the blacksmith's trade and also engaged in 
this in connection with his agricultural pursuits. 

Jacob Sholty, the father of our subject, was 
reared in his native county and assisted his father 
in the blacksmith-shop until lie was twenty-one 
years old. He then learned the milling business, in 
which he was occupied the greater part of his time 
until 1837, when he removed to Indiana. It was 
before the days of railroads, and he started over- 
land to Dayton, Ohio, where he stopped six months 
and then completed his journey, locating in Dela- 
ware County, Ind. He had with him $100 in cash, 
and he purchased eighty aci-es of land at *2 i)er 



acre, paying only a part down. He built a log 
cabin on the place and commenced to clear a farm. 
About this time he received a letter from home 
upon which was due twenty-five cents postage. He 
had no mone3',and his wife took six chickens to the 
nearest village and sold them for twenty-five cents, 
thus raising monej' to pay the postage. 

Mr. Sholty worked out days to earn money upon 
which to support his family, and at night labored at 
home improving and cultivating his land. In 184.5 
he bought asmallrtouring-mill, and soon afterward, 
in company with another man, erected a larger mill 
on White River, three-fourths of a mile from Selma. 
He lived there with his family until 1849, when he 
sold out and started for Illinois, accompanied by 
his wife and seven children. Their traveling out- 
fit consisted i.if one yoke of oxen, three horses, 
two wagons ant! a carriage. They carried their 
htiusehold goods with them and camped and cooked 
l)y the wayside. They arrived at Bloom ington, 
111., in about twelve days from the time they started, 
and camped on the spot which is now occupied by 
the First National liank. They had selected Ful- 
ton Countj' for their location, but meeting a friend, 
Mr. John McGoun, were persuaded by him to settle 
in McLean. Mr. S. consequently rented a log 
house near town into which he moved his family, 
and then purchased 12.5 acres of land on section 
34, Dale Township. Upon this there was a log 
house, into which Mr. S. moved his family and com- 
menced the improvement of his land. This re- 
mained his home until iiis death, which occurred in 
October, 1880. Jacob Sholty was very prosperous, 
and as time passed on added to his acreage, and at 
his death was the possessor of 551 acres, mostly 
under improvement, a beautiful residence, and the 
finest barn in the county. He was a straightfor- 
ward business man, a substantial and reliable citi- 
zen, .and highly respected in the community which 
he had assisted in building up. The maiden name 
of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Mar}' 
Kaufman, a native of his own county in Pennsyl- 
vania, and of German ancestry and parentage. She 
was the daughter of Michael and Annie (Funk) 
Kaufman, and is still living, making her home with 
her son, the subject of this sketch. 

Henry C. Sholty was the second child of his par- 



4 



i 



364 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4- 



ents, aud was four years old whon they removed 
from his native State to Indiana. He was a youth 
of seventeen years when tliey came into McLean 
County, 111. He had been reared to farming pur- 
suits and also assisted his father in the mill. At 
the age of twent^y-one he commenced to learn tiie 
carpenter's trade, at which he worked a \rMt of the 
time for ten years. He was skillful at his trade, 
and anujng other fine buildings which he erected 
was his father's b.arn, already spoken of, and which 
was the largest building of its kind in McLean 
County. 

In 1854 Mr. Sholty settled upon the farm which 
he now owns and occupies. He followed his trade 
only a jjart of tiie time afterward and devoted the 
remainder of his time to the improvement and cul- 
tivation of his land. He built the house in which 
he now lives in 185.5, but subsequently', in l<s74, 
remodeled, enlarged and improved it, and it is now 
one of the finest farm residences in this section. 
His estate embraces one of the most splendid tracts 
of land in McLean County, comprising 720 acres, 
all in one body, and with a living stream running 
through the farm, which is in a fine state of cul- 
tivation with a generous tract of pasture, upon 
which roams some of the finest stock exhiljited in 
this section. 

The subject of our sketch was united i)i marriage 
with Miss Susan Swinehart, in March, 185;». She 
is the daughter of George and Susannah (Saylor) 
Swinehart; they were alsu natives of Penns3'lvania 
and f.arniers. They botli died on their farm near 
Harrisburg, in York County, Fa. Mrs. S. was born 
in Monfgomery County, Pa., July 30, 1828, and 
by her union with our subject has become the 
motiier of four children. Mary died Oct. 1!, 
1880, aged twenty years; William married Annie 
Bozarth, and lives on a part of the homestead ; 
Jacob married Fkirence Staley, and they also live on 
a part of the home farm ; Elizabeth married Elmer 
Zeiters, and likewise lives on the home farm. Tims 

. it will be seen that the children of this esteemed 
couple are married and settled around them. From 
their own door they can see each of their I'esi- 
dences. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. S. 

' is a stanch Republican. 



Everything in aud around the Sholtj' homestead 
is indicative of cultured tastes and ample means, 
and he .and his fannly are surrounded b^' all of the 
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Like 
his father before him, Mr. S. is possessed of un- 
limited enterprise and energy. He is straight- 
forward and systematic in his business methods, 
prompt to meet his obligations, and occupies a 
prominent position among the business and indus- 
trial interests of this section. He is highly esteemed 
by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and 
by his fellow-citizens as possessing, in a marked de- 
gree, all tlie qu.alities of an honest man and a g(>o<l 
citizen. His success in life has been largely due 
to his own energy and industry, and he is but reap- 
ing the reward of what is justly due him for worthy 
effort. 

A fine lithographic view of the residence, out- 
buildings and farm of INIr. Sholty appears in the 
work. W(> also show a portrait of Jacob Sholty, 
the father of Henry C. Sholty, who during his 
lifetime was one of the honored settlers of McLean 
County. 

ENRY A. DOTY, one of the most successful 
contractors and skillful builders of Bloom- 
ington, is a n.ative of Carlisle, Cumberland 
^) Co., Pa., aud came to Illinois witli his par- 
ents in 1850, when a cliild of thirteen years, his 
birth liaving occurred Se[)t. 20, 1.S37. The parents 
of our subject were llem-y A., Sr., and Elizabeth 
(Livenger) Doty, also natives of the Keystone 
State. The father followed the business of a con- 
tractor :ind builder for fifty-five years. He moved 
to Illinois in 1850, and lived in lUoomington until 
185'.), thence went to Ottawa, where he passed the 
remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1870. 
The mother died in Bloomington in 1855. Of the 
seven children of the parental family three only 
are living — Catharine, Henry A. and Rebecca. 

The sul:>jcct of this history attended school until 
fourteen years of age, then learned the carpenter 
trade of his father in Pennsylvania. He came West 
with his famil}', and was an inmate of the parent.al 
household until 1.S59. The following j'eai' he went 
to Ottawa, and eng.'iged in contracting and build- 




I 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



*1 



365 



ing for two years. In 1861, the Rebellion then 
assuming alarming proportions, he enlisted in C'n. 
K, l<)4tii III. Vol. Inf., was promoted Orderly Ser- 
geant, and continued in the service three years. 

At the close of his niilitar}- service Mr. Doty 
came to Hloomington, and engaged at his former 
occupation as contractor and builder. Among other 
important structures he superintended the bvulding 
of the sh.aft for the A'ermilion t'oal Company, tlu^ 
Streator Coal Shafts, and the Pekin and Southwest- 
ern Railroad bridges, together with many of their 
depots. He then built the Union Depot on the 
Wabash Railroad at Howard Station, and has put 
up many of the finest structures in the city of 
Hloomington, fre(iuently employing over MH) men 
and nine teams. 

Henry A. Doty and Miss Effie M. Sackett wore 
united in marriage at Bloomington, in 188.5. Mrs. 
Doty is the daughter of Sabina and Martha K. 
(Hill) Sackett, and by her union with our subject 
has become the mother of one child, a son — Earle E. 
By a former marriage Mr. Doty has two sons — 
Willie H. and Charlie A. 

Our subject in politics alliliatcs with the Repub- 
lican part}', and s<jcially l)elongs to tiie Masons, the 
Odd Fellows, the (!. A. R. and the Seven Wise 
Men. 



t 



GEOROE W. GASTMAN is a native of the 
city of New York, where he was born on the 
12th of July, 1837. He is the son of E. A. 
and Margaret Ann Gastman, who, with their fam- 
ily, came to Illinois in 1838. On the .sth of Aiiril 
of the same year, they located in McLean County, 
where their son, our subject, grew to manhood, in 
the meantime receiving careful home training and 
a fair education in the common schools. His stud- 
ies were completed at Eureka College, but having 
been bred to farm life, he engaged in agricultural 
})ursuits after his marriage, and was thus occupied 
until 18.S,"), when he removed into the village of 
Hudson. 

Mr. Gastman was married, A|)ril ,'), 1800, to Miss 
Elizabeth J. Woolen, a native of iMcLean County, 
and the daughter of James and Catharine VVoolen. 
Of this marriage there were born fonr children: 



Margaret Ann, the wife of William A. Hitch ; 
Francis M., Angenetta and Hattic E. They have 
a pleasijnt residence in the village, and Mr. Gast- 
man still owns his farm of 145 acres in the town- 
shil) of Hudson. 

In jjolitics Mr. Gastman is usually J^emocratic, 
but in local affairs endeavors to cast his vote for 
the men best fitted for the offices. He .served as 
Deimty County Surveyor four yeai's in McLean 
and eight j'ears in Livingston Counties, although 
at the same time residing in this county continu- 
ously. He served as Justice of the Peace for many 
years, and h;is held the various local otiices. The 
brother of our subject, E. A. Gastman, is Superiu- 
tciideut of the city schools of Decatur. 

-^ '>P"4^' ^^ 




A. C'REKI), editor and publisher of the 
Hey worth Standard, is a resident of Uloom- 
1^ ingtoM, and the son of Austin G. and 
Minerva S. (Shannon) Creed, his mother 
being the daughter of Capt. Shannon, of Blooming- 
ton, now deceased. Austin (i. Creed is a contractor 
and builder, and the parental household included 
two children only, our subject and his brother 
Shannon. 

The subject of this sketch was liorn at Berry- 
ville. Highland Co., (.)hio, Aug. 10, 1853. He 
resided' there with his parents until twelve years of 
age, and the family then removed to Ilillsboro, 
where he attended school in winter and worked on 
a farm during the summer season. He graduated 
from Hillsboro High School in the spring of 1868, 
and the following year removed with his parents to 
Chillicothe, Mo., where he taught school for several 
months, and then, having a desire to be a printer, 
entered the office of the Chdlicothe Tribune to 
learn the trade. He served a full apprenticeship, 
and was afterward made local editor of the Tribune, 
which position he held until his i-emoval to Bloom- 
ington, where he arrived Nov. 25, 1874. He 
worked at the case in the Leader and other print- 
ing-offices in Bloomington until December, 1875, 
when he formed a partnership with Mr. F. M. 
Doxsee, and purcha.scd the outfit of a job office, 
which the}' operatetl until the following June. 



*'^T^ 



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3G6 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4- 



They then removed to Ford County, and for six 
months were oocnpied in the printing of a Demo- 
cratic campaign ]mper. After tlie election they 
returned to Kloomington, and Mr. Creed, pur- 
chasing tlie interest and stock of his partner, estab- 
lished the Demncratlc ^Vi°(''.s, wiiieh he edited and 
publislied until tiie fall ofl«7'.). He then sold out 
to Mr. L. L. liurr, wiio merged the paper into the 
_Bii</e/f;)., the present Democratic organ. In 1880 
Mr. Creed i)urchased another printing-oltice, and 
has since carried on job and news[)aper business. 

The IIe3'worth Slaiularcl was established .January 
IG, 1880, by our subject. It was a five-column 
quarto, issued every Frid.ay, but is now a six- 
colunni folio. In polities it is independent. The 
Staiidnrd has a liberal advertising patronage, and a 
good circulation. Its local columns are well filled 
with interesting news from different parts of tlie 
county, and it also contains all the important news 
from the various ])arts of the country. It is a 
lively pajier and a credit to town and county. 

Mr. Creed was married, Oct. 7, 187'.), to Miss 
Jessie E. .Stump, and of this union has been born a 
daughter — L. II. Tiiey occupy a pleasant and 
attractive home at No. 71.5 South Water street. 



|-^#- 



EZRA F. r.RAMWELL, of Dry Grove Town- 
shii), is pleasantly located on section 14, 
wliere he is carrying on the peaceful \mv- 
suits of a fanner's life, and passing the latter days 
of a ))usy life in the eujo3'ment of a comfortable 
home, and the respect of hosts of friends. Our 
subject was born in Vernon, Jennings Co., Ind., 
Oct. 4, 1820, and is of Scotch-English parentage, 
ills parents being William C. and Catharine (Mc- 
Donald) Bramwell. They were born in the coun- 
ties of Mercer and (iarrett, K3^ William C. Bram- 
well first opened his eyes to the light on the 27th 
of October, 1 788, and the greater part of his life 
followed his trade as spinning wheelwright and 
chair l)uilder. Tin; parents were married in Ken- 
tucky in IS 10, and came to Indiana the following 
year, where the father took uj) the carpenter's trade 
and became prominently connected with the affairs 
of his adopted State. At the time of his marriage 



he could neither read nor write, but he afterward 
became proficient in astrononij' and logarithms, 
and mastered Greek and Hebrew. He was a man 
of great force of character, fond of argument, and 
became one of the bright lights in the polities of 
the State. He served one term in the Legislature 
of Indiana, anrl came to McLean County, 111., in 
the fall of 18;')(;. He afterward turned his atten- 
tion to religious matters, and occupied tlie pulpit 
for many years, first as a Baptist, and afterward 
espoused the doctrines advocated by Alexander 
Campbell. In [)olitics he was an old-line Whig, 
but after the abandonment of that party |)ractically 
withdrew from political work. 

Tlie mother of onrsuljject, Mrs. Catharine Bram- 
well, was liorn on tlie 25th of March, 1791, and 
died ill Johnson County, Ind., July 2, 180;!, three 
weeks after the death of her husband. Their mar- 
riage took place in Kentuck}-, and they became the 
parents of eight children, seven sons and one daugh- 
ter, as follows: John M., .lames H., Solon C, Jesse 
v., Ezra F., Zeiias F., William A. and Nancy M. 

The subject of our history went to Iowa from In- 
diana in Is37, with a surveying party, and stopped 
at Keokuk, where he remained three weeks. lie 
then returned home and remained until 1857, when 
he came with his parents to this county. During 
his childhood he attended the common schools, and 
at the age of fourteen j'ears went to the city of 
Madison, and was employed as clerk in a dry-goods 
store for four years following. He then com- 
menced the stud}' of medicine under the instruc- 
tion of Dr. riiilo Andrews, of New York Cit3% 
with whom he remained for three years, and then 
commenced practice. He followed his profession 
until lM-11, but not finding it suflicienti}' lucrative, 
abiuidoned it. He then took a contract on the 
IMadison ct Indianapolis Railroad, for laying track, 
and after the completion of this, became, first fire- 
man, then engineer, and afterward conductor on 
that road, being thus engaged four years, in the 
meantime losing an eye by a scale from the smoke 
stack. 

Mr. Bramwell was married on the Gtli of Feb- 
ruary, ist2, to Miss Rebecca C. Griffith, a native 
of Steul)eiiville, Ohio. ]\lrs. Bramwell was the 
daughter of llezekiah and Lydia (Mobley) Grif- 
■» 






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367 



Ir 



fith, natives of Maryland, but uf \Velsh ancestry 
and parentage. Their fainilj' included ten chil- 
dren. The father of Mrs. Braniwell was liorn 
March 1, ITHO, and died in Indiana, Aug. 13, l.S4(». 
The mother was born Jan. 24, 17'.)5, survived her 
husband thirty-four years, and died in Indiana on 
the IGth of April, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Braniwell 
have become the parents of eleven children — Hen- 
rietta, Rachel, Alice, William C, Daniel I).. Charles 
L., Lydia, Kate, Esther, Franiv L. and Eugene F. 
Mr. Bramwell came to McLean County in l.Sy7, 
and for the first six years cultivated' rented land, 
then purchased eight}' acres of his present home- 
stead. He was prospered in his agi'icultural oper- 
ations, and afterward doubled the amount of his 
real estate, so that he now has KJO acres under a 
fine state of cultivation. His stock includes some 
fine specimens of Jersey cattle, and his residence, 
barns and out-buildings, are indicative of tlie thrift 
and enterprise of the [n'oprietor. Mr. Bramwell 
has held the ottice of Townsluii Trustee for a period 
of twelve years; has l.ieen Tnwn Clerk ovei' seven 
years, and has servetl as Constable and Commis- 
sioner of Ilighways. In [lolitics he is a stanch Re- 
publican, and a man of intliience in liis [jarty in 
this section. The various nieudjers of the family 
are connected with and regular attendants of the 
Christian Church. 

— S~J-<— 

RS. EMELINE G. BARNETT, of Leroy, 
is tiie daughter of Elislia ami Theda 
(Woodruff) (iibbs, and the widow of 
the late Thomas J. Barnett. >She was 
born in Belpre, Washington Co., Ohio, Aug. II, 
1818. Her father, Elisha Oibbs, was a native of 
Connecticut, and also her grandfather, Elisha 
Gibbs, 8r., the latter si)ending his entire life in his 
native State. Elisha (iibbs, .Ir., was reared in Con- 
necticut, and learned the trade of a carpenter and 
millwright. He was there mai'ried, and soon after- 
ward removed to New York and located near Lake 
Geneva, where he followed his trade until 181G. 
He then removed with his family to Ohio, the jour- 
ney being made on a raft via the (_)liio and Alle- 
ghany Rivers. They first located in Belpre, whence 




after two or three years they removed to Bit. Ver- 
non, Kno.\ County, where, in comiwny with an- 
other man, Mr. Gibbs erected a saw and grist mill 
three miles fi'oni the village. After a time he pur- 
chased the interest of his partner and operated the 
mills b}' liimself until the fall of 1838, when he de- 
cided to move further West. After reaching Illi- 
nois he came into McLean County and purchased 
land in what is now Empire Township. The fol- 
lowing ye;ir he removed a part of his family here, 
his wife and two children, two sons, having pre- 
ceded him. He located in Leroy and put up the 
first mill iu the village. His sons operated the mill 
and Ml-, (iil.)bs [lursued his trade in different places, 
putting in mill machinery wherever required and 
erecting a nundier of buildings iu this l(X-ality, 
many of which are now standing. 

The mother of Mrs. Barnett, who before her 
marri.age w;is Miss Theda Woodruff, was born iu 
Connecticut, and a daughter of Philo Woodruff, 
also a native of Connecticut, and who served as a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. He spent the 
last years of his life with his daughter, Mrs. Gibbs, 
near Mt. A'ernon, Ohio. He was a prominent Abo- 
litionist, and lioth [larents were members of the 
I'resbyterian Church. The mother of Mrs. Bai-- 
nett died in Leroy in March, 1854. The parental 
family' consisted of seven children, of whom the 
record is as follows: Maria became the wife of 
Luther Hill, and died in Akron, Ohio; Philo died 
in Decatur, Ohio, when thirteen years old ; David 
died iu Gttumwa, Iowa; Simeon lives in Leroy, 
this county; Enoch, in Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Bar- 
nett was the sixth ciiild; Julia married Rev. Aus- 
tin Rogers, a minister of the ]Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and lives in Hey worth. 

Jlrs. Barnett spent her youth and childhood with 
her parents, and attended the subscription schools. 
When of suitable age and attainments she entered 
Oberlin College and graduated from there when 
twenty-live years of age, after her parents had re- 
moved to Illinois. After joining them there she 
engaged iu teaching, and continued three terms 
after her marriage. This event occurred in Feb- 
ruary, 1845. Her husband, Thomas J. Barnett, 
was a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and born 
Jan. 21, 1818. His father, Moses Barnett, was a 



*t 



i . 36S 



4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



t 



native of Pennsylvania, also his mother, who was 
formerly Miss Catharine Ellis. In 1«31 Moses 
Barnett, with his family, emigrated to Illinois and 
settled in what is now Empire Township, this 
county, where their son Thomas was reared to man- 
hood. He received a limited education, and, his 
parents being without worldly wealth, he worked 
out by the day or month. lie broke [irairie and en- 
gaged in teaming, making frecinent trips to and 
from Chicago, making tl\c tedious journeys with 
oxen. The (larden City then was but an unpre- 
tenti<.)us hamlet, and the experiences of Thomas J. 
Harnett, together with the interesting scenes which 
he witnessed from time to time would ni.ake an in- 
teresting volume. After his m.arriage with <inr sub- 
ject they lived with her fathei''s famil_y for a time, 
and Mr. Barnett cultivated a jioition of the laud. 
He was industrions, enterprising, and possessed of 
excellent judgment, and was soon in a condition to 
become the owner of 10(1 ;icres, wliicli he securei] 
and engaged as before in general agriculture. After 
a few years he abandoneil farming to engage in the 
grocery an<l hai'dwaic liusiiiess, anil later merged 
his stock into dry-goods, lie was a thorough and 
successful liusiness man, sli-aiglitforw;ird and hon- 
est in his transactions, pi-ompt to meet ills obliga- 
tions, !ind became a useful and honored nu>m))erof 
the comnuinity. He contiinied in business until 
the summer of I ST I, and (lien, on account of failing 
healtii, disposed of iiis interi'sts and retired fi-om 
active business, lie de[)arlcil this life in Septem- 
ber, 1882. 

Mr. and Mrs. Barnett became the parents of six 
children, of wiiom the record is as follows: Alice 
married .lohn ^'oung, .-nMl lives in CliicMgo; iMunia 
became the wife of Denton ^'oung, a clothing mer- 
chant of Leroj'; Orvin died in infancy; Orrin is a 
resident of Lewistown. Fulton Connty, tiiis State; 
Laura, Mrs. Dixon lirown, lives in Downs Town- 
ship, this county, and (Jeorgc in Chicago. Mrs. 
Barnett's son Orrin possesses unusu;i,l musical tal- 
ent which h;is been linely cultivated. He attended 
the Consei'vatories of Music at Oberlin and Boston, 
and is well ([ualilied for the ])osilion whi<'h he oc- 
cupies as leader in the musical circles of his local- j 
ity. ! 

I\Irs. Barnett is a lady of more tiian ordinary I 

4* 



ability, has been a wise and judicious mother, at- 
tending closely t(( the training and the education of 
her children, and has fitted them to become good 
citizens and useful members of the community. 
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and greati}' respected by those among 
whom she has lived for so many years. As a mem- 
ber of soeiely, a neighbor and friend, she has ful- 
filled her duties creditably and conscientiously-, 
aiul has built for herself a good record of wom- 
anly virtues. 



-<3= 



A A 



'>-i- 



=|=K- 




EZEKIAH K. BENSON, an intelligent mem- 
ber of the legal profession in the city of 
Iiloomington, is a native of the Empire 
State, having Ijeen born in Onondaga 
County, N. Y., in May, liS'iO. His father, Lyman 
Benson, who was boi'u in Washington Connty, N. 
Y., traces his aiicesli'y as having come from the 
north of England, but being of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent. The patei'ual gr;indf;itlicr of our subject 
was one of the earl^' settlers of New York State, 
and other representatives of the family were scat- 
tered in \\asliington and Kutlaud Counties, the 
town of Benson in Kutland County having been 
named in honor of them. Ihey were good busi- 
ness men genei'ally, ;iud llir ))OSses.sors of comfoi't- 
able homes arid a good amount of proiierty. 

]j3'm;in Benson, the father of our subject, re- 
moved with liis family to the West in I.S-j;i, first 
.settling in lielvidere, HI., which was then the 
connty seat of Boone County'. Here he cariied on 
the m.'iunfaclure of wagons, at the same tinu' being 
engaged in farming, and spent the remainder of 
his days there. In early manhood he married Miss 
Cornelia ()sliorn,of II:irlf(.)rd, Conn., nud they first 
located in New York State. They became the par- 
ents of eight children, seven of whom lived to ma- 
turity. Two Ijrothers were sacrificed during the 
late war. 

Our suliject was the fourth child of the parental 
f.'unilw null e;unc with his father and mother to 
this State. He pursued his early studies in the 
ci)mnu)n .schools of Boone Conntj', and completed 
them at .Manlius Academy, N. Y. Later he at- 



-•P^mrM* 



» 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



3(!9 



tended the law department of the Uiiiversitj^ at 
Chicago, from which he graduated in 18G4. He 
then came to McLean County, and opened an of- 
fice in Chenoa, wiiere he began the practice of liis 
chosen profession, following it there six years, in 
the meantime serving as City Clerk and Attorney. 
Mr. Benson came to Bloomington in the fall of 
1871, and was soon afterward unitcil in marriage 
with Miss Anna, daughter of lleury (huzzelle, a 
farmer residing in the east part of the county. 
They located in Bloomington, where our subject 
has since followed his profession. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Bloom- 
ington Chapter No. '_'(J, Royal x\rch Masons. For 
the last eight years he has been Secretary of the 
Republican Central Committee, and is a member of 
the Board of Directors of Canton Jlasonic Mutual 
Benevolent Society. Religiously he is identified 
with the Presbyterian Church, and in all respects 
is pursuing the honest and upright course of a good 
citizen and worthy memljer of society. Mr. and 
Mrs. Benson have become tiie parents of one child 
—Nellie. 



n 



ylLLIAM A. ARROWSMITII, a well-known 
and hiahlv esteemed resident of Padua 
Township, owns and occupies a fine farm 
estate comprising 110 acres on section 21. His 
land is valuable and finely' improved, the residence 
of modern style of architecture, and the barns and 
out-buildings shapely and substantial structures, in 
all respects adapted for tiie purjiose for which they 
were intended. He has l>een a resident of this sec- 
tion since 185G, and lield the oflice of Supervisor 
for a period of six 3'ears, and in all respects is a 
representative citizen, taking a genuine interest in 
the welfare of his county and commiuiit^y. 

Mr. Arrowsmith came to this cc)unty a single 
man, being only eighteen j'ears of age, locating first 
in Padua Township. He is a native of Ross County, 
Ohio, and was born in Green Township, July 6, 
18;>8. His father, John Avrowsmith, also a native 
of Ross Countj', came of Kentucky parentage, and 
married a lady of that State, by name Miss Phebe 
Ritter. After marriage they settled on a farm in 
Ross Count}', Ohio, and there passed the remainder 
-4*^ — 



of their days. John Arrowsmith was born in 180G, 
and departed this life in 1846. His wife, Ph(ebe, 
was born in 1801, and died two years before 
her husband, in 184-1. Of their six children, 
our subject was the eldest sou and third child, 
and was tpnte j'oung when his parents died. 
He afterward lived with an older sister, for 
whom the father had provided in his will on con- 
dition that she should take the place of mother 
to the children until they were able to care for 
themselves. This trust she nobly fulfilled. Our 
subject received a good public-school education 
and made his home with his sister until he started 
for the West. After arriving here he lived with 
another relative until he reached his majority. 

After coming to this county, Mr. Arrowsmith, 
being in possession of some means and desiring to 
still further perfect himself in his studies, entered 
Wesleyan College, where he remained until the out- 
break of the late war. C)n the 6th of August, 
1862, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. D, 94th 
Illinois Regiment, which was then commanded by 
Col. W. W. Orme, of Bloomington. He is now 
deceased. The first destination of the regiment 
after it left Illinois was Prairie Grove, Ark., and 
young Arrowsmith participated in all engagements 
tliereafter, being at the siege of Vicksburg and the 
battle at Ft. Mcn-gan, Ala., besides minor engage- 
ments. He was afterward in the fight at Yazoo 
City, Miss., Brownsville, Tex., Ft. Morgan and 
Spanish Fort. He escaped injury, although his coat 
was at one time pierced by a ball from the enemy. 
He has now in his possession a hickory cane which 
l)ears marks of the enemy's bullets and which in- 
dicates that they fired close to the ground. After 
a period of brave and faithful service, during which 
time he shared uncomi)lainingly the privations and 
hai'dships of a soldier's life, Mr. Arrowsmith re- 
ceived his honorable discharge at Galveston, Tex., 
July 17, 1805. After being mustered out he re- 
turned to this county and purchased the tract of 
land which constitutes his present homestead. 

The marriage of our subject occurred IJec. 
21, l^iO.'), in Padua Township, the maiden of 
his choice being iNIiss Martha J. Martin, who was 
born on the farm where she now lives, Jul}' 22, 
1840.' Mrs. A. is the daughter of Archer and Jane 
m^ 



t 



i i 370 



■•► 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



(I^ewallen) Martin, who were natives of V'irginia, 
but while young removed to Ohio and were there 
married. The mother was liorn in New Jersey'. 
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. M. settled on a farm 
in Champaign County, Ohio, whence they removed 
West in 1834 .and located upon the farm where our 
subject and his wife now live, and which Mr. Mar- 
tin improved from its original condition. Here 
both parents died, the father, July 28, 186,s, at the 
age of seventy-nine years, having been born Oct. 
10, 17.S'.). The mother, who was born M.ay 30, 
180"2, died .June 2.5, 1872. They were most excel- 
lent people and greatly respected wherever known. 
Mrs. Arrowsmith was reared and educated in 
Padua Township and remained under the home 
roof until her marri.age. Of her union with our 
subject there were born five children, two of whom, 
.John and Mary, died when less than one year old. 
Those surviving are .Sarah .1., the wife of Ennis 
Wheeler, a farmer of Empire Township; Laura and 
William M. at home. Air. Arrowsmith is strongly 
Uepublican in politics, and takes an active interest 
in the establishment and maintenance of schools. 
He is an extensive reader and possesses a large 
fund of general information. Besides the home 
farm, he owns twenty-four acres of valualile land 
in Empire Township, and is in all resjiects a line 
rei)resentative <jf tiie thrifty and intelligent citizen 
■who is contributing his full share toward the pros- 
perity of his county. 

iF_^ A. MINER, manufacturer of sash, do<jrs, 
blinds, etc., and general contractor and 
builder, has his oflice and planing-mill on 
Northeast street, which occupy Nt>s. 408, 
410, 412 and 411, IJlooniiugton, 111. Mr. Miner 
has l)een a resident of the I'rairie State since 18.5(), 
when he left the home of his childhood, and com- 
ing West settled lii'st at Oalesburg, thi.s State, 
whence he soon afterward came to McLean County. 
He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1835, 
and is the son of Sctli and Abigail (Phelps) ]\liner, 
nativi^s respectively of Connecticut and New York. 
Seth Miner was <>xtensively engaged in farming in 
the Empire State, and was a man of great force of 




1^" 



character, and universally respected by all who 
knew him. 

The Miner family trace their ancestry back to 
the sixteenth century, when two brothers came 
from England and settled in Connecticut. We only 
date back in this biography of the Miner family to 
Ezra, the father of Seth and grandfather of our 
subject. This gentleman was born in Connecticut, 
and followed the sea for many years as Captain of 
a merchant vessel. He linally abandoned the ocean, 
and spent the last years of his life in the peaceful 
pursuit of farming. He removed from Connecticut 
to Canandaigua, N. Y., and thence, in 1840, to 
Michigan, where he spent the remainder of his life, 
dying when about seventy-seven years of .age. He 
served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and always 
interested himself in the welfare and prosi)erity of 
his country. 

Seth Min(^r, the father of our subject, w;is for 
many years .Tustice of the Pe.ace, and held various 
other offices in Steuben County, N. Y., where he 
was a leading and prominent man and Captain of 
the State Militia. He was deeply i)ious, and in early 
life connected himself with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, in which he w.as a Class-Leader and 
Chorister for many years. He died at Iloneoye, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., lamented by all who knew him, 
as having been a good and useful citizen, whose 
loss could scarcely be replaced. The mother died 
at Prattsburg, N. Y. Of the six children which 
composed the parental family only three are now 
living: Henry A., of our sketch; Gertrude, Mrs. 
Wing, of Grand Rapids, Mich., and .lane, of 
Bloomington, 111. 

Henry A. Miner attended the common schools 
during his childhood, but remained with his par- 
ents until only thirteen years of age, when he 
started out ni life for himself. He first apprenticed 
himself to learn harness-making, luit not being sat- 
islicd with this trade he took up that of a carpen- 
ter, !it which he worked until 185(1, in his native 
county. He then came to Illinois, as before stated, 
and devoted about six months to learning archi- 
tecture nnd building. After coming to Blooming- 
ton he W(jrked first as a journeyman carpenter, and 
then engaged as contractor and builder, in which 
he was successfully occupied for ten years follow- 
--m^ 



i 




Residence of Gottlieb Arnold , Sec. 21. .Towanda Township. 







iiassaaas!g'«safes'a*atadfe3sigfe>^v;<i^^^ 



; >:liiv,^lii^Siil>!S»>nS<tfirtt^' 



Residence of W-. Tyson, Sec. 22.,Mt. Hope Township. 



^^ 




Residence of W-.Schwarzel, Sec.28.Jowanda Township. 



t,.-. 

•^*^^ 



McLean county. 



373 



t 



ing, often having \inder his employ from twenty- 
five to fifty men. Finding it necessary ti) increase 
his business facilities he rented the building now 
uccnined by the Walton Plow Company, where lie 
operated successfully for fifteen years. He then 
sold out at a profitable figure to a company which 
had been formed to carry on the same business, and 
was their manager for three years. He tlicu pur- 
chased the ground upon which his present olllce 
and shops are located, and built these and tlie 
mill in 1881. They occupy about 6,000 squnrc 
feet of ground, are built of l>rick, being solid and 
substantial structures, adnurably adapted to the 
purpose for which they were erected. Mr. Miner is 
also the owner of a fine farm west of the cit}', and 
talies a genuine interest in agricultural affairs. He 
has furnished designs for man}' of the best build- 
ings in McLean County. He has talcen a deep in- 
terest in the welfare and prosperity of his ado|)ted 
city, and has furnislied his full quota toward Iniug- 
ing it to its i)resent proud position among the 
growing cities of tlie West. Politically Air. M. is 
a Republican, ■■aid is a member in good standiug of 
the M.asouic fraternity. 

Our subject was married in Hoouiiiigton. in 
1885, to Miss Emma Tlionias, and they occupy a 
beautiful residence at the corner of McLean and 
Locust streets, being surrounded by all the conj- 
forts of life and many of its luxuries. I'ly a 
former marriage of our sul)ject there were born 
tiu-ee eliildren: Frank, of Kansas City; Belle, who 
became the wife of C. A. Clement, of S|)ringfield, 
Mo., and AVillie, at liomc with his father. 



K. .JOHN W. FLSHER, D. fS., of Blooming- 
ton, 111., is a native of Flushing, Belmont 
Co., Ohio, where he was born in a log 
cabin on the -Jd of October, 182'J. His 
])arents were John and Hannah (Thompson) Fisher, 
natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio after their 
marriage and engaged in fanning pursuits. John 
Fisher, Sr., in early life had learned the trade of a 
cooper, but practically abandoned it after remov- 
ing westward. The parents established a comfortable 
home in the Buckeyie State, upon which thej' passed 




the remainder of their lives, the mother dying in 
1881, and tlie father two years later. The parental 
famil}' included nine children, five now living, as 
follows: JIartha, Mrs. Smith, resides in Ohio; the 
next olclest is our subject. Dr. Jolin W. ; Asa B. is 
in Wiciiita, Kan; Maria, Mrs. Baldertson, is in 
Washington, Kan.; Anna, Blrs. Ilolloway, lives in 
Oiiio. 

Dr. Fisher was reared on the farm of his parents, 
and wdl remembers how the snow drifted throuah 
the cracks of their humble cabin as he Lay in liis 
bed in tlic winter time. He received a fair educa- 
tion in tlie [jrimary schools, and remained under 
the parental roof until he was twenty-two years of 
.age. He then re.ad medicine for one year, and 
commenced the study of dentistry a year later, first 
engaging in practice in his own town. He was 
without capital, but was desirous to go to St. 
Clairsville, the county seat of Belmont County, 
where he believed he could find a better field of 
operation. An old (Quaker, Daniel Huff, knowing 
of his desires, stopped him on the ro.ad one day, 
and liolding out $100 invited him to help himself. 
Young Fisher accepted $50 at eight per cent inter- 
est, and six months after settling in St. Clairsville 
(laid the indebtedness in full, both princii)al and 
interest. 

Dr. Fisher practiced in St. Clairsville for over 
eleven years, witli fine results, then, desiring to see 
something of the western countiy, he started for 
tlic Prairie State, and in 18G9 came to Blooming- 
toii. lie did not commence practice, however, 
until two years later, but since 1871 has followed 
his profession continuously. On the 24th of July, 
18(11, lie was united in marriage with Miss Mary K. 
Clemens, wlio was born in Harrison County, Ohio, 
and w.'is the daughter of James and Pleasant (Mer- 
ritt) Clemens, n.atives of Pennsylvania. Of this 
union there were born two children, a son and 
daughter — James E. and Mary A. Their pleasant 
home is located at No. 514 East Locust street, and 
the olllce of Dr. Fisher is at No. 402 North Main. 
In addition to his dwelling in the city he has a 
farm of 120 acres in Blue Mound Township, which 
is cultivated and improved, and quite valuable. 
Dr. Fisher is Republican in politics, and a regular 
attendant of the Presbyterian Church. He is a 



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«i-^ 



i 







374 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



member of the Illinois State Dental Society, and 
belongs to the iMusiinic fraternity, lie is highly 
esteemed as a citizen, and in his profession ranks 
among its most sivillfnl and snccessful members. 



-^«;^- 



4P^ 



«55*^- 



r 



TIS '1'. HALL, a retired farmer now a resi- 
dent of the village of Danvers, is a native 
of the Old (Jranite State, having lieen born 
in Salem, N. 11., April o, l.s-J!S. lie is the son of 
Israel W. and Polly (Stiekney) Hall, natives of the 
same State, both of whom were Ijorn in IT'.llS. Is- 
rael Hall was a shoemaker by trade, and eame into 
the Prairie State in 1831, locating in McLean 
C'onnty at an early period in its history. He pnr- 
chased 120 acres of good farming land, n|>on which 
he located and commenced its improvement and 
enllivation. He was married to the mother of our 
snbjeet in 1S24, and remained ui)on the homestead 
which he had first eslablislied until his death, whic'h 
occurred in ISO,'). Tiie motjier is still living, and 
makes her home with her son, the subject of this 
notice. The parental household consisted of three 
children: Alice, wlm married .Taeob McC'lure, and 
died in 1884; Otis, of our sketch, and Cynthia, who 
married for her first husband, Thomas Dodge, now 
deceased, and she was then married to .lohn Morri- 
son. Tlu^ father of oin- stdjject was an outsi)oken 
Democnit in politics, and both parents were mem- 
bers of the I\l(!thodist Ei)isc(jpa,l Church. 

Otis T. Hall was reared by his parents and re- 
mained with them until he had attained his major- 
ity', in the meantime receiving a common-school 
education. He came with them to this county, 
and remained under the home roof until the father's 
death. The marriage of oui' subject and Miss 
Eliza Wilson took pl.aee in this county in 1870. 
The i)arents of Mrs. Hall were James and Susan J. 
(Whiting) Wilson, natives respectively of Virginia 
and Kentnck}'. Her father was born in 1800, being 
twenty years the senior ()f his wife, who was born 
in 1820. He had been reared to farming pursuits, 
and before his marriage removed to Indiana and 
purchased 200 acres of good farming land. He 
was then married, in 1840, and after remaining 



there a number of years, came to this State and 
eonnty with the view of estalilishing a permanent 
home. Mr. Wilson purchased 300 acres in Dan- 
vers Township, which he cultivated and occupied 
until 1881, and then removed into the vill.age and 
practicality retired from active business. Here, two 
years later the mother died, June ',1, 1883. The 
death of Mr. Wilson occurred Feb. 8, 188G. Their 
fourteen childreu were named as follows: Sarah, 
William, .lohn, Joscjih, James, Mary, Alfred, Eliza, 
Anna. Manley, Charles, George, Margaret and Ad- 
die. Both parents were members of the Cundjer- 
hmil Presbyterian Church. 

.Air. Hall and wife have had born to tiicm one 
child, Oertie W., who is twelve years old. In jiol- 
itics Mr. ll:dl is a Democrat. Mrs. Hall is a mem- 
ber of the I'resbytcrian and Mr. Hall of the .Meth- 
odist Church. 



~«'»A. •"tacfir®-^-"^ 



^ >*@gNgi/^ra7T»\^ • -./vv*. 



\f SAAC P. MITCHELL, deceased March 2(;, 1 8.S7, 
was an honored mendier of McLean Count}', 
and first opened his eyes to the light in the Old 
Dominion, having been born in Frederick County, 
Va., on the 1 Itli of October, 1811. His father, 
Thomas Mitchell, was a soldier in the Hevolution- 
ary War, and a commissioned oflicer in the Naval 
Department. After the independence of the colo- 
nies was established he settled on a farm in Fred- 
erick County, Va., where he followed agricultural 
pursuits the remainder of his life. He was a slave- 
holder, but .a man of humane and generous instincts, 
and in his last will and testament made provision 
for the freedom of all his colored people. One of 
the slaves was quite young and he was to be sold 
and freed at a certain age. Isa,ac 1'., our subject, 
purchased this one and freed him at the time ap- 
pointed. The maiden name of the nH)ther of our 
subject was Deborah Perkins, and she also was 
born in Frederick County, Va., antl died there on 
the farm which she had inherited from her father. 
Isaac P. Mitchell was the sixth child and second 
sou of his (larents. He was reared on his father's 
plantation and received his primary education in 
the subscription schools. He remained at home 
until the death of his mother, when he was nearly 



f 



-4»- 



■•► 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



375 



I 



twenty-one years olrl. He then joined an older 
brother in Clarke County, Ohio, and remained there 
until 1838, in the meantime having assumed domes- 
tic ties, and was now a man of family with a wife 
and two children. He now determined to seeiv a 
more western location, and accordingly started for 
the [irairies of Illinois. His outfit consisted of twD 
horses and a wagon, iiil<j wliich they luaded their 
household goods and packed provisions, and started 
on their journey overland, camping and cooking 
by tlie way. Tliey spent liicir first year in the 
Prairie State in the little town of Paris, Kdgar 
County, and then rented a tract of land in IMcLean 
County, which is now included in the heart of tlie 
city of IJloomington. He was thus occupied for 
the following three or four years, and then entered 
a tract of (:iovcrnment land which is now included 
in the old homestead. He hail just money enough 
to enter eiglity acres, and as he wauted dcjuble tliat 
amount he visited the office of a hiwyer, stated his 
case, and by giving tlie gentleman security on the 
eighty acres already entered, managed to raise the 
money required, upon wliich ho paid forty per cent 
interest. He earned money to jiay for his land liy 
breaking prairie and tlien renting it, and continued 
this labor during the suinuier season, ami while not 
thus eniplo^'ed was engaged in teaming fur mercliaiiLs 
between l>loi>niiiigton, Chicago and St. Louis, using 
oxen for his motive power. He also hauled wheat 
to Chicago, 125 miles distant, which he sold at 
twenty-five cents per Ijushel, the trip consuming 
from eight to ten days. During this time he lived 
very economically, saved what he could of his earn- 
ings, and after a few years was enabled to build 
and locate on his farm. In the si)ring of l.sGS he 
removed to Kansas, settled in Wilson County, and 
together purchased and entered nearl}' isOO acres of 
land, remaining a resident of that Stale until 1880, 
when he returned to the old homestead in Dale 
Township. ]\lr. Mitchell was very successfiU as a 
farmer, and has been the possessor of 1)20 acres of 
land in Dale Township beside his lantl in Kansas. 
The greater part of this he has deeded to his sons, 
beside providing for his daughters. 

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage 
with Miss Sarah Johnstone in 1837. This la<ly was 
born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, her father, John 



Johnstone, having been a native of the same coun- 
try and a farmer by occupation, where he spent his 
entire life. The maiden name of her mother was 
Jeanette Johnstone, and she lived and died in her 
native Scotland, in Dumfriesshire. Mr. Mitchell 
was her second husband, her first being David Irv- 
ing, to whom she was married in Dumfriesshire and 
with whom, she came to America in 1832. 'J'liey 
first located in Canada and afterward removed to 
Ohio. Mr. I. died in the South in 1833, leaving 
one child, John J., whose name was afterward 
changed to Mitch(;ll. Mr. Mitchell and his wife 
had five children born to them, viz : Andrew T., Rob- 
ert P., Jeanette, Mary (deceased), and Isaac. The 
three eldest are residents of Dale Townshi|). this 
c<ninty; Jeanette is the wife of E. H. McClung, and 
lives in Englewood, III.; Isaac is a resident of Dal- 
las, Tex.; Robert P. is unmarried and carries on 
the home farin. He served four and one-half 
months during the Rebellion, in llic Totli Illiin.Ms 
Iiifantiy. 

Mr. Mitchell w.as a Rciiublican in |iolilics after 
the organization of that party. He was naturally 
jiossessed of energy and industry, and was actively 
employed until 1884, when in the fall of that year 
he was thrown frcuii a carriage, and a broken hiii 
made him a cripple for the balance of his days. 
His mind, however, was as bright and intelligent as 
ever, and he directed the affairs of his homestead 
with the sa.nie judgment as of old. Mrs. Mitchell is a 
lady of great intelligence and business talent, and 
has been well fitted for the helpmeet of such a man 
as her husband. She occupies a pleasant home- 
stead and is surr(junded by all the comforts of 
life. 

^^^E()R(;E brand, wholesale and retail dealer 
III (—. in furniture, located at the corner of North 
X^fjj and Main streets, Bloomington, is carrying 
on a profitable and steadily increasing trade. Mr. 
r>rand is a representative German citizen, who has 
id<Mitifled himself with, the interests of his adopted 
country, and has become a valued factor in the 
business of this city. He was born in Wurtem- 
berg, Germany, on the 25th of August, 1829. In 
accordance with the laws and customs of his native 



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country ho coiiiiiiciicimI ntleiuliiig' scIickiI wIumi six 
3'e;ii\s of age, and continued (liiigently until foui'- 
teen. He tlien engaged to leain the baliei's trade, 
at which he worked two years, then sailed for the 
I'nited States, whicli he reached after a ])rosperons 
Voyage <if forty-one days, landing in the city of 
New Yorlv. Tiienee he |)roceeded westward to 
Holmes County-, Ohio, where ho resumed work at 
his trade and remained three years, thence going 
into Somerset County, the same State. From there 
he proceeded ti) the city of Cleveland, :iiid after- 
ward to Detroit and Chicago. 

In 1.S53 Mr. IJrand came to lUoomington, and 
engaged with J. Del'ew, witli wliom he remained 
for eight years following, lie then became the 
partner of his emploj'er, witli whom he operated 
two years, at the expiration of which time he went 
into the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railway 
ComiJany, with whom he remained three j-ears. In 
the spring of 1^70 he commenced business on liis 
own account, with a capital of $1'.)(), $100 of which 
he paid out for a stock of lumber. Ho then com- 
menced to manufacture furniture on a small scale, 
and in tiie course of time bi'gaii to prosper and 
business to increase. He was soon compelled to 
enlarge his stock and capacities for work and 
employ men to assist him. He possessed good 
l)usine.'.s al)iiities, was prompt in meeting his olili- 
gations, .and iK^fore long .secured a good patronage. 
He is now carrying on an extensive factory, his 
business operations extending throughout this and 
other Slates. 

In ISSo Ml'. Brand put up his present business 
house, which is four stories in height, and covers an 
ai'eaof '2 1x1)8 feet, all of which is occupied in c;irry- 
ing on his manufactures. The building was erected at 
a cost of §18,000, and is all paid for, which, consid- 
ering the modest begiuning of our subject, speaks 
well for his industry, perseverance and good man- 
agement. This structure is one of tlu^ neatest 
business houses in the city, and an ornament to the 
block whereon it is located. IJesides this iMr. 
Brand has a good residence handsomely finished 
and furuisheil, where he enjoys the S(_)ciety of his 
fri(Midsa,nd ac(|uaintances and disi)enses a generous 
I hospitality. 

.Mr. lirand was married in 181)2, to Mi.ss Lena 



; Kocht, of Ohio, and they have become the parents 
of six children, two sons and four daughters. Our 

j subject is a member and Steward of the First 
Methodist F]piscopal Church, and socially belongs 

j to Remembrance Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F. In 
politics he affiliates with the Republican party. 



<Sfr^RSKlNE M. HAMILTON, attorney -at-law, 
IW) at Blooming-ton, is giving particular atten- 
/*' — ^ tion to the pension business, and has his of- 
fice at No. 101 West Jefferson street. He came to 
this county in March, 1870, and soon afterward lo- 
cated in Bloomiugton, where he has since resided, 
and followed the practice of his profession in a 
manner indicative of ability and good judgment. 

Mr. Hamilton was born in Schenectad}', N. Y., 
Jan. 8, 18;;;). His father, F. II. Hamilton, was a 
native of Massachusetts, and descended from excel- 
lent Scotch ancestry. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject, .Josejih Hamilton liy name, served as a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War. F. II. Hamilton removed 
from his native State to New York when a young 
man, and there married Miss Ruth Ann Cady, of 
Schoueetady, by whom he became the father of 
seven children, two of whom died in childhood, 
and live lived to mature years. Our subject was 
the secon<l son. 

Mr. Hamilton remained in his native county un- 
til about Hfteen years old, then removed with his 
parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. The 
war then coming on he enlisted as a soldier of the 
Union, in Co. F, 84th Ohio \'ol. hif. He pro- 
ceeded with his regiment to Cumberland, Md., to 
guard the Baltimore it Ohio Railroad, and was 
thereafter on detached duty, which consisted most 
of the time in lighting guerrillas. He served two 
3'ears, and was neither wounded nor taken (irisonor, 
and received his honorable discharge in the fall of 
1 .SG;"). 

Mr. H.imiltoii commenced reading law in Stou- 
benville, Ohio, in IMGi, in the office of R. S. ]Moody, 
•■111(1 was M(lmltted to the bar in September, 1803. 
After his return from the army he was elected 
City Attorney and served two years. Thereafter 
he practiced hi w in a general way, and in March, 



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1870, turned his face towavd the Great AVcst. 
After reaching Bloomington lie opened a l;uv 
office, and to the duties of this has given his close 
attention since tliat time, malting a s|iecialty of 
pensions and otlier war claims. 

The father of our subject is still living, at the 
advanced age of over eighty-three years, having 
been born March .'il, isoi. He makes his home 
in Bloomington, at the residence of his son Erskine. 
The mother died in 1882. She was born Sept. 12, 
1S12, and was the daughter of Peter C'ady, one of 
the earliest settlers of New York State. 



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"'C5tf-»"^(tf-» 




^1r=^ R. ALEXANDER T. DARUAII, Grand 
Master of the Masons in Illinois, nnd a 
skilled iiliysiciau and surgeon of Bloom- 
ington, has been a resident of the Prairie 
State since 1838, and of Bloomington since 188;!. 
He is of Scotch- Irish extraction and a fine speci- 
men of physical manliood, being the largest in 
stature of a family noted for its development both 
physically and intellectually. 

Dr. Darrah w.as born in Delaware Comity, Ohio, 
on the 17th of March, 18.36. His parents were 
John .and Elizabeth (Orr) Darrah, natives of Ohio 
and I'eunsylvania respectively, the f.nthei' born in 
1811 and the mother in 1803. His grandi)arents, 
James and Nancy (Kent) Darrah, were natives re- 
spectively v{ A'irginia and Ohio. When a young 
man .Lames Darrah removed from ^'irginia to Ohio, 
where he became a Large landholder, and lived until 
18.50. He then sold out, .and coming to Griggs- 
ville. 111., retired from active labor, and with his 
wife spent the remainder of his da^'s there. James 
Darrah died in 1800, aged ninet3'-nine; his wife 
departed this life in 1S(12, at the .age of uinetj'- 
five years. Both were connected with the Method- 
ist Episcop.al Church, and useful, honored memliers 
of society. Of their family of eight children .all 
lived to mature years, and the records of the fam- 
ily for generations back indicate a loug-lived race. 
On the mother's side, the grandfather, James, and 
grandmother, Mary (Thompson) Orr, were natives 
of Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Orr was a farmer by occupation, and the 



owner of a fine homestead in Pennsj'lvania. This 

he afterward sold, and removed to Ohio, purchas- 
ing a farm in Harrison County, upon which he re- 
mained until 1838. He then came to Pike County, 
111,, anil passed his declining years free from care. 
Mrs. Orr departed this life in 1834, and James 
Orr ten years later, in 1844. Their f.amily of seven 
children lived to become men and women, ;i,nd al- 
most without exception the children of both fami- 
lies were engaged in farming imrsuits. 

John Darrah, the father of our subject, was 
reared to farming pursuits, and after his niarri.age 
removed from Ohio to Illinois, purcli.asing 640 
acres of land in Pike County, which he occupied 
until 186;"), and then sold this and purchased a 
farm in Champaign County, whence, after a year, 
he removed to the village of Tolouo, where he died 
in March, 1886. The decease of the mother took 
l)l:ice in Chamiiaign County, in 1808. Of the par- 
ental family of ten children, three died in infancy 
and six are still living, the record being as follows: 
Lucinda, Mrs. Curfmaii, resided in Douglas County 
until Jniuiary, 1S87, the date of her death; James 
W. and his sister, ,Laue T.aylor, .are in Tolouo, 111. ; 
Dr. A. T. is our subject; Thom.as is an extensive 
farmer, and a member of the Board of Supervisors 
of Chanii)aign County, 111., having his residence at 
Pesotum ; jMatthew S., of Pittstield, 111., li.as been oc- 
cupied both in farming and mercantile pursuits, 
and is now Deput}- Sheriff of Pike County; Will- 
iam II. is a farmer and stockraiser of Sadorus, 111. ' 

John Darrah was for a number of years Justice 
of the Peace in Champaign County, and held other 
minor ofilces within the gift of his townsmen, being 
also County Commissioner. Politically he was a 
stiuich Democrat. Both parents were members of 
the Methodist Episcojjal Church, and the father of 
our suliject for many years was Cl.ass- Leader, Stew- 
ard and Superintendent of the Sabb.ath-school, a 
useful man in his church .and his comniuuity, be- 
loved .'uid respected by all who knew him. 

Dr. Alexander T. Darrah spent Ids boyhood 
years on the faini .and in attendance at the district 
school, and remained under the parental roof until 
he was twenty-four years of age. In 1858, while 
still pursuing his studies in school, he became one 
of the Directors, and before the expiration of the 



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term he was Principal of the school. At this time 
he rletermined to see something of the world, and 
accordingl3', leaving the parental roof, became en- 
gaged as a surve3or for a map pul)lishing firm of 
Buffalo, N. Y., and was thus employed two years. 
From \'onth the subject of our iiistor}' had de- 
termined to lieciime a physician, and while teaching 
scht>ol and vocal music lie cmplnycd his spare uk^- 
ments in the study of medicine, in due time he 
entered tlie ollice of Dr. A. -J. Miller, of Stone's 
I'r;iiric. Adams Co., 111., .'ind after close application 
f<ir two years entered Rush Medical t'oUege at 
Chicago, froui which he graduated with high homirs 
on Mil' 2^>i\\ of .lanuary, ISl!;'), and commenced 
practice .at Tolouo, 111. On the 1 Ith of AI:ircli, 
18f;i;, he was married to Miss Elizabeth II. Fugate, 
a native of Missouri, and the daughter of Wil- 
bourne and Euphema (Thomson) Fugate, Ixjtli na- 
tives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. F., .after 
their marriage, located on a farm in Alissouri. The 
father of Mrs. Darrah was :i, man of fine abilities, 
possessing both musical and liter.ai-y talents, and 
commenced teaching whil(> a very young man. 
They removed to Illinois in 18.'>8. In liis 3'ounger 
years Mr. F. was a student in the William and 
Mary College, of Virginia, and became a historian 
of great excellence. He always took a deep inter- 
est in educational matters, and after a worthy and 
useful life ceased from his earthly' labors in 188.'j. 
The mother is still living, in Urb.ana, 111., .aged 
seventy-five. Of their family of six children, the 
record is as follows: .lolui T. is a pr.acticing phy- 
sician of Urliana, 111.; .Icrome W. is following the 
same profession in Lawrence, Kan. ; Elizabeth II. 
is the wife of our subject; Lycurgus W. is practic- 
ing medicine at Colchester, McDonough Co., III. ; 
David W. is a resident of Camp Point, III., and 
Martha M. also resides at the latter-nanu'd place. 
Dr. Darrah commenced the pr.actice of his pro- 
fession at Tolouo, Champaign County, and contin- 
ued for eighteen j'ears theie. For two terms he 
was President of the Chami)aign County Medical 
Society; has served as Secretary of the Judicial 
Council Illinois Stale Medical Society a number of 
years, and w.as A'ice President and then President 
of tile same during 1 8.s2-8.'i. He is .also a member 
of tlic Ciiampaigu County, McLean County, Ceu- 
■» l l <■ 



tral Illinois and Illinois State Medical Societies; is 
identified with the Araeiican Medical Association, 
and an lumorary member of the Southern Illinois 
Medical Association. 

Dr. Darrah came to Bloomington in ISS.'j, but 
his reputation had already preceded him, and he 
stepped at once into a lucrative and extensive 
practice. His oflice is located at No. 101) East 
Washington street, and the attractive residence of 
himself and family is at No. (;i4 E.ast Front street. 
The household circle includes three children — Del- 
mar D., Nellie E. .and Ada M. 

During years of |)ressing business cares Dr. Dar- 
rah has been greatly iutcresteil in the success of Ma- 
sonr_y, and h.as been a prominent figure anning its 
councils since LSGo. Resides passing all the de- 
grees up to his i)resenl high [losition in the frater- 
nity, he is one of the Trustees of the Illinois Or- 
l)lians' Home, is Associate Chief of the Illinois Ma- 
sonic ^'eterans, and h(.iiioraiy member of Star Lodge 
No. 240, in Chanipaigu. He now occupies the 
highest ])osition within the gift of the fi'aternity of 
Illinois, to wiiich he is amply entitled liy his long 
experience, mature judgment and wise councils. In 
politics Dr. Darrah uniformly casts his vote with 
the Democratic ])arty. . 



DWARD BUNN, an extensive stock-dealer 
of Danvers, and having his residence in the 
village, h.as been a resident of the Prairie 
State since 18,52. He has a good knowledge of the 
business in which he is eng.aged, and is meeting 
with fair success. Our subject was born in Ross 
County, Ohio, Sept. 2, 1835, being the son of Jef- 
ferson and Mary (Madden) Bunn, of Ohio and Vir- 
ginia resi)ectively. Jefferson Bunn w.as of German 
ancestry and parentage, but born in Ohio Sept. 10, 
1802. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, having 
served his apprenticeship at Chillicothe, in his na- 
tive county, where he was married. He removed 
to Illinois in the fall of 1852, and located at Bloom- 
ington, whence, after two years' residence he re- 
moved to Table Grove, Fulton County. There he 
followed farming pursuits for five j'cars, and then 
reuuiveil to Macomb, where he was emploj'ed in the 




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McLEAN COUNTY. 



379 ik 



cabinet-shop of Messrs John .and 'rhoni.is McEl- 
rath for two years. From there he came to Dan- 
vers, where he passed the remainder of his da^'S 
and departed this life Dec. 29, 188.5. 

Jefferson Runn was a member of the Metliodist 
Episcopal Church for a period of forty years. The 
mother of our subject was also connected with tlie 
same church. Her birth occurred in 1800, and her 
death on the 22d of July, 1872. Tiie }i.arental 
household included six children, three now living. 
The record is as follows: Lewi.s died in 1829, and 
Maria L., Feb. 10, 1830; one died in infancy un- 
named ; George lives in Bloomington, and married 
Miss E. Rayburn; Susan resides in Danveis, and 
Edward is the subject of this sketcli. * 

The marriage of Mr. Runn occurred Jan. 1, 
1857, the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza Wil- 
fong. The wedding took [)lace at Macomb, 111., 
John O. C. Wilson, p]sq., olliciating. Mrs. Bunn 
was born in North Carolina, M.ay 18, 183;!, and is 
tlie daughter of William 1'. and (Sarah (Marley) 
AVilfong. Tlie former was born in Rawleigh, N. C, 
in September. 1798, where he was reared and mar- 
ried. He came to Illinois with his family in 1843, 
and located in Hancock County, where they lived 
one year, thence removing to Birmingham, Schuy- 
ler County, and from there to Macomb, where the 
death of the father occurred on the 8th of .Tune, 
1877. The mother of Mrs, Bunn was born in 
Randolph County, N. C, in 1809, and was married 
in 1832. She is still living, and malves her home 
with her daughter in Danvers. The parental lionse- 
hold consisted of ten children, viz.. Eliza, Isabel, 
Ann, Sarah, Emeline, Martha, Rosa, James, John, 
and one who died in infancy. 

Of the marriage of our subject and his wife tliere 
have been born six children — Ida, Laura, Clarence, 
Nora, Mattie and Orin. Ida became the wife of 
John Musselman, a druggist of Danvers; Laura 
married William Shorthose, a farmer of Danvers; 
Nora married Harr3' Swearengin, a raih'oad man; 
Clarence married Miss Nettie Montague, and is 
foreman of a Inmber-yard at Bloomington, 111. 
Mr. Bunn came to Illinois with his parents in 1852, 
and in a period of over thirtj' years has i^een an 
interested witness of the development and progress 
of the Prairie State. He mav not ii.ivc distin- 



guishiMl iiiaiself by any remarkable deeds, but lie 
has been a law-abiding, enterprising and worthy 
citizen, living at peace with liis neighbors, and per- 
forming all the obligations of a valued member of 
the C(.)miiiuiiit3'. 

^^] B. CHRISTIAN r. NAFZIGER, an excellent 
jll (=-, representative of the worth}' German farin- 
^^(| ing element of this region, is comfortably 
located in Allin Township, on section 18, where he 
is carrying on the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, 
and by his upright and honest course in life has se- 
cured tlie resiiect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 
Mr. Nafziger was born in Prussia, July 26, 1819, 
being the son of Jacob and Catherine (Nafziger) 
Nafziger, both natives of the German Empire, the 
father born in 1797, and the mother the following 
year. The}' were married in their native county 
in about 1817, and remained there until 1853, 
when they set sail for the New World. After land- 
ing in New York City, they proceeded Immediately 
westward to tliis State and county, where the father 
of our subject i>urcliased eighty acres of flue farm- 
ing land, upon wliii-li lie resided nnlil liis death, 
whicli occurred in 1884. The mother had died 
previously in 18()3, after tiiey had become the par- 
ents of seven children, named as follows: Au- 
gustus, Eliza, Helen, Helena, Katie, Henrietta and 
G. B. t;hristian P. of our .sketch. They were most 
excellent and worthy people, members of the 
jMennonite Cliurch, and trained their children to 
habits of industry and principles of honor. 

The subject of this history remained under the 
parental roof until he had attained his majority and 
in 1855 was united in marriage with Miss Kate 
Nafziger, in McLean County, 111. He reached the 
United States in the spring of 1840, and first went 
to Butler County, Ohio, where he lived three years. 
He then returned to Germany, and after a sojourn 
of nine years in his native land, set out once more 
for America. Then Mr. N. came to the Prairie 
State and this county, where he was married and 
when! he purchased the farm upon which he now 
resides. Here he is engaged in general agriculture, 
and is devoting much time and attention to the 
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breeding of graded stock. Tlie eight ehildri'ii of 
our subject are recorded as follows: Augustus 
married Miss Lizzie Ehrsuian, of Alliu Township; 
Eliza became tlie wife of Christian Otto; Minnie 
married Arn(jld Unziger; Emila married a gentle- 
man of the same name; Katie, Julia, Bertha and 
Ferdinand are at home witli their parents. The lat- 
ter are members of the Mennonitc Church, and our 
subject, politically, afliliates with the Democratic 
party. 



'S^sRESLEV T. BKOOKS, a retired farmer 
•' now living in ease and comfort in the vil- 




•^-^f^ 



^ lage of Stanford, is wisely enjoying the 
fruits of his early toil and talcing satisfac- 
tion in the consciousness of a well-spent life. He 
was born in Hart County, Ky., Nov. H, llS-21, being 
the son of Miles and Lucy (I'ullian) Brooks, both 
natives of ^'irginia. The father was born Dec. 1, 
1781, and the mother Aug. 5, 1784. Miles Brooks 
disposed of his possessions in Kentucky in 1828, 
and started for the prairies of Illinois, stopping 
daring the winter of that year and the snmmer of 
1829 in Indiana. In the fall of 18-29 he came into 
Sangamon County, where lie remained until Decem- 
ber, and then entered a tract of laud in what is now 
Allin Township, this county, to which he removed 
his family and where he established a comfortable 
home. There he spent the remainder of his days, 
dying in 1840. He was prospered in his farming 
and business transactions, and at the time of his 
death was the owner of .'iOO acres of choice land 
with modern imi)rovements. JSlrs. Brooks survived 
her husband about three years and died Feb. 11, 
1844. They became the parents of eleven chil- 
dren, as follows: America was born March 12, 
180(1; Elizabeth, April 2, 1807; Virginia, Oct. 10, 
1808; Millie, June IG, 1810; Benjamin 1'., March 
24, 1812; Elzey, Oct. 12, I8J4; Sarepta S., Aug. 
2C, 1817: Zerilda, Oct. 19, 1819; Presley T., Nov. 
9, 1821; Lucy A., May 17, 182.'); Martlia D., 
March 21, 1823. In Kentucky the parents were 
connected with the Baptist Church, but after their 
removal to Illinois becanu^ members of the Chris- 
tian ('hurch. 

']"he suliject of this history was reared by his 



parents, received a very limited education in the 
common schools, and after attaining his majority' 
was married, Dec. 29, 1842, to Miss Eliza S. Lari- 
son. They located in Allin Township, on (lovern- 
ment land, and in 1848 entered the land that he 
located on in 1842. Mr. Brooks purchased ad- 
ditional land, until he becanie the possessor of 481) 
acres, which he brought to a state of good cultiva- 
tion and erected upon it a handsome and commo- 
dious farm dwelling, withagooil barn :uk1 all neces- 
sary out-bnildings. He donated one acre of this 
for a cemeter3' and for a school building. He has 
been a useful and valued citizen since coming to 
this community and held the otlices of Constable, 
Justice of the Peace, Township Supervisor, Asses- 
sor, and Treasurer, being the incumbent of the lat- 
ter oflice for a period of eighteen years. As a 
Magistrate he ofliciated tweuty-flve j'ears. He has 
always been greatl}' interested in the temperance 
movement. In earl}' life he affiliated with the 
Democratic party but has now identified himself 
with the l*rohiliiti(.)nists. Both Mr. Brooks and 
his wife are members of the Christian Church. 

The family- of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks consisted of 
ten children, of whom eight are living, namelj', 
Catherine, JNIili's, .Mary, Abel, Rachel, Lucy A., 
Millie and Ella. The deceased are, America A. 
and an infant son which died unnamed. Besides 
ids town property Mr. Brooks owns 480 acres of 
land in Allin Township, on sections 29 and 32, 
ICO acres of which land Iw |)ui'chased on a s<A- 
dier's warrant f<ir the sum of >il 12. 



<^ OBi;i!4' LOUDON is widely known through- 
out this section as one of the solid men of 
McLean County, and as a gentleman who 
\^ is intimately identified with the industrial 
interests of liloomington. During the 3'ears of a busy 
life he has accumulated a competency and is still en- 
gaged with his active duties, being proprietor of the 
Eagle Macliine Works, located on North Main 
stre(>t, which occupy forty-four feet front, and run 
through to Center street. These works include black- 
smith-shops with all the other .accessories of a factory, 
.and an extensive 3'ard for storage. The business 




n 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 

387 



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has devoted las entire attention to his profession, 
in which he has attained success and a good posi- 
tion in the profession in this count}'. lie was 
elected Justice of the Peace in 1881, and lias contin- 
ued in the office by successive elections since tliat 
time. 

Mr. Fulwiler was united in marriage with JMiss 
Jlary, the only daughter of Robert and Alar}- A. 
Fell, in 18(1.5, and they have three children — John 
Walter, Leonard Fell and Roberta May. Mr. Ful- 
wiler is Republicau in politics, and socially a char- 
ter member of the G. A. R. and the Union Veter- 
ans' Union, also a member of Jesse Fell Lodge, 
K of P. 

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<jf AMES HENRY LYON CRUMBAUOII, liv- 
ing on section 7, Empire Township, was, be- 
fore he divided his property among his chil- 
dren, one of the largest land-owners of that 
townshiiJ. The financial success in life which he 
has met with has been due to his own energy, 
good judgment and perseverance, as he was never 
the recii)ieut of any legacy whatsoever. IMr. 
Crunibaugh was Itorn in Henderson County, Ky., 
IMay 1, 182(). His father, Henry Crunibaugh, was 
born ill Frederick County, Md., April 25, 1780, 
and his father, grandfather of our subject, Solo- 
mon Crumbaugh, was likewise a native of Mary- 
land. Henry Crunibaugh was reared to manhood 
in his native county, and while yet young in years 
learned the blacksmith's trade. On becoming his 
own man he went to Kentucky, and locating in 
Scott County, worked at his trade and also at farm- 
ing. He was there married to Sarah Baldock, a na- 
tive of Kentucky, and a daughter of James D. 
Baklock, born in A'irgiuia, and her mother, who.se 
maiden name was llogan, was a native of Ken- 
tucky. 

Three or four years after his marriage, Henry 
Crumbaugh moved to Henderson County, Ky., 
and there lived until 1828. During that year he 
disposed of his interests in Kentucky and started 
west for Illinois, accompanied b}' his wife and two 
children. The journey was made overland, the fa- 
ther driving his stock, and his good wife making 
the journey mostly on horseback. They termin- 
.^« 



ated their trip at Elkhart, Sangamon Couiit.y, in 
the neighborhood of which [ilace he was a farmer 
on rented lands until liioO. He then came to T.aze- 
well County, and selected a claim in what is now 
JCmpire Township, McLean County, and located on 
section 14. He built the customary log cabin, anil 
returned to Elkhart for his family and brought 
them to- his new home. The cabin was incomplete 
when the family arrived, there being no floor, and 
Mr. Crunil)aiigii piled the household goods inside 
and went to split puncheon for the lloor, and also 
made a door. There was not a foot of sawed lum- 
ber used in the construction of this cabin, and the 
chimney was of inud and sticks. This was the sea- 
son before the deep snow which is So well remem- 
bered by the few people who were in the county at 
that time. The nearest mills were miles away, and 
the snow was S(j deep and crusted that for weeks 
travel was entirely impeded. Nearly half his stock 
died during that winter, and had it not been for 
the wild game in the country at that time many a 
famil}' would have perished with starvation. 

Mr. Crumbaugh continued to live on that place 
until his death in 1877. He had lived to see the 
country develoi>. from a wild and uncultivated prai- 
rie to one of the most productive counties in the 
State, and profited by its progress to the extent of 
possessing a competency at the time of his death. He 
was a Democrat in politics, and always voted for 
Democratic presidential nominees except once, when 
he cast his vote for Henry Clay. His good wife 
died in Februaiy, 1885. Twelve children were 
born to them, six of whom grew to attain the age 
of man and womanhood. Narcissa married Simp- 
son E. Thompson, and they live in Fjmpire Town- 
ship; our subject was the next in order of birth; 
John E. is a i-esident of Le Roy ; Andrew J. is a 
farmer of Empire Township; Lewis C. lives on the 
old homestead. 

The subject of this notice was but two years old 
when he came to this State with his parents. 
Here he received his education in the common 
sciiools, attending the first school ever taught at 
Le Ro3% James H. Lincoln being the teacher. On 
attaining a suitable age he made a full hand in the 
cultivation of the farm, and continued to reside 
with the old folk until his marriage, and then ♦ 



i 



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388 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



r 
I 



i' 



bought 100 acres of land east of Le Roy, on which 
he lived for five and a lialf years. He then sold it 
and bought wlicre he is at present residing. His 
first purchase here was 160 acres, and he added to 
it by subsequent purcliascs until at one time he was 
the proprietor of 1.000 acres in Empire and Downs 
Townships. A goodly portion of this is divided 
among his children, but he has sullicielit left to 
.support him in his retirement from active labor 
during the latter ye.ars of his life. 

Mr. C'rumbaugh was married, Sept. 28, 1851, to 
Amanda M. Buclv. She was born in Switzerland 
County, Ind., Feb. 10, ls-28, and is a daughter of 
Hiram and Mary (Karr) liuck. Of the union of 
our subject and Miss Buclc tlirec children were 
born : Laura E. is the wife of William Lafterty, a 
farmer of Downs Township; Edith M.ay married 
Charles S. Lafferty, and they are residents of Wel- 
don, DeWitt Co., Ill; Hir.am II. is living at home. 
Mr. Crumbaugh has held the various ofHccs of his 
township, including Collector, Commissioner of 
Highways and also Township Supervisor. He and 
his daughter May are members of the Universalist 
Chnrcii. 

*— ^^ 'J*^' *^''— ' 

"jf|' AFAYETTE ARCHER, Deputy Sheriff of 
I (^ McLean County, is a native of Genesee 
jlL^ County, N. Y., and was born June 13, 1832. 
His father, David Archer, was also a native of the 
Empire State, and liis grandfather, Basil Archer, 
also born in New York, served as a soldier in tlie 
War of 1812, and was held as a prisoner by the 
British for some time. After peace had been de- 
clared he engaged in farming pursuits and passed 
the remainder of his days in tlie State where he was 
born. His son David, tiie father of our subject, 
was reared upon a farm and remained in New York 
State until 1834. He then came to Illinois, and lo- 
cating in Bureau Countj' operated a sawmill there 
until the following spring, wlien he returned to 
New York for his family. He proceeded witli them 
to the headwaters of the Alleghany River and 
they went on a raft to rittsl)urgii, and from there 
via the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, 
reached Hennepin, where they took a jnivate con- 
veyance into Bureau County. Mr. Archer pro- 
■^^ 



ceeded witii his mill operations a few years, then 
purchased a tract of wild land and commenced the 
improvement of a farm. The principal market for 
grain and pork at that time was Chicago, 110 miles 
distant, and it usually took seven days to make the 
trip. Upon these journeys the pioneers carried 
their provisions, camping and cooking by^ the way- 
side. David Archer wns a man of resolution and 
courage, overcame all the dilliculties which he 
encountered, and lived to see the county developed 
into prosperous farms, and railroads running- 
through it. As j'ears passed by the city of Prince- 
ton was started and grew, being located five miles 
from his farm. After laboring for a period of over 
forty years upon the homestead which he estab- 
lished in the wilderness, he passed his declining- 
days in pe.aee and comfort, and having arrived at 
the advanced age of eighty-four ye.ars, departed 
this life in August, 1885. The maiden name of his 
wife was Climona Grovier, who w.as also a native of 
New York State, .and lived the faithful and affec- 
tionate companion of her husband until within a 
few m(jnths of his death, her decease occurring Janu- 
ary 18 of the same year. Of their union there were 
born twelve children, of whom ten grew to mature 
ye.ars. 

The subject of this hist(n'y w.as a cliild three 
years of .age when his jiarents came to Illinois. He 
attended the pi(jneer schools and grow to manhood 
in Bureau County, assisting his father in the du- 
ties of the farm, lie then served .an apprentice- 
shii) at the ciupentcr's trade, which he followed in 
Bureau County until 1858, and then coming into 
McLean County w.as similarly occupied until 18G2. 
The late war being then in progress he enlisted as a 
Union soldier in Co. A, 117th 111. Vol. Inf., C.apt. 
Kinsey commanding, and served until the close. 
He participated with his comrades in the battles of 
Pleasant Hill and Meridian, Miss., and at the bat- 
tle of Nashville received a gunshot wound which 
compelled him to remain in the hospital for a num- 
ber of weeks. After several other eng.agements 
and skirniishcs he received his flnal and honorable 
discharge in M.ay, 18G5. He then returned to Mc 
Lean County and resumed work at his trade, at 
which he has been occupied since that time. 

Mr. Archer w.as married, Dec. 31, 1856, to Miss 



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A 



McLean county. 



389 



Louisa Kinsey, a native of Ohio, and daughter of 
John and Elinore (Be vans) Kinsey, a sketch of whom 
will be found in another part of this work. Of this 
union there were born six children, as follows : Cicero 
H., a resident of Ft. Niobrara, Neb.; F. Aurelian; 
Addie, the wife of Bert Rice; William Lewis, of 
this countj' ; Uattie L. and Kva E., at home with 
their parents. Mr. Archer has served ns Collector of 
-Mt. Hope Township, and is fulfilling the duties of 
his present position as Deputy Sheriff in an able 
and efficient manner. He lielongs to McLean 
Lodge No. 4G9, A. F. it A. M., and to Harrison W. 
Ward Post No. 173, G. A. U. 

The children of David Archer and his wife, the 
parents of our subject, are recorded as follows: 
Emily became the wife of John L. Wilson, and 
died in Kansas; George W. served as a soldier in 
the G4th Illinois Regiment, known as Yates' Sharp- 
shooters, and now lives in Dakota; Lafayette was 
the third child; Peru and LaSalle (twins) also 
served with their brother George in the 04th Regi- 
ment; Peru died while in service at luka. Miss., in 
1803 ; LaSalle lives- at Joplin, Mo. ; Martin V. served 
in the 8th Missouri Infantry, and now lives at Rock 
Island, 111. ; Milton resides on the homestead ; Lewis 
C. served in the 140th 111. Inf., and lives atFt. Nio- 
brara, Neb. ; Ellen became the wife of Edward Not- 
tingham, and occupies a part of the old homestead. 
The maternal grandfather of our subject was a na- 
tive of New York and served in the War of 1812. 
He was of English and German ancestry. 

Mr. Archer cast his first presidential vote for 
John C. Fremont, and has voted for each Repub- 
lican candidate for that office since that time. 



^v\rv. «\4ii£j2r©'^^ 



«/^-S.'?T2r2r»\~ -\jT^^ 



4 



W^ILLIAM D. HALLETT, of Bloomington, 
who is engaged in mercantile pursuits at 
the corner of Olive and Center streets, is 
a useful factor of the business community. He was 
born in England in April, 1841, being the son of 
James and Lydia Ilallett, who are now living in re- 
tirement in Bloomington, and of whom a sketch is 
given in another part of this work. 

William Hallett was educated in his native En- 
gland and emigrated to America with his parents 



when about twelve years of age. He was early 
trained to habits of industry, and soon began to 
make himself useful, being variously employed un- 
til the outbreak of the Rebellion. He then en- 
listed in the 39th Illinois Infantry, and was in the 
service three years and two months. He fought 
with his comrades at the battles of Charleston 
Harbor, Drury's Bluff, and at Weire Bottom Church 
was wounded in the hip. After remaining in the 
hospital for some time and his term of service hav- 
ing exi)ired, he received his honorable discharge, 
and returning to Bloomington soon afterward en- 
gaged in the restaurant business, which he followed 
for fourteen years, and then engaged in the grocery 
trade, which he has pursued since that time. He 
purchased the lot on which his store was built in 
1883. This structure is of brick, 21x00 feet in 
area, and is finely fitted up for the transaction of 
business. 

Mr. Hallett was married in 1805, the lady of his 
choice being Miss Emma R. Harley, and they have 
four children — Carrie M., William D., Harley J. 
.ind Ethel. The family residence is at No. 1008 
South Lee street, where in 1800, Mr. H.allett pur- 
chased several lots. Here they have a convenient 
and comfortable home, and dispense to their many 
friends a generous hospitality. Mr. Hallett is Re- 
publican in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. 
F. He is a straightforward and methodical busi- 
ness man, and greatly respected by those who have 
dealings with him. 



^iw) M. FORDICE, proprietor of the lumber- 
y.ards at the corner of Market and Howard 
streets, Bloomington, also deals extensively 
in sash, blinds and doors, besides hard and 
soft coal. He is one of the prominent business 
men of the city, always ready to assist in every 
o-ood work and purpose, and is esteemed alike for 
his straightforward business methods and his kindly 
Christian character. 

The subject of this history is a native of Bloom- 
ington, and was born March 14, 1840, his parents 
being James M. and Letitia (Saterfield) Fordice, 
the former of New York and the latter of White- 
.► 



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i ' 390 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



side Coiintj', 111. Tlio graiulfatlicr of our suhject, 
Stanton Fordico, was one of tliejiionuer settlers of 
Illinois, coming into McLean County in 1822, and 
taking up a tract of (ioveriiment land in what is 
now 751()omington Grove. Upon the farm wliich 
he eliminated from the wilderness he erected a com- 
fortable dwelling, which constituted the permanent 
home of himself and family, and where he remained 
nntil his death. Ilis four children were: Stanton, 
Uaniel, John and Janu's !\I. (tin- father of our suh- 
ject). The latter learned the blacksmith's trade in 
Blooniington. which he folk>wed. 

The Fordice family trace their ancestry back to 
the Mohawk Dutch, and on the mother's side from 
Scotland. Our subject received his early educa- 
tion in the city schools of ]51oomington. finishing 
with a term at the High School, and during the 
summer seasons worked out bj' the month farming. 
He handled his first lumber on the tth of July, 
1857, and has continued since that time with short 
intervals in the lundier business. On the 1st of 
January, 18G7, hecame into possession of a one- 
third interest in a lumber-_yard, and in 1875 pur- 
chased the entire interest, which he has conducted 
successfully and profitably to this time. His trans- 
acti(jns now extend over a. wide range of territory, 
and he is known throughout JNIcLcan County as 
one of its most reliable and i)rosperous business 
men. 

During the late war Mr. Fordice enlisted in the 
service of his country, l)ccoming a member of Co. 
C,3;Jd 111. Vol. Inf., and was mustered in in August, 
18()1, as Second Sergeant, and [iromoted Orderly 
Sergeant at the siege (.)f \'icksburg, serving until 
October, 18(i-l. With his comrades he was engaged 
in the battles of Frederickstown, Magnolia Hills, 
Raymond, (_'ham|)ion Hills, the siege and capture 
of V^icksburg, and the two battles at Jackson, AlisS. 
He iierformed his part as a soldier in a br;i.vo and 
faithful maiuier, as he has performed all other du- 
ties in life. 

The subject of this history was unili'd in mar- 
riage with Miss Mattie Dixon, on the Kith of Oc- 
tober, 1871. Mrs. F. is a native of Jiipley, I5rown 
C(^, Ohio, and the daughter of William Dixou, a 
native of the same State. Of this union there was 

l)orn one child, Lewis J., who died at the age of 
■^^ 



seven j'ears. Mrs. Mattie Fordice only remained 
the companion of her husband li\(' short years, de- 
parting this life at their home in 1S7G. For his 
second wife Mr. Fordice m;u-ried, in 1878, RHss 
Martha J. Henry, of Brown County, Ohio, and the 
daughter <if J. W. Henry, also of Ohio. Sli(> lie- 
came the mother of two children, I'^ttie L. .-iiid 
Lena M., and passed fi'om the scenes of eai'th in 
1881. 

The present and third wife of our sidtject was, 
AHss Carrie Herman, to whom he was married in 
IJIoomington in 1882, and vvlio was born in this city 
in 18(10. The family residence is located at No. 
005 North Madison street, and in all its api)oint- 
ments denotes the abode of cultivated tastes and 
the refinements <jf life. 

Mr. Fordice, in his political views, warmly in- 
dorses the principles of the Republican party, with 
which he uniforudy casts his vote, and socially be- 
longs to the 1. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. 

Ip^EV. JAMF:s D. F'UY, of 151oomington,a Wn^- 
\Lx^ represent.ative of the culture and education 
/li\\\ of the cit}', is a native of Chester County, 
\^l'a., where he was born May 10, 1834. His 
parents, (aeorge and Anna (Souder) Fiy, removed 
fnjm Pennsylvania to Richland County, Ohio, 
when their son, our subject, was a lad of eight 
years of age. F'rom there, five years later, they 
removed to Lorain County, where James I), grew 
to manhood and ct>mi)leted a good English etluca- 
tion. J.ater he attended Oberlin College, where 
he took a classical course through the Sophomore 
year and later became a mendier of the Ohio Con- 
ference during Its session at ( Jallipojis. He preached 
for four years following, in the meantime having 
been ordained Deacon and Folder. Desiring to still 
further perfect himself in his ministerial studies, 
he (Altered u|ion a coursi' in the Ohio Wesleyan 
liniversily, Delaware, Ohio, whence he graduated 
in 1805, and entered upon the career in which he 
afterward became distinguished as an eminent and 
devotiid laborer in the iM aster's service. 

J.'unes 1). Fr}' w;is united in marriage with INHss 
Margaret Susanna, the daughter of James David- 



I 




RESIDENCE OF J OHN ALLISON , 5 EC 15 , DALE TOWNSHIP , 




fi 



RESIDENCE OF A. J- W I LSO N , SEC . 11 , DALE TOWN SHIP . 



Ci 



f 



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McLEAN COUNTr. 



;u)3 



son, on the "21st of June, 18()8, in Lawrence County, 
Ohio. In 1872 he became ['"inaneial Agent for tlie 
Ohio Wesleyan University. He spent tlie year 
1873-74 traveling tluough Knr()|)e, accompanied 
by his wife. lie remained some months at Ilalle 
University, (iermany, studying the (Jerman lan- 
guage and attending tlieological lectures. In 187 1, 
returning to the United States iMr. Fry resumed his 
labors in the ministry, and in the fall of the year 
following was elected to tlie chair of Moral Phd- 
osophy and German in llie Illinois Wesleyan Uni- 
versity. Two years later he i-esigned this position 
and resumed his work in the ministry. 

Mrs. P'ry, wife of our subject, is finel}- educated. 
She was elected to the Chair of lielles Lettres in 
the Illinois Wesleyan University, Ulooniington, 111., 
in 1875, which position she still holds. At the age 
of eighteen years she graduated with honors from 
Oxford Seminary, at Oxford, C)hio. She received 
the degree of A. M. from the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- 
versity, Delaware, Ohio, in 1878, and the degree of 
Ph. D. by examination in 1881, from Syracuse 
University, Syracuse, N. Y. She jiossesses literary 
ability of a high order, and has been an occasional 
contribntoi' to the tirst-class periodicals. 



-«^ 



t 



ylLLIAM BALDRIDGE, a highly respected 
citizen of Oak Grove Village, and formerly 
a farmer of White Oak Township, is a na- 
tive of the Buckeye State, having been born in 
Adams County, .Jan. 7, 180.5. He is the son of 
Samuel and Mary (McGarrah) Baldridge, natives 
of Westmoreland County, Pa. Samuel Baldridge 
remained on his father's farm and attended the 
common schools until reaching his m.ajority, and 
then started out to do for himself. lie first went 
into Adams County, Ohio, and was employed on a 
farm for several years. He was industrious and 
economical, and saved his earnings, and in due 
time found himself able to purchase ICO acres of 
land near Manchester, Ohio. He had been married 
in his native county in Penns^'lvania and removed 
with his wife to the new farm, upon which they 
remained the balance of their lives. The father of 
our subject died in about 1817, in the sixt3'-ninth 



year of his age. The mother survived her husband 
many years, living to the advanced age of ninety. 
They were meinli('rs of what is known as the Re- 
form Presbyterian Churcii, and in politics Samuel 
Baldridge was a stanch supporter of the old Whig 
l)arty. The household circle was comjjieted by the 
birth of ten chihlren — Mary, AVilliam, .lames W., 
Martha, S:nah, lOlizabetli, Samuel, Robert, -Cather- 
ine, anil one who died in infancy unnamed. 

\Villiani B.aldridgc remained on the homestead of 
his parents during his childhood and youth, and 
received a common-school education. When twenty- 
two years of age he was united in marriage with 
i\Iiss Margaret Kane, Aug. 29,1827. The young 
coui)le remained on the father's farm until the 
spring of 18.j2, when our subject came to Illinois 
and purchased eighty acres of Hue farming land on 
section 22, White Oak Township, ten acres of which 
is timber. Two years later he increased his landed 
interests by the purchase of IGO acres on section 
24, and in 1802 traded this latter for the ninety 
acres which lie now owns, and which is under a 
high state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. B. became 
the parents of six children — Mary J., Samuel, 
James W., Martha, William J. and (ieorge T. Mary 
became the wife of William Ramsey; Samuel was 
twice married, his lirst wife having been Miss Eliza- 
beth J. Kendall, and the second, IMiss Elizabeth 
Kirkpatrick; James W. married Miss Martha John- 
son; Martha became Mrs. Robert Patterson; Will- 
iam J. married Miss Caroline Wright; George T. 
was twice married, fust to Miss Hattie Ewing, and 
second to Miss Amanda Leach. The motlier of 
these children died Aug. 14, 1807, and William 
Baldritlge was the second time married. Miss 
Nancy P. Ewing becoming his wife. Of this union 
there were no children. 

Mrs. Nancy Baldridge is the daughter of James 
and Mary (Darwin) Ewing, who were natives of 
York Coimty, Pa., where the}' were reared and 
educated, and married in 1775, and removed the 
same year to Virginia, where they remained until 
18li». Thence they removed to Adams County, 
Ohio, where the mother died that same year. They 
had eight children. Our subject and wife are 
wortiiy members of the Reform Presbyterian 
Church, antl in ptjlitics Mr. B. is a stanch Repub- 



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1" 



394 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



licaii. Ill l.STl he bought :i line l,wo-»tory dwelling 
in Oali (Jruve N'illage, bnt subseijiiently traded for 
the plaee where lie is now living retired from 
active labor, snrroiinded by all the comforts of life 
and enjoying the leward of his early toil and in- 
dustry, having a snilicient competency for himself 
and wife. 

-^>> o^.■fc)^>•v®■•o♦o *v— 



OIIN A. JONES, of Danvers Township, is 
pleasantly located on section 14, where he 
has a fine homestead, and is enjoying with 
(^j/y ids fannly the comforts of life and many of 
its luxuries. Mr. Jones is a native of the I'rairie 
State, and was born in Dry (4rove Township, this 
county, Oct. 12, l.S-15. He is consequently in tlie 
prime of life, and has already established himself 
in the confidence and esteem of the community. 

The parents of our subject were IJenjamin L. and 
Mary A. (Anderson) Jones, natives respectively of 
Kentucky and Ohio. The father was born Aug. 31, 
1.S12, and the mother in 1815. Benjamin Jones 
followed agricultural jmrsuits the greater part of 
liis life. When a young man he removed from his 
nativi^ State to Ohio, where he made his home with 
his uncle, and was married to Miss Mary A. Ander- 
son, in Clermont County, in 183;j. In the fall of 
1 s;i7 they came to Schuyler County, 111., and Mr. 
Jones farmed on rented land two years there, then 
came to this county and was similarly employed 
for some time. In February, 1841). he met with a 
great afHiction in the loss of his wife. Mrs. Jones 
died at the home of her husband in Danvers Town- 
shii), and her remains were laid to rest in Stont's 
( I love Cemetery. 

Mr. .bjiies at an earl}- day i)urehased 320 acres 
of timber land, at ^1.2,'i per acre. After the death 
of his wife he made his home with his children .and 
with Ids brothers, one of the latter being in Schuy- 
ler and the other in Mason County, this State. He 
h.as n(jw resided with our subject for the last four 
years. He and his wife united with the Presbj'ter- 
ian Church many years ago. He is greatly inter- 
ested in the success of the temperance movement, 
and a pronounced Prohibitionist. The household 
circlr u:is (■.>iiiii|ctc'd liytlic liirl h < if >c\ en chihlrcii. 



of whom John A. (1st) die<l in infancy; James L. 
married Miss Alice Crum, and lives in Topeka, 
Kan. ; Sarah A. and her husband, Alexander Fowler, 
died in Neosha County, Kan.; George W. inarrie<l 
Miss Ilattie Dunnaway; John A. (2d) of our 
sketch was the fifth child; Mary J., Mrs. Sears, is 
now deceased; Milton was married in Missouri. 

After the death of his mother, our subject being 
only four years of .age, went to live with Andrew 
J. Mason, with whom he remained until he was 
fourteen j'cars old. He received a fair education 
in the common schools, and after leaving Mr. Ma- 
son made his home with N. C. Carlton in Danvers 
Townshi[). In 18G0 he went to Texas, making the 
trip to that State by wagon, and being six weeks on 
the journey. The late war soon coming tin, our 
subject being a Union man, was oliliged to leave 
Texas and seek a jilace of safety in the Indian Ter- 
ritory, which he with several others reached liy fol- 
lowing a hog-path through the woods. While on 
this journey the rebels captured nine of the party, 
and the others made their way into Kansas. There 
our subject enlisted in Co. C, 2d Kan. Vol. Cav., 
and with his comrades engaged in many of the 
principal battles of the war in that section. During 
the eng.ageraent at Sabine River, a sabre stroke 
right in front of his left ear cut a [wrt of it, but 
further than this he received no serious injuiy and 
was never taken prisoner. After his retirement 
from the army he went to Ft. Riley, and engaged 
in bailing hay for the Government, at $60 a month 
and board. In the fall of 1865 he returned to Illi- 
nois and engaged in farm work until 1881. He h.ad 
been economical and saved what he could of his 
earnings, and was able to purchase fifty acres of 
good farming land, situated three-quarters of a 
mile west of Danvers; the I., B. & W. R. R. runs 
through the center of the farm. 

Mr. Jones was married, Oct. 24, 1878, to Miss 
Fannie O., the daughter of Henry C. and Permelia 
(McClure) McClure, who were natives of Indiana. 
Mr. McClure w.as born May 9, 1828, and his wife, 
Permelia, April 18 of the same year. The record 
of their six children is .as follows: Robert A. 
married Miss Anna McLaughlin; Louisa A. died 
when a child ; Horace A. was united in marriage 
with Miss F.lla .Martin; Ileriiiaii W. married Miss 



L 



i 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



395 



^ 



Maj' Vance; Fannie, now Mrs. Jones, was the next 
child, and George L. was the youngest. Mr. and 
Mrs. McClure are still living, and now residing in 
Gibson City, Ford Co.. 111., wliere Mr. MeClure and 
his sons are engaged in the lianking business, also 
in grain buying and dealing in lumber. They came 
to Illinois at an early day. They are members in 
good standing of the Presliyterian Church, in which 
Mr. McC. has held the oflice of Deacon for many 
years. Politically he is a straight Republican. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had three children: 
Freddie died when nine months old, and one died 
unnamed. The one living is Marshall, who was 
born July 16, 1884. Mr. J. belongs to the Con- 
gregational Church, and his wife is connected with 
the Presbyterian. (Jur subject was elected to the 
oflice of Township Collector in 1882, and again in 
1884. He has been School Director for the last 
three j'ears. He is a memlier in good standing of 
the A. F. & A. M., in which he has held the oflice 
of Junior Deacon in Lodge No. 740, Danvers 
Township, and in politics is a stanch Republican. 

"^/OSEITI KKENAN, banivcr, and Mayor of 
Le Roy, is one of the enterprising and self- 
made men of McLean County, who have 
contributed so materially to its present pros- 
perity and imi)ortance. Mr. Kcenau was born in 
Marion Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, March 10, 
1828. His father, Peter Keenan, first opened 
his eyes to the light a few miles from Lexington, 
Ky., and his grandfather, Patrick Keenan, w.as a 
native of Dublin, Ireland, where he was reared to 
manhood, and soon afterward emigrated to Amer- 
ica. He located in Kentucky in the earl3' settle- 
ment of that State, and was married to a lady of 
American birth and English ancestry. He engaged 
in farming pursuits, and after several years spent 
in the Blue Grass regions, removed to Warren 
County, Ohio, and purchased a farm near Lebanon, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. 

Peter Keenan, the father of our subject, was a 
youth of fifteen years when his parents removed 
from Kentucky to Ohio. He grew to manhood in 
the latter State, and was married in Clinton County 

< • — 



to IMiss Nancy Mitchell, who was born in Kentucky, 
but was of Scotch and English ancestry. He car- 
ried on farming in Warren and Clinton Counties, 
in the latter of which he owned a farm. After the 
death of his wife he made his home with his chil- 
dren, coming West in later ye.ars, where his death 
occurred at the home of his son John, in Monti- 
cello, III., in about 1 873. The parental household 
was completed liy the l)irth of ten children, of 
whom the record is as follows : Elizabeth A. mar- 
ried William Hudson, and died in Clinton County, 
Ohio, when twenty-seven years of age; Mary J. 
became the wife of C. Y. Ilannen, and died in Clin- 
tcm County in Sei)tember, 1885; Emeline was flrst 
married to John Thonhill, who died in 1845; her 
second husband was Cyrus Steans, who is -also de- 
ceased, and Mrs. Steans lives in Clinton County, 
Ohio; John lives in Santa Barbara, Cal. ; Joseph, 
our subject, was the fifth child; Melissa married 
John Tribb}-, and died in Polk County, Iowa; 
Samuel lives in East Portland, Ore.; William died 
in Decatur, III., in 18S2; Henry served in an Ohio 
regiment during the late war, and died in the serv- 
ice while in Virginia; Nancy married George Ilan- 
nen, and lives in Iowa. 

The youth and (-hildhood of Joseph Keenan were 
passed in a manner common to farmers' bo3's. His 
opportunities for an education were limited, but lie 
made the most of them, and tramped two or three 
miles in the winter season to the temple of learn- 
ing, which was an humble log cabin built upon one 
of the lonely roads of Clinton County, Ohio. His 
education could only be carried on during the win- 
ter season, while his summers were employed in 
such duties as he could perform around the home- 
stead. He assisted his father in clearing the heavy 
timber from the farm which they opened up in the 
wilderness and in cultivating the soil. When eight- 
een years old he started out in business for him- 
self, buying produce and shipping to Cincinnati. 
He was employed at this for about six months, and 
then went to work in a cooper's shop. He was in- 
dustrious and economical, and saved his money, 
and in due time found himself with snflicient means 
to purchase a partly improved farm. Upon it was 
a log house, of which he took possession with his 
wife, and they lived there until ho was enaVjIed to 



t 



/ 



-4^ 



39(5 



.t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



j)iit up ;i more pretentious dwelling', this latter be- 
iiii;- two stories in lieiglit luiil iif hewed logs. He 
(•o]itinued his improvements upon this land and oc- 
cupied it until 1 >>o4, when he sold out and started for 
Illinois, via tiic Ohio, Mississijipi and Illinois Riv- 
ers to Alton, and from there to Sangamon County, 
wlierc he stop|ie<l a few weeks with his wife's 
lirdthcr, and in the meantime visited JMcLean 
County and prospected for a, location. 

After coming to this conutv Mr. Keenan rented 
land, the lirst season near Le iioy, and then pur- 
chased 17iS acres three nnles southeast, paying 
therefor the sum of |!22 per .acre. He added to 
his landed interests by subsequent purch.ases, but 
in 1!SG4 sold the original tract, and the following 
si)ring removed to liC Uo)-. About that time he 
purchased KKt acres of timber land of tlie late 
Judge David Davis, which he divided into small 
lots and sold nearly all of them l)efore the close of 
the year. In li-idti, in comiiany with T. .1. ISarnett, 
he engaged in the dry -goods trade luitil August of 
the following year, when he disposed of his inter- 
ests in the liusiness, and renting a store building in 
December, l)iG7, opened uji in the same business 
ahjue, continuing until 1 .syi, when he sold out. 

In 1S72 Mr. Keenan o|)ened a |)rivate bank which 
was familiarly known ,as .1. Keenan's Bank, and 
which he managed in connection with his store for 
several years. Of this, his son, Ai'thur .1., lias been 
the manager since 1880. He is part owner with S. 
F. liarnum, of the Empire Flouring-Mills, and is 
also interested witli the same gentleman in the coal 
and lumber trade, and in general farming and stock- 
raising. In 1870 he erected a brick bhx'k in which 
is conducted the only first-class hotel in the town, 
which is known as the Keenan House, and in addi- 
tion to this also owns the block where he lirst 
o|)eni'd up in business in Le Roy. 

Mr. Keenan was inarried in October, 1818, to 
Miss Hannah Sidles, who was born in Clinton 
Comdy, Ohio, and is the daugiiler of Israel and 
Nancy Sidles. Of this union there iiave been born 
four children : Walter M. took a course of study 
at tlie State Normal University, and also at the 
Michigan University in Ann Arbor, graduating 
from the latter in 1874, and is now engaged in a 
dry-g(^ods commission house in Chicago; Clara B. 



married L. A. Reynolds, and lives in Le Roy; Ar- 
thur Jay attended the State University at Cham- 
paign, 111., and has managed the banking business 
of his father since 1880; Luther C. is a brick man- 
ufacturer, and lives in Northwestern Nebraska. 
The family residence is a model of t.aste and con- 
venience, and its inmates are surrounded by all the 
comforts of life and many of its luxuries. Mr. 
Keenan identified himself with the Republican 
party at its organization, and still casts his vote in 
supi)ort of its [irinciples. He has lilled various 
positions of trust, and is one of the most honored 
and respected citizens of this county. His farming 
o])erations include the breeding of Norman horses, 
of which he has thirty-eight in number, four of 
them being imported animals which were secured 
at great expense, and the others are high grade. 
He is also interested in Short-horn cattle, and has 
a herd of nearly 150 hogs of the Poland-China 
breed. His landed estate now embraces UOO acres 
lying in West .and Empire Townships, each farm 
being sni>plied with good buildings and managed 
by relialile men. 

Mr. Keenan is one of those public-spirited and 
enter()rising citizens which are the life of a coni- 
mnnity, and without which it is imi>ossible to build 
up a coiuitr}' or a locality. He has contril)uted his 
full share toward the agricultural and industrial in- 
terests of this section, and receives his reward in 
the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. 

''k.A\ RS. ELIZA M. FRENCH was born in 
Preble County, Ohio, in 184'.), and is now 
a resident of IJloomington, 111., making her 
home with her daughter, Mrs. T. J. Read, 
at No. JSKi East North street. Eli H. French was 
a native of Belracmt County, Ohio, and the son of 
William and Mary (Bund}') French. His early 
yeais were s|)ent upon a farm in Ohio, and he came 
to Illinois when a young man, where he purch.ased 
a farm in Randolph Township, this county. He was 
married to .Miss F^liza Mason of ]\IcLean County. 
In 1854 he removed with his family to Story 
County, Iowa, w^here he purchased a farm of 
300 acres. Mrs. French subsequently returned to 
Bloomiugtou, where she has since lived. 




i 




t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 

397 ,A 



The sul)ject of this biogniijhy was the daughter 
of Solomon and Elizabeth (Frier) Mason, natives of 
Ohio. They came to Illinois in 1830, and settled 
in McLean County, where the mother died in 
Downs Township in 1851 ; the father is still living, 
having arrived at the advanced .age of eighty-live 
yeai's. The parental family consisted of eleven 
children, of whom Mrs. French was liftli in order of 
birth, and of these only six are living. Mrs. 
French some j^ears ago connected lierself with tlie 
United Brethren, and still remains a mcmlier of 
that church. 

Mary E.. the daughter of Mrs. French, w;is ni;ir- 
ried to Mr. T. J. Read in 1.S70, and they have four 
children — Arthur C, Carrie M., Ida 15. and Julia 
W. Mr. Read was liorn in Philadelphia in 1848, 
being the son of I>enjamin and Elizabeth (liehring) 
Re.ad, natives respectively of Mar3dand and Penn- 
sylvania. They came to Bloomington in l.S;')!;, 
and Mr. R. has been a resident of the city since 
that time. He is connected wiuh the PaiiUKjrapli. 
as collector and circulator, is a good business man 
and a worthy citizen. He built his tasteful and 
convenient residence in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. R. 
ai'fe members of the Metliodist F4)iscoi)al Churi'li. 
lie is Republican in politics and a thorough news- 
p.aper man, having lieen associated witli some of 
the city journals for the last thirty years. 



^ 



^^EOROE F. HAY, a resident of Danvers 
jll ,-— , Township, where he is engaged in farming 
^^J) pursuits on section 21, is a native of Todd 
County, Ky., and was liorn .Sept. 18, 1814. His 
parents were Peter and Eliz.abeth (Finley) Ha}', 
natives respectively of Massachusetts and Yirginia. 
Peter Hay w.as born in 1770, and died on the 24tli 
of August, 1S24, at the age of fifty-four years, in 
Christian County, Ky. He was by tr.ade a tinsmith, 
but the latter years of his life were spent in farm- 
ing pursuits. Religiously lie was connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The wife fol- 
lowed her husband to the better land on the 1st of 
Septemljer, 1824. She was connected with the Old- 
School Presbyterian Church. The iiarcntal hou.se- 
hold consisted of eight children — Jane, John, Su- 



san, Maiy, INIarcia, Rachel, Catharine 15., and (ieorgc 
F., our subject. 

The early life of George F. Hay was s[)ent on 
the farm and in attendance at the common schools. 
When twenty years of age he came to Illinois with 
Mr. Benjamin Major, settling near Eureka, and as- 
sisted Mr. Major in driving cattle from Kentuckj^ 
to Walnut Grove. In Februaiy, 1.S3G, he was ap- 
pointed to the office of De|)uty Surveyor of Mc- 
Lean County, which position he held for four years. 
Sulisequeutly he engaged in farming pursuits, and 
at all times emiJoyed his leisure moments in the 
perusal of good and instructive books. In this 
ni:mner he obtained a fund of useful information 
which served him well in lieu of a college educa- 
tion, and enabled him to engage successfully as a. 
sciiool teacher, which calling he followed for sev- 
eral winters. The tirst purchase of land by Mr. 
Hay consisted of thirty-seven acres of timber, and 
his ne.xt of eighty acres, which he obtained from 
the Government. He is now the owner of 217 
acres, and has a good set of farm buildings, being 
occupied in mixed husbandry. In 18.56, thinking 
a change would be desirable, Mr. Hay removed U> 
Woodford Comity and resided four years, during 
which time he became Assessor of the coinit}^ but 
linally returned to the ohl home in McLean, where 
he has been content to stay since that time. 

The marriage of our subject took place March 
17, 183G, when he was united with Miss Elizabeth 
10. McCullougii, the sister of Col. William McCul- 
lough, of PJoomingtoii, who was killed at the bat- 
tle of Coffeeville, Miss. Mi's. Hay was born in 
Fleming County^ Ky.. in 1.S21, and came to Dry 
(Jrove Township, this county, with her parents five 
3'ears later, in 182(). Her father was the first man 
who erected a house in said township. Of this 
townshi|) Mr. Hay has also been Assessor at two 
different times, and served as School Trustee for 
fourteen j'cars. Mr. and 3Irs. Hay are the parents 
of one child — Elizabeth L., who w.as born Dec. 27, 
l.s3(l, and married J. W. Owen, of Chicago, in 
September, 1853. Mr. O. is doing commission 
business at the L'nion Stock Yards. They have had 
five children, one of whom is deceased. 

Mr. Hay became a member of the Christian 
Church at Noah .Springs, Tenn., in l.s.'!2. Mrs. Hay 



»► m -M 



t^ 



i 



A 



398 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



became a member of the Christian Chbrch in Dan- 
vers, 111., and they have .since been connected with 
that denomination, Mr. H. liaving- held the offices 
of Deacon, Elder and Clerk. Politically he is a 
stanch Democrat. The parents of Mrs. Hay were 
Peter and Levina (Crooks) McCuUough, natives 
respectively of Maryland and Kentnck3% who lo- 
cated in the former State after their marriage, .and 
removed to Kentucky when Mrs. H. was but a 
small child. They came to Illinois in 1820, where 
the father died in .lauuary, IS.'iH or 18.')'.l, at the 
age of seventy-seven years. The mother of Mrs. 
Hay died in 1840, .aged fifty years. Of their fam- 
ily of nine children two only are living: Mary M., 
now Mrs. Perry, of Allin Township, and Mrs. Hay 
of our sketch. Peter McCullough was a Universal- 
ist in religious belief, but the mother of Mrs. Hay 
w.as a member of the Methodist Epi-seopal Ciuirch. 
Mr. Hay relates an incident of his early life 
which is of considerable interest. While roaming 
around the country with a young coniiiani<in and 
schoolmate they came to the mouth of a cave which 
had never been explored, but with true juvenile 
bravado they entered and proceeded some distance, 
coming out about a quarter of a mile from where 
they went in. Much credit was given the young 
heroes for their spirit of adventure. 



lENJAMJN F. PARKS, dece.a.sed, was for- 
merly a merchant of Le Roy, and one of its 
if®) ID pi'oniinent and reliable business men. He 
>^i^ w.as born ne.ar liloomiugton, Ind., Feb. 21, 
ls>27, his ancestors being .among the early settlers 
of that State. Mr. Parks grew to manhood in his 
native county, .and in company with his brother, L. 
II. I 'a iks, engaged in the manufacture of tobacco 
until 1853. Both brothers then came to Illinois, 
and locating in Lc Roy, this county, estalilished a 
dry-goods business, which they conducted until 
after the war. Then our subject jjurchased the in- 
terest of his brother in the business and o])erated 
it alone until his death, which occurred .Ian. 7, 
1871. 

The iiKuriage of Mr. P.-u'ks with Miss Martha J. 
Brown occurred on the 1st of Se|itcmlier, 1858. 



Mrs. Parks was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 
12, 1840. Her father, A.aron Brown, w.as n n.ative 
of Pennsylvania, where he pursued the occupation 
of a f.armer for some years, finally removing to 
Knox County, Ohio, where he died in 1846. In 
1 852 his widow removed with her children to this 
county, and settled near Le Roy. Mrs. Brown be- 
fore her marriage was Miss Isabella Pollock, and 
she was born in Ohio. She made her home with 
Mrs. Parks until the last years of her life, her death 
occurring about 1876, aged eighty-four. Mrs. 
Parks h.as three sons living: Theophilus and Charles 
live in Le Roy, the former engaged in the grocery 
trade; Fred is at home with his mother. Mrs. P. 
is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church. 

Mr. Parks in politics belonged to the Democr.atic 
party, and socially was a member of Lc Roy Lodge 
No. 140, I. O. O. F. 



IIARLES E. BAKER, President of the Ever- 
green City Business College, of Blooming- 
"^^^ ton, is a graduate of Ev.ansville Commercial 
College, and has been mainly instrumental in bring- 
ing it to its |)resent prosperous condition. He is a 
gentleman of fine education and good business ca- 
jiacity, havhig the rare faculty of adaiiting his at- 
tainments to practical uses. 

Mr. B.aker is a native of Indiana, and was born 
in Knox County, .luly l.'i, 1852. His father, Na- 
than Baker, a farmer by occupation, still resides in 
Knox County, Ind. His mother, who was formerly 
Miss Lucretia Wyant, was a native of Illinois, and 
died in 1855, .at the home of her husband in Knox 
County, Ind. Of their three children only one is 
living, the subject of this sketch, who was the 
youngest of the famil}'. 

The boyhood of Charles E. Baker was mostly 
spent upon his father's farm, his primary education 
being carriiMl on in the schools of his native county. 
After graduating from Evansville College he be- 
came Ijook-keejier for the llrui of French & Co., 
with whom he remained two years, and was then 
tendered the ])ositi<jn of Assist.ant Princip.al of 
Crescent City Commercial College at Evansville, 







■^*- 



McLean county. 



399 



I 



which position he occupied eighteen months. He 
came to Blooniington in the summer of 1874, and 
was soon afterward elected to his present position. 
The school, which was then in its infancy, under 
his efficient management has become one of the im- 
portant institutions of McLean County, and since 
its establishment has enrolled over 2,000 students, 
100 of whom are now prominent and useful citizens 
of Blooniington, occupying various positions among 
its business and industrial interests. 

The marriage of President Balvcr and Miss Lyda 
Beck was celebrated in 1872. Mrs. B. is a native 
of the Prairie State, and by her uni<jn with our 
subject has become the mother of four children, 
two sons and two daughters — Cora, Clarence, 
Maude and Walter. Mr. Baicer is Secretary and a 
prominent member of tlie Lidependent Cluirch of 
Blooniington, assisting greatly in its Sunday-school 
work, and contributing of liis time and means to- 
ward its maintenance and prosperity. He is als<j 
identifted with the Knights of Honor as their Sec- 
retary, and is an active and eflicient Ijrother. 



#"# 




\^feN E. LEE ALLIN, a prominent and popular 
member of the dental i)rofession of Mc- 
Lean County, is located in Bloomington, 
where, during a period of thirt3'-three 
years he has built up an extensive and lucrative 
practice. Dr. Allin is a native of tlie Prairie State, 
having been born in Vandalia, Fayette County, 
Nov. 27, 1828. He is tlie son of Hon. James and 
Catharine (Livingston) Allin, natives respectively 
of North Carolina and Boone County, Ky. James 
Allin, while a small boy, removed from his native 
State with his parents to Lidiana, and they settleil 
on a farm, near a small village called Rising Sun, in 
Ohio County. 

Here the father of our subject p.assed his boy- 
hood and youth, assisting his parents around the 
homestead and receiving a fair education in the 
common schools. He remained at home until 
twenty-one years old, and then, anxious to see 
something more of the world, engaged on a flat- 
boat, whicli floated grain and produce down the 
Mississippi River to New Orleans. After arriving 
-^ — ^ — ■■ ' 



tlierc lie woulil sell liis tlatboat, and purchasing a 
pony ride back tiirough the Indian Territory. He 
followed this for several years, and then engaged 
in mercantile pursuits at Rising Sun. After a few 
years he went t<j Edwardsville, Madison Co., 111., 
for a short time, and then purcliased a farm near 
Vandalia, which, after a short time, he sold and 
moved into town, where he perfected liis arrange- 
ments for la3'ing out a town in Sangamon County, 
that State. He started from \'andalia in the sum- 
mer of 1828, to prospect for his pet idea, and go- 
ing north reached the farm where the city of Bloom- 
ington now stands. He said to himself, "This is 
the place," and purchased 1(50 .acres of land from a 
man named William Evans. He returned to Van- 
dalia to s[)end the winter, and in the spring re- 
moved witii his vvife and f<iur children to his farm. 

Before starting Mr. Allin purchased a stock of 
goods in St. Louis, which lie conveyed overland to 
the place, and also li.ad a building in readiness 
to receive his goods and family. This was built of 
hewed logs, Imt it .abundantly answered the pur- 
pose in those d.ays. Thus was inaugurated the first 
store on the present site of Bloomington, and 
James Allin was the first merchant in the present 
limits of McLean County. After becoming com- 
fortably settled he })roeeeded to put his idea into 
execution, and laid out the original town jilat be- 
tween Front and North, and East and West streets, 
an area including twentj'-two and a half acres of 
land. This he proffered to the county, if its otii- 
cials would locate the county seat here, which 
proposition they accepted. To this he added what 
w.as called the " first addition to the town i)lat,"' 
and afterward made several other additions. He 
was a man of great liberality, and gave a great many 
lots to people who were too poor to buy, uiion the 
condition that they would locate and remain there. 

James Allin, Sr., was the first Postmaster of 
Bloomington, and the first Circuit Court was held 
in his hewed log cabin. After he located here 
his household was increased by the birth of a 
daughter, Catharine A., making in all a family 
of five children: William died in July, 1857, at 
the .age of forty-two years; he was through life, 
until his retirement in 18,5.'"), one of the most pros- 
perous merch.ants of Bloomington, commeucing 



-•►-B -♦> 



t 



t 



400 



'»¥^m^4* 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



business with liis father in 183G. James, also a 
merchant for many years, was ai)pointed Postmas- 
ter under Frcsident Lincoln, and after his term of 
service had expired removed to Kansas in 1882, 
where lie now resides; John, who was engaged in 
farming in McLean Townsiiip, departed this life in 
ISC'); Lee is the subject of this sketch ; Catharnie 
A. became the wife of Dr. Z. L. Hoover, who died 
in issi;; he was formerly a prominent physician of 
Iilixiiiiiiigton. 

lion. James Alliu, Sr., died in 180'.), at tlie age 
of eighty -one years. lie was a man of great force 
of eiiaracter, and became prominently identified 
witli tlie politica' and other important matters of 
this .-iection. He was elected State Senator about 
the year 1837, and in whatever position he was 
called to fill acquitted him.self faithfully and crcd- 
italily. lie was a hearty supporter of the church, 
and materially assisted in the establishment of Wes- 
leyan University and other institutions of learning. 
Witli his wife he belonged to the Methodist Epis- 
copal Cliurch, and was its liberal and cheerful sup- 
porter until the close of his life. In early manhood 
he was uviited in marriage with Miss Catharine, the 
daughter of Judge John Livingston, of Rising Sun. 
This lady died atiJIoomingtou in 1872, when sev- 
enty years of age. 

Dr. Lee Alliu of our sketch ranks among the pio- 
neer settlers of McLean County, being .seven months 
old when his parents removed to this vicinity, in 
1 82'.i. I lis boyhood d:i_ys were spent alternately in tin; 
subscription school and his father's store, in which 
he was given an interest when twenty years of age, 
which he retained for four years, and then aban- 
doned to commence the study of dentistry. In 
18.')2 he was married to Miss Julia Mcl''arland, who 
was born in JacksouvilU'. II!.. in 1 s.'il, and was the 
daughter of James and M;iry (Noble) McFarland. 
who removed from riiiladelphia to Illinois in about 
IS 10. The i)arent.-d family consisted of five chil- 
dr(m, of whom Mrs. Alliu was the youngest born. 
Mrs. McFarland died in 187.5; the father of Mrs. 
Alliu is still living in I'(!oria, having .arrived at the 
advanced age of nincdj' years. 

The Doctor and Mrs. Alliu became the p.ireuts 
of three children, only two of whom are living: 
L(u> 1). married Miss .Josephine (;arvey,and they 




have two children — Winfield S. and a babe un- 
named; this sou is a cimdnctor on the C, 15. & (I. 
R. R, Clay born is at home. Their plea.sant and 
comfortable residence is located at the intersection 
of East and Fr( )nt streets, where the Doctor .also has 
his ofHce. During his long residence here he has 
fnllj' established himself in the confidence and es- 
teem of his fellow-citizens, and ranks among the 
most valued members of the communit}'. He has 
witnessed great changes since his boyhood, and has 
contributed his full share as a good citizen toward 
the development and prosperity of McLean County. 
He is indeitendent in politics, and served as Deputy 
Clerk of the county in 18 18-49. Both the Doctor 
and his wife are connected with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 



RS. M. A. CAMPBELL, the widow of 
.lames Campbell, owns and occupies a snug 
11 homestead, consisting of eighty acres of 
land and a good f.arm dwelling on section 
35, White Oak Township. She is a native of Mor- 
gan Cc)unty, Ohio, and was born in 1840, being the 
daughter of John and Mary (Fry) Ray. Her 
father was l)oru in N'irginia, Dec. 30, 1803, and the 
mother near Wellsbnrg in the same State in 1813. 
They were married there in 183(), whence they re- 
moved shortly afterward to Ohio, and Mr. Ray pur- 
chased 1(10 acres of land in Morgan County. 
There he established a comfortable home, upon 
which he remained until his death, which occurred 
April 10, 18(;i. Mrs. Ray is still living on the old 
iKjmestead. They became the parents of the fol- 
lowing chihlren: Rachel .1., now Mrs. Thomas 
llemplield; M. A. <if our sketch; George V., 
who marrie<l Miss Elizabeth Wilson; Thomas, who 
manied .Miss KlizaRay; Samuel, who married Miss 
Elizabeth (Jordan, and Sarah E., unmarried and 
living with her mother. The parents belonged to 
the Presbyterian Church, and politically Mr. Ray 
was a stanch Democrat. 

Tlie subject of this history was married Oct. 5, 
I8(;.5, in McConnellsville, to James T. Campbell. 
Mr. C. was a native of Pennsylvania, and born in 
18.38. After their inarri.age they came westward, 



f 







.-^ 



^'^^ 



iJ).-:5)-jp«^.v:- 





'^ 






^ 



4 



<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



A 



403 



and located on eighty acres of land in this county, 
which Mr. C. improved and cultivated. His death 
occurred Dec. 4, 1878. During the late w.ar Mr. 
Campbell enlisted as a Union soldier, becoming a 
memlter of Co. C, 122d Regiment, Ohio Volunteers. 
He served three years, and participated in the bat- 
tles at Warrensburg, Port Royal, Kelley's Ford, 
Brandy Station, Locust Grove, and other engage- 
ments and skirmishes. He was also at the battle of 
Winchester and the siege of Vicksburg, and per- 
formed his duties bravely and faithfully, escajjing 
without a wound or being captured. As a citizen 
Mr. Campbell was highly valued in his community, 
and when among his family and friends displayed 
those genial and lovable traits which endeared him 
to all. He was a regular attendant of the Presby- 
terian Church, although he never connected himself 
with any religious organization. 

Mrs. Campbell lived with her parents during her 
childhood and youth, and until she was married, 
and received a fair education in the common 
schools. Since the death of her husband she h.as 
carried on the farm with good judgment and in a 
business-like manner. She is a very intelligent and 
pleasing l.ady,and highly respected by all who know 
her. 




t 



^^HOMAS S. RIDGWAY, a prosperous and 
influential farmer of Funk's Grove Town- 
ship, whose portrait is shown in connection 
with this sketch, is one of the most intelligent 
citizens of this locality, who has learned much from 
a large experience in life, and keeps himself well 
posted upon all matters of general interest. He is 
an extensive reader, and has made the most of his 
time and opportunities all through life. 

Mr. Ridgway is a native of Venango County, 
Pa., and was born in Franklin on the llth of 
March, 1819. His father, John Ridgway, was a 
native of Virginia, and his grandfather, Joseph 
Ridgway, of England, and descended from excel- 
lent English ancestry. The latter came with his 
parents to America in about 1794, locating first in 
Pennsylvania, whence tliey removed later to the 
Old Dominion. Joseiih Ridgway was a millwright 
by trade, and possessed in a maikcd degree the 



skill and thoroughness in his work and system in 
his business transactions, for which his ancestry 
were noted. His son John, the father of our sub- 
ject, also learned the trade of a millwright, but 
after following it a number of years purchased a 
tract of land in Venango County, and spent his 
later years in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. 
Early in life he was married to Miss Susan Titus, 
who was a native of Crawford County, Pa., and the 
daughter of Peter Titus, who was born in Germany 
and emigrated to America previous to the Revolu- 
tionary War. He became a soldier in that struggle, 
and was with Gen. Washington at Valley Forge. 
After the independence of the colonies was estab- 
lished he engaged in farming pursuits, and spent 
his last days in Crawford County, Pa., where he 
died at the advanced age of one hundred years. 

Thomas S. Ridgway was reared in his native 
town under the home roof and attended the sub- 
scription schools as opportunity offered. When 
twenty-two years of age he entered Venango 
Academy in Franklin, and fitted himself for a 
teacher. He followed this profession three years, 
and in the meanwhile occupied his leisure time in 
the study of law, making such proficiency that he 
was admitted to the bar at Franklin in 1842. He 
soon afterward opened an office in Franklin, but 
the confinement witliin doors undermined his 
health, and he was obliged to abandon his pro- 
fession. In 1849 he went to New Orleans and was 
employed as clerk in a lumber-yard there until he 
engaged in the same business for himself, and was 
thus occupied for eight years following. In 1857 
he went to Nashville, Tenu., and opened a whole- 
sale store of general merchandise, which he oper- 
ated for one and one-half years. He then con- 
ducted the same business in St. Lonis for the same 
length of time, and afterward engaged in the 
wholesale grocery and liquor trade in Memphis, 
Tenn., until 1864, whence he came to McLean 
County in June of the same year. He then pur- 
chased the farm which he now owns and occupies, 
and upon which he has followed agricultural pur- 
suits and stock-raising. 

The marriage of Thomas S. Ridgway and Miss 
Frances Shelley was celebrated in New Orleans on 
the Gth of July, 1853. Mrs. R. is a native of 



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404 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



France, and the daughter of Joseph Shelley, who 
came to the United States with his family when the 
wife of our subject was a child six years of age,. 
They located in Richland County, Ohio, where 
Mrs. R. was reared and received her education. 
Of this union there has been no issue. They have 
an adopted daughter. Josephine, now the wife of 
A. D. Lawrence, of Le Roy. 

The farm estate of our subject includes 405 
acres of valuable land, in a fine state of cultivation, 
well drained with tile. It is stocked with fine 
grades of the domestic animals, and supplied with 
all the appliances necessary for the carrying on of 
agriculture after llie most improved methods. The 
family residence is a handsome and substantial 
structure, and the barns and out-buildings are in 
all respects fully adapted to the storing of grain 
and the shelter of stocl<. Everything within the 
house and about the premises indicates, the exercise 
of cultivated tastes and ample means, and the 
homestead presents one of the most .•ittr.ictive 
features in the landscape of McLean County. 

In polities Mr. Ridgw.ay easts his vote in sup- 
port of the principles of the Democratic party, and 
in his religiou.s views is liber.al. He has been prom- 
inently identified with the business and agricult- 
ural interests of this section since his arrival here, 
and has aided materially in its prf>sperity and 
advancement. 







(I^ARRISON C. LOTT, Superintendent and 
" Manager of the County- Poor Farm of Mc- 
Lean C'ounty, was placed in charge of this 
i^j instituti<jn on the 1st of March, 1882, and 
has occupied it since that time with credit to him- 
self and satisfaction to all concerned. The farm 
is located on section 33, lUooniington Township, 
and within the last four years has had an increase 
of inmates at the rate of about eight persons per 
annum. The farm consists of 220 acres, and is 
beautifully located. The main building is of brick, 
with slate ro(»f, and furuislied with all the conve- 
niences necessary for the care and comfort of a 
large household. The barns and out-buildings are 
in keeping with the ;isyluni, and do credit to the 



benevolence of the people of McLean County. 
The subject of our sketch was born in Jefferson 
County, Ind., Aug. 18, 1848. His father, Abner 
Lott, was a native of Kentucky, and when a young 
man went to Jefferson County, Ind., where htf mar- 
ried Miss Mary Orrill, who was born in ^'irginia, 
of German descent. The parents succeeded in 
opening up a good farm in Jefferson County, where 
they are now living a comfortable and happy old 
age among the friends and associates of many long 
years, and loved and respected by all who know 
them. Abner Lott is now sixty-eight years of age, 
and his wife, Mrs. Mary Lott, sixty-three. 

Harrison C. Lott was the fourth child of a fam- 
ily of five sons and seven daughters. He was 
reared at home, applied himself contentedly to 
farm life, and attended the district schools of his 
native county. At the age of fifteen years he en- 
listed in the 140th Indiana Infantry, and served 
seven months, the war then closing, which termin- 
ated his soldier life. During the short time he 
was in the service they were compelled to march 
forty-eight hours without food. At the age of 
nineteen, he started out to battle for himself, and 
came to McLean County, 111., where he eng.aged 
in agricultural pursuits. 

On the 29th of January, 1873, Mr. Lott was 
married to Miss j\Iary J. Waddington, a native of 
Williamson County, 111., who was born IM.ay 12, 
1848, and was the daughter of Oeorge arid Eliza- 
beth (Kershaw) AVaddington. Her parents were 
natives of England, and came to the United States 
before their marriage, settling in Williams County, 
where they were married, and aftenvard removed 
to McLean, locating in Downs Township, where 
they established a permanent home and passed the 
remainder <,)f their d.ays. Mrs. Lott remained with 
her parents until her marriage, .and by her union 
with our subject became the mother of six children, 
the two eldest of whom, Ida M. and one unnamed, 
died in infancy. The living are (Tcorge A., Will- 
iam H., Jessie E. and Elsie B. 

Mr. and j\Irs. Lott have lived in JIcLean County 
since their marriage, and in his business and farm- 
ing operations our subject has been uniformlj- suc- 
cessful. His man.agement of the Poor Farm has 
been wise and judicious, and he has proved lam- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



A 



405 a 



self fully equal to the duties of a difficult position. 
He has held various miuor offices in his township, 
and in polities is a solid Republican. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Lott are members in good standing of the 
Christian Church. Mr. Lott is a member of the 
G. A. R., Post 146, of Bloomington, 111. 

It is with pleasure that the publishers of this 
work present the portrait of Mr. Lott, as being 
that of an honored and worthy representative of 
Bloomington Township. 




R. JOHN SCOTT, of Bloomington, is a 
registered veterinary surgeon, and re- 
ceived the gold medal of a class of eighty- 
five students, who graduated from Ontario 
Veterinary College, at Toronto, Canada, in 1886. 
He is als<:) a member of the Ontario Veterinary 
Medical Society, and the Illinois Veterinary Medi- 
cal Association. His office in Bloomington is at 
No. 408 West Front street, where he is i)rosecnting 
the practice of his profession intelligently and suc- 
cessfully. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of Western 
Canada, and was born Fel). 16, 1862. His parents 
were William and Margaret (Smith) Scott, the 
former a Canadian of Irish descent, and the mother, 
of excellent .Scottish ancestry, was born in the land 
of the thistle and came to Canada with her parents 
when eight years of age. She was married to the 
father of our subject in 1858, and they located 
upon a farm. Since that time William Scott has 
been industriously engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, and now has a fine estate of 200 acres near 
Orangcville, Canada. The parental household con- 
sisted of four children, of whom Isaac is a student 
at the Ontario Veterinary College; John, our sub- 
ject, was the second son ; Jeanette and Thomas are 
in Canada. William Scott is one of the prominent 
men of AVestern Canada, and has been intimately 
identitied with the growth and progress of that por- 
tion of the Dominion. He belongs to the Reform 
p.arty, and with his wife is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Dr. John Scott remained at home with his par- 
ents until he was twenty-one years of age, assist- 



ing in the laboi'S on the farm, and pursuing his 
studies in the High School where he received a fine 
education. He attended the Ontario College for 
a period of two years, giving his principal atten- 
tion to the details of the branches which he is now 
pursuing, and in the meantime engaged in practice 
under the instruction of Dr. O'Neill, one of the 
leading veterinary surgeons of Canada. Our sub- 
ject came to Bloomington on the 22d of April, 
1886, and even in this comparatively short time 
has built up a fine practice with rare prospects for 
the future. He is a young man, ambitions to 
excel in his profession, and if he continues in the 
manner in which he has begun, will become one of 
the leading men in his profession in this State. 
He is independent in politics, and keejis himself 
well posted upon all matters of general interest. 



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AMES H. ROBINSON, deceased, was one of 
the most active and prominent business men 
of Bloomington. and greatly respected for 
his excellent moral character and genial 
social qualities. He was a native of the Empire 
State, born in Washington County. March 11, 
1808. He removed from Saratoga Springs to 
Bloomington in the fall of 1836, and from that 
time was intimately identified with the business in- 
terests of this section. 

The father of our subject was Benjamin Robin- 
son, a native of New England, and the mother was 
formerly Miss Rnhanna Wood, who was born in 
Westport, Mass., Dec. 0, 1778. James H. Robin- 
son was the fifth of a family of eleven children, 
and entered upon his business career in Blooming- 
ington. 111., as a clerk with James Allen in general 
merchandise. He afterward became the partner of 
his employer, and they continued business until 
1840, when the business was sold out. Four years 
later Mr. Robinson went into business on his own 
account, which he operated very successfully until 
18.')2. His next venture was in the lumber trade, 
which he conducted successfully for about six years. 
In 1 860 he became President of the Bloomington 
Bank, in which he was one of the principal stock- 
holders, and which position he occupied until his 






I 



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406 



a. 



McLean county. 






death, which occurred in December, 1874. This 
is now linown as the First National Bank, and un- 
der his wise management were laid the foundations 
which liave been the secret of its success. 

Mr. Robinson was married in 1842, to Miss L. 
M. Drake, who was born in 1821, and is tlie daugh- 
ter of Rev. B. B. Drake, a minister of the Presby- 
terian Church. Of their children the following 
survive : Charles W. is Cashier of the First Nat- 
tional Bank of Bloomington; John D. is a florist; 
James and Benjamin are pursuing their studies at 
Harvard College. 

The fine brick residence on East Clay street, 
which constitutes the present homestead of the 
family, was erected in 1 809. It is built after the 
modern style of architecture, and is surrounded by 
beautiful and extensive grounds, embellished with 
native forest trees and choice shrubbery. All its 
appointments both within and without are indic- 
ative of refined tastes and ample means, and the 
family is held in the highest respect throughout the 
county, where they are widelj^ known. 



■-^--^^^:^^^^^^^^)<^^ 



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JOHN D. ROBINSON, florist, at Bloomington, 
is the second son of James H. and Latrecia 
(Drake) Robinson, the date of his birth be- 
ing Aug. 16, 1852. He was educated in the 
public schools of his native city, and in early years 
indicated by his tastes in floriculture, the business 
to which he was best adapted in life. With this 
end in view he spent two years in the Bloomington 
Nursery, which was then known as the I'hcenix. 
During that time he acquired a thorough knowledge 
of plants and trees and the care and treatment re- 
quired in their successful propagation and growth. 
After graduating from this department he spent one 
year with William C. Wilson, a noted nursery-man 
of New York, and completed the experience re- 
quired in the successful operation of the business 
of a florist. 

Returning to Bloomington, in 1871, Mr. Robin- 
son established the grounds and greenhouse wiiich 
have now become familiarly known as the largest 
and most thoroughly equipped of anj-thing of the 
kind in the city. In the construction of his green- 




house there were employed 10,800 feet of glass, 
which furnishes ample room for the multitude of 
plants and flowers which he keeps constantlj' on 
hand. The establishment is warmed by a complete 
system of hot water [npes attached to three boilers, 
in which the water is kept at an oven temperature. 
Mr. Robinson has built up a flue trade, and be- 
sides the bulbs and roots which he furnishes by the 
thousand, he also deals extensively in cut flowers, 
large numbers of which he furnishes for funerals, 
weddings, and other important events. He also 
ships large orders of these to Kansas City, Peoria, 
and intermediate points, besides having a good 
home trade. Mr. Robinson is unmarried, and makes 
his home with his widowed mother in the family 
residence at the intersection of Clay and East 
streets. 



BEL GALE SMITH, editor of the Le Roy 
Free Press, is a native of Westmoreland 
County, Pa., and w.as born Oct. 13, 1832. 
His father, Jacob Denton Smith, was a na- 
tive of the same State, whore he followed farming 
pursuits until 1833, when he removed with his 
family to Ohio and located on a farm in Erie 
County. His decease occurred at Sandusky City 
in 184'.l. His wife, the mother of our subject, was 
formerly Elizabeth Conger, also a native of Penn- 
sylvania. She was married to Jacob D. Smith in 
Pennsylvania, and removed with him to Ohio and 
died at Shelby, Richland County, on the 30th of 
April, 1877. They were the parents of six chil- 
dren, of whom the record is as follows: Cordelia 
married Harrison Mickey, of Shelby, in 1846; Mrs. 
Robert A. Smith lives in Chicago; Abel (i. was 
the third child and oldest son ; Miss Docia B. 
Smith lives in Chicago; Emma, Mrs. Silas Abbott, 
lives in Kentucky ; Robert is engaged in iniuting 
in Chicago. 

The subject of this history was one 3'ear old 
when his parents removed from his native State to 
Ohio. He remained with them until he was seven- 
teen and thou adopted the printer's trade. In 1855 
he purchased the Free Press at Milan, which he con- 
ducted for six years, and then, removing to Wat- 
seka. 111., became owner of the honuins JiepubUcan, 



B^HIh 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



407 ^i 



which he conducted for five years. He then re- 
moved to Danville and entered upon the publica- 
tion of the Danville daily and weekly Times, con- 
tinuing there until li^Hl. Thence he came to Le 
Roy. 

The Le Roy Free Prens was founded by A. G. 
Smith, Sept. 29, 1882. It is a neatly ^'gotten up 
six-column folio paper, Republican in politics and 
has a fair circulation. Mr. Smith is an old and ex- 
perienced newspaper man and has established a 
good many papers in his time, all of which have 
done good service in the journalistic field. The 
Free Press is well edited and a very readable pa- 
per, and devoted particularlj^ to the building up of 
the thriving town of Le Roy. 

The marriage of Abel Gale Smith and Miss 
Charlotte B. Paige was celebrated on the 1.5th of 
September, 187.5. at Alexander, Genesee Co., N. 
y. Mrs. Smith is a native of Owego, Tioga Co., 
N. Y., and became a resident of Illinois in 1872. 
Of this union there have been born two sons — ^Paul 
and Gale. B3' a former marriage Mr. Smith has 
one son — Dudlej', of Chicago. 



^ALMADGP] ROSS, deceased, was a native 
of Pickaway County, Ohio, and born Feb. 
11, 1820. He dei)arted this life near Le Roy, 
July 23, 1882. having made for himself a good 
record as a worthy citizen, a kind husband .and 
father, and one whose name is held in kindly remem- 
brance for his sterling worth in all the relations of 
life. The father of our subject, Moses L.'Ross, was 
one of the early pioneers of Pickaway County, Ohio, 
where he purchased a tract of timber land, opened 
up a farm in the wilderness, and established a com- 
fortable home where he spent the remainder of his 
days. In early manhood he was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Frazee, who survived her husband a 
number of years and died in McLean County, 
while on a visit to her son in 1882. 

Talmadge Ross was reared on his father's farm 
in Ohio and I'emained under the parental roof until his 
marriage. He then purchased IGO acres of land in 
Pickaway County, upon which was a hewed log 
house and a barn, and about two-thirds of the land 




was under cultivation. He had been reared to 
habits of industr3' and economy, and proceeded with 
the improvements of his new purchase with the 
hope and courage of youth, meeting with success. 
In a little more than two years he obtained a clear 
title to his purchase and thus, while a young man, 
had a good start in life. In 1855 he sold out and 
came to llhnois, accompanied by his wife and two 
children. They located in Champaign County, 
where Mr. Ross rented a hotel which he conducted 
for one year and then, coming to McLean County, 
purchased 226 acres of land in Empire Township. 
As time passed on he added to his landed area and 
became the possessor of 480 acres, all enclosed and 
improved, and supplied with a fine set of frame 
buildings. In addition to general farming he gave 
considerable attention to stock-raising and became 
one of the most prominent and successful farmers of 
this section. His death occurred upon the home- 
stead, which he had improved and beautified, and 
where he had surrounded his family with all the 
comforts .and many of the luxuries of life. 

The marriage of Talmadge Ross and Miss Mar- 
garet E. Thomas was celebrated in Pickaway 
County, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1850. Mrs. Ross was 
born in said county Jan. 10, 1830, being the daugh- 
ter of Edward and Fannie (Lair) Thomas, natives 
respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Her 
grandfather, Nicholas Thomas, was a native of 
Maryland, and emigrated to Pickaway County, Ohio, 
at an early day. He settled upon a timber tract 
from which he cleared a farm and where he spent 
his last years. His son Edward, the father of Mrs. 
Ross, was reared to farming pursuits and spent his 
'entire life in Pickaway County, Ohio, eng.aged in 
agriculture. The mother also died in that county. 
The parental household consisted of six children, 
as follows: Davis C. is a resident of Bloomington, 
111. ; Mary E., the wife of William Ross, lives in 
Empire Township, this county ; Josephine E., Mrs. 
Clark W. Davis, also lives in this township; Pamelia 
F. married Henry Crumbaugh, and they live in 
Monarch, this county; James E. lives on the home- 
stead, and Talmadge J. resides with his mother. In 
September, 1883, the year following her husband's 
death, Mrs. Ross removed to Le Roy, where she pur- 
chased a residence and lived one year. She then 



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40S 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



rcUiriK'i] to tlie farm for two years, and in IHHG 
went back to Le Roy, which is her present home. 
.She is a member in good standing of the Jlcthodist 
Episcopal Chnrch, .ind^gi-eatly respected })y a large 
circle of friends and associatesas having l)een the 
worthy helpmeet and companion of one of the most 
worthy men of this connt}'. 



OSEPII KINCi. a well-to-do farmer of O.ak 
(irove Township, is a native of the Prairie 
State and of this coMnty, born Oct. 1.5, 
((^J// 1844. His pai'cnts were Christian and Phebe 
(Barnett) King, both natives of Baden, (iermany. 
Christian King emigrated to America in 1 830, and 
went directly to Bntler County, Ohio, where he 
rented a tract of land and carried on farming for 
ten years. He emigrated to this State in 1840, and 
engaged here in farming pursuits until his death, 
which occurred in April, 1882. The mother accom- 
panied her husband to Illinois, and departed this 
life m 1876. Politically Mr. King, in later years, 
w.is independent, and both parents were worthy 
members of the Mennonite Church. 

The subject of this historj' was reared on liis 
father's farm, and received a common-school edu- 
cation. He was married in 1868, to Miss Anna 
Hodler, and they lived upon his father's farm for 
live years. He then puichased eighty-four .acres of 
good land which constitutes his present homestead. 
He has a handsome and commodious residence, 
with a good barn and all necessary out-buildings, 
and is making a specialty of raising fine horses of 
Hanibletonian stock. Of these he h.as now about 
twelve head, and st)me^finc specimens of Norman. 

Mr. and Mrs. K. have become the parents of four 
children — Emanuel A., .Joseph A., AValter F. and 
Charles. Mr. K. is one of the progressive farmers 
of this section, a gentleman in the prime of life, 
and pos.sessing those excellencies of character which 
iiave gained him the confidence aijd esteem of those 
who know him. 

The children of Christian and Phebe King, the 
parents of our subject, were as follows : Ciiristian 
married Miss Barbara Saltzman ; John married Mi.ss 
LydiaTroyor;, Jacob married .Miss Anna Neuhauser; 



Daniel married Mary Hodler; Peter, Miss Barbara 
Hodler; .Toseph, Miss Anna Hodler; Samuel, ftHss 
I\Iar\' Schad ; Barbara bei-ime the wife of David S. 
Roiip. 

.Tosejjh Hotller, the father of Mrs. King, w.as a 
native of France and born in 1820, and departed 
this life in i\larcii, 1881. His wife, formerly Miss 
Barbara Schertz, was born in (Germany. Both [lar- 
ents came to America wiieu quite young, settling 
in Pennsylvania, where the mother was married the 
first time and removed to Butler County, Ohio, 
with her husband, where he died. She was also 
married in that county to ,lose|ih lb idler and they 
lived there for some years afterward, removing 
thence to McLean County, this State, and locating 
in Dale Townshij), where they spent the remainder 
of their days. .Joseph Hodler departed this life in 
M.arch, 1881. The mother had died in 1868. 

Joseph Hodler was twice married, his first wife 
having Jjeen Miss Mary .Schertz, .and his second, 
the mother of our subject. Mrs. Hodler b^' her 
first marri.age became the mother of one child, a 
son, C'hristian Imhoff. 

Mr. K. is Uepuljlican in iiolilics, Itnt latterly has 
voted the independent ticket at local elections. 
Both he and his wife are members in good standing 
of the Mennonite Church. 



ylLLlAM JONES, one of the self-made men 
and energetic citizens of Le Roy, is a na- 
tive of Liverpool, England, and born Sept. 
20, 1836. His father, John Jones, a tailor by 
trade, was a native of the same country, his birth 
having occurred July 4, 1800. He foUoweil his 
trade in Liverpool in early life, and in about 1840 
emigrated to America. He first located in Spring- 
field, Ohio, and in companj' with another gentle- 
man eng.aged as a merchant tailor, and two years 
later was joined liy his wife and son. They lived 
in Springfield until 18,51, then came to Illinois and 
located in Danville, where John Jones opened a 
tailor-shop, and carried on business until his death, 
which occurred in 1857. In early life he was mar- 
ried to Miss Betsey Wood, a native of his own 
country, who was born Jul}- 10, 1804. They be- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



409 



t 



came the parents of five children, two now living, 
of whom our subject was the second. His sister 
Maggie, who was born in C)hio, married Joseph 
Taut, and they live iu Terre Haute, Ind. ; Martha 
died in Mncenncs, Ind., a few mc)nths after her 
marriage. The mother survived her husband a few 
months, and died in Danville, 111., in l.S.'tT. 

William Jones w.as a child of six years when he 
came to America with Jiis mother to join his father 
in Ohio. He icmained under the parental roof 
during his childhood and youth, and received care- 
ful home training, and attended a private school 
in Springfield. When fifteen 3'ears old he com- 
menced working in a blacksmith-shop at .Sehna, but 
after a few months proceeded to Danville, 111., 
whence, later, he went to Higginsvillo, but finally 
returned to Danville, and from there went to Deca- 
tur. He possessed natural mechanical talent, and 
after a short apprenticeship of two years was so 
skillful and correct in his work that he commanded 
journeyman's wages. He also became quite a trav- 
eler, and visited various places in Indiana, Iowa, 
Missouri and Texas. In the latter State he estab- 
lished business near Ft. Graham, on the Brazos 
River, in 1858. At that time this was on the front- 
ier, and about 225 miles from any railroad station. 
From there, in 18G0, he went to Decatur, 111., 
thence, in 18G1, to Newburg, and then ta Le Roy, 
and established a blacksmith-shop, which he opera- 
ted four years, and then removed to C4illespie, in 
Macoupin County, establishing a shop there also. 
After eighteen months he returned to Le Roy, and 
engaged as a machinist in the shops of the I., B. & 
W. R. R., where he remained until the spring of 
1871. In March of that year he started a black- 
smith-shop, and engaged in horse-shoeing and gen- 
eral repairs for four or five years, and then estab- 
lished the machine-shop which he has managed until 
the present time. He is industrious, energetic and 
wide-awake, and has uniformly met with success, 
being now in the enjoyment of a handsome compe- 
tency. 

The marriage of William Jones and Miss Eliza- 
beth Johnson took place in Decatur, 111., on the Dth 
of January, 1857. Mrs. Jones was born in Spring- 
field, Sangamon Co., 111., and is the daughter of 
Benjamin F. and Elizabeth Johnson, of Kentucky. 



Of their union have been born Ave children, of 
whom the record is as follows: Emma is the widow 
of Dr. A. C. Fisk, and lives in Le Roy; John F. 
married .Miss Sallie Allensworth, and lives at Minier, 
Tazewell Count}'; Charles G. is associated with his 
father in business; Ada died in infancy; Edith is 
the youngest, and at home with hei' parents. 

The great-grandfather of Mrs. Jones, (irancier 
Johnson, was a native of Germany, and came to 
tho United States prior to the Revolutionary War, 
settling in " Old Virginia." He was there married, 
and became the father of three children — James, 
Stephen and William. Stephen became a Baptist 
l)re.acher, while tho other two followed farming. 
William, the grandfather of Mrs. Jones, married 
Miss Tabitha Boiler. They reared six children, 
namely, Sarah, James, Benjamin, Edmund, Younger 
and Thomas. They removed to Kentucky in 1797, 
being among the first settlers of the (ireen River 
country, where thej' were neighbors of Daniel Boone, 
the famous Indian fighter and hunter. The daugh- 
ter, Sarah, became the wife of Jonathan Brotun- 
back, a native of Germany. They came to Illinois 
in 1835. and settled at the old trading-post, twelve 
miles e.ast of Decatur, in Macon County, before the 
ludiaus had left that part of the country. Both 
Mv. and Mrs. B. died there, having had one son, 
.James, who married Miss Poll}' Turpin. He was 
drowned iu the Kentucky River. 

Benjamin Johnson, the father of Mrs. Jones, was 
born in Virginia in 1791, and was six years old 
when his parents removed to Kentucky. He re- 
mained with them until his marriage, in 1816. His 
wife, formerly Miss Eliz.abeth Agee, was also a na- 
tive of the Old Dominion, and the daughter of Ad- 
ler and Rejoice Agee, the former a native of Ire- 
land. Mr. Johnson followed farming until 18.34, 
but after his removal to Grant County, Ky., en- 
gaged in tobacco raising until 1837. He then re- 
moved with his f.amily to Illinois, and lived one 
year at the old trading-post in Macon County. 
Thence, iu 1838, he removed to Decatur, where he 
purchased a farm and again resumed agriculture 
nntil his death. Only three of their ten children 
are now living — Willis, Lonisa and Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Jones.) Willis Johnson was born in Jladison 
County, Ky., in 1820. He came to Illinois with 



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410 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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his parents in 1837, and on the 14th of July, 1842, 
was married to Miss Damaras A. Sinclair. He also 
engaged in tobacco raising for three years, but is 
now carrying on a farm near Decatur, 111. Louisa 
became the wife of James Abrams, and is also a 
resident of Decatur, 111. The grandfathers of Mrs. 
Jones on both sides served in tlic Revolutionary 
War. 

Politically our subject is Republican, and socially 
is a member of Lc Roy Lodge No. 221, A. F. & 
A. M. Mrs. Jones is a member in good standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family 
residence is a handsome and tasteful structure, lo- 
cated on the corner of Walnut and Green streets, 
and Mr. Jones and his family enjo}' the friendship 
and association of the best class of the community. 

I/AMES K. NOBLE, Constable of McLean 
County, has his residence at No. 604 East 
Taylor street, Bloomington, his office being at 
No. 221 North Main street. Mr. Noble is a na- 
tive of Hamilton County, Ohio, and was born June 
28, 1 829. He is the son of David and Rebecca (Karr) 
Noble, tlic father a native of Ohio and the mother 
of New Jersey. Tlicy came to Illinois in 1831, 
and settled in Randolph Grove, Randol[>h Town- 
ship, this county. Here, David Noble purchased a 
farm which was but slightly improved, and carried 
on the pursuit of agriculture luitil about 1850. He 
then sold out and took possession of 100 acres in 
another part of the township, this latter being 
Government land. He built a comfortable farm 
house and all necessary out-buildings, planted an 
orchard and shrubbery, and established a comfort- 
able home, upon which he spent the remainder of 
his days, dying in 1 8(i5. The mother died in this 
State in 1838. Their famil}- of six children are as 
follows: William C, Sarah J. (Mrs. Munson), Ste- 
phen K., Mercy A. (Mrs. Rust), James K. and 
Thomas J. David Noble was for many years Post- 
master of Randolph Township, and a member of 
the Masonic fraternity. He was a man of great 
personal worth and highly respected wherever he 
made his liome. 

The subject of tliis biography was reared on a 

-^. 



farm until twenty-one j^ears of age, receiving a 
common-school education. After becoming his 
own man he first rented a farm in Randolph Town- 
ship, which he operated for a few years, and in 
1858 purchased eighty acres in the same township, 
which he cultivated and occupied until 1870. He 
then disposed of his farm property and moved into 
Bloomington, which has since remained his home. 
He i)urchased his present residence in 1872. 

The marriage of James K. Noble and Miss Sarah 
A. Johnston took place in this county in 1872. 
Mrs. N. was a native of New Jersey, and the 
daughter of William and Rebecca Johnston. Of 
her union with our subject there were born the fol- 
lowing: Mark is a resident of Chicago; Rel)ecca, 
Mrs. LaBelle of P>loomington, is the mother of one 
child, a son, Stanley ; Frank is janitor of the county 
jail in Bloomington; William J. is telegraph oper- 
ator and press reporter for the Western Union at 
Bloomington ; Charles A., also a telegraph oper- 
ator, is stationed at Springfield; Lillie, Carrie, 
Hattie and Clyde are at home. 

Mr. Noble in earlier years learned the plasterer's 
trade, at which he worked a few j'ears after coming 
to Bloomington. In 1874 he was appointed Deputy 
Sheriff under James Hoodhart, which position he 
occupied four years, and was elected County Cou- 
staljJe in 1882, holding the position until the 
present (1887). AVhile in Randolph Township he 
served as School Director, and has alwaj's taken 
an active interest in whatever was calculated to 
advance the growth and prosperity of his county. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Noble are connected with the 
Christian Church, and our subject in all respects is 
rated as a representative citizen and business man. 

iUDOLPH R. REEDER, Principal of the 
Grammar Department of the Illinois State 
Normal University, is a native of Ohio, be- 
ting born in Warren County, Jan. 5, 1859. 
His father, George W. Reeder, was a native of the 
same State and county, and his mother, Jane 
(Thompson) Reeder, was born in New Jersey. The 
family came West in 1860, and settled near Mat- 
toon, 111., whence they afterward removed to Moul- 




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RESIDENCE OF JOHN T. HI LL ;5EC. 3(, ^DRr GROVE TP 



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RESIDENCE OF AUGUSTUS H ILL, SEC. 19, PADUA TP . 



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RESIDENCE OF WM . YO U N G , SEC. 2 I , PA DU A TP 



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McLean county. 



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trie Comity, and from there in 1.S74 came to Nor- 
mal. Here the fatlier died in January, 1H83, at the 
age of seventy-two years; the mother is still living 
and resides with her children. Of these there were 
seventeen in number, all but three having lived to 
attain their majority. Fonr sons served as soldiers 
in the late war; one fell at the battle of Ft. Don- 
elson, mortally wounded, and one died in the serv- 
ice. At the present writing (18t57) ten of the fam- 
ily are living. 

The subject of our sketch was the fifteenth child 
of his parents' family, and the youngest who lived 
to adult years. His boyhood and youth were 
passed upon the farm, and his first studies were 
conducted in the district school. His school life 
during those early days nundjered about three 
months annually. When the family settled at Nor- 
mal he was a youth of fifteen years. He attended 
the liublic school one term and then entered the 
grammar grade, whence he was almost immediately 
promoted to the High School department. One 
year later he was engaged as a teacher in one of the 
country schools of McLean County, and subse- 
qnentl3' attended the State Normal University dur- 
ing the spring terms for five years. In summer he 
worked in the harvest field and did whatever else 
he could find to do, and taught school during the 
winters. He was obliged to paj' his own way 
through school, but his anibiticju and his gratifying 
success encouraged him to persevere. His educa- 
tion cost him about $1,200, all of which he paid 
from his own earnings. 

In the fall of l.S!f() I'rof. Reedei' was chosen 
Principal of the Public Schools in Rutland, which 
position he held three years, and employed his leis- 
ure time in the further pursuit of his studies, and 
in due time passed the examinations and gi'adu- 
ated from the State Normal Universit}^ with hon- 
ors, altiiough he had not attended school for three 
years. Prof. Reeder for two years and one-half 
was associated with Prof. J. W. Cook as editor and 
()ublisher of the ■'Illinois School Journal," and has 
otherwise contributed much of his time and means 
to further the cause of education, for which he has 
a genuine love and a deep and abiding interest. 

Prof. Reeder was married on the 20th of .June, 
f 1883, to Miss May Ilewett, daughter of Dr. E. C. 



Ilewctt, of Normal, and they have become the par- 
ents of two children — Irene May and Ruth Ange- 
line. The family are regular attendants of the 
Baptist Church, of which Prof. Reeder has been a 
member for four years. He is held in the highest 
esteem .as an educator and a citizen, and does 
honor to the ixjsition which he occui)ies. 



OSIAH RICHARDSON, a highly respected 
resident of Bloomington, is now retired from 
active business, and living in the enjoyment 
of a competency accumulated by the indus- 
try and good management of earlier years. He is 
a native of Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y.. and 
the s(m of Josiah and Cynthia (Tolman) Richard- 
son, n.atives resi)ectively of Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire, who spent their entire lives engaged in 
faiining pursuits, and died on the old homestead 
when well advanced in years. 

The subject of this history remained on the farm 
until nineteen years old, attending school during 
the winter seasons. In 18ol he started for the 
West, and located in Bloomington, then a little 
city of 1,000 souls. In 1854 he pni-chased a piece 
of ground, put up a good building, and engaged 
in the manufacture of wagons and carriages. The 
building with its contents was destroyed by fire 
the following year, and Mr. Richardson lost the 
greater part of his worldly possessions. He then 
engaged in the drug business with Orin Waters 
for one j'ear, then sold out and engaged in his 
"former business on Front street, which he contin- 
ued until 1876. He then purchased a farm in Belle- 
flower Township, where he raised stock and grain, 
and at the same time dealt considerably in real es- 
tate. He became prominent in the city affairs, and 
for two years was Alderman in the First Ward. 

Mr. Richardson was married, in 1855, to Miss 
Lovina Dimmett, who was born in Bloomington, 
and is the daughter of William and Mary (Ervin) 
'Dimmett, both natives of Ohio. They came to 
Illinois in 1825, first settling in Danville, whence 
they removed a few months later to Bloomington, 
and purchased 160 acres of land east of the city. A 
l)art of this was laid off in city lots, and upon the 



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4U 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



balance Mr. D. engaged in farming. The record 
of their ten children is as follows: Catherine, Mrs. 
Von Eisner; Lovina, Mrs. Kiciiardson ; and Melissa, 
Mrs. MeCracken, reside in Blooniington ; Mary, 
Mrs. AVade, lives in lUitler, Mo.; Carrie, Mrs. Me- 
Ilvain, and Pauline, Mrs. Bettenger, were twins; 
the former lives in West I'oint, Kan., and the lat- 
ter in Blooniington; William II. is also in the lat- 
tei-named city; Lee ami .lolin are in Kansas City, 
and Susan, IMrs. W. H. Grantly, lives in Apijleton, 
Mo. Mr. Dimmcttdied Eel). 19,1879. The mother 
still lives on the old homestead, where she has re- 
sided for the last fifty years. 

Our subject and wife have an adopted daughter, 
Maude B. The family residence is a handsome and 
substantial structure, which was erected at a cost 
of $7,000, and combines all the comforts and con- 
veniences of a modern dwelling. Mr. R. is a Re- 
l)ublican in politics, and with his wife attends the 
Unitarian Church. 



•■i^J2/®-^^ 



.-^^Si/l?2>^'»>- 



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/^S,\ ALVIN BARNES, a pioneer settler of Uli- 
(if^' nois, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., 
^^' on the 13th of April, 180."), thus having ar- 
rived at the venerable age of over eighty-two 
years. His father, Elijah Barnes, was of New En- 
gland parentage and a native of Massachusetts, 
and his mother. Miss JjUcv Hunter, was a native of 
the same State. Their family included seven chil- 
dren. The forefathers of our subject were of 
Scotch and English descent, and the Hunters, of 
English origin, were among the early settlers of the 
Bay State. Elijah Barnes served three years in the 
Revolutionary War and received a pension from 
the (ioverninent. The maternal grandfather of 
our subject was Capt. Hunter, a native of England. 
Elijah Barnes, soon after his marriage, removed 
from Massachusetts to Herkimer County, N. Y., 
making the trij) overland with an ox-team. There 
they established a permanent home, where they 
passed the remainder of their lives, the father of 
our subject dying at the age of eighty-four years 
an<l the mother at eighty-six, the families of lM>th 
having- been noted for longevit}'. 

4» 



The boyhood of Calvin Barnes was passed mostly 
upon the farm of his father, and in the meantime 
he received a liTuited education. At the age of 
twenty-one years, after spending tvvo summers run 
ning on a packet on the Erie Canal he purchased 
fifty acres of land adjoining his father's farm, and 
engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, meeting with 
success. As time progressed he added to his 
first purchase until he became the owner of 280 
acres, all in one bod3', and became one of the most 
prosperous and prominent citizens of that locality. 

Our subject was married on the 20th of .laiiuary, 
1836, to iSUss Luciuda Keyser, of Herkimer County, 
N. Y., by whom he became the father of si.\ chil- 
dren. In the fall of 1853 he emigrated with his 
family to McLean County, 111., and settled in 
Blocimington, where he lived for two years. In the 
meantime he had purchased a section of laud in 
Towanda Township, and during these two years had 
been making ample |)rei)arations to take possession. 
After the removal was effected he engaged princi- 
pally in raising grain, his first wheat crop yielding 
1,700 bushels. The wheat crop, however, for the 
following three years was a failure, and the fourth 
year the army worm swe|)t away the grain while it 
was green. Mr. Barnes, however, Ij}^ good manage- 
ment weathered the storm, while many of his 
neighbors were ruined. He then seeded hij farm 
to grass, and then, the war coming on, he found a 
good market for the 300 tons of hay which he cut 
in one summer, and which he sold at ^Kj.i.'j per 
ton. This assisted him out of his difficulty. He 
then started a dairy, having sixty-five cows, and 
found a ready sale for the products thereof, butter 
and cheese, never selling the cheese for less than 
fifteen cents a pound, and during one season of 
the war sold it at twenty-five cents. 

In the meantime Mr. Barnes was giving all ids 
spare time to the raising of cattle, of which he had 
250 head at the close of the war. Three years in 
succession he raised 100 calves. He purchased two 
tracts of land adjoining the main farm, which gave 
him 1,000 acres, all in one body. After the war 
he abandoned the dairy business, sold off a part of 
his cattle, and engaged extensively in raising corn. 
The first amount worthy of notice was 12,000 
bushels, and he kept increasing the acreage devoted 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



-•►- 
415 



to this purpose until one year he had 700 acres 
planted in corn, which yielded 35,000 bushels 
which, when husl<ed and cribbed, he sold at prices 
ranging from forty to seventy cents i)er bushel. 
He had four sons to assist him in his farming opera- 
tions, but finally, desiring to change his occupation 
somewhat, he rented a part of his land and engaged 
with his four sons in the iniixirtation ot full blood 
Norman horses, and at this time they have about 
sixty-five head of high grade and full blood, and 
sell quite a number from the farm each year. 

At the time Mr. Barnes took possession of his 
farm there was no place to hitch a horse, so he set a 
post in the ground for that purpose, which is now 
the present site of Barnes Station on the Illinois 
Central Railroad. The farm is now laid out into 
convenient fields, the boundaries marked by beauti- 
ful hedges, there being twelve miles in all of this 
kind of fence. An artesian well furnishes water 
for nearly all the stock on the farm. The water is 
raised by means of a wind-pump and deposited in 
a large tank, whence it is conducted wherever re- 
quired by means of I'ipe. 

Mr. Barnes reared a family of six children, four 
sons and two daughters, all of whom were born in 
Herkimer County, N. Y., and five are still living. 
The record is as follows : Elizabeth is deceased ; 
Franklin; Alden; Monroe; Lucy, the wife of Jos- 
eph Thomas, and Calvin, Jr. 

ftlr. Barnes started in life at the foot of the lad- 
der, and his accumulations are the result solely of 
his own enterprise and industry. He furnishes a 
striking illustration of what may be accomplished 
by resolution and perseverance, and as one of the 
landmarks of McLean Count}' is held in high es- 
teem as having contributed largely to its wealth and 
prosperity. 



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Cf, 



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'^1 AMES A. WELCH, one of the most progres- 
sive and skillful farmers of Randolph Town- 
ship, owns and occupies a fine homestead on 
section 12, wliich comprises 227 acres of 
valuable land, under a good state of cultivation. 
Upon this he erected a set of shapely and substan- 
tial farm buildings, which with their surroundings, 
form one of the finest farm estates in this part of 

4* 



McLean County. Most of the land is under the 
best of cultivation, and is well stocked with good 
grades of the domestic animals. Mr. Welch took 
po.ssession of this farm in 1871, which he has since 
made his home. Besides this lie owns eighty acres 
in West Township. 

The subject of this history was born in Downs 
Township, Jan. 6, 1849, and is the eldest son of 
Henrjr Welch, deceased. The latter was a large 
land-owner and very successful farmer of McLean 
County. James A. was educated in the public 
schools of this county, and lived at home until his 
marriage with Miss Myrtilla J. Bishop, which was 
celebrated at the home of the bride's parents in 
Randolph Township, on the 23d of November, 
1871. Mrs. Welch is the daughter of James and 
Mary Bislioi), her father being an extensive farmer 
of Randoli)h Township. She was born on the 
homestead, Sept. 29, 1852, educated in the com- 
mon schools, and remained under the home roof 
until her marriage. Of her union with our subject 
there have been born four children — Henr}' A., 
Florence B., Mar}- M. and Nellie J., all at home, 
stout, hearty and full of life. Mrs. Welch is prom- 
inently ciiinectcd with the United Brethren Ciiurch, 
and politically our subject uniformly casts liis vot(^ 
with the Republican party. 



WilLLIAM C. NOBLE, the son of David and 
Rebecca (Karr) Noble, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
was born in Hamilton County, that State, 
Feb. 25, 1818, and came to Illinois with his par- 
ents in 1831. He w.as reared to agricultural pur- 
suits, which he followed the greater part of his 
life, but is now retired from active labor and lives 
at No. 508 East North street, Bloomington. 

The father of Mr. Noble was born Sept. 30, 1795, 
in Cincinnati, Ohio; the mother, a native of New 
Jersey, was born March 12, 179G. They were mar- 
ried in Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1831, locating 
upon a claim of eighty acres which the father had 
entered near Randol|)h Grove. To this he subse- 
quently added, and in 1836 entered another tract 
about four miles from his first claim, upon which 
he removed and where he spent the greater part of 
•►- 



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416 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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his declining years. His death occurred Sept. 15, 
18C3. Tlie mother luul passed to her long home 
on the 24th of November, 18:38. David Noble 
was Postmaster of Randolph Grove for a number 
of years, and a member of the Masonic fraternitj-. 
Of their seven children, six are still living — Will- 
iam C, Stephen K., Sarah J., Mercy A., James K. 
and Thomas J. David Noble was married the sec- 
ond time, in 1840, to Mrs. Jane Arnold, and bj- 
this union had live children, four of whom are liv- 
ing: Mariah !>., now Mrs. William Custer, of Ho- 
mer, 111.; Kli/.a Ann married Milton HoUis, of 
Homer, 111.; Martha E. is now Mrs. Vance Custer, 
of Danville, 111.; Harrison D. lives in the latter- 
named city, and remains in a state of single blessed- 
ness. 

William C. Noble attended school near the place 
of his liirth, in Hamilton County, Ohio, until their 
removal to this county. The temple of learning 
was built of logs, and was similar to that where the 
other pioneers, whose history has been detailed in 
this work, received liicir rudimentary education. 
He was naturally fond of his books, and pursued 
his studies after coming to Illinois. He remained 
with his parents until lis;)!), and then ccmimenced 
farming on his owii account on a tract of 1(50 acres 
in Randolph Township, this county, which he oc- 
cupied until 1873. He then practically retired 
from active labor, and purchased his present home 
in rsioomington. He was Assessor in KandoIi)h 
Township three years, also School Director and 
Roadmaster. 

Mr. Noble was married on the .'Jlst of October, 
1839, to Miss Isabel J. Stewart, and they became 
the parents of four children, two now living — Re- 
becca J., Mrs. Cutter, of Hatfield, Mass., who has 
two children, William .-ind Uernice, and Seth S., 
who married ^liss Esther Mercer, and they have 
tvvo children, Cora Bell and Herbert C. Mrs. 
Isabel Noble departed this life at the home of her 
husband. May 12, 1855. 

Mr. Noljle for his second wife married Mrs. 
Eunice (Burley) Hughes, a native of Scioto County, 
Ohio, who Was born Feb. 27, 1823, and is the 
daughter of John and Nancy (Anderson) Burley, 
natives of Ohio. Her father was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and came with his family to Illinois in 



1833. settling in Jersey County, where the parents 
lived the remainder of their days, the father dying 
in 1846 ; the mother survived him thirty years, and 
passed to her final rest in 1876. Of their eleven 
children, eight are now living — James, Daniel, 
Newton, Eunice, Mary, Sarah, Joel and Lucinda. 

Mrs. Noble, by her former husband, became the 
mother of three children, as follows: John N. 
Hughes was born Dec. 8, 1845, and died March 9, 
1874; he was finely educated and a promising 
young man, beloved and respected by all who knew 
him. James A. was born Aug. 5, 1850; Mary A., 
Mrs. F. B. Chase, has one child, a daughter, Edna, 
and resides in Chicago. By her union with our 
subject, Mrs. Noble has had four children, three 
now living: Annie S., Mrs. P. A. Guthrie, who 
has two children — Sidney A. and Dudley R. ; Ida 
J. became the wife of L. G. Bronson, of Chicago, 
and Cora B., who is at home with her parents. 

Mr. Noble is Republican in politics, and with his 
wife a consistent member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. He has been Steward, Class-Leader 
and Trustee of the church in Randolph Township, 
and is in all respects a representative man of Mc- 
Lean County, and one who has been fully identi- 
fied with its gr(.)wth and prosperity. 




ROF. L. C. DOUGHERTY, Principal of 
the Preparatory Department of Wesleyan 
University, and youngest child of John 
and Elizabeth (Waltower) Dougherty, was 
in AVestmoreland County, Pa., Aug. 27, 
The mother of the subject of our sketch 
died while he was an infant and his father when the 
lad was seven years old. A few weeks after this 
sad event the lio^' was taken by his oldest brother, 
Joseph, to Ohio, and the next year the two brothers 
went overland in a one-horse wagon to Warren 
County, 111., where they arrived in June, 1855. In 
the autumn of the same year young Dougherty 
voluntarily cast his lot among strangers in a 
strange land, cheerfully doing all a stout rustic lad 
might, such as dropping and covering corn, pulling 
weeds, collecting bundles for the "shockers" and 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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417 



later, harrowing with oxen, plowing, binding, cut- 
ting up corn and the usual work of the farm, receiv- 
ing in return for such services a mininuim amount of 
kindness, schooling, clothes and food. 

The Professor still remembers the primitive log 
school-house in ludiana County, Pa., where he first 
attended school and learned to read and write, hav- 
ing for a text-book onlj' McGuffy's Speller. In 
addition to this term the boy went to school at 
various times until 1861. but the aggregate time 
spent at school amounted to a few months only, 
so when he enlisted in the army his knowledge was 
limited to a slight acquaintance with mental arith- 
metic and the ability to fairly read and write. In 
1860 he became a man to the degree that he made 
a formal contract to work one year for 140, and 
two months" schooling. He did a man's work, 
bought his own books and clothing, a literary work 
for $4, and when tlie year closed had a balance of 
ii8 on hand. 

When Ft. Sumter was fired upon, young Dough- 
erty resolved if possible to assist in the preserva- 
tion of the Union. A military company was organ- 
ized in the neighboring village of Young America, 
now Kirkwood, Warren County, which he joined, no 
questions being asked as to age, though it appeared 
that liis friends put it down at nineteen years. On 
July 17, 1861, the comiiauy was mustered into the 
U. S. service and became known as Co. B, 59th 111. 
Vol. Inf. The young volunteer was, at this date, 
thirteen yeai's and eleven months old. Private 
Dougherty performed all the duties of a soldier in 
the ranks acceptably, and was soon selected for 
posts of unusual responsibility, and was one for 
whom both officers and comrades had words of 
praise only. He marched witii his regiment 10,000 
miles, and participated in nineteen regular engage- 
ments beside many skirmishes. He took part in 
the more prominent battles of Perryville, Lookout 
Mountain, Missionary Ridge and all the battles of 
the Atlanta campaign, during which he was for 
sixty days under fire, either of artillery or mus- 
ketry, and lastl}' Nashville. On the first day of this 
struggle he, with a comrade, took eight prisoners, 
including a Captain, in one squad. At night he 
found that a blanket which he carried had seven- 
teen bullet holes in it. The sole of one of his shoes 



i 



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also was [)artial]y torn off by a minie ball. In a 
charge upon the rebel worlis on Overton Hill on 
the second day of the battle he was wounded twice, 
when within two rods of the euemy. On Jan. 
12, I860, at Whiteside, Teim., he re-enlisted as a 
veteran, being one of tiiirty-two in a company which 
contained, all told, during the war 1.59. Veteran 
Dougherty was promoted Corporal and bearer of 
the regimental banner, in which capacit}' he was 
mustered out at New Braunfels, Tex., Dec. 8, 1 865. 

Mr. Doughertj' remained in Texas nine months 
afterward, studying the situation, with a view to 
making that State liis future home. On a ranch in 
the hills some thirty miles from San Antonio he 
took a position as shepherd, where he remained 
nine months. Afterward rejecting several business 
offers he, with a companion, turned his face toward 
the North, and after a horseback ride of more than 
1,200 miles, found himself again in Warren Count}-, 
111. Tn the spring of 1866 Mr. Dougherty entered 
Monmouth Academy, taking his place, through the 
grace of the Principal, in the lowest class. He com- 
pleted the two years" course in twelve months and 
afterward fur several years taught school, worked 
on a farm and clerked in a general store. His 
leisure time, however, was given to his books, and 
in the winter of 1871 he entered the Illinois Nor- 
mal Ihiiversity, where he spent over three j'ears and 
graduated in 1876, fourth in rank in a class of 
twenty-eight. During this time he took Latin as 
an extra stud}', and in the meantime taught .school 
seven and one-half months in the Barr School, in 
Warren Count}'; was one year at Rutland, LaSalle 
County, as Principal, and one year as Principal of 
the schools at Ironton, Mo. 

After graduating, Mv. Dougherty became Prin- 
cipal of Lacon schools, Marshall County. He re- 
mained there two years, when he became Principal 
of the Minonk schools in Woodford County, which 
position he held seven years, and was unanimously 
elected for the eighth year, but resigned to accept 
the [)osition which he now holds. 

Prof. Dougherty was married at Lacon, Aug. 5, 
1879, to Miss Olive E., daughter of the late Will- 
iam Trench, for many years editor-in-chief of the 
Peoria Democrat, and later editor and jiroprietor of 
the Illinois Statesman, published at Lacon. Of this 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 






union one child lias been born, Etliel Lucretia, 
aged six years. Mrs. Dougherty on her mother's 
side is descended from Peregrino AVhite, the first 
white child born in New England. 

Mr. 13ovigherty was converted at the age of ten 
years, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of which both he and his wife are valued members. 
Mr. n. was chorister and Mrs. D. organist of the 
churches at Lacon and Miuonk, and our subject is 
now Precentor at the First Metliodist Episcopal 
Church. In politics he has alwaj's been a Repub- 
lican, is an advocate of prohibition, and a member 
of the G. A. R. and also of the Masonic fraternity. 
He was without doubt the youngest soldier who 
became a veteran, or who served during the War. 
He is essentially a self-made man and never pos- 
sessed a dollar that he did not earn. He occupies 
a pleasant residence with his family at No. 915 
North West street, where they enjoy the society of 
the cultured [leople of the community, and are 
surrounded by all the comforts and many of the 
luxuries of life. 

C. RICHARDSON, of the firm oip'ryner & 
Richardson, manufacturers and ;wholesalc 
jobbers of cigars Is, vvith his partner, trans- 
acting a successful and growing business on 
East Front street, Bloomington, occupying Nos. 
108 to 1 10. Mr. Richardson was born in Jefferson 
County, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1848, his parents being 
Charles and Chloe ((4illett) Richardson, natives of 
the same county and State as their son. They were 
m.'irried in 1847, and the father of our subject en- 
gaged in farming for many years, but is now re- 
tired from active labor. The paternal grandpar- 
ents were Josiah and Cynthia (Tolman) Richardson, 
natives of Connecticut and New Haniitshire re- 
spectively. They settled in .Jefferson County, 
N. Y., before the AVar of 1812, and engaged in 
farming pursuits through life. The gt;j9at-grand- 
father of our subject, Capt. Tilley Richai'xlson, who 
was also a native of Massachusetts, litewise re- 
moved to .Jefferson County, N. Y., and was en- 
gaged there in farming until ills death. The Rich- 




ardsons were of solid and substantial character, and 
made their mark in the community wherever they 
located. They were possessed of high moral jjrin- 
ciples, .and universally respected. Charles Richard- 
son held various positions of trust in both his na- 
tive and adopted counties. The parental family 
consisted of three children: Horace C, our sub- 
ject; Charles L., of Waterto wn, N. Y.. and Cynthia 
Z.. now Mrs. iMorrison, of Watertown, N. Y. 

The subject of this history remained at home and 
engaged in farming until he was twenty-two years 
old. He completed his studies at the lousiness Col- 
lege of Watertown, and after leaving home ac- 
cepted a position as clerk in a life insurance office 
at that pl.ice, and remained in that position until 
he came to Bloomington, in October, 187"2. Soon 
afterward he was taken into the firm of Thomp- 
son, Andrus & Co., produce and commission mer- 
chants, with whom he remained until they closed 
out their business. He then became book-keeper 
for the pork i)acking house of Tryner, Van Schoick 
& Co., with whom he remained two and one-half 
years, and then formed a partnership with Mr. 
Tryner, in the flour and provision trade, on South 
Main street. The firm of Tryner & Richardson 
operated in these commodities for a few years, then 
closed out and engaged in the manufacture of cigars. 
They moved to their present location on East 
Front street, in February, 1 886, where they were en- 
abled to extend their business facilities and accom- 
modate a I'apidly increasing trade. This building 
is three stories in height, with basement, and cov- 
ers an area of 44x70 feet. They give employment 
in tiie busy season to fifty men, and usually have 
four men on the road. It is hardlj' necessary to 
state that the products of their manufacture are 
unexcelled, and becoming widely known through- 
out the West. 

Mr. Richardson was married in May, 1875, to 
Miss .Julia Murray, formerly of Rochester, N. Y., 
but a resident of Illinois since a young child. 
They have no children. Their pleasant and at- 
tractive home is at No. 501 East AVashington street, 
and their friends and associates include the cult- 
ured people of the city. Mr. Richardson for many 
years lias been prominent in the business and social 
affairs of the city, and has been an encourager and 



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419 






supporter of every measure calculated to advance 
the intellectual and moral interests of the commu- 
nity. Politically he belongs to the Kci)ublican 
part^-, and is a worthy member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity as High Priest of Bloomington Chapter 
No. 26, and Eminent Commander of DeMolay 
Commandery No. 24. 

/p^j^ILBERT R. WOOLSEY, M. D., the oldest 
(|[ (-— -, practicing physician of Normal, has been a 
^^J) resident physician of that place since 18G8, 
whore he has built up a large and lucrative prac- 
tice, He is freely adjudged as a sivilled and relia- 
ble physician, with large sympathies and a con- 
scientious devotion to duty. He is a native of this 
State, and was born in Henry County, .Sept. 21, 
1840. His parents were Jesse and Freelove (Rog- 
ers) Woolsey, both natives of Long Island, N. Y., 
where they were reared to years of maturity and 
united in marriage. 

Jesse AVoolsey, a hatter by trade, although he 
never followed the business after serving liis ap- 
prenticeship, for some time carried on mercantile 
pursuits in the vicinitj' of his birthplace. In 1836 
he emigrated to Illinois, and entered a tract of land 
in Henry County, which he settled upon after his 
marriage. He then became engaged as a real- 
estate dealer, and l^ept a hotel for some time at 
Andover. He spent the remainder of his days in 
Henry County, dying about 18G9, and the mother 
in 1867. They had only two children — Marietta, 
the widow of Edwin Bucit, of Cambridge. III., and 
Oilbert R., our subject. 

Young Woolsey, at the age of sixteen years, and 
after having received a fair common-school educa- 
tion, spent a few months in traveling through the 
Eastern States, and afterward pursued his studies, 
and being fond of his books acquired a good liter- 
ary education. The war being now in progress, and 
his travels having landed him in the Prairie State, 
he enlisted in Co. D, 112th 111. Vol. Inf., and 
served until tlie close. He was with Burnside 
I in East Tennessee, through the Atlanta campaign. 
He was in the fight at Franklin, and received a 
scalp wound, which, however, did not disable him. 
4» 



He recovered sufficiently to be in the fight at Nash- 
ville, and the capture of Wilmington, N. C.,and re- 
ceived his honorable discharge at Greensboro, 
N. C, in 1865, being mustered out as Adjutant of 
his regiment. 

After his return to the ranks of civil life our 
subject returned to Henry County, III. He liad 
already resolved to locate in the West, and in 
1865 entered upon a course of study in tiie old 
Hahnemann College of Chicago, whence, after grad- 
uating, he located in Normal, where he has since re- 
mained. 

Dr. W<)ols(!y is a strict temperance man, anil 
politically a stanch supporter of the principles of 
the Republican party. He is a member in good 
standing of tlie Congregational Church, to the sup- 
port of wiiich lie contributes liberally and cheer- 
fully. He has a (ilcasant homo in Normal, and enjoys 
the society and friendship of hosts of acquaintances. 



DWARD W. KING, of the firm of King & 
Parks, is, with his partner, engaged in the 
grocery trade at Le Roy. Mr. K. was born 
in Toronto, A'ermillion Co., Ind., July 22, 1848. 
His father, Alexander C. King, was a native of 
Connecticut, born in Suffleld, Hartford County, 
May 20, 1803. His grandfather, John A. King, 
was also a native of Suffleld, and his great-gi-aud- 
father, Dan King, was the owner of a small farm 
near that town, where he spent the last years of his 
life. The grandfather of our subject was a practic- 
ing physician, and removed from Suffleld to Phelps- 
town, N. Y., before the da}' of canals or railroads. 
He had hardly become fairly settled in his new home 
when he was seized with fatal illness, and died 
soon afterward. His wife was formerly Miss Caro- 
line Rose, a native of his own town, and a daugh- 
ter of Gad Rosi, also a native of Suffleld, where he 
spent his entire life, with the exception of the time 
in which he served as a soldier in the Revolution- 
ary War. 

After the death of his father, Alexander C. King 
who was then but a boy, lived with a neighboring 
fanner in Suffleld until eighteen years of age. He 
had improved his advantages for education, and at 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



this time had taught two terms of school. He 
afterward attended an academy at AVestfleld and 
Lenox, Mass. He taught and studied in the acad- 
emy alternately as his means would allow until 
twenty-four years of age. He then went to New 
Jersey, where he taught two years, and thence to 
Montgomery County, Md., where he followed the 
same occupation two years, and afterward returned 
to New Jersey, continuing his vocation of teaching. 
He was one of the fortunate few who invested in a 
lottery ticket .and drew a prize of $3,750 in cash, 
which enabled him to educate his sisters and start 
himself in business. In 1830, resolving to leave 
New England and tr3' his fortunes in the West, he 
removed to Terre Haute, Ind., and engaged in mer- 
cantile business until tiie latter part of the year 
184G, when he removed to \'ermillion County, the 
same State, where he pursued the same business in 
Clinton and Toronto until 1851. 

Mr. King then came to Le Roy, this county, and 
renting a suitable building, opened it for an hotel. 
The following summer he put up a building and 
purchased a stociv of groceries. He operated the 
hotel and grocery store three years, then sold tiie 
former and devoted his time exclusively to mer- 
chanisiug. In due time he added a stock of dry- 
goods, and finally abandoned the grocery trade, 
continuing the dry -goods business until 1874, when 
he sold out and is now living in retirement. The 
father of our subject was a man of strict integrit}', 
and possessed the confidence .and esteem of his busi- 
ness associates in a marked degree. In early times, 
before large scales were in use here, he w.as the 
authority in measurements of wagon-loads of corn 
brought to town to sell. He possessed a fund of 
general information, and until failing e^-esight com- 
pelled him to abandon it, w.as .an extensive reader. 

Alexander C. King was three times married. His 
first wife, to whom he was united in September, 
18.31, was Miss Kmelino F. Stebbins, who was born 
and reared in Springfield, Mass. She departed this 
life Oct. 21, 1842. His second m.arriage occurred 
in 1845, with Miss Mary Lyon, who w.as born in 
Newark, N. J., accomp.anied her husband to this 
State, and died at Le Roy in 1870. His third .and 
la,st niarri.age was on June 8, 1 875, with Mrs. Kmeline 
(Hootli) Cockran, the widow of \\'illi;uii Cockran. 



Of the first marriage there were born three children : 
James, now a practicing physician of Decatur, 111. ; 
Caroline R., who became the wife of Dr. J. W. Cole- 
man, and lives in Monticello, Piatt Co., 111., and 
William R., who died in Toronto, Ind. Of the 
second marriage there were two children : Kllen, who 
became the wife of David Simms, and died Jan. (!, 
1881, at Watseka, 111., and our subject. 

Edward W. King w.as but three j'ears old when 
he came to Illinois with his parents. He pursued 
his primary studies in the schools of Le Roy, and 
later attended the academy at Hillsdale, Mich. 
After graduating from there he became a clerk in 
his father's store, and continued with him until the 
latter sold out. He remained with his father's 
successor two years, and was similarly employed in 
other places until 1880. He then purchased a one- 
half interest in the store of Robert Murr.ay, and a 
year later purclmsed the interest of his partner, and 
soon afterward Mr. Parks became associated with 
him in business. They have oper.ated together 
since that time, and carry a large stock of groceries 
and queensware. The firm is wideawake and enter- 
prising, and forms a prominent factor in the busi- 
ness element of this communit}'. 

The niarri.age of Edward W. King and Miss Nellie 
Smith was celebrated Dec. 26, 1871. Mrs. K. w.as 
born in Licking County, Ohio, being the daughter 
of Wesley and Mary A. (Evans) Smith. They have 
three children — Alpheus C, Mary and Le Gran. 
The fainil3' residence is pleasantly located, and its 
inmates are surrounded by all the comforts of life. 
Mr. K is a member of the City .School Board, and 
unifornily casts his vote for the Republican |)arty. 

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'^jAMES P. KNKtIIT, a general farmer and 
stock-raiser of Bloomington Townshij), re- 
^.,^ sides on the old Knight homestead on sec- 
(^^ tion 1 '.), where he h.as forty -five acres of 
laud, most of which is in a good state of cultiva- 
tion. He w.as born in Jackson Count3', Mo., Aug. 
9, 1845, where he spent his earlier years, aside from 
some time spent in IMadison County, Ky. His 
father came North in 1 8(;;j, .accompanied by his 
family, on .account of troubles incident to the 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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breaking out of the Rebellion. James P. was then 
nearly eighteen years of age. He was the only son 
ajid the second of three children born to his par- 
ents. He remained with his parents until 1864, and 
then resolved to become a soldier of the Union 
army. He was not yet of age, but succeeded in 
gaining admission to the ranks, becoming a mem- 
ber of Co. G, 14Gth 111. A'ol. Inf., under Capt. 
Williams. This regiment was not called upon for 
active service, it being ne.ar the close of the war, 
but was detailed to provost duty. After a service of 
eleven months our subject received his honorable 
discharge. He then returned home to his father's 
farm, where he has since been engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits. 

Mr. Knight was married on the 10th of Novem- 
ber, 1870, in Blue Mound Townsliii), to Miss Mil- 
dred (i. Stagner, the daughter of Rev. John S. and 
Julia A. (Golden) kStagner. Her parents were na- 
tives of Madison County, Ky., and coming to Illi- 
nois after their marriage settled in Blue Mound 
Township, where the father is yet living with his 
second wife. The mother of Mrs. K. departed this 
life Nov. 10, 1872. 

Mrs. King was the third child of a family of ten, 
all of whom lived to mature years. She was born 
in Blue Mound Township, this county, June 21, 
1853, and educated in the public schools, remain- 
ing under the parental roof until her marriage with 
our subject. Of this union there were born five 
children, all living — Mary, Fhjrence, Loa A., 
George W. and Aldena. Our subject and his wife 
are members of the Christian Church, and in poli- 
tics Mr. King affiliates with the Rei)ublican party. 



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OIIN F. RUST, a pioneer settler of Randolph 
Township, is now engaged in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising on his hue homestead 
of 190 acres, located on section IG. He has 
been a resident of the Prairie State for over fifty- 
three 3'ears, coming here wlien a young man and 
unmarried. He first came to Hamilton County, 111., 
in 1828, and in the spring of 1834 came to McLean 
County. 

Mr. Rust was born in Maury County, Tenn., 

<■ 



Aug. 11,1816. His father, William Rust, was. a 
farmer all his life and died at the residence of his 
son, our sulijoct, in August, 1873. He had mar- 
ried, in early life. Miss Nancy McGee, who was 
boin in the same county as her husband, Grauvilhi 
County, N. C. She died at the residence of her 
son, George Rust, in Randolph Township, in Au- 
gust, 1868. 

The grandfather of our subject, Mathew Rust, 
died ni North Carolina in the prime of life when 
his son William was a small boy. His grandfather 
McGee, whose name was Nathan A., was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War, and after his retirement 
from the military service settled in North Carolina, 
where he engaged in farming and raised his family 
to man and womanhood, and after his daughter 
married William Rust, he removed with them to 
Tennessee, living there for a time, when he moved to 
Smith County, Middle Tennessee, where he died. 

Joiui F. Rust lived until eight years of age on 
the homestead of his father in Middle Tennessee. 
When he arrived at that age his father, who was of 
a roaming disposition, went to Mississippi for a few 
years, then returned to Tennessee, and later emi- 
grated to Illinois, locating in Hamilton Count}'' 
with his family as early as the winter of 1828. Tliere 
our subject lived until he was eighteen years old, 
when he came alone tb McLean County and settled 
in Randolph Township, which since then lias been 
his home. He employed himself at whatever his 
hands could find to do, and was quite prudent in 
expending his mone}'. He was in-iucipally engaged 
with stock dealers and from them learned the art 
of bu3'ing and selling and feeding live stock. In a 
few years he was enaliled to purchase eighty acres 
of land, which he began to stock, and profiting 
by his experience purchased and sold live stock to 
good advantage. His land was unimproved when 
it came into his possession, but he worked upon it 
industriously and soon brought it to a fine state of 
cultivation. He has now an excellent set of farm 
buildings and all necessary implements and machin- 
ery required for the carrying on of agriculture and 
stock-raising in a first-class manner. Tlie homestead 
presents one of the attractive pdints in the laud- 
scape of Randolph Township. 

Mr. Rust was married in Blooniington Township, 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Oct. 22, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Lindley, wlio was 
born in Christian County, Ky., Aug. 27, 1«2;3, and 
came North with iier parents in 1831 when a child 
of seven years, and they settled in Blooming Grove, 
which remained the lionie of the parents until their 
death. The father of .Mrs. Rust was John Lindley 
by name, and his wife, before her marriage. Miss 
Elizabeth (Iray. Tiie former was born in North 
Carolina and the latter in East Tennessee. Their 
daughter, the wife of our subject, lived with her 
parents until lier marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rust became the parents of eleven 
children, three of whom are deceased. Those liv- 
ing are: G. W., of Bloomington, where he is en- 
gaged in the grocery trade ; Thomas J. and J. Lee 
are carrying on agriculture and are large farmers 
of Randoli)h Township; Jennie is the wife of Mar- 
tin L. Bishop, a farmer of Randolph Township; 
Alice married John Kelley, a farmer, also of Ran- 
dolph Township; William D. is carrying on a farm 
in Greene Countj', Iowa, and also merchandising; 
Minnie married John Fitzpatrick and lives in Ran- 
dolph Township; B. F. remains with his father and 
assists in operating the farm. Most of the members 
of the family are connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and all are regular attendants. 
Mr. Rust in politics is an uncompromising Jack- 
sonian Democrat. Mr. Rust during his life has 
been a large landholder, but has reserved, includ- 
ing his timber, 11)0 acres for a homestead. A litho- 
graphic portrait of Mr. Rust is shown on another 
page. 



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"iilAMES II. COX, who has retired from an 
.active business career, has resided in this 
conntj' for upwards of thirty-six 3'ears. He 
is now living at Hudson, where he is highly 
respected. He was born at Norway, Oxford Co., 
Me., April 21, 1822. His grandfather, William 
Cox, was a native of Wales, and our subject's 
father, William Cox, Jr., was born in I\Iassachu- 
setts, and was a merchant by vocation, and as such, 
met with signal * success. He died in Oxford 
County, Me., in tlie seventy-second year of his life, 
having done business there for many years. Eliz- 



abetli (rhii)ps) Cox, our subject's mother, was born 
at Chatham, N. H., and there lived until her mar- 
riage. She also died in Oxford County, Me., and 
was seventy-two years old at the date of her de- 
mise. Fourteen children were born of the union 
of our subject's parents, twelve of whom grew to 
attain the age of man and womaniiood, and six are 
living at the present writing, namely': Caroline E., 
widow of Capt. W. A. Sweetzer, resides at Bos- 
ton ; Mary, widow of A. Sweetzer, is a resident of 
Bloomington; William is a farmer by calling, and 
a resident of Oxford County, Me. ; .Samuel P. re- 
sides in Bloomington; Rowena C. became the wife 
of C. A. Noies, and they are living in Boston, 
Mass. 

The subject of this notice was the twelfth child 
born to his jjarents, and next to the youngest of 
those now living. He received his education in 
the common schools, and during his earl}' life 
worked on his father's farm, preferring sucli labor 
rather than clerking in his father's store. In 1851 
My. Cox came to Bloomington where some of the 
family had i)reviously made a settlement. His in- 
tention at tliat time was to purch.ase land and en- 
gage in farming, but, in accordance with the ad- 
vice of his brothers, he abandoned his plans and 
engaged in mercantile pursuits at Hudson. That 
place was then without a store, and Mr. Cox pur- 
chased an empty building in the village, whicli had 
been previously occupied by an unsuccessful mer- 
chant, and in it placed a stock of general merchan- 
dise and was the only merchant in that place for 
several years. His motto was " never spend more 
than you earn," and by fair and honest dealing lie 
soon established a wcll-paj'ing business. He soon 
associated his sons with himself, and continued in 
active business until Jan. 1, 188r). Being of a 
nervous temperament, nur subject found th.at it 
was impossible for him to be idle after he had 
turned his business over to his sons, and soon there- 
after estal)lished a large apiary, to which he attends 
for his own amusement, more than the profit he de- 
rives therefrom, althougli tlie latter is not insignifi- 
cant. The home of our subject is one of the most 
pleasant within the boundary of McLean County, 
and it is a great comfort to Mr. Cox to know that 
Ills cliildicu have all grown up and uccujjy honor- 



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able positions in the busy world, and are well-to-do 
financially. 

In early life Mr. Cox was an old-line Whig, and 
continued to vote for the success of that party until 
185G, when the Republican party sprang into ex- 
istence, since which time he has voted and worked 
for its success. For almost thirty years he held 
the position of Postmaster at Hudson. He was 
also the first Supervisor of Hudson Township, and 
was the incumbent of that office for several terms. 
Religiously he is a Baptist and has been a Deacon 
ill a congregation of that denomination at Hudson, 
for over thirty years, and has also done go(jd work 
in the Sunda3'-school. 

Feb. 5, 184G, at Waterford, Mc, the marriage of 
our subject with Miss Mary Chadbourn was solemn- 
ized. She was born in Oxford County, Me., Oct. 
16, 1824, and is the daughter of James and Mercy 
(Scribner) Chadbourn. Their union has been 
blest by the birth of five children: Charles E., 
Flora S., wife of J. W. Aldrich, and Nettie, wife 
of Rev. F. M. Smith, a resident of St. James, Minn., 
and Harry W. and Herbert M., twins. For over 
forty-one years Mr. and Mrs. Cox have lived to- 
gether as man and wife. Together they liave toiled 
and struggled, always lending an attentive ear to 
true charity, and doing their part toward the ad- 
vancement of the cause of the Master. Now in 
their old age they are enabled to pass their lives in 
peace and quiet, and in the enjoyment i>f a com- 
petency earned through years of honest toil, and, 
looking back over the record of the history of 
their lives, none can point to pages darkened with 
deeds of unkindness or wrong to their fellowmen. 
Accompanying this brief personal history, we i)re- 
sent the portrait of Mr. Cox, as that of a leading 
and representative man of the county. 



<if?OHN II. SALZMAN, a native of Butler 
County, Ohio, became a resident of Illinois 
in 1875, and i.s now located on a good farm 
j in Danvers Township, on section 12. He was 
born July 15, 1848, and is the son of Christian ami 
Mary (Imhoff) Salzman, natives respectively of 
F" ranee and Germany. (lis father was born in 1 Si 1 , 



and his mother in 1806. Christian Salzman was a 
farmer by occupation and left his native land in 
1831, settling in Butler County, Ohio, and 
cultivating rented land until 1850. He then re- 
moved to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he pur- 
chased eighty acres of land and where he still re- 
sides. Mrs. S. emigrated from Germany to the 
United States with a brother and sister. They 
located in Pennsylvania, whence Mrs. S. removed 
to Ohio, and was there married, in Butler County, 
in 1837, to the father of our subject. They be- 
came the parents of six children: Melinda, now 
Mrs. Christopher Haag; Mary, Mrs. Christian 
F^hresraan ; Catherine, Mrs. John B. Zook ; F^lizabcth, 
Mrs. John Ummel;Anua, Mrs. Joseph Ehresman, 
and John II., of our sketch. Mr. Salzman was 
Democratic in politics, and both parents were mem- 
bers in good standing of the Meunonite Church. 

John H. Salzman remained on his father's farm 
and attended the common schools until he was 
twentj'-one years of age. He then crossed over 
from Indiana to Illinois, and coming to this 
county, worked on a farm for one year. He was then 
united in marriage with Miss Magdalena Strubhar, 
their wedding taking place in the spring of 1870. 
They hjcatcd on a rented farm for three years and 
then returned to Indiana, and our subject worked 
with his father for three years. He then returned 
to this county and rented land in Danvers Town- 
ship four years, where he purchased 200 acres of his 
present homestead. Upon this he has made exten- 
sive improvements, all the land being now under 
good cultivation and well stocked with the better 
grade ( >f domestic an imals. The farm dwelling, barn 
and out-buildings are fair and substantial structures, 
and everything about the premises indicates the 
enterprising, industrious and thrifty agriculturist. 
Mrs. Salzman is the daughter of Valentine and Bar- 
bara Strubhar, natives of France, the father born 
in 1817, and the mother in 1828. The latter was 
a child of two years old when she came to Amer- 
ica. Mr. Strubhar came to this county in 
early youth, and located in Butler County, Ohio, 
where he followed farming until 1832, when here- 
moved further westward and located in this county. 
Here he was married, in 1847, to Miss Barbara Gin- 
gerich, and they became the parents of eleven 



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426 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




children, as follows : Joseph died when a young 
child; Magdalena, Mrs. Salzman, was the second of 
the family; Mary became the wife of John Schaffer; 
John W. married Jliss Catherine Forney; \'alen- 
tine died in infancy; Peter A. married Miss Eliza- 
beth Augsbergcr; Rosa became Mrs. James F. 
Tobias; E^lizabeth A., Mrs. Jacob Ehresnian; Emile; 
Jacobine C. and Ulysses. Mr. Strubhar died Nov. 
29,1881. The mother and children are members 
of the Mennonite Church except Emile, and the 
father was also a member of the same church. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Salzman have been born eight 
children — Sylvester, Emanuel E., Simon R., Newman 
A., Dora May, Ada B., Azalia M., and Lulu M. ; Syl- 
vester, Newman and Dora May are deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Salzman are members of the Men- 
nonite Church, and Mr. Salzman is in politics a Pro- 
hibitionist. 



"^OHN T. RUTLEDGE, a prominent farmer 
of Empire Township, owns and occupies a 
tine homestead on section 11, township 21. 
He is a native of this township, and was 
born Nov. l.'i, 1833. His father, James Rut- 
ledge, was born in Kentucky, and his grandfather, 
Robert Rutledge, in South Carolina. The latter 
removed to Kentucky at an early period in its set- 
tlement, and in 1820 proceeded north to Illinois, 
settling first in White Countj', whence he removed 
to that part of Tazewell now in McLean, and lo- 
cated at Randolph Grove. With his brother 
Thomas he made a claim, a part of which he im- 
proved and occupied a year or two, and then made 
another claim on sections 33 and 34, on what after- 
ward became Empire Township. There he erected 
two log cabins, one for himself and one for 'his 
mother. At the time of his marriage he settled on 
his claim and commenced housekeeping. There 
was no sawed lumber used in the construction of 
this cabin, the lloor being made of puncheon and 
the roof of claplioards made with the draw-shave, 
and in tills humble abode our subject was born, and 
the father lived until his death, whicli occurred 
Dec. 15, 1863. The nearest markets at tliat early 
day were Peoria and Chicago, which were also the 
depots for supi)lies, and it took about eleven days 



to make the round trip to Chicago. In 1845 the 
father of our subject took a load of wheat to Chi- 
cago, and on his return brought back a load of 
lumber, with which he finished the frame house in 
which he spent the last years of his life. He, how- 
ever, built a brick addition to the house some years 
before his death. He was successful in his agri- 
cultural and business operations, and at the time of 
his death owned over 500 acres of land. He was 
married, in McLean County, 111., to Miss Prudie 
\"andeventer, who was born in Tennessee, and was 
the daughter of John ^^andeventer, an eai-l}' pio- 
neer of this county. Mrs. Prudie Rutledge died at 
the home (if licr daughter, Meliuda Sageser, at Le 
Roy, on the 27th of November, 1881. 

John T. Rutledge was the eldest child of his par- 
ents' family. He attended school in the pioneer 
log cabin with puncheon floor and benches, and 
chimney of dirt and sticks, built up on the outside. 
The fireplace occupied nearly- the entire end of the 
cabin, and light was admitted through a square 
hole in the logs and covered with greased paj^er. 
lie finished liis education, however, in a frame 
school-house, the erection of which was considered 
quite an event. Our subject assisted his parents 
on the farm, and remained under the home roof 
until his marriage. He then cultivated a p.art of 
the old homestead for two years, whence he re- 
moved to the farm which he now owns and occu- 
pies on section 11. At the time of taking posses- 
sion of this, it was wild prairie, with the sod yet un- 
turned. He labored industriously for its imiirove- 
ment and cultivation, and now has a iine estate 
with a good brick house, frame barn and all other 
necessary and convenient out-buildings. 

The marriage of our subject witli Miss Sarah Gil- 
more was celebrated on the 15th of February, 
1855. Mrs. Rutledge was born in Harrison County, 
Ohio, and was the daughter of William and Pha'be 
(West) (4ilniore. Her father was a native also of 
Harrison County, C)hio, where he was reared to 
farming pursuits. In 1850 he emigrated to Mc- 
Lean County, 111., first settling in Downs Town- 
ship, wiience he removed to Empire Township and 
purchased land on section 10. Both he and his 
wife are still living and are now residents of West 
Townsliip. Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge liecame the 



i 



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McLean county. 



427 




*► '■ J « 



parents of twelve children, seven now living, tlie 
record of whom is as follows: Flora IJelle married 
George W. Wilson, and lives in Empire Town- 
ship; Cyntiia, Prndio, JNIaggie, Presley, IJertha and 
Jose|)h are at home witii their pixrents; Belle, Cyn- 
tha, Prndie and Blaggie are highly educated, and 
are all teachers. Cyntha will graduate from the 
iState Normal this season ; two died in infancy ; 
James AViUiam when six weeks old ; Mary, the third 
child, was born July 1, 1860, and died March 7, 
1881; Lelia, the tenth child, was born Jan. 19, 
1875, and died July 30, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Eut- 
ledge are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and our subject politicall}' is an uncom- 
promising Prohibitionist. 



R. F. J. PARKIIURST, one of the fore- 
most practitioners of Danvers, is a native 
of Jefferson County, Wis., where he was 
born on the 13th of February, 1857. His 
parents were Hiram and Lois (Morgan) Parkhurst, 
natives of Vermont, who came to Wisconsin in 
about 1853. Hiram Parkhurst was a blacksmith 
and machinist, skillful in his profession, a man of 
great industry, and strictly temperate habits. He 
followed his trade in this section of country for a 
number of years, and passed his declining years in 
Watertovvn, Wis., his death taking place in March, 
1885, in Iowa, while there on a visit. The mother 
is still living. The household, by two marriages, 
included the following children. Of the first mar- 
riage there were: Lucian, Helen and Elizabeth. 
Of the second there were: Daniel, Hiram, Lois, 
Fred and Frank (twins). 

Dr. Parkhurst was reared in the city of Water- 
town, Wis., and pursued his early studies in the 
common schools. After becoming of suitable age 
he entered the Northwestern University at Water- 
town, and after spending one year there, com- 
menced teaching, which he followed for some years. 
He then began the study of medicine with his un- 
cle, Dr. H. Parkhurst, of Danvers, with whom he 
remained one year. He then entered Chicago Medi- 
cal College, where he studied for three years, and 
gained a valuable experience in the college and 



hospitals of Cook County, attending clinical lec- 
tures in both, and graduated at the head of his 
class. He commenced the practice of his chosen 
profession in Danvers in 1880, and made a spe- 
cialty of surgery. In this comparatively brief time 
he has built up a large and lucrative practice, and 
is now classed among the leading physicians of Mc- 
Lean County. He is a close student, an extensive 
reader, and ambitious to excel. 

Dr. I'arkhurst was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary Abbott, Oct. 27, 1881. Mrs. H. is the only 
daughter of Ira Abbott, and by her union with our 
suliject has become the mother of one child, 
Arthur A., who was born May 29, 1883. They 
occupy a pleasant and attractive home, and enjoy 
the society of the first residents of Danvers. 

Dr. Parkhurst has been a member since 1881 of 
the A. F. ife A. M., Danvers Lodge No. 742, of 
which he is also filling the position of Senior War- 
den. He has been connected with the Congrega- 
tional C-hurch for the past fourteen years, and in 
politics is a stanch Repulilican. He holds member- 
ship with the American Medical Association, Illi- 
nois State Medical Society and McLean County 
Medical Society. 



-^-5— 4— O'S^SlHiie'o $^-«— 

/^EORGE W. PUMPHREY, a farmer of lian- 
lll ^^ dolph Township, is pleasantly located on 
^^J! section 30, where he owns 160 acres of val- 
uable land, which is finely improved and supplied 
with a handsome and substantial set of farm build- 
ings. These have been mainly erected by our sub- 
ject. He took possession of his present home in 
1882, and since then has been industriously en- 
gaged in adding to its attractions and increasing 
its value. Mr. Pumphrey was born in Carroll 
County, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1859, and was four years 
of age when he came with his parents to Illinois. 
Of his father, R. Pumphrey, a sketch will be found 
in another part of this work. 

Our subject was reared in Randolph To\TOship, 
improved his opportunities at school, and became 
possessed of a first-class education. He remained 
with his parents until his marriage, which occurred 
Feb. 23, 1882, at the home of the bride's parents 



nts, • 



i 



i 



428 



MrLEAN COr^'TV. 




near Ileyworth. The lad^' of his choice was Miss 
J., ehlest (laughter of .lacob and ^[ar^• E. (Came- 
ron) Moyil, both of Knox County, Oiiio, and of ex- 
cellent (Scotch and Irish ancestry. They were 
reared in Knox County, and there also occurred 
their marriage and the birtli of their daughter, Mrs. 
P. This latter eyent tooiv place Aug. 20, 18G2. A 
few years thereafter they came to lUlinois and lo- 
cated on a farm in the south [lait of Randolph 
Township, where the parents are now living and 
engaged in farming. Mrs. Pnmplirey received a 
fair education, and remained with her [larents un- 
til her marriage. Of her union witii our suliject 
there has been one child — Mary E. 

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Jlrs. P. lo- 
cated ou their present homestead, and there is 
every indication of a prosperous and happy future 
before them. They have not yet reached the noon 
of life and still possess the courage and the hope of 
youth. Jlr. Pumphrey is connected with the Pres- 
byterian Church, and in politics is a Democrat. 



-.-s- 



#"#► 



i 



^¥]()IIN S. POPPLE, who is widely and favora- 
l)ly ivnowii throughout this section of the 
State, is a gentleman in the prime of life, 
and has already distinguished himself as one 
of the most useful citizens of Dan vers, having been 
intimately identified with its business and industrial 
interests since 18(J(). Mr. Popple was born in Bos- 
ton, England, Jan 24, 1841, and when a lad of ten 
years old started for America with his parents, ar- 
riving here in August, 18.51. The family first set- 
tled in Oswego, N. Y. The father of our subject, 
Rev. Samuel Popple, was a minister of the Method- 
ist Epi.s(^oi)al Cluu'ch, and died .'it Watertown, 
N. Y., in 18,")r). John S., a brigiit and ambitious 
boy, attended school at Oswego and Watertown, 
and secured for himself a good English education. 
He came t<i Blooniington, 111., in 1858, whence he 
removed two years later to Danvers. lie was en- 
gaged in the milling business until 1870, but being 
possessed of more than ordinary musical talent, was 
desirous of perfecting himself in this art, and ac- 
cordingly went to Chicago, where he entered the 
Normal Musical Academy, conducted by Prof. 



Palmer. Under the instruction of this eminent 
musician and teacher, he devoted himself to the 
study of music for live years, and then liecame a 
teacher of the same, which he followed with success 
for five years. In 1875, in connection with his 
lirotiier, M. Luther l*op[>J*, he bought out the hard- 
ware stock of William Estes in Danvers, and since 
that time has lieen successfully engaged in this 
branch of ti'ade. 

Soon after the establishment of the liloomington 
Leader IMr. Poijple l)ecame its Danvers correspond- 
ent, which he continued without the intermission of 
a single week until April 3, 18S0. The iearter fre- 
quently called attention to him as a model for all 
correspondence, both in the brevity and terseness of 
his style, and his manuscript, which, distinct and 
handsome as copper-plate, was the delight of the 
composing-room. Upon severing his connection 
with the Leader Jlr. Popple, in company with Prof. 
John P. Voder, established the Danvers Dispateh, 
April 1, 1881, which at once commanded public 
attention and invited public patronage. At the 
end of two years, Prof. Yoder withdrew, and Mr. 
Popple has since been sole editor and proju'letor. 
The Dispatch is a five-column folio, independent in 
polities, and has now probably the largest circula- 
tion of any [taper in McLean County, outside of 
Blooniington, and has become quite iiulisi)ensable 
in this locality. Mr. Popple is a concise and inter- 
esting writer, and exhibits more than ordinary 
al)ility as a journalist and business manager, and 
receives honorable recognition from the fraternity, 
which largely copies from the interesting matter in 
the DispaM-h. 

In addition to the many arduous duties of his 
business affairs I\Ir. Popple has been pressed into 
service in connection with many important enter- 
prises affecting the welfare and progress of Dan- 
vers and vicinity. His clear head and wise judg- 
ment are in constant requisition. He has been 
elected Secretary of the Rock Creek Fair Associa- 
tion for ten consecutive years, and for nine years 
served as Secretary of the Danvers Mutual Fire 
Insurance Campany. He is also Agent for the 
^Etna, Underwritei-s', Hartford, Phamix, Springfield 
and Queen Insurance Companies. 

The marriage of John S. Popple and Miss Jennie 



1 



t 



■^^ 



u 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



429 



E. Franks, a iiiUive of Danvers, was celebrated at the 
liome of the bride's parents, June 4, IHfuS. Of their 
union were born four ehildren — Edwin G., Mabel 
\V., Etiiel F. and Parlv W. The home of our sub- 
ject and his family is pleasantly located on Main 
street, and in all its appointments is indicative of 
cultivated tastes and ample moans. 

Socially' Mr. Popple is Secretary of Dan vers 
Lodge No. 742, A. F. & A. M., which honored 
office he has held since its organization, March 10, 
1873. He is an efficient Sabbath-school worker, 
and ofiiciates as organist for the Presbyterian and 
Baptist Sabbath-schools, where his vocal and instru- 
mental talents are a source of great i^leasure and 
satisfaction to the people who attend. It is seldom 
that in one individual there is combined extraordi- 
nary business talent and the most cultivated and 
refined tastes, but Mr. Popple is a brilliant excep- 
tion to this rule. His energy and industry are nni- 
fornil}' exercised in all departments of life, and he 
can devote himself fully as closelj' to its sober 
business as to its lighter and more pleasing tasks. 
He is yet in the prime of life, and great things are ex- 
pected of him. At his home in Danvers he is hon- 
ored and esteemed by all, and possesses that genial 
disposition which is careful not to w'ound a friend 
and avoids creating an enemy. 

VB. MOORE, one of the old and honored 
residents of Bloomingtou City, in earlier 
years carried on the granite, marble and 
stone business, which is now operated by his son, 
J. K. Moore, at No. 311 West Washington street. 
The subject of this history was born in Perry 
County, Ohio, near Somerset, Dec. 8, 1832, and is 
the son of .John K. and Sarah C. (Ballon) Moore, 
the father a native of Westmoreland Count}', Pa., 
born near Grecnsliurg, in Ajiril, 1803, and the 
mother of Rhode Island, born the same year. 
They were married in Guernsey County, Ohio, and 
settled upon a farm in Perry County, where the 
father taught school in the winter season. 

The grandfather of our subject, Rev. Thomas 
Moore, was a gentleman of much learning and fine 
abilities, having been educated at Dartmouth Col- 



lege, N. H., and took the degree of I). D. at Yale. 
He labored as a Presbj'terian minister in Pennsyl- 
vania and Ohio, and was a Chaplain in the Revo- 
lutionary War, being with Gen. Washington at \'.al- 
ley Forge in 1776. He also considered it his duty 
to carrj' a musket, and be ready to fight if It was 
necessary. After the independence of the colonies 
had been established, he located in Pennsylvania, 
and moved to Ohio in 1811 with his family. His 
children were four in number — Thomas, James P., 
Catharine and John K. Of these, only one is liv- 
ing, Catharine, Mrs. Downey, whose home is in 
White County, lud. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
Welcome Ballon, a boot and shoe maker by trade, 
who removed to Ohio prior to the War of 1812, 
where he purchased land near Chandlersville, where 
he carried on agriculture and his trade alternately. 
His famil>' included seven children: Sarah C, Mrs. 
Moore, now deceased; Aurelius, of Newark, Ohio; 
Aurelia, and Welcome, M. D., both deceased; Celia 
A., Mrs. Foster, living in Shirley, 111. ; Lorinda, 
Mrs. Wartenbee, and Leander, M. D., deceased. 

John K. Moore, the father of our subject, in 
early manhood moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, 
and eng.aged in general merchandise. In 1843 he 
removed to White Countj', Ind., and there farmed 
and taught school alternately, finally locating in 
Monticelio, where he departed this life in March, 
184.5. The mother had died in Warren Conntyj 
Ind., when about seventy years of age. Their chil- 
dren were : Th(_)mas, now of Santa Fe, N. M. ; Wel- 
come B., in Bloomington; John K., of Sumner 
Count}', Kan. ; Lorinda B.,of Warren County, Ind.; 
Matilda, who died in Kansas, and James P., of St. 
I'aul, Minn. The parents were members of the 
Presbyterian Church. In earlier years, John K. 
Moore commenced studying for the ministry, but 
was obliged to abandon it on account of his health. 

W. B. Moore of our sketch remained at home 
until twenty-one years old, in the meantime re- 
ceiving his education principally under his mother's 
instruction. He was reared to habits of industry, 
and when sixteen years of age began to chop wood 
and split rails, and with the money thus earned, 
secured a small amount of live-stock. Then, in , 
company with his brother John K., he purchased a 



> ► ■ 4* 



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t 



•» ■ ^» 



430 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






te:ini, and they began to farm on rented laud. 
Tbey operated thus the following three years, and 
then our subject went to Covington, Ind., and ap- 
prenticed himself to learn the m.arble bnsiness. He 
soon afterward had the management of a shop, and 
in LSOlj came to Bloomington, where he established 
the present business. 

The marriage of W. B. Moore and Miss Eliza E. 
Lamb was celebrated in 18.t5. Mrs. Moore is a 
native of Fountain County, Ind., and was born 
near Newtown, being the daughter of William and 
Lucinda Lamb. Of her marriage with our subject 
there have been born seven children, one of whom 
is deceased: Alice A., Mrs. Flanagan, lives in Lo- 
gansport, Ind.; the others, at home, are John K., 
William L., Fannie B., Sarah C. and C4raee. 

Mr. Moore has also operated as a contractor and 
builder, and has suijerintended the construction of 
some of the most important buildings in the city, 
among them being the Methodist Church, which is 
a model of architectural beauty. Eight men are 
employed about the works, and their i>atrons are 
among the best business men of the city and 
connty. Mr. Moore is held in the highest respect 
by his fellow-citizens, and has built up for himself 
a good reputation for honor, integrity, and straight- 
forward business i)rinci()les. 

^-i— *-— o<«-'H«i»-!i»e>o ^.— 5-s. 

yfelLLIAM L. VOCE KODT, a carpenter and 
/ cabinet-maker, now living in the village of 
^5^^ Danvers, this connty, was born in Twin 
Grove, .Sept. 5, 1849. His parents, .lohn C and 
Mary (Deal) \'ockrodt, were natives respectively 
of Germany and Waynesboro, Va. John-Vockrodt 
was born in 1815, and came to America when a 
youth of eighteen years, landing in Baltimore on 
the night made memorable by a great fall of me- 
teors. He soon afterward proceeded to Waynes- 
boro, where he worked at carpentering and cabinet- 
making until 1848. He then came to McLe.an 
County, 111., and followed the same vocation until 
his death, which occurred in this village on the 
28th of .Jul}-, 1873, of which he liad been a resident 
since 18.')2. The parents of our subject were mar- 
ried in \'irginia in July, 1844 ; the mother was born 
in April. 1M22, and is still living, in fair health. Of 

-4. 



the seven children born to the household three are 
now living. The record is as follows: John, the 
eldest, is deceased; William L. of our sketch is the 
second child; Elinore (1st) is now deceased; Eli- 
nore (2d) is now Mrs. Culbertson, and resides in 
Danvers; Charles E. is deceased; Walter L. married 
Miss Adelaide Kauffman, and lives in Danvers; 
Susan is deceased. 

Mr. Vockrodt remaini'd under tlie parental roof 
until his marriage. On the 2()tli of December, 
1876, he was united with Miss Margaret Crist, who 
was also a native of Illinois, and was born in Taze- 
well County, Oct. 28, 1845. Mrs. V. is of (lernian 
and English ancestry, being the daughter of Iliram 
and Clarinda (Brown) Crist, natives of Ohio and 
New York respectively. Hiram Crist was born May 
22, 1801), in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he 
spent his childhood and youth, coming to Illinois 
in 1842. He located in Pekin, but after a few 
months removed to Tremont, in Tazewell County, 
where, with his familj', he remained a few years, 
then moved to Bloomington, and thereafter to 
Danvers Township, where he died in 1871. Mrs. 
Crist was again married in 1879, to Mr. Philo 
Washburn, a resident of this township. Mrs. Crist 
by her lirst husband had nine children: John O. 
B. ; Nathaniel; Franklin, who died at the age of 
eleven years ; Abraham ; Margaret L. ; Eliza A. and 
Mary E. (twins) are living; Eliza married Mr. 
John Ament, and lives in Bloomington, 111.; Mary 
E. married James II. Deal, a farmer near Baxter 
Springs, Kan. ; Loyd married Miss Annie Dickin- 
son, and Ilari-iet died at the age of six years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Vockrodt are the parents of two children : 
Clara M., born Oct. 29, 1878, and John C, July 
25, 1881. The father of our subject served as Jus- 
tice of the Peace for twenty years in Danvers, 
holding the ofiice at the time of his death. Will- 
iam L. was thereafter elected to fill the vacancy, 
and has occupied the position for thirteen years. 
He is a member of the Town Board, of which he 
has been President for three 3'ears, has been No- 
tary Public for the last twelve years, and in the 
fall of 1 873 was elected a member of the Board of 
Supervisors. He is now upon two committees, one 
having charge of the paupers in Western District, 
and the Committee on Education. 



^ 



m 




Residence of D.F. Biddle, Sec,1.,Towanda Towns hi p. 







Residence OF Albert Ogden , Sec.9.^Money Creek Township. 




Residence of Eli as B.JohnsoNjSec.21.,BlueMound Township. 



igk 



X<:i 



f 



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-•►HI 



McLEAN COIJNTY. 



433 



Mr. Vockrodt is strictly Rei)ubli(^an in politics, 
and Mrs. V., talking the other side <>i the question, 
upholds Democratic principles. The latter has 
been a member of the Christian Cluirch since she 
was fourteen years of age. Mr. V. is not con- 
nected with any church organization. Mrs. Vocli- 
rodt is a lady of good musical talent, and has quite 
a reputation as a singer in this community, having 
occupied the leading position in the choir of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She recalls 
many pleasant incidents of her childhood, having 
been an especial pet of Abraham Lincoln, who used 
to stop at her father's hotel, which he carried on at 
Tremont, and where Mr. Lincoln often stopped. 
Mrs. V. was then a child of thi'ee or four years old, 
and used to dance and sing for " Uncle Abe," who 
trained and encouraged her in these accomplish- 
ments. 

Mr. Vockrodt became a resident of Danvers in 
1852, and here received his education. He has 
been a thorough-going business man, and by his 
own industry has accumulated property consisting 
of three lots and a fine dwelling-house. His at- 
tractive home is the abode of peace and plenty, 
where he lives in the enjoyment of the comforts 
of life, and the confidence and esteem of his fellow- 
citizens. 



^ 




R. JAMES McCANN is one of the successful 
l)ractitioners of Normal, and has made 
that his home since 187'.). He was born in 

Connersville, Fayette Co., Ind., May 24, 
1832. The parents of our subject, James and Bar- 
bara (Dary) McCann, were natives of Fayette 
County, Pa. In 1818, the parents, accompanied by 
Daniel Yantes, founder of Indianapolis, took pas 
sage on a flatboat down the Ohio River for Cincin- 
nati, whence they removed to Fayette County, Ind., 
and the same year, accompanied by Mr. Yantes 
and twenty other men, went to what is now Indian- 
apolis. There, all except Mr. McCann were taken 
down with the ague, and as soon as they recovered 
he (being the only cook and nurse), becoming dis- 
pleased with the locality, returned to Fayette 
County to his family, where he followed farming 
and stock-raising during the remainder of his life. 



i 



He was very successful in a financial point of view. 
Religiously, he was a member of the Christian 
Church, and was one of a number of those who 
organized a congregation of that denoniination at 
Comiersville. 

Mr. and Mrs. McCann became the parents of 
twelve children, one of whom died in infancy, and 
eleven lived to attain the age of man and woman- 
hood, and of that number six (all the younger) are 
living at the present time. Isaac is a farmer and 
lives in the neighborhood of Connersville, Ind. ; 
James, our subject, was the seventh in order of 
birth; Sarah is the widow of Lewis Oliver, and is 
living at Connersville ; Julia is the wife of Andrew 
Fowler, and they reside at Goshen, Ind. ; Mary 
and Martin Barker were married, and are living at 
Connersville, Ind. ; the youngest sister, Ellen, mar- 
ried Thaddeus Scofield, of Connersville, Ind., and 
they are now residents of Bloomington, 111. 

The subject of this notice lived on his father's 
farm until he was sixteen years old, when he entered 
the State University at Bloomington, Ind., and was 
there a classmate of Judge J. Q. Gresham. He re- 
mained in the University for four years, and 
then going to Connersville, the same State, entered 
the otHce of G. R. Chetwood, and under his pre- 
ceptorshij) began the study of medicine. Subse- 
quently, in 1856, he graduated from the Medical 
College of Cleveland, Ohio. He then located in 
his native town, and after a few weeks' residence 
there came to this State and entered upon the prac- 
tice of his profession at Joliet, where he resided for 
ten years. At the commencement of the late Civil 
War he was appointed U. S. Examining Surgeon 
of Pensions, and stationed at Joliet. He was suc- 
cessful in business while a resident of Joliet, built 
two store buildings, and was looked upon as one of 
the enterprising young men of that place. In 1866 
he removed to El Paso, where he was re-appointed as 
U. S. Examining Surgeon for that locality, and 
where he continued to practice his profession un- 
til 1879, holding his Government appointment for 
seventeen consecutive years. 

During the year last named Dr. McCann came 
to Normal, where he succeeded T. S. Mills in the 
drug trade. Subsequently, in 1885, he purchased 
his present location, paying 11,000 for the ground. 



i 



f 

i^ 434 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



^•^r* 



which is 22 X 75 feet, and on which he has erected a 
two-story l)riclv business house, 22^ x 60 feet in 
dimensions, the lower floor being used for the drug- 
business, and the upper one for a residence. The 
Doctor was Secretary of Will County Medical 
Society four yeai'S, and is a consistent and respect- 
ed member of the Baptist Church, and in politics 
Republican. He lias never consented to be a can- 
didate for any political oltice, but has devoted his 
entire time to the practice of his profession and 
his drug business. 

Dr. McCanu was married at .loliet, Nov. 1"), 1860, 
to Martha Isabel, the fourth I'hiiil and third daugh- 
ter of James C. Kercheval, now deceased. She 
was born in Will County, 111., and they now have 
three children, one boy, Berte II., and two daugh- 
ters, Bessie and Emma. In 1880 Dr. McCann was 
one of a committee of five on organization of the 
Illinois State Pharmaceutical A.ssociation, and this 
committee memoralized the State Legislature, and 
had the jjrcsent riiarmacy Lawen.acted. The clause 
in said act imposing a fine of $;")() for an)' adulter- 
ation of medicine was especially' commended by Dr. 
McCann, and no jiart of the law has been more 
praised than this. The Doctor is an exceedingly 
socialile and courteous geutlemau, and endowed 
witii the happy faculty of making and retaining 
friends, and by lionoraLile dealing and true manli- 
ness has gained a front rank among the res[)ectcd 
citizens of McLean County. 




Y- 



\*<^ (i. IIYBURN. The subject of tiiis history 
is one of the successful breeders of fine 
stock in Randolph Township. His home- 
stead is located on section 2, and embraces 
200 acres, and is watered with an ever-llowing min- 
eral sjjring. The farm residence and out-buildings 
are substantial. Mr. Ryburn makes a specialty of 
thoroughbred Short-horn cattle, in which he has 
had an e\'|)erience of over twenty years. He is a 
member of tlie American Sliort-horn Breeders' As- 
sociation, .and exhibits the register of 400 calves, 
many of which have been unexcelled on the best 
stock farms <if the State. His stock for sixteen 
successive ^-ears, has been on exhibition at about 



eight different fairs per year, and at each fair they 
have carried off their share of the lilue ril)l)ons. 
His success in this direction has been phenomenal, 
and his cattle have been disposed of at large prices 
in five different States. The head of his herd, 
•' Matchless Prince " No. 4657, was recently sold 
at a large price, and "Geneva," which has recently 
come into his possession, possesses all the qualities 
of the highest grade. He was reared by Col. J. 
W. .ludj-, of Menard County, 111., and is only about 
eighteen numths old. Mr. Ryburn, with two ex- 
ceptions, has raised all the animals of his present 
herd, and those wiiich he has sold have commanded 
the best market prices. Mr. Ryburn established 
his business in 1866, in connection with his brother, 
with whom he operated for eight j'cars. 

The subject of our sketch was born in HairLsou 
County, Ohio, Jan. 30, 1843. His father, James 
Ryburn, wiio was born and reared in Pennsylvania, 
was a farmer by occupation. After his marriage 
there and the birth of several children, he removed 
with his wife to Harrison County, Ohio. His wife, 
before her marriage, was Miss Mary Bigley, who 
was also born and reared in the Ke_ystone State. 
The families are both of Scotch descent. All came 
West in 1853, and settled in Randolph Township, 
this county. Our subject was the youngest but 
one of a family of eleven children, eight sons and 
three daughters. The parents both died in Ran- 
dolph Townshii), the father in 1857, and the mother 
in 1881. In former years the father was possessed 
of a good iiroperty, but met with misfortune be- 
fore leaving the State of Ohio. This compelled 
the boys to look out for themselves, and to begin 
at the foot of the ladder. They, however, had 
been trained to habits of industrj', and all have se- 
cured a good amount of property. 

After the death of his parents, our subject lived 
witii liis older brothers until the breaking out of 
the Civil ^\■ar, when he enlisted in the LTnion Army, 
in May, 1862, joining the three-months' men, Co. 
G. 68th 111. A'ol. Inf., Capt. Moore. After his first 
term of service had expired, he re-enlisted in the 
three years' service, becoming this time a member 
of Co. B, l)4th Til. Vol. Inf. He was with the army 
of the southwest, and participated in several active 
engagements, being at Ft. Morgan and Mobile. In 
■» 



r 



t 



McLean county. 



435 



July, 1S65, he was tr;ui8l'errorl U) the 37th Illinois 
Infantry, and afterward discharged from this regi- 
ment at Spring-field, 111., after having been in serv- 
ice fonr years. lie then retnrned to Randolph 
Township, and began the bnsiness which he has 
since followed. 

IMr. Rybnrn was mariied at the home of the 
In'ide's parents in Randolph Tuwnshi|i, to INIiss 
Iris Karr. She was born in Randolph Township, 
IVIarch G, 1S52, and is the daughter of William 
Karr, one <jf its earliest settlci's and most extensive 
landholders. She was reared and educated in this 
township, an<l remained nniler the parental roof 
until her marriage with onr subject. Mrs. Ryburn 
has been ccmnected with the Presbyterian Church 
since fourteen years of age. Our subject, in poli- 
ties, is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, 
with which he uniformly casts his vote. 



•.o»o..(5>^-V®-o*o.- 



Vl 



m 






7 ACOB H. RITCHIE, a well-to-do farmer of 
Martin Township, is pleasantly located on 
section 35, where he has been successfully 
(^7/ engaged in farming since the spring of 1865. 
He is a native of Rockingham Count}^, Va., and 
was born Dec. 24, 1838. He is the son of John 
and Magdalena (Fawley) Ritchie, both natives of 
the Old Dominion, of which his grandfather, Jacob 
Ritchie, Sr., was also a native. The father of our 
subject, who was a farmer by occupation, emigrated 
from his native State after his marriage, and ac- 
companied by his children, came to this country, in 
the fall of 1855. The wife and mother had died 
in Virginia in 1854. After reaching this county, 
Mr. Ritchie located in Brown's Grove, west of 
Bloomington, where he continued the pursuit of 
agriculture, and spent the remainder of his days, 
ins decease occurring in 1800. The parental house- 
hold included four sons and six daughters, of whom 
only two sons and two daughters are now living. 

The subject of this biography was the youngest 
of his parents' family, and passed his childhood 
and j^outh in his native State, receiving in the 
meantime a common-school education. He was 
married in this county when twenty-one years of 
age to Miss Sallie, daughter of John and Casandra 

4» 



(Casey) Hurt, who descended from an old Ken- 
tucky familj' and were among the earliest pioneers 
of this section. Mr. Ritchie settled with his bride 
in Brown's Grove, near his father's fai'm, where he 
remained until 18()5, then removed to his present 
homestead. This consists of 160 acres of finely 
cultivated land, the soil of which is naturally ver^' 
rich, and adapted to the growth of all farm [)ro(l- 
ucts. Mr. Ritchie has been largely engaged of late 
3'cars in raising and shipping hogs, the proceeds of 
which have yielded him a fine income. He has also 
raised a few Norman horses. The farm buildings 
are of modern style, and kept in good repair, and 
the wheilc [)remises present an air of neatness and 
thrift which is delightful to the eye. The ten chil- 
dren of our subject and his wife, five sons and five 
daughters, are all living except one, and named as 
follows: Ida, dleorge, Anna B., Emma, Addison, 
Jay, Mary A., Florence A. and Grover Cleveland; 
John W. was the eldest, and died in infancy'. 

INIr. Ritchie, politically, is a reliable Democrat, 
and a strong suiiporter of the present administra- 
tion. He has held the offices of Supervisor, Col- 
lector and School Trustee, filling each with credit 
to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. Both 
he and his wife are pnnninently connected with the 
United Brethren Church. 




<^NDRKW J. JOHNSTONE, Supervisor of 
lJII I )ale Township, claims it as the place of his 

birth, the date thereof having l)een Oct. 

•28, 1850. His father. Dr. Andrew John- 
stone, was a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, born 
f>n the ■21st of May, 1800, and possessed all the 
substantial and worth3' traits of the t^'pical Scot- 
tish character. The father of our subject was edu- 
cated in the schools of Edinburgh, and at the age 
of eighteen years determined to emigrate to the 
New World. After reaching American shores he 
proceeded directly to the young and rapidly grow- 
ing State of Ohio. He was a man of fine aliilities 
and had taken a scientific course of study in his 
native country, which he had afterward reduced to 
practice, and after his arrival within the bounds of 






t 



-4^ 
436 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



I' 



the State niciiti<iiu'<l, nceeptecl a post as civil engi- 
neer in tiu' niilitiuy disliict of Ohio, lieing in tlie 
einplciy of ( len. A[c Arthur, a hii'ge landiioldcr in 
that traft. 

After two or three years' residence in tiiis coun- 
try Andrew .loiinstone returned to liis native Scot- 
land, and decided to enter upon the study of medi- 
cine. After pursuing a three years' course under 
the Lest of instruction lie returned to America, 
and locating near Chillicntiie, Ohio, lieeanie asso- 
ciated in partnership with (k-n. IMcArthur, and 
while engaged in tlie lu'aclice of medicine gave all 
his leisure time to tlie luirsuit of farniing, of which 
he was very fond, and took great pleasure in wit- 
nessing tlie growing and ripening of grain, the 
pleasant sight of domestic animals, and everything 
that apiicrtained to the pursuits of agriculture. 

Dr. Johnstone lived in Ohio until 1840, and then 
setting his face further westward, came to the 
Prairie State, and located upon the site of what is 
now the city of Bloomington. Here he rented a 
tract of land which is now included within the city 
limits. He was one of the first to lireak the sod in 
that vicinity, and carried on farming and stock- 
raising for about five yt'sii's thereafter. He then 
entered a tract of Government land in Dale Town- 
ship, on section 1 4, and purchased a small frame 
house near Hudson, fifteen miles distant. This he 
removed vvith oxen to his land, and moving his 
family into it, established them comfortalily and 
made a iiernianent settlement, where he remained 
the balance of his days, departing this life on the 
31st of August, 1873. He did not resume the 
practice of medicine to any extent after coming to 
Illinois, liut was considerably engaged in civil en- 
gineering and surveyed a large portion of the land 
ill the county. He superintended the iiniirove- 
mcnts oil the farm, and at the time of his death had 
his land all enclosed and under a good state of cul- 
tivation. 

Dr. Andrew .lohnstone, the father of our subject, 
was ni;iiric(l in his native Scotland, to Miss Jane 
C'arlylc. She was a native of Dumfreisshire County, 
in Scotland, and was born on the 17th of May, 
1801. She, with her husband, is still living, and 
retains her mental faculties to a rernarlvable degree. 
The parental household consisted of three cliildren, 

4» 



J.ane and Andrew J., the subject of our sketch, be- 
ing the onl}' ones living; Mary is deceased. 

Mr. Johnstone of our sketch was the youngest 
child of his parents, and spent the greater part of 
his childhood and 3'outh upon the homestead farm. 
He pursued his primary studies in the district 
school, and sulise(iuentl3' attended ^Vesleyan Uni- 
versity at Bloomington. Although fund of studj' 
and reading, he has always had a love for the 
peaceful occupation of agriculture, and to this has 
devoted the greater part of his life. He is also en- 
gaged in breeding draft horses, and cattle feeding 
quite extensively. At the death of his father, he 
took charge of the homestead which he now owns 
and occupies, and upon which he has made all 
needed improvements. The family residence is 
tasteful, convenient and comfortable, and he has a 
good barn, with all necessary out-buildings and 
farm machinery. 

The subject <if our sketch was married on the 
2.stli of October, 1875, to Miss Dora Karr, also a 
native of Dale Township, and who was born April 
IG, 1858. Mrs. J. is the daughter of Thomas J. 
and Elizabeth (Lowe) Karr, a sketch of whom ap- 
pears on another |>age of this volume. Mr. and 
Mrs. Johnstone have only one child living, a son — 
Guy Carl3'le. Lizzie, the only daughter, who was 
born March 15, 1877, died on the Gth of January, 
1880. Mr. J. is Republican in politics, is highly 
respected as a business man, neighbor and citizen, 
and is serving his second year as Sujiervisor of 
Dale Township. 



^-m-'im>-^S'^ 



/^ HARLES J. NORTHRUr, proprietor of the 
(if ^^ dry -goods house at No. II 8 N. Center street, 
^^iJi^ and 208 West Washington street, Blooming- 
ton, was born in Lisle, Broome Co., N. Y., May 
20, 1847. He is the son of Solomon J. and Annie 
Lavantia (Buell) Northrup, natives respectively of 
Lenox, Mass., and Fairfield, N. Y. The father was 
born Dec. G, 1811, and the mother. May 16, 1815. 
Both were deei)ly religious people, and contributed 
liberally and cheerfully to the support of the Con- 
gregational Church, with which they were con- 
nected when quite young. 

Solomon Northrup was Superintendent of the 



■♦- 



-4- 



McLean county. 



437 



f- 



Sabbath-school for many years. He was a farmer 
by occupation, and removed from his native town 
to Lisle, N. Y., in 1840, where he remained for a 
period of thirty years, then sold out and engaged 
in merchandising in the same town. Thence he re- 
moved to Bingharaton, in response to a call to taive 
charge of the Susquehannah Valley Home for the 
Poor, which office he held for several years. He 
resigned the position finally on account of failing 
health, and died at Long Branch, while visiting 
there, Aug. 1, 1882. The mother departed this 
life on the 2 1st of September, 1847. The record 
of their four children is as follows: Julia, Mrs. G. 
W. Livermore, was born Sept. 4, 1837, and died 
May 4, 1883; James E., a resident of Bingliamton, 
during the late war enlisted in Co. F, 8yth N. Y. 
Vol. Inf., of which he was made First Lieutenant, 
participated in many battles, and was wounded at 
Antietam. He was married to Miss Ruth Sylves, of 
Berkshire, N. Y., and they have one child, a daugh- 
ter, ILattie E. They belong to the Congregation.il 
Church, and he is a prominent Mason, having taken 
all the degrees. Ira W. enlisted in Co, F, 8l)th 
N. Y. Vol. Inf., but before engaging in active 
service was taken ill from exposure, and brought 
home by his father, dying soon afterward, Feb. 22, 
1863, when not quite twenty-one 3'ears of age, his 
birth occurring Dec. 28, 1842. C. J. of our sketch 
is the youngest living. 

After the death of his first wife, Solomon J. 
Northrup was united in marriage with Miss Lucy 
E. Carroll, of Springfield, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1849, and 
of this union there were born two children : Emma 
L., Mrs. B. L. Osborne, of Camden, N. Y., and 
Lydia C, who died Feb. 24, 18C2. The father of 
our subject was essentially a self-made man, and 
started out in life at the foot of the ladder. He was 
employed first as a farm laljorer, and received liis 
education by attending school during the winter 
seasons. After his marriage he farmed on rented 
land, his first purchase being in Lisle, N. Y. He 
became prominent in the political affairs of tliat 
State, and a citizen greatly respected for his moral 
and intellectual worth. Politically he was a strong 
Republican. He held the office of Supervisor sev- 
eral years, was Deputy Sheriff of the county, and 
Trustee of the school at Lisle, and took an active 



part in all measures calculated to promote the in- 
terests of liis adoiJted county or State. He put 
forth every effort to educate liis children, often re- 
marking that lie would prefer leaving tliem a good 
education rather tlian gold. 

The subject of this history was l)orn in a log 
house, on his father's farm in Lisle, and remained 
there until eigliteen years of age, attending the 
common schools. He studied two j'ears at Owego 
Academy, and afterward wont to Springfield, 
N. Y., eng.aging as clerk in a country store at i^5 
per montii, for one year. He then removed with 
his father to Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y. He 
attended the .academy tliere under the tutorship of 
Prof. Clark, and in the spring of 1807 entered the 
dry-goods store of William Rieliardson & Co. He 
remained there until fall, then came West with Mr. 
Richardson, and settled at Bloomington. He con- 
tinued with his former employer, who h.ad asso- 
ciated himself with partners, Messrs. Wilcox Bros., 
and carried on the dry -goods business. Our sub- 
ject remained with the firm over seven years, which 
then became Wilcox Bros., by the withdrawal of 
Mr. Richardson. 

Mr. Northrup established his present business 
Feb. 15, 1876, on tiie spot where he is still located. 
He l)egan with one clerk and an errand-lio3',and was 
prospered from the beginning. His business in- 
creased each year, and in 1882 he secured the ex- 
tension of his store to W.ashington street. In 1885 
he purchased a stock of goods at Lexington, where 
he established a Ijranch house. In 1.S86 he pur- 
chased another stock, in the same pl.ace, and con- 
solid.ated tlie two. He emplnys from ten to fifteen 
clerks in Bloomington, and from five to seven .at 
Lexingtt>n. 

The subject of our sketch was married, Sept. 27, 
1877, to Miss Rose Whipp, of Noi'mal, w^io was 
born in 1850, and is the daughter of John W. and 
Elizaljcth (VaiiNess) Whipp. Her father was a 
banker for many years at Bloomington City, but is 
now in Springfield, employed by the State Board of 
Charities. Mr. and Mrs. N. have three children — 
Fred W., Charles B. and Julia E. They occupy an 
attr.active home at No. 510 East Front street, and 
enjoy the .association and friendship of the cidtured 
people of the city. Botii our subject and his wife 



4*- 



^^^- 



I 



f. 



•►-^■-4^ 



438 



-A 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



are members in good standing of the Second Pres- 
byterian Church, of which Mr. N. has been Trustee 
for the last six years, and is Assistant Suiierintend- 
ent of the Sunday-school. He contributes liberally 
and cheerfully to the support of the church, and 
takes a deep interest in its welfare and prosperity. 
He is in all respects a representative citizen. 



-^•#-- 



n RA MERCHANT, a civil engineer of Rlooming- 
ton, is the son of Daniel P. and Anna E. (Carey) 
/1\ Merchant, and was born in Morris County, N. 
J., in February, 1837. His father, a native of Con- 
necticut, was taken by his parents when an infant 
to New Jersey, of which latter State the mother 
was a native. The Merchant family are of P^n- 
glish ancestry, and the father of our subject was a 
farmer by occupation. 

The boyhood and youth of Ira INIerchant were 
passed on his father's farm in New Jersey, while 
he pursued his studies in the district school. When 
eighteen j^ears of age he left his native State, and 
going across the Mississippi River into Missouri, 
was employed as an engineer on the North Mis- 
souri Railroad, under James P. Lowe, a noted en- 
gineer fioni Massachusetts. From this gentleman 
our subject obtained most of his knowledge of 
surveying. He continued witli Mr. Lowe until the 
outbreak of the Civil War, and then enlisted as a 
Union sohlier in Co. C, 28th 111. Vol. Inf., serving 
faithfully for two and one-half years. He was 
wounded at Holly Springs, .Miss., his left wrist 
being pierced by a ball from the enemy, lie also 
took part in the battles of Ft. Henry, Donelson, 
Shiloh, the advance on Corinth, Hatehie River, and 
the siege of Vicksburg. After receiving his honora- 
ble discharge he was mustered out in the fall of 1 803. 

After his retirement from the army Mr. Merchant 
came into Sangamon County, 111., where lie was 
soon afterward elected County Surveyor, in which 
position he served for a term of two years. He 
was then employed to survey wiiatat that time w.as 
i-allcd the Burr Oak Farm, owned by M. L. Sulli- 
van, of Ford Countj', the greatest farm at that time 
in the Western States. He was then cmi)loyed to 
make a pioliminary snrve}' on the I'coria it Hock 



Island Railroad in the fall of 18G8. After com- 
pleting this work he came to Bloomington, being 
soon afterward employed as City Engineer, which 
positiim he has held nearl}' ten years. He was 
Superintendent and Engineer when the water works 
were constructed, and h.as been connected profes- 
sionally with most of the important improvements 
in the city since coming here. Although holding 
office under different administrations Mr. jMerchant 
never directly or indirectly solicited any appoint- 
ment to the office he filled. He is also engineer of 
farm drain.age, of which department he makes a 
specialty, laying during the year 188C over sixty 
miles of tile. 

Mr. jMerehant was married in Cass County, 111., 
to .Miss Mary Areuz, and they became the parents 
of one child, a daughter, Ella, born in 18(J0, and 
now the wife of Charles H. McWarter, of Mason 
City, Iowa. Politically Mr. Merchant is a Mug- 
wum|i, and socially is a member in good standing 
f)f the (;. A. R. 




R. CHARLES T. ORNER, of the firm of 
Barnes & Orner, is located at No. '2 20 
North Center street, Bloomington. He 
was liiiru in Reading, Pa., Sept. 17, 184(), 
his ]).arents being Jesse and Eveline P. (Pettit) Or- 
ner, botli natives of Chester County, Pa. The 
father was Superintendent of the Iron Rolling Mill 
of heading until the outbreak of the late war, when 
he enlisted in the .50th Pennsylvania Infantry, and 
was made Captain and chief of transportation in 
the !)th Army Corps. He was in the service from 
the capture of Beaufort, S. C, until the winter of 
18<J4-().''), and was then transferred to Chattanooga 
and made Superintendent of the United States 
Rolling Mill, which he retained until after the close 
of tlie war. He then resumed the position whicli 
iie liad left in the rolling-mill at Reading, Pa., and 
continued untd his death, in 1873. 

Politically the father of our subject was a Re- 
])ul)lican. and one of the early temperance workers 
of his locality. He was skilled in his calling and 
IH-ouiinenl among the councils of his craft, and oc 



i 



I 



<- 



-^1 



McLean county. 



439 



I 



cupied the office of National Counselor of the 
United American Mechanics. Religiously he was 
connected with tiie Lutheran Church. The mother 
is still living at the old homestead at Reading, Pa. 
They had a family of three children. One daughter 
married Rev. W. E. Snyder, and went witii him as 
a missionary to India, where he died in 1S.5'.I; Mrs. 
S. afterward returned to her old home in Reading, 
Pa., where she still lives. The other sister married 
Capt. F. M. Yeager, of Reading. 

The subject of this biography received his edu- 
cation in the schools of his native city, ami re- 
mained under the parental roof until after the out- 
break of the late war, when he enlisted in Co. M, 
198th Pa. Vol. Lif., .and was appointed Steward of 
the 1st Brigade and 1st Division, Mh Corps, in the 
Army of the Potomac, which position he held un- 
til the close of the war. He was eng.aged in the 
battles before Petersburg and at Hatches' Run, 
Gravely Run, Five Forks, High Bridge, and at the 
surrender of Appomattox. After being mustered 
out he returned home and commenced the study of 
medicine under the instruction of IJr. S. I), (iross, 
of Philadelphia. He afterward attended lectures 
at Jefferson Medical College, from which he gradu- 
ated on the 9th of March, 18()7. He soon com- 
menced practice, and received the appointment of 
Dispensary Surgeon, which he held until August;, 
1868, when he went to Siiringfield, Ohii>, and for a 
year following spent most of his time in travel, 
afterward resuming practice in his native town, 
where he remained until May, 1871. 

In the year last mentioned Dr. Orner came to 
Illinois, and locating in Saybrook, this county, en- 
tered into partnership with Dr. J. L. Ballard, with 
whom he continued one 3'ear. He then piacticed 
alone until September, 1S.S4, and coming to lUoom- 
ington City, associated himself with iiis present 
partner. Dr. Barnes, and they have operated to- 
gether since that time. Dr. Orner stands high in 
his profession in this State, being connected with 
the National, State, Illinois Central, McLean 
County and DeWitt County Medical Societies, 
and foi' a time was President and is now Secretary 
of the Illinois Central Medical Society. He was 
Pension Surgeon at Saybrook for four years under 
President Artluir's admiusti'alion, aiul is a corres- 



ponding member of the Academy of National 
Science at Reading, Pa. 

Dr. Orner was m.arried in 1868, to Miss Mattie 
E., the ilaugiiterof William L. Crothers, of Spring- 
field, Ohio. Their residence is located .at No. 7011 
North Evans street, where they enjoy the society and 
friendship of the most cultured people of the city. 
Our subject and his wife are members of the First 
Presliytcrian Church, to the support of which they 
contribute liberally and cheerfully, and are deeply 
interested in its prosperity. Socially the Doctor 
belongs to the (i. A. R., of which he is Commander, 
the United American Mechanics and Improved 
Order of Red Men. He is also Captain of the 
Sons of Veterans. 

n SAAC McBEAN, late proprietor of the Bloom- 
ington omnibus, carriage and transfer line, 
/1\ whose decease occurred March 31, 1887, was 
one of the representative men of the city, full of 
energy and enterprising, and conducted his business 
in a manner profitable to himself and satisfactory 
to his patrons. The subject of this biography was 
a native of Virginia, and was born in Frederielv, 
(now West) Virginia, .Ian. 2, 1829. When quite 
young he removed with his parents, Ch.arles and 
Sarah (Harrison) McBean, to Newark, Licking Co., 
Ohio, where they located and remained until 1857. 
They tlien removed further westward to Canton, 
111., where they remained until the close of their 
lives. The McBeans were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, 
and the Harrisons among the first families of Vir- 
ginia. 

Isaac McBean, during his earlier years, attended 
the city schools of Newark, Ohio, and after remov- 
ing witli his parents to Illinois, became employed 
in the marble works of I'eoria for three years. 
Thence he went to Canton .and engaged in the liv- 
ery business until 1857, and from there to a farm 
in Fulton County. Here he was successfully en- 
gaged until the opening of the late war when, in 
August, 1.SG2, lie enlisted in Co. D, 103d 111. Vol. 
Inf., his regiment being assigned to the Army of 
West Teiniessee. He particii)ated with his cora- 
ra(le> in llu' siege of Vicksbnrg, the liattles of 

•► 



i 



t 



"►-■-^^ 



440 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Black River, Mission Ridge, ami other important 
engagements, and went with Sherman on the march 
to the sea. In the meantime he was wounded in 
the head by bushwhackers, and was subsequently 
promoted to the rank of First Lieutcn.ant and 
served on the staff of Brevet Brig.-Gen. rugh. 

Lieut. McBean finally resigned his commission, 
and in ,Inne. 18G4, returned to Canton, 111., and lo- 
cating in I'iatt Count3' again engaged in agricult- 
ural imrsuits. lie was thus occupied until 1875, 
when he disposed of his stock, implements, etc., 
and coming to P.loomington purchased what was 
known at tliat time as the McKissen & Page Omni- 
bus Line, to which he added carriages and mail- 
wagons, and by tliis means acquired control of the 
most profitable business of the city, carrying and 
transferring all the mail coming into Bloom ington 
since 1876. In this latter department alone he 
used about fifty-two horses during the twent3'-four 
hours. The stables are constructed of brick, G6x 
100 feet in area and two stories in height, and have 
two divisions, one for carriages and the other for 
horses. There is also a jwivate barn at No. CO.") 
East Front street, which is built of brick, three 
stories in height and 4Gxr)(! feet in area. In this 
stable is kept the blooded stock, ro.adsters and stal- 
lions, the latter for speed and breeding purposes. 
Of the latter one is the son of King Almont and 
Wilkes, tlie son of the great George Wilkes. These 
beautiful animals will bear comparison with any 
others in this part of the State. 

Isaac McBean and Miss Mary J. Il.all, of Canton, 
111., were united in marriage Dec. 24, 18(JG, and of 
the union there is one child — Charles, who was 
born .Inly 7, ISGli. 



\jl EWIS B. THOMAS, Mayor of Bloomington, 

le precincts of the city 
presides over, on the 27th of 
September, 1838. His parents were William and 
Catharine (Haines) Tin>mas, natives of Xenia, 
Ohio, who remove<l to Bloomington in 18.'!;'), where 
William Thomas servcnl as County Treasurer from 
18.53 to 186G. During the progress of the Rebell- 
ion he was also .agent for tiie war fund, and for a 



|I/ EWIS B. THOMAS,] 
I (@ was born within tlu 
iU^. which he now presid 



period of twenty years was extensively engaged in 
bu3ing and shipping stock .and pork-p.acking. At 
the commencement of the building of the Illinois 
Central Railroad he took a heavy contract for get- 
ting out ties, and in the meantime built and 
e(piipped two steam sawmills, one in Lytleville and 
one in Bloomington. In 1872 he went to Texas, 
and starting a beef-paekiiig establishment north of 
Galveston, for two years transacted an extensive 
business. He then went into Kans.as and Missouri, 
and w.as engaged in mone\' loaning for Eastern capi- 
talists for four years. He then returned to McLean 
County, and was elected City Treasurer of Bloom- 
ington, which office he occupied at the time of his 
death in 1881, being sevent3'-flve 3'ears of .age. 
Upon first coming to Illinois he engaged iri farm- 
ing on ground now occupied by thecity of Bloom- 
ington. His wife, tiie mother of our subject, is 
still living in this e;ty, and is sevent3'-three years 
of age. The jiarental family consisted of twelve 
children, of whom only three are living': Lewis B., 
our subject; Belle M., Mrs. Elder, of Randolph, in 
this count3', and .Joseph A., engaged in life insur- 
ance business in Iowa. 

Lewis B. Thomas spent his earlier 3'ears under 
the parental roof .and attended the cit3' schools un- 
til fifteen 3-ears of age. He then entered Jubilee 
College, at Eureka, III., and after an attendance 
there of one 3'ear took a course in Antioeh College, 
of which Ilor.ace Mann was President. He thus 
spent another year, and then retiuning to Bloom- 
ington was soon afterward appointed Dei(ut3' 
Clerk of the Circuit Court, which otlJce he occu- 
pied for three 3ears following. He then eng.aged 
in the insurance business, .and now represents man3' 
of the best companies of the East and West. 

Our subject has been prominent in the affairs of 
his native cit3- since old enough to fill a position of 
trust and responsibility. He w.as a member of the 
City Council from ISSO to 188G, and elected Mayor 
during the latter year. In 18G1 he was City Treas- 
urer, and also hi'id the same ollice in the Merchant's 
Association for three years. In 18711 he became a 
member of the Board of Education, being still con- 
nected therewith, and socially belongs to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and (he rnioii League, being Sec- 
retar3' of the latter. 

•► 



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1 




j^a^^^^ray £^^^-1-^-??':^^^^ 



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-A 



MoLEAN COUNTY. 



445 



The marriage of J^ewis B. Thomas and Miss 
Belle M. Moore took jjlace in September, 1 859. 
Mrs. Thomas was born in Naples, 111., and is the 
daughter of Joini and Margaret Moore, of Ohio. 
By her union with our subject she has become the 
mother of two children — Harry I\I. and Wilbur F. 
Mayor Thomas and his lady are among the most 
esteemed residents of McLean County. He is the 
nominee of the Republican party this spring for re- 
election to the oflice of Mayor. 



^OIIN & CHARLES ELLSWORTH, Bloom- 
ington Township, own and operate one of 
the most finely improved farms of this sec- 
tion. It is located on section 11, and em- 
braces 320 acres. In addition to this they also own 
another tract of equal dimensions, located in Old 
Town Township, and also under a high state of 
cultivation. The brothers possess all the api)li- 
ances of modern .agriculture, and these, coupled 
with their wise judgment, energy and industrj' 
make them the leaders in this dei)artment of indus- 
try in this section. 

John, the eldest of the Ellsworth brothers, came 
to this township in 1838. His brother Charles had 
visited this section two years before and made a 
purchase of some choice land which embraces the 
present homestead, and upon which he has re- 
mained since th.at time. He was joined in his pur- 
chase by his youngest brother, Oliver, who died 
Nov. 27, 1871, at the age of fifty-nine years. This 
brother was twice married and lost both wives be- 
fore his own death. Tliej' had become the parents 
of one child, a daughter who died in girlhood, 

Gurdon Ellsworth, the father of John and Charles, 
was a n.ative of Connecticut, and born near Wind- 
sor, April 17, 1773. E^arly in life he left his na- 
tive town and became a resident of Ellington, where 
he remained until he came to years of manhood, 
and was there married to Miss Martha Stoughton, 
Jan. y, 1800; she was a native of the same State, 
and was born in the ye.ar 1777. Gurdon Ellsworth 
w.as a farmer by occupation and spent the remain- 
der of his life on his homestead near Ellington. His 
wife came to reside with her sons in McLean 



r 



County about 1854, and died Nov. 1, 1857. The 
father of Gurdon E., Capt. Daniel Ellsworth, in 
early manhood married Miss Lydia Makepeace, 
and it is supposed the}' were descended directly 
from English ancestry, the grandfather having ob- 
tained his title of Captain on account of services 
in the Revolutionary War. He returned home 
after the iudepeiulence of the colonies had been es- 
tablished, and died in 1782, at the .advanced age of 
eighty-two years. The early jiaituer of his joys 
and sorrows, and the mother of his children, also 
attained to a ripe old age, and died in Connecticut. 

To the parents of John and Ciiarles Ellsworth 
there were born eleven children, of whom the rec- 
ord is as follows: Sophia died, unmarried, in Feli- 
ruary, 1 883 ; Laura, also unmarried, was born 
March 25, 1802, and although eighty-five j'ears of 
age, preserves her strength of body and mind to a 
remarkiible degree. She lives with her brothers, the 
subjects of our sketch ; Martha became the wife of 
George E. Kuapp. deceased, and died in October, 
1882; they were the parents of three children, of 
whom Charles is deceased; the survivors are 
George and Carrie; Minerva married Simon Carew, 
and thej' .are both deceased, the former dying in 
1882, and the lattter about 1874; Lydia became 
the wife of Joseph Spalding; they are both now de- 
ceased, dying at a ripe old age; Gurdon, Jr., died 
at the age of about twenty years, in Connecticut; 
John, born Feb. G, 1809, is one of the subjects of 
our sketch; Ch.arles, the younger brother, was born 
Feb. 9, 181 1 ; Oliver died in 1871, as before stated ; 
Eunice S. died in childhood; Eunice, the younger, 
became the wife of Abe Brokaw and resides in 
Bloomington, her husband being one of the wealth- 
iest men in McLean County. 

The Ellsworth Brothers, still unmarried, have 
mainly been the architects of their own fortune, 
and although having reached an advanced age are 
still hale and hearty and cai)al)le of much endur- 
ance. They have taken good care of their health, 
have been strictly temperate in all things, and in 
their later days fire leaping the just reward of 
blameless lives. The propert_y which they possess 
has mostly ))een accumulated by stock-raising and 
general farming, and their straightforward methods 
of doing business, with their honesty and integritj' T 



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446 



-A 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



have secured for tliem the profound respectand es- 
teem of their associates and fellow-citizens. They 
are ijroniinently connected with the Presbyterian 
Church, and are .solid Rei)ublicans, as have been all 
the male members of this remai-kable family since 
the organization of that i)arty. 

The homestead of the Ellsworths is one of the 
finest farm estates in McLean County, and invaria- 
bly attracts the eye of the traveler passing through 
this section. The residence, barns and out-build- 
ings all give evidence of refined tastes and ample 
means. Their farm machinery is of first-cLass 
description, and in every respect the homestead is 
a model one and reflects credit upon those who 
have built it and brought it to its present con- 
diti(jn. The portraits of John and Charles Ells- 
worth, which are shown in connection with this 
brief outline of their lives, will be gladly welcomed 
by a host of friends throughout the county. It is 
with pleasure that we also present the portrait of 
their sister Laura, .as that of one of the most es- 
teemed ladies in McLean County. 



fe-<5«f^- 



,^^ OLOIMON STUTZMAN, a worthy repre- 
^^^ sentative of the substantial and reliable 
Ijl/Ji) Pennsylvania farmer, transferred his resi- 

dence from the Keystone State to Illinois in 

December, 1849. while he was yet a young man, 
and is now oper.ating as a successful farmer of Dan- 
vers Township, on section 2. Mr. .Stutzman was 
l)orn in .Juniata County, Pa., in 18-2'J, being the son 
of Henry and Magdalena (]jant/.) Stutzman, both 
natives of the same State and born in 1797 and 
179.'), respectively. They were married in their 
native State in lH-21, and followed farming there 
for about twelve years afterward. They then re- 
moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, where the father of 
our subject operated on rented land until his death, 
which occurred Sept. 22, 184.'j. The mother sur- 
vived him a number of years and died about the 1st 
of March, l«(iG. The record of their children is as 
follows: .loel is married and residing in Fairfield 
County, (.)liio; Samuel married Miss Sarah Lantz, 
and they an; now living in Hudson, in this county; 
Solomon of our sketch was the third child; .Moses 



married Miss Garland, and lives in Christian 
County, 111. ; Isaac married Miss Catherine Barnes, 
and is a resident of this county ; David married 
Miss Belle Wolf, and is a resident of Bloomington ; 
-Tonathan married Miss Anna Fray; he died in 
about 1 870, leaving a wife .and six children ; Lydia 
became the wife of Eli Lantz, and lives in Nebraska. 
The parents were members of the Mennonite 
Church, and in politics llenr}' Stutzman was an 
old-line Whig. 

Solomon Stutzman remained at home until the 
death of his father and then served four j^eai's in a 
distillery. He came to Illinois in December, 1849, 
stopping over winter in Wt)Odford County, :ind in 
the spring came t(.) McLean County, where for three 
years f(jllowing he farmed on rented land. He then 
purchased 1 20 acres, to which he subsequently added, 
and is now the owner of 280 .acres, all improved 
and under a good state of cultivation. His atten- 
tion is mostly devoted to the raising, buying and 
selling of cattle. The family residence of our sub- 
ject is a couveinent and commodious building, 
covering ,an .area of 18 x 22 feet, with an L 20 feet 
square. His barn and out-buildings are substantial 
and kept in good repair, and everything about the 
premises indicates the supervision of a thorough 
and intelligent business man. Mr. and Mrs. Stutz- 
man have become the parents of five children, as 
follows: Joshua H. married Miss Miller, and is a 
resident of this county ; Simeon married Miss 
Tillie Lantz; Abraham also married a Miss Lantz, 
and Irene is the wife of C. C. llabecker; Jonathan 
Y., who also married a Miss Lantz, lives in McLean 
County, 111. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of Jona- 
than and Magdalena (Wagoner) Yoder, both n.atives 
of Schuylkill County, Pa. Jonathan Yoder, a 
carpenter, followed his trade for a number of years 
in his native State, and later purchased a large farm, 
upon which he removed and occupied it until the 
spring of 18,')2, when he came to Illinois and pur- 
ch.ased forty .acres of land in Dry Grove Township, 
this county, where he passed the remainder of his 
days. The mother departed this life in 18G.'», and 
Mr. Yoder then resided with one of his daughters un- 
til his death, in 1S(;8. His marriage took place in 
1817, and they bec.^ame the parents of eleven children, 
• ■» 



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t 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Wt 



as follows: Leah, Joash, Elias, Elizabeth, Sarah, 
Amos, Jonathan (who dii'fl Jan. 10, 1833), Mag- 
dalena (who died Dee. 1 7, 1 83-2), Asa, Catherine and 
Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Y. were members of the 
Mennonite Church, of which he was a minister for 
many 3'ears, and they were most worth3' people, who 
tr.ained their children to lives of industry and vir- 
tue. In politics Mr. Stutznian is a stanch Repub- 
lican. 



'S? OSEPH F. PANCAKE, attorney-at-law and 
I Justice of the Peace at Bloom int; ton, is a 
native of this countj', born in Bloouiington 
Township, Aug. 7, 1.S41. Ills father, Isaac 
P.ancake, who is still living in McLean County, was 
born in Madison County, Ohio, about 1811, and 
there married Miss Elizabeth Steele, of C'larke 
County, that State, and daughter of William Steele. 
Isaac Pancake left Madison County, Ohio, in the 
fall of 1837, and coming to this State and county 
located first at Lexington, whence after one year 
he removed to Bloomington, where the mother 
died in 1873. The parental household Included 
five children, three sons and two daughters, the 
former of whom still survive. The subject of 
our sketch was the third child and second son. 

Joseph F. Pancake passed his boyhood" in the 
city of Bloomington, where his father was engaged 
in the lumber trade and milling. This gave em- 
ployment to the bright and ambitious boy, while 
at the same time he attended the city schools and 
supplemented his studies by a later attendance at 
Wesleyan University, fron; which he graduated in 
1864. He then taught sciiool two terms, after 
which he entered the office of Judge O. T. Reeves 
and commenced the study of law. In this he made 
, good progress and was admitted to the bar in 1807. 
He commenced practice at once, and soon became 
the partner of C. B. Butler, Esq. After operating 
together one year the firm was dissolved and Mr. 
P. continued his business singly until 1870. He 
was then elected Justice of the Peace, to which of- 
fice he has been continuously elected since that 
time. During that time he has disposed of 1,300 
cases in each of ten dockets, and while many have 



'<*- 



been appealed to higher courts his decision has 
usually been affirmed. 

Our subject was first married, in 1S67, to Miss 
P]lla A. C'ampbell, of this county, who became the 
mother of three children — Elmer, Clara and Lloyd. 
The wife and mother departed this life Feb. 5, 
1883. Mr. P. was afterward married to Mrs. Ella 
T. Schick, who w.as at the time of marriage Super- 
intendent of Schools in Nemaha County, Neb. 
Her former husband was Theodore Schick, and 
they were the parents of two children — Murray 
and .Jessie. 

Mr. Pancake, during the late war served as a 
soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in Co. 
G, G8th ill. Vol. Inf. He is a member in good stand- 
ing of the G. A. R., belongs to the K. of H. and is 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Bloomington. 



-P- 



-^trls^- 



=4>- 




RS. EMILY PREY, widow of the late Le 
Roy W. Prey, of Empire Township, owns 
.and occupies a beautiful farm estate of 540 
acres on sections .5, 7 and 8, where she is 
surrounded by all the appliances of cultivated 
tastes and ample means. The family residence is 
finely located, and the barns and out-ljuildings are 
handsome and substantial structures, always kept 
in good repair. The farm forms one of the most 
attractive spots in the landscape of McLean County. 
Mrs. Prey is the second daughter of James and 
Margaret (Cannaday) Bishop (see sketch of J. Q. 
Bishop.) She was born on her father's homestead 
in Empire Township, Aug. 30, 1843, and received 
careful home training and a fair education in the 
public schools. She remained under the parental 
roof until she arrived at years of womanhood, 
and on the 6th of February, 1862, was married to 
William Evans, a native of this county, who w.as 
born in 1837, and the son of Francis M. and Mary 
Evans, who were among the early pioneers of this 
region. William Evans was reared on his father's 
farm, and followed agricultural pursuits during his 
lifetime. His death occurred in Empire Township, 
Jan. 4, 1865. Of this marriage there were born 
a^ 



i 



h 



i 



448 



McLean county. 



two children — Mary M., who died in infancy, and 
Josepliine, who died when nearly six years old. 

Mrs. Eniilj' (Bishop) Evans was united in mar- 
. riage with Le Roy W. Prey on the 7th of August, 
1877. Mr. Prey had been previously married to 
Miss Mary Gilbert, Sept. 14, 1864. She departed 
this life June 14, 1876, leaving one child, John II., 
who at present is living in Le Roy. Mr. Prey was 
born in Franklin County, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1840, be- 
ing the son of Daniel and Hannah Prey. When 
about twelve years of age liis parents removed to 
Illinois and settled in P^mpire Township, whore he 
grew to manhood, remaining with his parents until 
there came a call for troops to assist in the preserv- 
ation of the I'nion. In 1861 he enlisted in an 
Illinois regiment, but the quota in this county' be- 
ing full he repaired to St. Louis, and joined the 
Missouri Infantry, in which he served three years. 
He particiijated in many of the battles of the war, 
being at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, 
Miss., Champion Hills and Mission Ridge. With 
his comrades he joiued the command of Gen. Sher- 
man at Chattanooga, and participated in most of 
the engagements between that point and Atlanta. 
On the 17th of May, 18G2, he was wounded in a 
skirmish before Russell House, and was confined for 
a time in the liospital at St. Louis. Beyond this he 
escaped unharmed and received his honorable dis- 
charge after the surrender of Lee. 

After his return to civil life Mr. Prey resumed 
farming for a few years in Empire Town.ship. In 
1873 he went to Nebraska and entered a claim, 
which he occupied for two years, and then return- 
ing to Empiie Township located upon his faim and 
remained a resident here until his death, which 
took pl.-ice on the 7th of July, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. 
Prey became the parents of one child, William Le 
R03'. Mr. I'rey was a gentleman of more than or- 
dinary business capacity, was enterprising and pos- 
sessed of excellent judgment, and was uniformly 
presperous in liis undertakings. He took a genuine 
interest in all uiatters pertaining to tiu" welfare of 
liis county and community, was iionest in his trans- 
actions, prompt to meet his obligations, and iu all 
respects a praiseworthy citizen and valued member 
of the community. Mrs. Pre^', since his death, has 
conducted the business of the estate wilii rare ";ood 



judgment, and will maintain it in its present style 
by her wise management and knowledge of its re- 
quirements. 



,|| ^j)OBERT GREENLEE, one of the prominent 
contractors and builders of Blooniington, is 



M 




of stanch Pennsylvania birth and parentage, 
^p having been born in Crawford Count}', on 
the 12th of Ma}', 1831. His parents were Owen 
and Margaret (Townley) Greenlee, natives of the 
Keystone State, where the father was engaged in 
agricultural purs\iits and operated a sawmill on 
his farm for a [lei-iod of thirt}' years. This h(jme- 
stead he occui)ied until his death, which occurred 
in LS7.5, he having survived the partner of his 
youtii twenty-five years, the wife and mother 
dying in ISoO. The}' had a family of fourteen 
children, only six of whom are living, as follows: 
Robert, Sarah, Cyrus, Harrison, Margaret and 
Frances. The parents were members of the First 
Presbyterian Church and descended from excellent 
Scottish ancestry. 

Robert (ireenlee remained nuder the parental 
roof until he was twenty years old and then set out 
for the West to seek his fortune. His first location 
was in Clay County, this State, where he was en- 
gaged in building and trestle work on the Ohio <fe 
Mississippi Railroad. After three mouths thus em- 
ployed he went to Hancock County, thence to 
Jackst)nville, and in 1856 came to Bloomington. 
In the ineantiuie he followed his t)rigiual occupation, 
and is now possessed of a wide experience which 
has become a source of profit and yields him a 
handsome income. His business office is located at 
No. 40',) North East street, and he has been engaged 
in the construction of s(mie of the best buildings in 
the city, among thom being the residence of the 
late Judge David Davis, the house and barn of 
James Roliinsoii, the same for George Davis, and 
the residences of Messrs. William Withers, John 
Cheney, J. P. Smith and other handsome structures, 
besides the ;McLean County Jail, in 1882. Besides 
several large business houses he also superintended 
the erection of the boiler works for the Orphans' 
Home at Normal, and has had as many as thirty- 
five men in his employ. 

: .^ 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



449 i i 



The siiLject of our sketch, in 1858, was united in 
marriage with Miss .Sallie Carman of Kentucky, 
and theii' iiniim has been blest by tiie birtli of 
six children, viz.: Frances A., Adelia, Theodore 
P., John W., Ulysses L. and Cora. The family 
residence is a handsome structure located at No. 
80G North Evans street, and within and without is 
indicative of the skill and the cultivated tastes of 
its proprietor. Mr. Greenlee is a Prohibitionist in 
politics, a straightforward business man, and a use- 
ful and valued citizen. 



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EDWIN C. HEWETT, LL. D., President of 
the Illinois State Normal University, is the 
eldest of the four children of Timothy and 
Levina (Leonard) Hevvett. He was born in the 
town of Sutton, Worcester Co., Mass., on the 1st 
of November, 1828. His father was a wheelwright 
by trade, and owned a small farm, on which the 
family resided. Edwin attended the district school 
in his childhood, afterward studied in an academy, 
and at the age of twenty-one years engaged as 
teacher in a country school of his native town 
(not in the same district) where he gave instruction 
for two terms and then, being pleased with the work, 
decided to fit himself for the profession of a teacher. 
He accordingly entered the Normal School at 
Bridgewater, where he took the regular course 
which required one year, and graduated in 1852. 
The school at that time was in charge of the well- 
known educator, Nicholas Tillinghast. 

After leaving Bridgewater, Mr. Hewett became 
the assistant of Jonathan Tenne_y in the High School 
of Pittsfield, where he remained one 3'ear, and at 
the end of that time, by the request of Mr. Tilling- 
hast, returned to Bridgewater and engaged as 
a teacher in the Normal School, where he remained 
four years. In the fall of 185(1 Prof. Hewett took 
charge of the 'J'homas Grammar School at Wor- 
cester, which school had an attendance of 600 
pupils and employed ten teachers. There were, at 
that time, only two grammar schools in the city. 

In the fall of 1858 Prof. Hewett came West to 
become a teacher in the Illinois State Normal Uni- 
versity, which was then entering upon the second 



year of its existence, and w.as located at Blooming- 
ton, the present building not being completed. Dr. 
Hewett taught v.arious subjects at ditferent inter- 
vals until 187(j — his special class being that of geog- 
raphy and history — when he was chosen President, 
vice Dr. Richard Edwards, resigned, and has since 
occupied the Chair of Mental Science and Didactics. 

This school has now grown to be one of the best 
in the country, and its present prosperitj' is due in 
no small measure to the efforts of its present able 
President. The degree of A. M. was conferred 
ujjon I'resident Hewett by tlije University of Chi- 
cago in 18G3, and the degree of LL. D. by Shurt- 
leff College in 1878. He has contributed some valu- 
able literature to the various educational periodicals 
of the day, and is the author of a "Key to ( i nyot's 
Wall Maps'" and " Hewett's Pedagogy." In politics 
our subject is a stanch Republican, and religiously is 
a Baptist, and has given much time and attention to 
the progress and prosperity of the Sabbath-school 
of his church. 

Edwin C. Hewett was united in marriage with 
Miss Angeline N. Benton in August, 1857, who 
was born in Buckland, Mass., and married in Sub- 
lette, 111. Of this union there were two children, 
one of whom, Paul, died in 1870, at the age of five 
months, and May, who graduated at Normal in 
1880, and is now the wife of Prof. Rudolph R. 
Reeder, of Normal. 



~^/v-..~^t^i^fi;©^^«| 



|>»S^SWW2r»v. -vvw 



\|j' RA ROWELL, a prosperous and highly respect- 
ed farmer of Danvcrs Township, has been for 
many years engaged in agricultural pursuits on 
section .'JG, where he has met with success. He is a 
native of the Old Granite State, born in Grafton 
County, May "20, 1831. His parents were Jonathan 
B. and Cynthia (Abbott) Rowell, natives of the 
same vState as their son. Jonathan Rowell engaged 
in farming pursuits the greater part of his life. He 
was born Feb. 3, 1800, and his wife, Cynthia, March 
5, 180G. They were married Jan. 22, 1828, in 
New Hampshire, and resided there, with the ex 
ception of three years, until 1849. In July of that 
j-ear they started for the West and located in Dry 
Grove Township, this county, where the father de- 



that 
Dry i I 

de- f] 



* 



K 



t 



450 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



V 



parted this life Sept. 28, 1 850. The mother sur- 
vived her husband fifteen years, dying in Danvers, 
Feb. 5, 18GG. 

Of the ten children of Jonathan and Cynthia 
Rowell, the record is as follows : Mary .T. was 
born June 2'J, 1829, and died Sept. 8, 1848; Ira 
of our sketch was the second child; Jonathan H., 
born Feb. 10, 1833, is now Menilier of Congress 
from this district, and married Miss Marie Woods; 
Lucy M., born Jan. 27, 1835, died April 16, 1849; 
Charles C, born Dec. 11, 183G, married Miss Mar- 
garet Rabern; William L. was born Sept. 5, 1838, 
and married Miss Belle Dickinson; INIilo, born 
Dec. 13, 1840, married Miss Lou Carver; George 
B., born Dec. 13, 1842, married Miss Dellia War- 
low; Chester, born Oct. 7, 1844, married a Mi-s. 
Rowell; Albert A., born May 30, 184G, married 
Miss Nellie Booth. The mother was a member of 
the Congregational Church, and Jonathan Rowell, 
politicall}', was an uncompromising Democrat. 

Ira Rowell received a good common-school ed- 
ucation, remaining with his parents until eighteen 
years of age. lie then started out for himself and 
engaged as a farm lab(jrer at $10 per month. He 
was united in marriage with Miss Lavina Carlock 
Nov. 16, 1869, having already secured 130 acres of 
good land, and being aide to offer a comfortable 
home to his bride. This lirst purchase constitutes 
his present homestead, lie has industriously cul- 
tivated the land, and a<liii"l improvements each 
year until he n(.iw has one of llic good farms of this 
section. Besides general farming he is giving 
much attention to the iiiisiiig of cattle and horses, 
lie has beautified Ills lioiiiestead \>y fhe planting 
of handsome shade and fruit trees, and has sold 
from time to time numbers of evergreen and ap- 
ple trees. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of Abra- 
ham W. and Mary ((iood pasture) Carlock. Mr. 
C. was Ixjrn Ai)ril 7, 1 MOO, in llamjishire County, 
W. Va., and his wife, Jan. 24, 1«04, in Overton 
County, Tenn., about fifteen miles from Li\ ingston, 
the county seat. In the spring of 1H27 here- 
moved with his family to Dry Grove, and sub- 
sequently moved to Wiiite Oak Township. Mr. C. 
at one time was tlie owner of 1,000 acres of land, 
200 of which he afterward disposed of. Their 

4« 



rt- 



twelve children were, John ('•., Madison P., Sarah, 
Mahala, Lavina, William B., Abraham H., Margery, 
Martha, Reuben, Nancy J., and Mary. The four Last 
named are deceased. Mr. C. was a stanch Dem- 
ocrat politically. He died at the age of eighty-four 
years; his widow still survives. 

After the death of his father, Ira Rowell took 
charge of the estate, straightened up the business of 
the old homestead, and took his mother and broth- 
ers into his own household. He has been the 
architect of his own fortune, and what he possesses 
is the result of his industry and econom3\ He 
keeps himself well posted upon matters of general 
interest. Formerly he was Democratic in politics 
but is now mostly independent, aiming to cast his 
vote for tiie man whom he deems best fitted for the 
various ottices. He has been .School Trustee and 
Road Supervisor since his twenty-first birthday, 
having thus early in life established himself in the 
good opinion of his townsmen. 

The household circle of our subject and his wife 
has been completed by the birth of five children, 
as follows: Lillic was born Sept. 27, 1870; Laura 
B., Dec. 20, 1,S71 : Lulu J., Nov. 21, 1875; Kdith 
L.June 3(1, 1S79; Ira II. , Oct. 10, 1885. 



EDWARD WILSON, one of the honored pio- 
neers of McLean County, owns and occu- 
pies a flue estate in l^ale Township, on sec- 
tions 14 and 15, and in his .agricultural and stock- 
raising operations has met with abundant success. 
He is an industrious and enterprising business man, 
conducts his farming oi)eralions with discretion and 
judgment, and is strictly honorable and reliable in 
his transactions with liis neighbors and fellow-citi- 
zens. 

Mr. Wilson is a n.ative of Madison County, 
N. Y., and was boi-n on the Gth of August, 1827. 
As soon as old enough he attended the public 
schools of his native county, and during the sum- 
mer seasons assisted his father on the farm. At the 
.age of seventeen years he came to McLean County 
with his parents, and often recalls the incitlents of 
the overland journey. The family stopped a few 
days in Chicago, which was then a city of only a 



- » ■ <• 



t 



■<^ 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



451 



»► ■ ^> 



few thousand inhabitants, witli muddy streets and 
cheap frame buildings. From Cliicagu the fainil_y 
proceeded to .loliet, wliere thej' were obliged to 
stay until the fall of the j'car on account of the 
high water and absence of bridges. In the fall 
they resumed their journey and came into McLean 
County. He made his home with his parents until 
the}' removed to IJloomington, and his lirst start in 
life was like that of Alje Lincoln, as a rail-splitter. 
Mr. W. split rails at fifty cents per hundred, and 
boarded himself, but even at that small profit he 
managed to save something, and in due time be- 
came a landed proprietor. He added to his first 
purchase as time and means permitted, and is now 
the possessor of 375 acres, all of which, with the 
exception of fifteen acres, is in Dale Township and 
all in one l)ody. His farm is enclosed v.ith good 
fences, the soil is finely cultivated, and the whole 
presents a picture of a first-class farm estate. In 
I.SIJI Mr. Wilson put up his first frame building, 
and in 1873 built the handsome residence in which 
he now resides. He has good barns, valuable ma- 
chiner}' and implements, and all the appliances of 
a first-class agriculturist. 

The marriage of Edward Wilson and Mrs. Louisa 
(Perry) McWhorter took place June 2, 1864. Mrs. 
Wilson was born in Jessamine County, Kj'., May 
29, 1832, and is the daughter of John and Charitj' 
Perry, and the widow of Stephen McWhorter. Of 
her first marriage there was born one son, Steiihen 
A., who married Miss Dolly Millikin, and is now a 
commission merchant in Omaha, Neb. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have become the parents 
of four children — William L., Esther M., John and 
Walter C. ; the latter died in 1872, when two years 
and four months old. Mr. W. is connected with 
the Baptist and his wife with the Christian Church. 
He is Republican in politics, and has been identified 
with this party since its organizatitai. He was 
formerly a Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote 
for Zachariah Taylor. 

During the progress of the Mexican War Mr. W. 
enlisted as a soldier, and also proffered his services 
to the Union Army in the late Civil War, but was 
rejected in both instances on account of physical 
disability. He has been called to fill various offices 
of trust in his township, having served as Assessor 




and School Directur, and was twice elected Justice 
of the Peace, which otiice he still holds. He has 
always been warmly interested in educational mat- 
ters, and h.as uniformly given his support to the 
cause of morality, sobriety and good order, and in 
all respects is esteemed one of the most valued citi- 
zens (>f his township. He has lived to see great 
changes in the Prairie State since he first chose it 
for his home, and has contributed his full quota as 
o|)portuuity permitted toward the establishment of 
a later civilization which has constituted Illinois 
one of the wealthiest and most pros|)erous States in 
the Union. 



PUMPHREY, deceased, was one of the most 
successful farmers of Randolph Township. 
In addition to the pursuit of general agri- 
^'^ culture, he gave much attention to the 
raising of fine stock. In all his transactions, 
whether of a business or social nature, he bore the 
reputation of an honest man and a good citizen. 
He had been a resident of the county since 1863. 
During his earlj' manhood he was one of the most 
industrious and energetic men of Randolph Town- 
ship. These qualities in due time were amply re- 
warded. From a limited beginning, he became the 
owner of 1,000 acres of land, part of which, how- 
ever, he afterward disposed of. 

The Pumphrey homestead comjn'ises 400 acres 
of land, and a handsome and commodious set of 
farm buildings. He put up one of the best brick 
houses in this part of the county, and the other 
buildings on the premises correspond in all respects 
to the main one. There was also other valuable 
property belonging to the estate, and which was 
divided up among the heirs. 

Our subject was born in Brooke Co., W. Va., Aug. 
23, 1810, and died at his home in Randolph Town- 
ship, May 11, 1884, of paralysis. He spent three 
winters in Florida, where it was hoped his failing 
health would be recovered, but in vain. Mr. 
Pumphrey was reared in Brooke County, W. Va. 
His parents. Reason and Ann (Boone) Pumphrey, 
were natives of Maryland, but of Welsh ancestry 
and parentage. The mother of our subject was the 
daughter of Richard Boone, a relative of the well- 



-•►-■-^ 



i 



I 



452 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






known Keutiu-ky hunter and pioneer, Daniel Boone. 
She was married to Reason runiphrey in Virginia 
whence they removed, in 1828, to Ohio, settling in 
Harrison County. There the mother died, at the 
age of sixty-five and one-half years, and a few 
j'ears later the father passed away at the home of 
his daughter, Mrs. Emily Holmes, in Carroll County, 
Ohio, at the advanced age of eighty-tive years. 
While in Virginia he was engaged in milling and 
accumulated a fine property, and was also success- 
ful in his farming operations, later, in Ohio. 

The subject of this history received a good edu- 
cation in the schools of his native county in A^ir- 
ginia and after arriving to suitable years, worked 
with his father in the mill. He subsequently went 
to Fayette County, Pa., where he met Miss Ann C, 
the daughter of Charles and Ann (Combs) (iriffln, 
to whom he was married on the Sth of December, 
1835. The parents of Mrs. Pumphrcy were natives 
of Delaware and Elastern Pennsylvania respectively. 
They were married iu Fayette County, the latter 
State, and soon afterward located ujjon a farm and 
engaged in agricultural pursuits in that countj^ and 
there lived the remainder of their lives. The 
mother departed this life on the loth of August, 
1840. aged sixty years. The father survived her 
several j'ears and died the latter part of December, 
18(12, having arrived at ilw, adviincedage of eighty- 
five years. The parental family consisted of eight 
children, six sons and two daughters. Two of the 
sons died 3'ouug and five ai'c _yet living. Mrs. 
Pumphrey of our sket-cii was the tiiird child and 
second daughter, and was born in Fayette County', 
Pa., Aug. 1, 181(1. She received careful home 
training from excellent (larents, aiul remaineil with 
them until her marriage, liaving also enjoyed the 
advantages of a good educatinu. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. P. there were 
born eight children, one of whom, Mary M., died 
at the age of sixteen niouMis. Of the living, all 
but two are married. One is a minister of the 
I'resbyterian Church, having charge of a parish at 
Armourdale, Kan. This son was educated at 
lihjoniington, Chic"igo, and Crawfordsville, Ind., 
and |)ossesses more than ordinary abilit)' as a pas- 
tor ;uid orator. Each nicniber of this intelligent 
faniiiy is possessed of those excellent (pialities for 

^» 



which their parents have been long and favor.ably 
known in this section. Soon after his marriage 
Mr. Pumphrey united with the Presbyterian Church, 
with which he was prominently connected after- 
ward, having been Deacon for many j'ears. Dur- 
ing the latter years of his life he was connected 
with the church at Heyworth, of which his wife 
and family are now members and regular attend- 
ants. Politically Mr. Pumphrey was a Democrat. 



•-^S^->-^»^ -ra-^ 



<^5«f-*^5^-' 



(S^^HOMAS J. STOREY. The history of our 
subject presents a fine illustration of what 
can be accomplished by a course of perse- 
vering industry and tlie determination to "get on in 
the world." He commenced life at the foot of the 
ladder without means or influence, and by his own 
efforts climbed up step by step until he is now a 
prominent and honored member of society and the 
owner of a fine property. Thomas .1. Storey was born 
in Lincolnshire, England, .Inly 27, 1843. His fa- 
ther, Thomas Storey, Sr., who all his life followed 
agricultural pursuits, was accidentally killed while 
driving a fractious horse attached to a cart. The 
animal became frightened, ran away, and Mr. Sto- 
rey was thrown to the ground with such violence 
that he suffered dislocation of the neck, and only 
lived thereafter three days. Our subject was then 
a little lad of about ten years old. The mother 
was left with eight children, the family having in- 
cluded ten, two of wlK>ni died in infancy. Mrs. 
Storey was a woman of great force of character, 
and intensely anxious for the welfare of her chil- 
dren. Not lieing .satisfied with their condition or 
prospects in their own country she determined to 
emigrate to the Inited States. They fii'st located 
in Delaware, whither she had been preceded by her 
eldest son. In less than a year, however, they 
started for the West, and coming into Illinois^ lo- 
cated at Prim field, Peoria County. The mother 
only survived about ten years, dying when less 
than fifty years of age from cancer in the breast. 
She had been a great sufferer aud bore her afflic- 
tions with courage and fortitude. Of the eight 
children who survive her .all are married; two liv- 
ing in McLean County, one in Livingston County, 



->^m^<^ 



i 






till iw" ^^^^^ J#^ 



Re5. OF Arthur S.Catron , 5lc. 25.,Towanda Towtjsnip. 



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Residence OF Peter H Janes ,5tc '^<^ ,Mohey Cpeck lo//NbHiP 



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■5:?*<"c.-» nn^vi^ 







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Resi DEN GE OF Th OS. C.Hastings, 5 EC .11., Blue MourdTownship. 




m 




t 



McLean county. 



465 



t 



one in Fulton County, Ohio, two in Wooelfonl 
County, 111., two in Nebraska. Their names are 
Tunnard, .loseph, Elizabeth, Thomas J., Hannah, 
Jacob, Mollie and Sarah J. 

The subject of our sketch made his home with 
his mother until her deatli and then lived with rela- 
tives until his marriage, which occurred in 180:5. 
The lady of his choice was IMiss Florida D. Rodg- 
ers, who was born in Peoria County, .lune 12, 1845, 
and w.as the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca M. 
(Keyser) Rodgers, natives of Pennsylvania. They 
removed to Illinois after their marriage and set- 
tled in Peoria County, where the mother now lives, 
the father having died about 1871. Mrs. Rodgers 
makes her home with her younger son. Napoleon 
B., who is married, and employed on a railroad. 
The wedding of our subject and his wife took place 
in Eugene, Kuox Co., 111. The}' lived in Peoria 
County for two years afterward, and then our sul.)- 
ject purchased eighty acres of good land on section 
1, Padua Township, this county, where he has made 
line imi)rovements and established a permanent 
homestead. He possesses all the elements of an 
honest man and a good citizen, and has been re- 
markably successful in his farming and luisiuess 
transactions. Mr. and Mrs. fS. are members in good 
standing of the United Bretln-en Church, in which 
he has been prominent as a Trustee and in (jther 
oHicial positions. Politically he is a soliil Repub- 
lican and uniformly casts his vote in snpijort of the 
]3arty in which he l)elieves. The two living chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Stor}' are daugliters, Emma 
D. and Lizzie B. Their little sou, (ieorge E., died 
when two years of age. 

'iflACOB .STORE Y, an enterprising young 
farmer of Padua Tt)wnship, where he is also 
successfully engaged in stock-raising, owns 
d^^ and occupies eighty acres of valuable land 
on section 2, and operates another eighty acres on 
section 1. He became a resident of this count}' in 
1866. He is of English birth and parentage, being 
the son of Thomas Storey, w^ho was a farmer by 
occupation and spent his entire life in his native 
England. Jacob was born Nov. 8, 1849, and was 
4» 



a little lad of five years when his father died. His 
mother afterward emigrated to the United States 
with her eight children, and located first in Dela- 
ware. They only lived a year there, however, then 
started for the West and coming into this State 
settled first in Peoria County, where the mother 
died in September, 1859. 

After the death of his mother our subject went 
to live with his guardian in Peoria County, with 
whom he remained a few years, and then started 
out to make his own way in the world. When but 
eighteen years of age, he enlisted as a soldier in 
Co. I, 146th 111. Vol. Inf., in 1864. He served 
eleven months, not being in an}' active engage- 
ment. After returning from the army, he was em- 
ployed as a farm laborer until his marriage, which 
occurred in Arrowsmith Township, this county. 
May 2, 1871. His wife, who was formerly Miss 
Isabella Maurice, was born and reared in Ohio, and 
came to Illinois with her parents wlien a child, re- 
maining in this county until her marriage. Of this 
union there have been born two children — William 
A. and Charles E. Mr. Storey is a solid Repuli- 
lican, .and bids fair to become one of the promi- 
nent fanners and citizens of McLean County. His 
energy and industry are surely deserving of entire 
success. 

C 

BENEZER WRKillT, of Normal, appren- 
ticing agent of the New Yurk Juvenile Asy- 
lum, is a native of Hampden County, Mass., 
and was born on the I'Jth of Septemlier, 1830. 
His father. Rev. E. B. Wright, was also born in 
the Bay State, was libcr.ally educated and at the 
age of seventeen years graduated from Williams 
College. He then entered Andover, graduating 
from there three years later, receiving a ministerial 
education. Upon attaining his majority he bj-'came 
pastor of a Congregational Church and remained 
as such for a period of thirty years thereafter. 
Afterward he served as Chaplain in the State Prim- 
ary School at Palmer, Mass., and departed this life 
at the advanced age of seventy-six years. 

The mother of our subject, ]Mrs. Harriet (Goodell) 
Wright, was a native of the same State as her hus- 
band and son, spent her whole life in New England, 



-^ B-^* 



i 



f 



,t 



•456 



mclp:an county. 






and died at the age ul' (it'ly-niiu' ycar.s. The pa- 
riMilal family consisted of tlirce children: Eunice, 
liie wife of Rev. VV. F. Avery, paster of a Congre- 
gatinnal C'iiurcli at Huntingdon, Mass. ; Theodore 
(;., a i)iiysician of I'lainville, Conn., and Ebenezer, 
the suljjeet of this siietch. who was the second of 
the children. 

Ebenezer AVright entered upon iiis primary stud- 
ies in the common scliools of liis native town, and 
receixed his preparatory course at Eastlianipton, 
Mass. He then entered Williams College, where 
he attended several years, and was al)out to graduate 
when he accepted the position of Superintendent 
of the City ])epartment of the New York .Juvenile 
Asylum. He afterward alt(!nded the Columbia Law 
School, where he took the full course, but did not 
grailuate on account of irregular attendance. In 
ISO? he accepted his |)resenl situation, and was lo- 
cated at Chicag(.> until after the great fire of 1871, 
since which date he has resided at Normal. 

The New York .Tuvenile Asylum was chartered 
in IiSTil. It receives truant and disobedient chil- 
dren, and such .as are surrendered by their parents 
and friends, between the ages of seven and four- 
teen 3'ears. They are left in the Asylum .about two 
years, during which time they attend school daily, 
and are afterward sent to the apprenticing agent who 
finds homes for them. The girls arc apprenticed until 
eighteen years old, and the boys until twenty-one. 
Only aliout one-fourth of the children of the Asy- 
lum are brought West, and these are all distributed 
in the State of Illinois. The whtile number brought 
thus to this State from the time of establishing the 
agency, in 1851, to Dec. 31, 18GG, is 4,557, an- an- 
nual average of 142. The important work of pro- 
viding suitaljle homes for these waifs of humanity 
is wholly intrusted to Mr. Wright, and it issuflicient 
to state that he has performed it with credit to 
himself and the institution which he has represented 
for nearly twenty years. He is a gentleman in the 
fullestsense of the term, kind-hearted, S3'mi)athetic, 
and admirably adapted to the business which he has 
in hand. 

Mr. Wright was married in November, 18()0, at 
.'Vmherst, .Mass., to Miss Mary D. Covvles, who was 
born in that city in 18.'39, and is the daughter of 
L. I). Cowles, of Amherst. Of this union there 



■<^ 



were born eight childi'cn. of whom five arc living — 
Charles .S., Frederick C, Mary I)., Robert and Harry. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wright are worthy members of the 
Congregational Church, and enjoy the friendship 
and esteem of the liest citizens of Normal. 

<>|/OIIN rssELTON LYONS, who became a 
resident of the Prairie State when a child 
four years of age, is now pleasantly located 
in Martin Township on a fine farm of UiO 
acres. Here he lias a tasteful and substantial resi- 
dence a,nd all the accessories of a first-class ('oun- 
try estate. He has proven himself a thorough and 
progressive farmer and stock-raiser, and has brought 
his homestead to its present position by the exer- 
ci.se of cultivated tastes and ample means. In the 
meantime he has also distinguished himself as an 
honest man and ;i good citizen, and for many years 
has been prominent in the affairs of his township 
and county. He has been the firm friend of relig- 
ion, education and morality, and has contributed 
generously of his time and means to whatever en- 
terprise was set on foot for the advancement of the 
interests of this section. 

John U. Lyons was born near Frankfort, Ky., 
Oct. 22, 18,'}0,and is the son of William and Catha- 
rine (Eddings) Lyons. The father of our subject, 
whe was a native of Virginia, removed to the Blue 
Grass regions when a young nuin, where he after- 
ward married. After a few years he removed with 
his family to Indiana, and thence to Edgar County, 
III., where the mother died. He afterward returned 
to Indiana and died in Switzerland County, in 18(10. 
A short time before the death of his father, John 
U., our subject, came again to the Prairie State and 
purchased a farm of 1 (iO acres, but the following year 
rented his land, taking possession of his farm in 
18(50. This latter was formerly owned by Dr. 
Martin. Mr. Lyons, on the 8th of September, 
1853, took to himself a wife and helpmeet in the 
person of Miss Mary J., daughter of Thomas R. 
and Rhoda (Smith) Wiley. ^Nlrs. Lyons was born 
in Switzerland County, Ind., Oct. 24, 1837. Her 
father was a native of Virginia, and her mother of 
Kentucky. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Lyons 
-» «» 



i 



t 

■f 



\ 



-^- 



1 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



457 



took place in Switzerland Connty, Ind., and they 
settled on a farm near the Ohio River, opposite 
Warsaw, Ky., where they remained until 1 SCO, then 
remiived to McLe.in County, 111. 

When Mr. L. purchased his farm in this count3- 
he could pay but 140(1 down and gave a mortg.ige 
on it for the balance, but by incessant industry and 
the exercise of a naturally good judgment and 
rigid economy, in due time he succeeded in clear- 
ing himself from debt. His first crop consisted 
mainly of onions, he having brought a large quantity 
of "sets" from Indiana, from which he raised 200 
bushels and which repaid him handsomely for his 
labors. As time progressed he branched out into 
the various products of the farm, and in his grain 
raising and other farm operations has uniformly 
met with success. He has been prominent in the 
affairs of his township and has served as Road 
Commissioner two terms. Before the war he was 
Democratic politically, but during that period con- 
sidered that he had reason to change his views and 
cast his Presidential vote first for Lincoln and then 
for Grant. He was a strong Union man during tiie 
war, and contributed generously of his means in 
aid of its preservation. 

The record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Lyons is as follows: Thomas R. was linrn Sept. 
17,1854; Rhoda C, March 16, 185(;, and is liv- 
ing at home with her parents; John D. was born 
March 30, 1858; AVilliam A., :\Iarch 14, ISCO; 
Lytle R. W., now deceased, was born Nov. 15, 
1802; Ulysses S. G. was born Aug. 1 1, 1864; Sarah 
C, now the wife of L. W. Baldwin, of Colfax, was 
born Aug. 31, 180(1; Mary E. was born March 26, 
1869, and is livingat home with her parents; Emma 
J. was born Feb. 14, 1871; Hannah M., ,Ian. 1, 
1873, and E. S., April 22, 1870. 

Mrs. Lyons is prominently connected with the 
Methodist Church, of which she was elected a Stew- 
ard in 18H5, and both she and our subject have 
contributed cheerfully and liberally to the support 
of the Gospel in this vicinity. John U. Lyons is 
a forcible illustration of the self- made man, having 
by the death of both parents been thrown upon the 
world at the tender age of eleven years. He pos- 
sessed more than ordinary intelligence, however, 
and as soon as old enough to reflect decided to ob- 

4* 



tain a good education. This he accomi)lished Ijy 
working days and studying nights, and possesses a 
fund of practical knowledge which has proved an 
invalual)le aid to his business transactions and has 
enabled him to secure and maintain a good position 
a? a member <if the community. He is universally 
resi)eeted wherever known, and now in the enjoj'- 
ment of a comfortable home is receiving the reward 
of his early toil and sacrifices. 



-w-w^^^^^r.^-. 



<,1^, IK'ILLIAM R. PATTON. The gentleman 
\/\j// whose history is briefl_y sketched in the 
^^^ following lines, is an active and practical 
farmer, in the prime of life, and the proi)rietor of 
a snug homestead in Martin Townshii), on section 
6. He is a native of this State and county, his 
birth taking place on the 11th of August, 1852. He 
comes of a good family, his grandfather l)eing John 
Patton, who was a native of Kentucky, whence he 
emigrated in early life to Switzerland County, Ind., 
and thence after his marriage, to McLean County, 
taking u[) his residence here in 1838, near where 
Pleasant Hill is now located, which at that time was 
an Indian town. In this locality he in due time 
became the owner of a large tract of land, and re- 
mained there until his death. His son, William W., 
the father of our subject, came to this county with 
his parents when a boy. He was here reared to 
manhood and received a limited education in the 
pioneer schools. He married Jliss Catharine, 
daughter of Jesse Cain, and a native of Rush 
County, Ind. William W. Patton was born in 
Switzerland County, Ind. After his marriage he 
settled on a farm in McLean County, where his 
son, our subject, was born, and which farm the latter 
now owns and occupies. 

The subject of this history is the only one living 
of three children born to his parents. His father 
died when he was but two years of age. The 
mother subsequently married Charles GritHn of 
Indiana. Her death took place in this township, in 
1868. Mr. (iritiin died ten years later in 187S. 
Young Patton remained on the fai'ui with his 
mother, and during the winter season pursued his 
studies in the district.schools. Later he attended 



-•^-■-4» 



i 



t 



t 



458 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



Wesk'ynu ruiversity for eighteen months, and 
when liis education was completed engaged in 
farming pursnits. He was maniod in tlie twenty- 
thinl year of his age, to Miss Anna Woodard, a 
native of this county, and tlie daugliter of James 
and Luanna \Voodard, of Morgan County, Ind. 
After marriage tlie young people went to live on 
the i>ld homestead, which they have occupied since 
that time. It lies on tlie south side of the Mack- 
inaw, and ci>niiirises 200 acres of tlie lincst farming 
land in the county. Mr. Patton has given much 
attention to the growing of fine stock, and has also 
been extensively engaged in the raising of corn and 
hay. The homestead presents an air of comfort in 
all its appointments, everything about the place 
being in good order and well cared for. 

Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pat- 
ton there is only one living, a son, Tilden ; the other 
two died in infanc3'. Our subject isastanch Dem- 
ocrat i)olitically, ami is in all respects regarded as a 
praiseworthy and reliable citizen, who has con- 
tiilmted his full share toward the prosperity and 
progress of his native county. 

(ill l»/ILLIAM K\'AN,S. Tlu' gentleman whose 
\/\//l "'i'"6 stands at the head of this sketch has 
V^ been a resident of the Prairie State for 
over thirty years. His first location was in this 
county, six miles west of his present honiestead, 
where he purchased a one-half interest in 120 acres 
of lanil, which he oiterated incom|)any with Thomas 
Rawlings for three \'ears. lie then purchased the 
interest of his partner, and operated tlie whole for 
the thirteen years following, in the meantime add- 
ing forty aci'es adjoining and opening up a good 
farm. In about 1M72 he exchanged this for a tract 
(jf land on section 1 1.5, which c(jm prises a [lart of 
his present honiestead. He is now the owner of 
;540 acres, under a good state of cultivation, and 
besides general farming is giving much attention to 
the breeding of high-grade Short-horn cattle and 
Norman horses. The homestead of ]\Ir. Evans in 
all its ajipointmeiits indicates the supervision of the 
modern and progressive faiiner. Ho has a fine resi- 
dence and all necessary buildings for the shelter of 
-4« ^ — 



stock and the storage of grain. His fences and ma- 
chinery are kept in good repair, and his farm pre- 
sents one of the most attractive spots in the land- 
scape of McLean County. 

William Evans was born in Fleming County, 
Ky., Nov. 2(1, 1820, his parents being Jesse and 
Hannah (Pitts) Evaus, natives respectively of \'ir- 
giiiia and Kentucky. Jesse Evans w.as born in 
IT'J,'), reared to farming pursuits, which he followed 
the greater part of his life, and died in his native 
county in Kentucky, in June, 1870. He was a 
member of the old Whig party, and with his wife 
prominently connected with the Christian Church. 
The mother of our subject was born in 1800, and 
dejiarted this life in 187'J. The parental family 
included three sons and six daughters, as follows: 
Susan became the wife of William Hurst, and lives 
in Kentucky'; William of our sketch was the second 
child; INIary was united in marriage with James 
Dodds, and lives in Missouri; Nancy, Mrs. 'i'homas 
Rawlings, is deceased; 3Iargaret married William 
Lewis, of Kentucky, and both are deceased; Lu- 
cinda married Jacob Walk, of Kentucky; he died, 
and she was again married, to a Mr. Darnell; Helen 
became the wife of William Pitts; John A. married 
Miss Aiiiand;i Pliimer; James married Miss Lou 
Perkins. 

Mr. Evans after coming to this State and laying 
the foiiudation for a future home, was united in 
marriage with Miss Elizabeth T. Ball, in Cheney's 
Grove Township, on the 2.'ith of November, 18(J2. 
Mrs. E. is a native of this county, born Feb. 27, 
1844, and the daughter of Hilleary and Calista 
(Hildreth) Ball, natives of Kentucky and New 
York resjiectivel}'. Her parents' family consisted 
of six children, as follows: Henry, the eldest, mar- 
ried Miss Mary Harrison, and is a resident of this 
township; Elizabeth, Mrs. Evans, was the second 
chilli ; Julia A. became the wife of Samuel (iallagher; 
Amos married Miss Hannah C. Stephens; Harriet 
became the wife of Robert Means; Alfred died in 
June, 18,v2, when fifteen months old. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Evans there have 
been born five sons and four daughters: Jesse is 
now in Florida; Arthur married iMiss Hester Coile; 
John died when three years of age; \'illa, Charlie 
C, Julia, Harry C, Lelia and Matie are at home 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



459 




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with their parents. The family are all members of 
the Christian Church at Saybrook, in which our 
subject has held the office of Elder for many j'ears. 
He has also been Trustee, and in all respects in-ouii- 
nently Identified with its maintenance and prusper- 
itj'. He and his wife have been connected with this 
church for a period of twenty-two years, and Jesse, 
the eldest son, is following closely in the footsteps 
of his father, and taking a lively interest in Church 
matters. Villa, the eldest daughter, is organist of 
the church at Saybrook, having held the position 
for the last three years. Jesse and Arthur have re- 
ceived a i)articularly good education, and attended 
Eureka College several years. Mr. Evans is a thor- 
ough business man, prompt to meet his obligations, 
and politically an uncompromising Democr.-tt. 

R. CHARLE.S R. PARKE, a leading phy- 
sician and surgeon of Bloomington, is 
prominently connected with the State 
Medical and Central Illinois Medical So- 
cieties, and holds tiie position of Special Pension 
Examiner for the eye and ear. His office is located 
at No. 1 3 West Jefferson street, and his residence 
at No. .30G East Walnut. Sociallj' he is surround- 
ed by hosts of friends, and professionally is a 
favorite member of the fraternity in this section. 

Dr. Parke was born in Chester County, Pa., June 
26. 1823, and is the son of George W. and Mary 
(Ross) Parke, both parents having been born and 
reared in Chester County. The grandfather of our 
subject was Joseph Parke, whose ancestors were 
Scotch-Irish from the North of Ireland, and who emi- 
grated to the United States at an early day, locating 
in Chester County, Pa., where they were pioneers 
and became prominently identified with the history 
of that section as among its most worthy and pros- 
perous citizens. 

George W. Parke, the father of our subject, was 
an extensive owner of farm property, and built a 
sawmill and plaster-mill, while at the same time he 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was pros- 
pered in his undertakings and accumulated a fine 
property. He was a Justice of the Peace and served 
as Register of Wills in Chester County for three 



years. Both he and his wife were prominently con- 
nected with the Presbj'terian Church, and they 
passed their declining years upon tlie farm whicii 
had remained so long in their [)OSsession, the fatlier 
dj'ing tliere in 18C0, and the mother in 186G. 

The subject of this history was the seventh child 
of his parents' family and remained ujjon the home- 
stead until eighteen years of age. He had been 
fairly educated, and at this time weut into tlie city 
of Westchester, where he entered upon a course of 
study in Hoops' Academy, and during his leisure 
hours assisted his father in his office there. He soon 
afterward entered upon the study of medicine, and 
after taking a course at the University of Pennsyl- 
vania in Philadelphia, graduated in the spring of 
1847, and commenced practice in Delaware County, 
Pennsylvania. 

In 1848 Dr. Parke turned his face toward the 
I'rairie State, and coming into Whiteside County 
located in Como. Tlie following spring he crossed 
the plains to California as surgeon for a Como 
company, where lie remained two years, and returned 
by the way of Nicaraugua. He then located near 
Peoria whence, in 18.52, he came to Bloomington 
where, until IS,');'), he engaged continuously in 
practice and became well and favorably known to 
the people of this section. That same year he 
crossed the Atlantic, and going to Russia became a 
surgeon of the Russian army during the Crimean 
War, remaining in the service until its close. He 
then made a tour of Europe, visiting a large number 
of hospitals and gaining valuable information. In 
the fall of 1857 he returned to the United States 
and to Bloomington, where he practiced until 1869, 
and then, on account of the failing health of his 
wife, went South to Arkansas, and locating on a 
plantation, engaged in the culture of cotton until 
1873. He then returned to Bloomington, and has 
pursued his practice continuously since that time. 

Dr. Parke is chief of the medical staff of St. 
Joseph's Hospital, Bloomington, which is owned 
and conducted by the 3d Order of the Sisters of 
St. Francis. The Doctor was instrumental in the 
establishment of this institution. 

The wife of our subject was formerly Mrs. Lucy 
Keith, of Winchester, Ky., to whom lie was married 
on the 3d of October, 1805. They occupy a 



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460 



McLEAiST COUNTY. 



lileasaiit home on 'Walniit street, and enjoy the 
eonfidenee and esteem of a circle of acqnaintances 
wliieh include the most (tultui'ed jjcople of the city. 
Dr. Parke is a close student, and has conducted his 
practice with unqnalilied skill and success. 



i^*-^ 



^^EOlir.K A. RUSSELL, a native of the 
III ,— -, Prairie State, was born in Newark, Kendall 
^^Jj County, on the 9th of September. 1858. 
He is now a resident of the city of Bloomington 
and successfully engaged as a contractor and builder. 
He is a fine representative of the skillful and in- 
dustrious citizens who have contributed to the 
prosperit}' of Bloomington and assisted her in main- 
taining her |)osition among the other prominent 
towns of a wealthy and populous State. The par- 
ents of our subject were Henry E. and Sarah 
(Niblo) Hussell, the f.ather a native of New 
York, and the mother of Connecticut. They came 
to Illinois in 1853, and settled in Kendall Comity, 
where Henry E. Russell engaged as a contractor 
and builder until 1872. He then moved to DcKalb 
County, where he remained three years, and thence 
to Livingston County in 1875, which is still his 
home. He served as a soldier in the Union army 
during the late war .and had charge of a commissary 
department. The parental family included three 
children : Elizabeth, Mrs. Enoch Davis of Aurora, 
Minnie E., living in Dwight, and George A. of our 
sketch. 

George A. Russell remained at home with his par- 
ents until tvventy-one years of age, in the meantime 
receiving a practical (nlueation. When a lad of 
thirteen years he commenced work with his father 
and assisted him in his building and business oper- 
tions for live years, and was then made a partner. 
He came to Hlooniington in 1880, and first engaged 
with the C. & A. R. li. in the construction of water 
tanks, and then on passenger coaches. Afterward 
he worked in a planing-mill for eigiiteen months, 
and since that time Mr. Russell has carried 
on Ijusiness by himself and gives employment to 
several men. In 1884 lie purchased the lots in- 
cbidcd in liis present homestead and erected a 
comfortable and tasteful residence, whicii he has 



occujiied with liis wife and their only child — 
Edith M. 
\ Mr. Russell was married in .Inly, 187;>, to Miss 
May, daughter of Martin and Amarilla (Rockwell) 
Wilks, natives respectively of New York and Ohio, 
]\Iartin Wilks was occupied in farming pursuits, and 
tliere were only two children in the family — Lucius 
and the wife of our suliject. Mr. and Mrs. Russell 
are connected with the Eirst Congregational Church 
of Bloomington, and socially Mr. R. belongs to the 
Modern ^Voodmen. He is Republican in politics, 
a successful business man and in all respects a good 
citizen. His headquarters are at No. 910 Linden 
street and he li.as a pleasant family residence. 



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t>^t^VS:5<^< 



V 



ILLIAM OLIVER, a pioneer settler and 
well-to-do farmer of Empire Town.ship, 
owns 235 acres of valuable land on section 
1, all c)f which with the exception of a few acres of 
timber is finely improved and under good cultiva- 
tion. Mr. Oliver is of Irish ancestry, his grand- 
father, William Oliver, Sr., having been born in 
County Derry, in the north of Ireland, where he 
married Miss Nancy Jackson, who was own cousin 
to Gen. Jackson, President of the United States. 
William Oliver, Sr., followed the pursuit of agri- 
culture, .ukI spent his entire life in his native 
county, arriving at the advanced age of nearly one 
hundred and one years. In the meantime he had made 
two trips to the United States, spending altogether 
about seven years in this country before his mar- 
riage. His son, John Oliver, the father of our sub- 
ject, was also born in County Derry, where he re- 
mained until twenty-one years of age, then emi- 
grated to the United States. He settled near Ila- 
gerstown, Washington Co., Md., and .seven years 
later was united in marri.age witli Miss Mar^' Bock. 
Mrs. O. was a native of Washington County, Md., 
as also wei'e her parents. After the birth of three 
children, John Oliver and his wife removed from 
Maryland to Ross County, Ohio, about 181 1, where 
they located upon a farm and passed the remainder 
of their days, the father being seventy-seven, and 
the mother sixty-tvvo years old at the time of de- 
cease. 'J'hey weie most excellent Christian people, 



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MeLEAN COUNTY. 



461 



and John Oliver politicallj^ was a stanch Democrat. 
The subject of this history was the eldest of five 
sons and four daughters born to his parents. His 
birthplace was near llagerstown, Md., and the date 
tli'e'i' f .Tune .30, 1808. He was but three years of 
age when his parents removed to Ohio, and he lived 
with them until his m.arriage. This event occurred 
on the 24th of April, 1834, the maiden of his 
choice being Miss Mary Cowgill. She was born in 
Eoss County, Ohio, Ma3' 14, 180.5, and was the 
daughter of Eleazar and Jane (McFarland) Cow- 
gill, natives respectively of Virginia and Maine. 
The3' settled in Ross County at the beginning of 
the present century, and there p.assed the remain- 
der of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. O. became the 
parents of six children, three now deceased: Mary 
became the wife of Benjamin T. Hall, of Empire 
Township, to which he removed when a child with 
his father from Champaign County, Ohio. He died 
Dec. 4, 1884, when nearly fifty-one years of age. 
They had no children. Mrs. H. at present lives 
with her father, our subject; .John Oliver married 
Miss Ruth McDaniel, of Ross Count3', Ohio, and 
they reside on a farm in Empire Township, this 
county; Henry H., now a resident of Le Roy, was 
first married to Miss Dunlap, who died about 18G3. 
His second wife was formerly Miss Nancy J. Far- 
ver. Those deceased are Willie, .Jr., who died 
when twenty-one years old, and two infants un- 
named. Mrs. Oliver departed this life at her home 
in Empire Township, March 21, 1884, aged nearly 
eighty-one years, mourned by a large circle of 
friends. 

The paternal grandmother of Mrs. Oliver, who 
before her marriage was Miss Martha Curry, was a 
native of London, England, whence she emigrated 
to this countrj', married Mr. Daniel Cowgill, and 
died in Ross County, Ohio, at the advanced age of 
one hundred and thirteen years. 

Mr. Oliver Ijecame a resident of Empire Ti>\vn- 
ship in the fall of 1853, making the journey from 
Ohio to this county overland with teams. He first 
purchased 200 acres of land, whieli was in its orig- 
inal condition, and which he brought to a fine state 
of cultivation, adding to it since that time 200 acres ; 
a part has been divided among his children. The 
farm buildings are substantial and convenient 



structures, and the out-buildings, stock, fences and 
machinery indicate the care and supervisicm of the 
intelligent and progressive modern farmer. Mr. 
Oliver has c<intributed his full quota toward the 
agricultural interests of this section, and is held in 
high esteem throughout his townshi|i and eouuty. 



■^ 



OHN J. FOLLICK, a retired farmer now 
living in Sayljniok, this county, was born 
in Hiuniiton County, Ohio, July 22, 1823. 
He is tlie son of Isaac and Mary Follick, 
the former a native of Ohio and of German des- 
cent and parentage, and who followed farming all 
liis life. Folitically he was a Jacksonian Democrat. 
He departed this life in 1837 in Hamilton County, 
Ohio. The mother of our subject was bt>rn in 
England, and died in Indiana in 1854. The record 
of their children is as follows: Eliza became the 
wife of James Marsh, who is now deceased; John 
.J., our suliject, was the second child; one died in 
infancy; the remainder were Rachel, Oliver T. and 
Isaac. 

After the removal of Isaac Follick and his family 
to Ohio, our subject pursued his studies in the com- 
mon schools for a brief time and at an early age com- 
menced assisting his father on the farm. He came 
to this county in 1854, having the year before pur- 
chased 160 acres of land in Old Town Township. 
This he afterward sold, and then purchased 245 
acres which he cultivated and improved until 1881. 
He then desired to retire from active labor, and 
purchasing a fine dwelling in Saybrook, removed 
thither, where he has since made his home. 

John J. Follick was united in marriage with Miss 
Ann M. Stewart. Of this union there were born 
four children : Sarah .J. became the wife of Fred 
Snyder and lives in Saybrook; Mary E. married 
Henry Farris, and is now deceased ; Laura A. 
became the wife of John Weakmau, and is deceased ; 
and Francis M. is carrying on the hardware trade 
in Saybrook. The mother of these children died 
Jan. 15, 1870, at the home of her husband near 
Saybrook. Slie was a faithful wife and affectionate 
mother, and a member in good standing of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The second 
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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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marriage of Mr. Follick occurred Oct. Ill, 1«75, 
with Mrs. Martha (Maxwell) Cliambers. The Max- 
well family located in Montgomery County, Jnd., 
at an earl}' day, where they became widel}' and 
favorably known. 

The parents of Mrs. Follick were David C. and 
Betsey (Hood) Maxwell, of Irish and (ierman de- 
scent. Mrs. F. was born in Warren County. Ky., 
March IG, 1825. The following year her parents 
came to Indiana, settling in Montgomerj' County, 
where they passed the remainder of their lives. Of 
their five children, Martha M. was the eldest: 
Zerilda M. became the wife of Joseph Philips, and 
both are deceased; Paradine M. married Dennis 
Ru.sk ; she is now deceased ; Ann M. is the widow 
of Elisha Pierce, Vho died in May, 1880; Juliette 
is the widow of John II. Phillips, and has two chil- 
dren — Albert and Ella; Albert is now living in 
Kankakee, 111. ; Rosella, Mrs. McCauly, has one 
child— Mabel E., born Oct. fi, 1880. Miss Martha 
Maxwell was married Sept. 29, 1845, to Richard 
Chambers, a native of Delaware. lie was born 
Nov. 10, ISKI, followed agricultural pursuits, and 
died in Indiana. Of this marriage there was one 
child, a son, William H., who died when thirteen 
months old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Follick are greatly respected wher- 
ever known, and bear the reputation of kindly 
Christian people, always ready to lend a helping 
hand to those in need. Mr. F. has been a stanch 
Democrat since old enough to know the differ- 
ence between parties, and with his excellent wife 
is a member in good standing of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Say brook. Of this he has 
been Trustee for several years, and has in all 
respects proved himself worthy to be classed among 
the honest men and good citizens of McLean 
County. 



EVI DEISIN(;KR, one of the intelligent 
and industrious citizens of Cheney's Grove 
Townshi)), fornierl}- a miller and carpenter, 
is now engaged in the occupation of a farmer, and 
has a pleasant homestead located on section .'i. 
This compiises eighty acres of good land, which is 




watered by three line springs, and Mr. D., beside 
his other employments is quite extensively engaged 
in the breeding of foreign horses and cattle, of 
which he makes a specialty, and in which he takes 
great pride. His horses are Morgan and CI'" "^a- 
dale, and his cattle graded Short-horns. Of the 
latter he has eleven head, and also fift3-one head 
of hogs. 

Mr. Deisingcr may be properly termed a self- 
made man in every respect. He was but fourteen 
years old when he was obliged to look out for 
himself, but he had been trained to habits of indus- 
try and honesty, and found friends wherever he 
made his home. He was born in York County, 
Pa., in 1833, and is the son of John and Lydia 
Deisiuger. He remained in his native State until 
twent}' years of age, then proceeded to Daj'ton, 
Ohio, where he worked one year at milling, and 
then came to this count}'. He was engaged as a 
carpenter for eight years following, and was then 
enabled to purchase forty acres of land in Anchor 
Township, which, however, he sold two years later. 
He then purchased his present homestead, and since 
that time has been industriously engaged in its 
improvement and cultivation. He has performed 
faithfully all the duties of a good citizen, and con- 
tributed his share toward the business and agricult- 
ural interests of his township. Mr. Deisinger has 
never married. He has been prominently con- 
nected with the Saybrook Methodist Episcopal 
Church for a period of over twenty years, and has 
contributed liberally and cheerfully to its support. 



-'££J2/(§^i^ 



'^^^S/^'OT»>- 



_^^ LFRED freeman, who is engaged in the 
i@0 harness and saddlery business at No. 215 
in West Jefferson street, Blooinington, has 
^^' been a resident of McLean County since 

1870. He is a native of Johnson County, Ind., and 
was born on the ]4tli of June, 1828. He is the son 
of Matthias and Sarah (Bowers) Freeman, natives 
of New Jersey. Matthias Freeman, when a young 
man, went with his .i)arents to Cinc^innati, Ohio, 
and liierc worked at wagon-making and black- 



1 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



467 



berly) Dozier, of Madison County, Ky. Of the 
union of Mr. and JNIrs. Q. there have been born 
three chiklren: Nanry .]. became the wife of Fay- 
ette Barclay, and lives in Dale Township; I>eonard 
F. married Salley Park, of Irvine, Ky.,and lives on 
section .34, Dale Township; Sidney is at home. Mr. 
and BIrs. Q. and all their children are connected by 
membership with the Christian Church, and politi- 
cally our subject uniformly votes the Democratic 
ticket. 

Mr. C^uinn is one of the substantial and ri'liable 
business men of this county, and has assisted ma- 
teriall3- in the develoi)nient of its resources and in 
the march of civilization and progress. The home- 
stead is one of the finest in the county and invaria- 
bly attracts the eye of the traveler through this 
section by its air of comfort on all sides. The resi- 
dence, within and without, is tastefully finished and 
furnished, and the barns and out-buildings possess 
all the conveniences for the storing of grain and 
the shelter of stock. Everything about the place 
is in good order and all operations are carried on 
in a systematic manner, which denotes the exercise 
of wise judgment and ample means. 

-^ ^^ V- 



IIATIIAIM 11. 1). HARRIS, one of the early 
settlers of the I'rairie State, came from the 
Blue (irass regions of Kentucky in 18.57. 
He now owns and occupies a comfortable home- 
stead in Allin Township on section 2, where he is 
fulfilling the obligations of a good citizen, and car- 
rying on the peaceful occupation of .a farmer witii 
fair success. 

Our subject is the son of Rev. William and 
Nancy Harris, natives of Virginia. The fonmy 
was born in Rockbridge County in 17G7, and the 
Latter in 1770. They were married in (Jreen 
County, Ky., in 1797, and located upon a farm 
there for a short time. Thence they removed to 
Warren County, and in about 1.S45 to Simpson 
County, Ky. Here the father died, July i), 1845; 
the mother survived until November, 1803, having 
spent her last days In Warren County. Of their 
family of twelve sons and five daughters six sons 
were ministers; the names of the seventeen are as 




follows: James, Sarah, John, Thomas H., David R., 
Rev. Alexander C, Anna, Harve}', Mary, Susan, 
Rev. William B., Finis E., Rev. Josiah (J., Chatham 
IT. D. Nancy L., Louie L. 1). and Cyrus L. The 
parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyter- 
ian Church, of which the father of our sulijcct was 
a minister for fifty years. Me belonged to the 
Whig l)arty politically, and was a man of sound 
judgment and great force of character. 

The subject of this iiistory completed his educa- 
tion in the High Seminary in Springfield, Tenn., 
which he attended for over three years. After 
he had completed his college course, which had 
been devoted to clerical studies, he was ordained 
to the ministry in Simpson County, Ky., in 1842, 
becoming a pastor in the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and in wiiieh he still continues his ministra- 
tions. After coming to Illinois he was united in 
marriage with INIiss Eliza J. Johnson, in Dale 
Township, this county, in 1858. He afterward 
preached four years at Danvers, and in the winter 
of 1800 held a large revival, during which the 
church received an addition of ninety-six members, 
beside a conversion of sixty-five, who went else- 
where. The membership of the church at Danvers 
became very Large in numbers, and there were 
enough withdrew from it to form a congregation 
of Congregatioualists, who have a good house for 
worship in Danvers, and are prospering in the good 
cause. This withdrawal did not cripple the mother 
church from which they withdrew, but to the con- 
trary, as both ciiurches arc^ in a prosperous condi- 
tion. Several of the members of the Danvers con- 
gregation organized a church near Stanford, built 
a large house for worship, and the church at this 
point numbers over 2(10 members. They also or- 
ganized a church west of Danvers, and it is in 
a flourishing condition. There were also a num- 
ber of families went from Danvers to (iibson City, 
and established a church there, erected a fine house 
of worship, and are prospering in the good cause. 

Mr. Harris now preaches in Ilopedale, Tazewell 
Count}', wiiere he has conducted a large meeting 
successfully. He has also assisted at revivals in 
Lincoln, Logan County, and Le Roy, this county. 

Mr. Harris is the owner of 1 GO acres, with all 
modern improvements, the family residence being 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4. 



pleasantl}^ located and its Inmates surrounded by 
all the comforts of life. He is au earnest Prohibi- 
tionist, and served as Supervisor of his township 
for two years. Mr. and Mrs. II. became the |)ar- 
ents of one child only, Cora A., who died in in- 



fancy. 



^•# 




f/l)AM OrTIIRIE, who is identified with 
the industrial interests of Bloominffton as 



a tobacconist, is located at the corner of 
i\Iain and Jefferson streets. Northwest 
.Side. Mr. Guthrie is a native of the Buckeye 
State, his birth having taken place in Pickaway 
County', March 10, 182.5. He is the son of Robert 
and Catharine (Spawr) Guthrie, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. The paternal grandfather of our subject 
was of Scotch- Irish descent, while the mother's an- 
cestors were from Germanj'. Robert Guthrie came 
to Illinois and settled in Funk's Grove in Septem- 
ber, 1826. He took up a Government claim of 
1 60 acres, built a log cabin and made some improve- 
ments, then sold it and made another claim in 
Money Creek Township. After partially imjjrov- 
ing the latter claim he sold this to the Ogdens, then 
in 1831, with his family, moved on land belonging 
to James Allin, which is now in the city limits of 
Bloomington. After occupying this two yearsj 
the father of our subject moved into what is now 
the city and built a house of split boards on the 
corner of Lee and Front streets. The floor of this 
structui-e was of puncheon and the weather board- 
ing was rived and shaved by Imnd. A door was 
improvis(id out of a poplar box, which Sir. G. had 
brought with him from Ohio, full of goods. Into 
this house the family removed, where the father re- 
mained until his death, in 1846. The mother sur- 
vived ten years and died in 1 8.')(!. 

When the fathei- of our subject first moved into 
Funk's (! rove he took his ax on his shoulder and 
went out to work. Not far away he found two 
buck deer, which liao been fight ng and were locked 
together by their horns. He slijjped up to them 
and killed them with an ax and the bodies furnished 
his family with meat and oil for light during that 
winter. Upon removing to Money Creek, Robert 
(juthrie, in company with Frederick Trimmer, 



journeyed to St. Louis after goods for James Allen, 
being equipped with one ox-team and a horse-team. 
After the^' had secured their merchandise and ar- 
rived near Ed wards ville, on the return trip, thej' 
were obliged to stop on account of the deep snow. 
Thej' put their goods under shelter and turned their 
oxen into a corn-field and made their way home 
laboriously on the backs of the horses. In the 
spring they went back and got their goods and 
oxen. At this time the parental family included 
seven children, who remained on the farm and lived 
on hog and hominy all winter, having no bread in 
the house. Afterward four more children were add- 
ed to the household circle and of the eleven which 
completed the family, only four arc now living: 
Eev. Robert E., of Wichita, Kan. ; Margaret, Mrs. 
Steele, of Kansas City; Adam of our sketch, and 
Peter, formerly of Normal but now a constable in 
Bloomington City. Robert Guthrie was a steady 
and energetic man, and in addition to his farm and 
other business, was employed as a contractor, brick- 
layer and plasterer. Politically he affiliated with 
the Whig party and was a great admirer of Henry 
Cl.ay. Upon first coming to Illinois, both parents 
were connected with the Presbyterian Church, but 
after the older children joined the Methodists the 
l^arents went with tiie latter and adhered to this 
denomination the balance of their lives. 

Adam Guthrie remained at home until after the 
death of his parents, in the meantime receiving a 
good education in the subscription schools. He 
then worked with his father at plastering and fol- 
lowed the same until 1862. Then, the Civil War 
being in progress, he enlisted as a Union soldier in 
Co. A, 94th 111. Vol. Inf., where he soon became 
Corporal and w.is in the service eight months. He 
engaged with the enemy at Prairie Grove, Ark., in 
December, 18(12, and wiien he returued home was 
quite content with his experience of :uiny life. 
The following year he was made a member of the 
police force of the city of Bloomington, being 
thus employed for two years and then resumed his 
trade until 1866. In that 3'ear lie was elected 
Townshii) Assessor, in which oilice he continued 
fifteen years and then established his present busi- 
ness, in which he h.as been engaged since that time. 
Being one of the oldest settlers of the county now 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 

469 i i 



living, he is accorded iLiat peculiar defeieiice and 
respect vvhich is involuntarily shown toward those 
who saw this country in its virgin state and assisted 
materially in bringing it to its present prosperoLis 
condition. Our subject is Republican in politics, 
and with his wife, is a worthy nieniber of the 
Methodist Episcopal C^hurch. 

Adam (Uithrie was married in lS4i), to Miss L. 
L. IJutler, of New Yorli. daughter of Ira and Lydia 
(Thrasher) Butler, of the same State. Of this un- 
ion there were born three children : Eva, now 
Mrs. Kimball, of Bloomington, has three children — 
Bernie, Cora and Lucian; Permeno A. married 
Miss Anna Noble, a native of this county, and they 
have two sons, .Sydney A. and Dudley; Permeno 
A. is Deputy C'ounty Clerk; Oscar F. is a ticket 
broker, having his ottice at the corner of Main 
and Jefferson streets. The residence of Mr. G. is 
pleasantly located at No. 802 North Center street. 



^^^ 






i' 



(ir^^IIOMAS Z. CHICK, of the Hrm of Chick & 
Covey, grocers of Le Roy, was born in Em- 
pire Township, on section 21, Aug. 28, ISTiT. 
His father, Zachariah Chick, a native of Somerset- 
shire, England, was born June 6, 1820, and was the 
son of John and Harriett (Combs) Chick, both na- 
tives of Somersetshire. The great-grandfather of 
our subject, Thomas Chick, was a native of Dor- 
setshire, where he carried on farming the greater 
part of his life, and later i-eraoved to Somerset- 
shire, where he sjient the remainder of his days. 
His son John, tlic grandfather of our subject, fol- 
lowed the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and 
finally became a contractor and builder, and spent 
liis entire life in Somersetshire, as also did his wife. 
The former died in 1858, and the latter in 1884. 
Their seven children, who grew to become men and 
women, were named Jane, Thomas, Harriett, Mary, 
Zachaiiah, John and Louisa Ann. Zachariah and 
John were the only ones who came to America. 
The latter lives in Essex County, Ontario, Canada. 
Zachariah Chick, the father of our subject, 
learned his trade of his father, and lived with him 
until he was twenty years old. He then weut with 
a cousin to the Isle of Jersey, where he worked at 
M* 



his tr.-ide one year, and then volunteered in the 
(ireat Britain naval service, and was assigned to 
duty as carpenter and joiner on the man-of-war 
Penelope. They set sail fr<,)m Portsmouth, Jan. 'J, 
1847, and went via the Western and Cape Verd 
Islands to the west coast of Africa, the mission of 
the vessel being to suppress the African slave trade. 
After fifteen months' service, Zachariah Chick was 
sent home on account of failing health. During 
this trij) he visited the Madeira Islands, Cape Pal- 
mas and the Island of Fernando Po, and was in- 
valided at Ascension Island. After his return to 
Portsmouth he was discharged, and resumed his 
trade, being employed part of the time for the 
Government. 

On the Gth of April, 1851, Mr. Chick set sail 
from Plymouth, bound for America, and landed at 
Quebec May !). He went thence to Montreal, 
where he worked four months at his trade, then 
proceeded to Chicago in the fall of the 3'ear, and 
after four months spent there, went to Griggs ville, 
111., and later to Maysville, Pike County, where he 
worked at his trade until September, 1854. In the 
meantime there had been waiting in England, a 
lady who was expecting to become the sharer of 
his home and fortunes. Considering now that his 
prospects for the future justified the step, Zacha- 
riah Chick returned East to New York City, from 
which he set sail on the 5tli of October, for his na- 
tive England. He landed at Liveri)ool on the 16th 
of November following, and on the Kith of Decem- 
ber was united in marriage vvith the maiden of his 
choice. Miss Caroline Bond. She was born in Bar- 
rington, Somersetshire, being the daughter of 
Thomas and Edith (Swain) Bond, wiio were na- 
tives of the same shire. The paternal grandpar- 
ents of Blrs. Chick were Charles and Sarah (Up- 
still) Bond, natives of Coventry and Shipton re- 
spectivelj'. Thomas Bond during his lifetime was 
a verj' prominent contractor and builder in South- 
ern England, and at times had as many as thirty 
men in his employ. 

The 1st day of March following their marriage, 
Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Chick set sail from Liver- 
pool, and landed at New York City April 16. 
Thence they came directly to Illinois, locating first 
at Ottawa, where they lived until June, 1856. 



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i i 470 



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McLKAN COUNTY. 



i 



They tluui I'cinovril to this coimty, which Mr. 
Chick had visited the fall iKifore, and had pur- 
ciiascd 120 acres of wild jwairie land in West Town- 
ship, on section 21. He di<l not settle upon this 
at once, however, but located at Le R03' and 
worked at his trade. Two years later he traded 
his land f(jr eighty acres on section 2>S, of West 
Township, to which he removed, and engaged in 
farming until l<si;;5. He then sold and returned to 
Le Roy, where he oi)ened a wagon-shop, and has 
lieen engaged in the manufacture of road vehicles 
since that lime. He has a [ilensant residence on 
Center avenui', at the corner of Cherry street, own- 
ing the entire hl(K'k on whit'h he lives, with the ex- 
cei)tion of two lots occupied by our subject. lie 
erected his present dwelling in l>s7(;. It is a hand- 
some and tasteful structure, and the yard is planted 
with choice shrubs and ornamental trees. Mr. and 
Mrs. Chick became tiie jiarents of six children — 
Thomas Z. (our subject), John I>., Sarah B., Carrie 
B. ; William L., the youngest child, died at the age 
of one 3'ear and six months; the eldest died in in- 
fancy umiamed. The parents are members of the 
Episcopal Church. 

The mother of our subject was the ninth of 
eleven children born to her parents, and the only 
one who came to the linited States. Her brother 
William went to Australia in l.slH, where he car- 
ried on the busiu(!ss vf a merchant tailor at Sidney, 
^.■ew South WaU^s, and was very successful. . He 
die<l there in Marcli, I S,s."). 'l"he rest of the family 
renniined in Kuglaud. Zachariah Chick has always 
been Democratic in politics .and prominent in the 
affairs of this locality since coming here. He 
served one term as Maj'or of Le Hoy, and three 
terms as Alderman and C<jllector. He h.as been 
an Odd Fellow thirty-eight years, and has attended 
the Cirand Lodge in this State. 

Thomas '/.. Chick remained with his |)areuts dur- 
ing his chihlhood and youth, and received a fair 
edu('alion in the |)ublic schools of Le lioy. At 
sixteen years of age he commenced clerking for N. 
1. Umphrey & Sou, and w;is thus employed for 
this and (jther lirms the greater part of the time 
until IKMO. He then established himself in the 
dry-goods tr.ade. After a few mouths he visited 
Dakota with a view of renn^val in case the country 



•►■-4*- 



suited him, but not, Ijeing satisfied with the out- 
look, returned, and resuming his occup.ation as a 
clerk, continued until December, ISH:>. He then, 
in company with :i partner, purchased the grocery 
store of N. I. Umphrey, and since that time they 
have operated under the firm name of Chick (k 
Covey. They carry a good line of groceries, 
queensware and notions, and are building np a 
gC)od trade. 

Mv. ('hick was united in marriage with Miss 
Clara Lackey, Sept. G, 1881. Mrs. Chick is the 
daughtei- of Richard and Matilda (Kirb3') Lackey, 
and by her union with our snlijcct has become the 
nn>ther of two children — Edith 15. and Edwin Z. 
Mr. Chick is Dcnn.)cra,tic in polities, and belongs to 
Le R03' Lodge No. 1 III, I. O. O. F., also Legion of 
Honor of Bloom ingtou. 



^^ HAULES U. I'ARK, .Tustice of tiie Peace in 
(l^-\.^ Normal Township, is a native of Tioga 
^^^' County, N. Y., where he w\as born on the 
24th of .lanuary, 181i). His father, Daniel R. 
Park, was a native of Connecticut, a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and died on the farm in Tioga County 
when n(!arl3' ninety years of age. The nnither, 
Elizabetli (Dougherty) I'ark, wasof Irish birth and 
parentage, and emigrated to the United States with 
her i)arents when a child. She was educated in 
New Yolk City, whence she removed to Tioga 
County, and vvas there married to Daniel R. Park. 
She became the mother of ten children, and died 
at the old homestead, aged about seventy years. 
Of the children, three are now living: James E., 
of St. Louis, Mo. ; Charles R., our subject, and 
(ieorge W., a resident of Owego, N. Y. 

The subject of this historj' w-.as reared on his 
father's farm, in the meantime receiving a fair ed- 
ucation, and remained in his native State until 
about twenty-Jive years of age, his time being oc- 
cupied mainly in farming pursuits. He also car- 
ried on a grocery business at No. 54G (irand street, 
New York City. In 18')4 Mr. Park emigrated 
West, and has since been a resident of the Prairie 
State. He followed railroading on the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad foi' a few years, and then engaged in 
«^ 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



471 



the coinniission hnsiness at Chicago until the open- 
ing of the Rebellion. He tiicn removed to Panola, 
and engaged in general niercliandising, whence he 
removed to El Paso and embarked in the hardware 
business. He afterward eai'ried on a trade in lum- 
ber, and in the meantime served under President 
Johnson as Uejiuty Revenue Collector for Wood- 
ford Count}'. 

In about 1871 Mr. Park removed to (Oilman, 111., 
and for eighteen months engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness. He then went to Chicago and occupied him- 
self in the grocery business until December, 1874, 
when he came to Normal which has since been his 
residence. Here he served as Justice of the Peace 
for eight consecutive years, has been Notary Public, 
and also carried on an insurance business and a 
real-estate agency. 

In politics Mr. Park is strongly Democratic. In 
188G he was the candidate of his party for County 
Treasurer, but was defeated with the balance of his 
ticket. Previous to the war our subject was con- 
nected with the State Militia of New York, where 
he held the rank of Captain, Ensign and Lien- 
tenant Colonel, serving witii the military for a 
period of eight ye.ars. 

Blr. Park was married in 18.")(J, to Miss Martha 
J. Bennett, their wedding taking place in the city 
of Chicago. Mrs. Park was a native of Wilkes 
Barre, Pa. She died on the 10th of .January, 188.5. 
By this union there was one child, a daughter, who 
died in infancy. Fannie, an adopted daughter, is 
the wife of L. B. Fuller, of Normid. Mr. Park is a 
member of Normal Lodge No. (mo, A. F. & A. M. 
having been connected with the fraternity since 
1860. 



><sM(ai»)>-}i®--< 



— *— s<- 



^psA IMON CAVANAUGH, a leading farmer of 

^^^ Cheney's Grove Township, owns and occu- 

[11/23) piss a fine homestead on section 32. He 

has been a resident of this county since 

1850, and is a representative of the warm-hearted 

Irish nationality, so many of whom have emigrated 

to this county and assisted in its development and 

colonization. The birthplace of our subject was 

in Wicklow County, Ireland, where ho first opened 

his eyes to the light on the 9th of September, 1836. 



His parents were Thomas and Mary (Ryan) Cava- 
naugh, both of whom are now deceased. They 
left their native land in 1848, and after a safe ocean 
voyage landed at New Orleans, whence they at once 
proceeded to Greene County, Ohio, where they 
took up their residence and spent the remainder of 
their lives. Thomas Cavanaugh engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits, and the parental household was 
completed by the birth of seven children, six of 
whom are now living, namely, Mary, Bridget. John, 
Simon, Annie and William. Andrew was killed by 
the fall of a tree, in Ohio, when twenty-three years 
of age. 

The subject of this history remained with his 
parents until twenty-one years old, receiving a 
common-school education and assisting bis parents 
HI the duties around the farm. Soon after attain- 
ing his majority he was united in marriage with 
Miss Julia Stansbury, on the 10th of September. 
1857. Mrs. Cavanaugh was born in Tennessee in 
1836, her parents being Isaac and Ruth (Lacey) 
Stansbury. They removed to Kansas, where the 
father died in 1877; the mother is still living. Our 
subject and liis wife are the parents of ten children, 
of whom the record is as follows: Mollic became 
the wife of N. McCart}', and lives in Piatt County, 
111.; William H. married Miss Mary McCoy, and 
they are residents of Nebraska; Annie became the 
wife of William McCoy ; Ida, Rosa, Harry and 
Jlaude are at home with their parents. Three died 
in infancy. 

When Mr. Cavanaugh first came to this county 
he was employed as a farm laborer two years. He 
had been trained to habits of industry and economy, 
and at the end of this time found himself with suf- 
ficient means to purchase eighty acVes of land. 
This he cultivated, improved, and added to, so that 
he now has a fine farm of 1 20 acres under an ad- 
v.anced state of cultivati(m. The residence is a 
substantial and shapely building. He has a good 
barn and all other l)uildings necessary for the suc- 
cessful prosecution of agriculture, the shelter of 
stock and the storage of grain. Everything about 
the premises is kept in good repair and denotes the 
enterprise of its proprieter. He has been upright 
and methodical in his business transactions, and by 
this course has secured the esteem and confidence 



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t72 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



of his fellow-tovvnsnien, who li:ive from time to 
time honored him witli the v.irioii.s towiisliip olliees, 
iiK'luding that vf School Directer. 

rditically Mr. Cuvanaugh is a standi Kepult- 
lican,and he and his family are members and regu- 
lar attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Social!}' he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being 
a, member of Saybrook Lodge No. 468, in which 
he has iield the office of Junior and Senior Deacon 
for some years. He is a great admirer of the 
principles of the fraternity, which he upholds with 
honest zeal. 

^jps^ AMUEL WADIJLE, an esteemed resilient 
^^^ of Normal, is a native of the Prairie State, 
|(V£__3) having been born in Monroe County on the 
10th of August, 1835. His father, James 
H. Waddle, of Kentucky, was reared in his native 
State to farming pursuits, and after arriving at 
years of manhood, was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Mundy, also a native of the 151 ue Grass State. 
Soon afterward, in 1827, they emigrated to Illinois, 
and were thus among the pioneer settlers. They 
located in the southern part of the State, and there 
passed the remainder of their lives. Of their fam- 
ily of twelve children, only two sons and two 
daughters are now living, and three of the children 
died in infancy. 

The subject of this narrative was reared on his 
father's farm, and received his education in the 
school of forty years ago. After attaining his 
majority, he purchased a farm in Monroe County, 
111., which he occupied and cultivated until 1H74. 
Then, desiring better oppoi'tunities for the educa- 
tion of his children, he removed to Bloomington, 
and one year later to Normal. Since residing in 
McLean County, he has given considerable atten- 
tion to the buying and selling of stock, which 
yields him a handsome income. i\Ir. Waddle still 
owns real estate to the extent of 500 acres, 350 of 
which are in a fine state of cultivation. The land 
lies near old Ft. Charter, on the American Bottoms 
in Monroe County. While living there he chiefly 
gave his attention to the raising of wheat. 

The subject of our sketch was married in Sep- 



tember, 1857, to Miss Christine Cline, who died in 
1864, leaving three children, two now living: John 
A., book-keeper of a wholesale house at Portland, 
Ore., and Wellington, Assistant Postmaster at Nor- 
mal. The second marriage of Mr. Waddle occurred 
in 1865, when he was united with Miss Jane C. 
Morris, who bore hTm four children, of whom one 
daughter died in infancy; James is a book-keeper 
in Chicago; Herbert C. is engaged in teaching, and 
Leman is attending the Illinois State Normal Uni- 
versity. 

Our subject and his family' occupy a handsome 
and comfortaljle home, and enjoj' the friendship 
and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. 
Waddle ranks among the representative citizens of 
Normal, and is a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has 
been connected for the past thirty .years. Socially' 
he is a Knight Templar, and politically easts his 
vote with the Democratic party. He has steadily 
declined becoming an office-holder, although sev- 
eral times solicited to take the responsibility. He 
is essentially the ai'chitect of his' own fortune, and 
his possessions have been acquired solely* by his in- 
dustry .and wise management. 



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W of McI 



jjILLIAM L. pollock, I\L D., (Mie of 
most successful physicians and surgeons 
jLean County, is a graduate of Jeffer- 
son Medical College, Philadelphia, where he se- 
cured his "sheepskin" on the 8th of March, 1871. 
He commenced practice at Normal, in this county, 
whence, in 1872, he came to He3'worth, of which 
he has since Ijeen .-i resident, and has built up an ex- 
tensive and lucrative practice. Dr. Pollock was 
born in Belief ontaine, Logan Co., Ohio, im the 
4th of May, 1850, and lived in his native town un- 
til sixteen years of age, pursuing his early studies 
in the primary schools and graduating from the 
High School. Before he was seventeen years old 
he began to receive special instruction under Rev. 
Mr. Shaw, a druggist of Bellefontaine, and not long 
afterward came to Illinois, locating in this county. 
Here he entered the office of Drs. Stephen Noble, 
and K. D. Bradle}', of Bloomington, eminent and 



n- 



ffi 




t 



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McI.EAN COUNTY. 



475 



t 



well-known pi^ysirians, and before he was twenty- 
one j^ears old, hadgTaduatcd from Jefferson College, 
Peiinsjdvania. 

The father of our subject, John Pollock, was a 
native of Richland County, Ohio, where he was 
educated and grew to manhood. There, also, he 
W.1S married to Miss Elizabeth J. Furgeson who, 
like himself, was of .Scottish ancestry. After his 
marriage, .John Pollock began the practice of law 
at Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he resided for six- 
teen years. In 1S(]7 he came with his family to 
Ford County, 111., and settled at Paxton, the 
county seat. There, also, he pursued his law prac- 
tice until 1.S72, when the Republicans of that 
county elected him as their representative to the 
State Legislature. For many years he was associa- 
ted in partnership with Judge Semple. He is now 
retired from practice, and for the last six years has 
been enjoying the fruits of his earlj' labors in a 
comfortable home at Paxton. The mother is also 
yet living, and both parents are over seventy years 
of age. 

William L. I'olloek was the youngest of four 
children, three sons and one daughter. The eldest 
sou is now deceased. The living are: John E., an 
attorney of Bloomington; Mary FL, the wife of J. 
U. Marlow, of Denver, Col., who is engaged as a 
hotel-keeper and is proprietor of one of the finest 
houses in the city, and our subject, lie was mar- 
ried in 1872, on the 24th of December, at Nor- 
mal, to Miss Lillie Bingham. Mrs. P. was born 
March 24, 1<S.51, in Vernon, Ind., and was educated 
at Eureka, III, to which she came with her parents 
when thirteen years of age. Iler father, Lucius 
Bingham, died in Indiana, in about I.SG4, and the 
mother, Mary A. (Eldridge) Bingham, in Kansas, 
in 1 879. Both were natives of New York State, 
and Mrs. B. was the sister of Etlwin Eldridge, 
owner of Eldridge Park at F^lmira, N. Y., and who, at 
his death, bequeathed this to the cit}'. 

Mrs. Pollock was finely educated, and was for 
sometime a teacher of music, in which she possessed 
great taste and skill. She is in all respects an ac- 
complished lady and an ornament to society. She 
has been connected with the Presbyterian Church 
since twelve years of age, in whose doctrines our 
subject was also reared by a pious and devoted 
4* 



mother. Since coming here. Dr. Pollock has been 
prominent in local affairs, his intelligent and well- 
informed mind at once securing him a passport to 
public favor. He has been President of the A'illage 
Board for sometime, and is one of the solid Repub- 
licans of this locality who has been of great assist- 
ance in building u|) and maintaining the local stand- 
ing of this i)aity. He is also connected with the 
A. F. ife A. .AL, having been Master of Blue Lodge, 
and one of the most earnest workers of the frater- 
nity. 



^(OSEPH G. RANNEBARGER. of Cheney's 
<4rove Township, is pleasantly located on 
section 11, where he is successfully engaged 
as a farmer and stock-breeder. Fie came to 
Illinois in 18.t1, first locating in Cumberland 
Count}', and has been a resident of McLean 
County since 187G. His Inrthplace was in F'ranklin 
County, Ohio, and the date thereof, F'eb. 27, 1844. 
He is the son of Stephen T. and Susan (Michaels) 
Rannebarger, both natives of Maryland. His 
father was born in 1 .S02, and died at his home in 
Macon County, 111., in October, 1874. He was a 
farmer by oecuiiation, and Republican in politics. 
The mother was born in 1801, united with the Baj)- 
tist Church early in life, and died in Sangamon 
County, 111., in ISliTi. Their eleven children are as 
follows: Flenry W., Andrew B., Adam, Sarah, 
Harriett J., Susan, Phillip, M.ary, Stephen T., who 
died in infancy ; Joseph, of our sketch, and John. 

Mr. R. of this notice was but seven years of age 
when his parents removed from Ohio to this State. 
The}" lived in Cumberland County six years, 
thence removed to Sangamon County, and after- 
ward to DeWitt County. Joseph 6. remained un- 
der the home roof until the breaking out of the 
late war, then enlisted in the l.'JOth Illinois Infantry. 
Six weeks later he was taken ill and compelled to 
return home, where he remained thirteen months. 
Fie then decided to tiy again, and became a mem- 
ber of the 10th Illinois Cavalry, with which he re- 
mained two years and four months, his regiment 
being assigned to the Western Division. He was 
in the battle at Little Rock, Ark., and in various 
other engagements and skirmishes, escaping with- 



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'.^ 476 



■♦• 



I 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



out a womul. He received his honorable flischarge 
in .Iann:irv, l<s(i(J, at San Antonio, Tex., and at 
once retni-ned to liis lidnic in this State. 

i\Ir. Ivan nel larger made Ids home witli his parents 
until ins marriage witli IMiss Sarah A. Conn, whieh 
oceniTi'd Nov. .'.50, 1S71. Mrs. R. was \h>vu in l)e 
Wilt County, 111., Aug. 1!), l.sjl, and was the 
daughter of JJavid and Elizabeth (IJennctt) Conn, 
natives respectively of (iermany and Ohio. The 
mother died in DeWitt County, 111., in 18.53. Their 
four children were Lucy A., Albert, Sarali A. and 
.lames M. Mr. and Mrs. K. have six children — 
Perry F., Kosetta A., Nora J^., Lula M., Uoy R. 
and Lottie li. ; the latter was born Nov. 1,5, 188G. 

The h(imestea.d of (iiir subject includes eighty 
acres of finely cultivated land, with a good resi- 
dence, barn, and all the necessary out-buildings for 
the shelter uf stock and the storing of grain. His 
horses and cattle are of the best grades, and models 
of beauty and symmetry. Mr. R. is a member of 
the G. A. R., ;iiid the County N'igilauce Associa- 
tion organized for the purpose of detecting and 
punishing horse thieves. He has held the oflices of 
Road Commissioner and School Director for many- 
years, and politically casls his vote with the Re- 
publican party. 



'^^- 



^ 



r 



|OIIN VV. FliNK, of Randolph Township, is 
I the second son and fourth child uf ,)esse 
and l'";innje T. (Stringlield) Funk, his mother 
being the sister of Capt. A. M. Stringlield, a 
sketch of whom is given on .-mother page of this 
woi-k. The parental household Included the fol- 
lowing children: Sarah .1. is the widow of .lohn A. 
I5i-ittonliam ; he was formerl\- a birnier: .Mrs. li. is 
living at Mtmticello, in I'iatl County, 111., aged 
sixty-one years; John \V.; 'i'homas C. married 
Miss .lulia Childs, and is now a live-stcjck dealer of 
Cr.Mwfordsvilk', Kan.; Delilah is the wife of James 
F. Hrown, now living in Heyworth, this county ; Ab- 
salom C. resides at UelleHower ; he married Miss 
Chloe C. liishop, and is engaged in farnung and 
stock-iaising; Nancy A., now deceased, first mar- 
ried John Wilson, who died of smallpox; she after- 



ward married John Thompson, who now lives in 
Santa Barbara, Cal.; Adam was fatally injured by 
lieing run over by a loaded wagon, when eleven 
years of age; he was a promising hoy, and his 
death was a great atiliction to the family. 

The grandfather of our subject, Adam Funk, it 
is supposed was born on the Atlantic Ocean while his 
parents were crossing from Germany to the United 
States, his mothei', it appears, having died on the 
ocean, probably at the time of his birth. The 
father after landing upon American shores settled 
near Philadelphia, Pa., and after a few years disa])- 
IK'ared from the knowledge of his parents. The 
child, Adam, was placed with a family near Phila- 
delphin, with whom he lived for a number of vears, 
and subse<iuently went to Strasburg, Va., wliere he 
remained until his marriage with Miss Moore, the 
daughter of an old pioneer of that State, wlu) lived 
at Mooresville, and who was of (ierman parentage 
and ancestr}'. Adam Fuidv and his young bride 
after. marriage removed to the Blue Grass regions 
of Kentucky, where was born their son Je.sse, the 
father of our subject. Later the family came 
North to Ohio, and after a few years' residence 
there removed to Illinois, in 1824, locating in what 
is now known as Funk's Grove, McLean County, 
where he lived with his brother Isaac a few mouths, 
and there, after a few years the parents died. 

Jesse Funk, after "arriving at j'ears of manhooil, 
was united in marriage with Miss Fannie U. String- 
Held, Feb. Hi, 182.5. The following spring they 
came to Randolph Township, where Jesse Funk in 
time secured 8,000 acres of the best land in this 
section, and improved a large [lortion of this before 
his death, which occurred Fell. (I, |8(;."i. The mother 
of our subject survived her husb.-uid a few days 
oxer live years, dying Feb. 'J 1 , 1 .s70. They were 
meniliers in good standing of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and possessed in a marked degree 
those admirable traits of character for which the 
entire fanulj' is celebrated, and by which they have 
obtained their reputation as among the best citi- 
zens of McLean County. Their son, John W., i)er- 
formcd his lilial duties in the most praiseworthy 
m.'innei'. He IIvimI with his father until his death, 
and tenderly (tared for his widowed mother luitll 
she followed her husband to the better land. 



T" 



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L. 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



477 






Jt)liii W. Funk was reared in Randoliili Town- 
ship, where he pursued his primary studies. Later 
lie entered Wesleyan [Tniversity, where lie attended 
three years. He then returned to the farm, and 
employed his time in agricultural pursuits until his 
marriage, wliicli occurred July 30, 1867, at the 
home of the bride's parents in Lincoln, Logan 
County, this State, the maiden of his choice being 
Miss Hilizabeth C, the daughter of John and 
Nancy A. (Glover) Fr\'er. Mrs. Funk h.ad two 
brothers who served under Gen. Jackson in the 
War of 1812. Her parents were natives of Gliio, 
and of German and English descent. The}' re- 
moved to Logan Coiiutv, 111., in 1865, whence the_y 
came to McLean County, and .settled in Randolph 
Tc)wnship on one of the farms of ]\h\ Funk. The 
father of Mrs. F. was a cari)enter by trade, and is 
now about seventy years of age. The mother is 
also living, being sixty-six years old on the 7th of 
February, 1887. Both are members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. 

The grandfather of jSIrs. B'unk, Benjamin Fryer, 
was roared by the .Jefferson family, of which 
Thomas, the President, was an early- member, and 
was married to Miss Catherine Jefferson. She was 
a cousin of President .Jefferson. They settled in 
Portsmouth County, Ohio, among the early pio- 
neers of that section, and became intimately iden- 
tified with its welfare and progress, aiding by every 
means iu their power the religious and educational 
element which was struggling for recog'iiition. Ben- 
jamin Fryer became an invalid many years before 
his death, but bore his sufferings with resignation 
and patience, and closed his eyes upon the scenes 
of earth in 1868, when about eighty-five years old. 
He served .as a soldier in the War of 1812. 

Mr.s. Funk was the eldest of her father's four 
children, and the only daughter of the faniilj-, all 
the children being yet alive; Randolph B., Sam- 
uel B. and John F. .are married and settled iu 
homes of their own. Mrs. F. was born in Forts- 
mouth, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1843, and received her edu- 
cation in her native town. She was twenty-one 
years of .age when she came to this State, and w:is 
employed iu teaching music until her marriage with 
our subject. Of this union were born two children, 
Jessie A. and John W., both at home. All the 



members of the family are connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. F. h.as 
been Trustee and Steward for many j'ears. I'oliti- 
cally he is a stanch Republican. Jlr. Funk is largely 
eng.aged in stock-raising (high grades), iu connec- 
tion with his f.arming oiierations. His farm com- 
prises UOO acres. 



••o*<...(c)^><^••o♦o.. 



I 



JOSEPH HABECKER, an intelligent young 
fanner of Danvers Township, located on sec- 
tion 4, is a native of this county, and born 
/ in 18.")6. He is the son of John and M.ag- 
dalena (Roth) Haliecker, natives of France, where 
the father was born in 1825, and the mother in 
1822. The father of our subject emigrated to the 
LTiiited States in 1830, with his parents. They 
laniled in New Orleans, whence they jjroceeded to 
Butler County, Ohio, where their son remained 
until his marriage, which occurred in 1845, the 
lady of his choice being Miss Magdalena Roth. 
After marri.age they located uptm rented land in 
Ohio, and there lived until ls47. .lohn Ilabecker 
then decided to seek the farther West, and coming 
into the Prairie State settled near Peoria, Tazewell 
Count}', and cultivated .a tract of rented laud. 
After ab<iut six years thej' removed to McLean 
County, where Mr. LI. purch.ased eighty acres, to 
which he added in a short time forty acres more. 
Lie was prospered in his farming and business 
trans.actions, and in due time found himself the 
owner of 225 .acres of valuable land and a comforta- 
ble home, which he occupied until his death iu 
1.S77. The mother still survives, being now sixty- 
three years of age and in good health. The house- 
hold circle included six children, three deceased: 
Barbara became the wife of Amos Voder, and died 
in Ma}', 1885; Catherine married Peter S. Gerber, 
of Oak (Jrove; Christian married Miss Irene Stutz- 
man, an<l resides in this county; Joseph, of our 
.sketch, was the fourth cliihl ; Johnnie and Lena 
both died when young. The parents were niein- 
bers of the Mennonite Church. The father of our 
subject was a Republican in politics, and in all re- 
spects a worthy and reliable citizen. 

The subject of this history was reared on his 



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47. S 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



father's fnriu, receiving a fnir ccUication in ttie 
coniinoii scliuols until lie attained liis majority. 
'I'lien, l)y the dcatli of his father, tiie sui)ervision 
and operatiuii of tiie farm fell niion him for about 
three years. He was soon afteiward married to 
Miss Catherine Biirkey, in ISSO, and purchased a 
farm of 1 1'2 acres, upon which he has ei'ected aline 
dwelling-, two stories in height, with an L, hand- 
somely fiuislied and furnished, lie also has a good 
barn and .all necessary out-buildings, and if appear- 
ances are correct, is destined to be one of the promi- 
nent and inlliu'Utial farmers of this section. 

The |)arents of iMis. Hal)ecker were Frederick 
and C.atherine (Creek) Burkey, natives of Switzer- 
land, whence her father emigrated wiien he was 
twenty-five years of .ige, and located with his fam- 
ily near Belleville, in the scnitheastern part of this 
State. After a two ^'ears' residence there they re- 
moved to Woodford County, and in lisCd came to 
this vicinity, and engaged in the cultivation of 
rented land. Frederick Burke\' died in IS? I. His 
wife survived him until iMa.y 18, l»,Su. Their re- 
mains lie side by side in the Imhoff Cemetery in 
this county. The parental household iuidudcd 
seven children: Frederick, Catherine; Johnnie, 
who died Oct. I, ISTll; Mary, who died in 18(i7; 
William, Mary (L'd). and Christian. Mr. and i\lrs. 
B. were foimerly members of the Bntlieran Church. 
After the death of her husband Mrs. B. united 
with the Mennonites. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ilabecker have two children — .Tes- 
sie, born .lune 7, 1 Sh:!, and Eddie. Sept. 22, 188.5. 
.Mr. 11. and his wife are members of the Mennonite 
Church, and politically our suliject is a straight 
Republican. 

^l ^ W. ULBUICH, manufacturei- of harness and 

* saddleiy, is located at No. J12 jS'oith .Main 
street, Bloomington, where he has built up 
a good trade, and established himself as one 
of the first business men of the city. Our subject 
was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, on the 2Gtli 
of .June, 18 1.5, and is the son of Frank ami Theresa 
(Kaps) ribrich, natives of the same country as 
their sou. The father was a cabinet-maker by 




trade, .and emigrated to America in 18.53, landing 
on our shores on the 25th of .lune. He located in 
Chicago, and worked at his trade there for twi4ve 
years, since which time he has lived with his son, 
our subject, in Bloomington. The mother died in 
Chicago, in 1879. Their family consisted of four 
sons, only two of whom are living, our subject and 
his brother August; the latter is a furniture finisher 
and a resident of Chicago. 

Mr. ribrich lived in the city of Chicago from the 
time he w.as eight years of age, and came to Bloom- 
ington in 1882. He attended school until twelve 
years old, and then went to work in a brickyard. 
He was thus occupied for a year, and thence went 
into a shingle-mill for eighteen months, then made 
brushes for six months, and subsequently worked 
in a furniture factor^' for twelve months. He was 
then employed in a s.ash and door factory for fif- 
teen months, and then served an apprenticeship 
with his Ijrother, Joseph F., in the harness busi- 
ness. In 1SG4 he went to Louisville, Ky., where 
he worked in the harness-shops of the Government 
for ten months. The war being then in progress 
he established a sutler's stand, and after one 
month's experience at this was quite satisfied with 
army life, and returning to Chicago |)urchased the 
harness-shop of his brother, which he operated for 
ten months, in the meantime emj)loying three 
workmen. He then went to Milwaukee and worked 
at his trade for two months, thence to Portage City 
for two months, and from there to Chicago again, 
where he eng.aged at his trade for fifteen months, 
and then went into business, which he continued 
until 1882, employing six hands. In that 3'car he 
came to Bloomington, and has since been carrying 
on his business successfully and employing two 
workmen. 

Mr. lllbrich was married in 18(;7, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Schnur, wlio was liorn in New York City, of 
(ierman parentage. They were the parents of seven 
children: Henry A. .and Frank are in the otiice with 
their father, and the others at home ai'e Annie, 
\\'illiam, Aljjhonso, Anthony and Aloysius. They 
are comfortably located in a pleasant residence at 
No. .5o() West (i rove street, the property' of our 
subject; lie also lias two lots on West Fourteenth 
street, Chicago, and four lots in the suburbs of Des 



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=4 



McLean county. 



479 



Plaines. Mr. U. belongs to the Democratic party, 
and with his wife and children is connected with 
the German Catholic Church. He is highly es- 
teemed by his fellow-townsmen, .ind is in all re- 
spects a representative (Jerman citizen, possessed of 
the honesty and industry characteristic of his race. 



eHRISTIAN GING ERICH, a prominent 
farmer of Allin Township, is pleasantly lo- 
cated on section 8, where he is following' his 
chosen calling in an intelligent and successful man- 
ner, and pursuing the life of a peaceful and law- 
abiding citizen. He is a representative of that val- 
ued German element which has so materially as- 
sisted in developing the resources of the Great 
West, being a native of the German Empire, and 
born Oct. 28, 1820. His parents were Michael and 
Barbara (Heinanan) Gingerich, natives of the same 
countrj-, the former born in 1780, and the latter 
ten 3'ears later. They were married in 181G, and 
the father followed farming pursuits all his life. 
Both parents died in their native Land, Michael 
Gingerich in 1854, and the mother thirteen years 
previously, in 1841. They were members of the 
Mennonite Church, and the parents of seven chil- 
dren, namely: Jena, Barbara, Catharine, Christian, 
Jacob (deceased), Margaret and Andrew. 

The subject of this history remained in his na- 
tive country until he was thirty years of age, and 
sailed for America in the spring of 1850. He 
landed in New Orleans, and proceeded at once to 
Butler County, Ohio, where he was employed by 
the month on a farm. Four years later, on the 
4th of March, 1854, he was married in the Buckeye 
.State to Miss Elizabeth Miller, and they imme- 
diately came to Illinois and located upon rented 
land in this county. In 18G5 Mr. (i. purchased 
120 acres, and is now the owner of a half section, 
upon which he has made fine improvements and 
which has become valuable. He has given much 
attention to the raising of flue horses, and also pur- 
chased and sold in this hue, which business has 
yielded him a handsome income. Upon llrst com- 
ing to Illinois he was without means. There was 

4* 



little market for produce, and this was far away, he 
having to haul his grain to Bloomington. He was, 
however, blest with good health, and in due time 
overcame the various ditliculties which lieset iiiru. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Gingerich departed this life on the 
5th of .September, 1865, leaving two children, 
John and Daniel; one died in infancy uiuianied. 
He was married the second time, Sept. 7, 186(1, to 
Miss Catharine Gingerich, and they have become 
the parents of seven children — Christian, William, 
Ellen, Edward, Emma, Bertha .and Joseph A. The 
family residence is a substantial two-story build- 
ing, and the farm is supplied with a good barn and 
all other modern improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Ci. 
are connected witli the Mennonite Church, of which 
our subject has been a minister for the last thirty- 
two years. He has been very successful in his 
ministrations, and still preaches every Sunday. Po- 
litically he is independent, aiming to cast his vote 
for the best man. 

-»-HH- ^kS^^:^ ^^ -KH-e- 

^YJOHN peters, of Heyworth, is senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Slagel & Peters, manu- 
facturers of all kinds of farm implements, 
repairing the same, and also in connection 
with this, operating a feedmill. The firm was 
established in the spring of 1872, and has been 
successfully engaged since that time. Mr. Peters 
was born in Shenando.ah County, Va., Aug. 8, 1845. 
His fatiier, Daniel Peters, w.as formerly a shoemaker 
and later in life a farmer. He, also, was a native 
of the Old Dominion, and descended from excellent 
Irish and German ancestors. He was married in 
his native State to Miss Rebecca Blake, a Virginia 
Lady, whose parents were among the earliest settlers 
of that region. They were natives of Pennsylvania 
and of pure German descent. The grandfather of 
our subject, William Peters, lived and died in the 
Shenandoah Valley. He was a shoemaker by trade 
and very ingenious with the use of tools. 

The parents of our subject located in Virginia 
after their marriage, and the father died there in 
18511. Seven years later the mother, with her 
family of seven children, emigrated West, and com- 
ing into McLean County, 111,, settled in Lexington 



i 



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t 



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480 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



To\viishi|>. TluTC tlR' iiiotlicr is 3'et living and 
thei't^ our subject learned his trade of blacksmith, 
serving his apprenticeship under the instruction of 
liis uncle, L. C. Blake. After working five _years 
for his board, clothes, and ^.IM) in money, he de- 
cided to set up in business for himself. He first 
located in Martin Township in :il)out 18(JG, and the 
following fall came to IIe3' worth, \yhcre he worked 
as 11 "jour" for about three years. In 1872 he 
b<>canie associated with his present partner, and 
they have since operated together harmoniously 
and successfully. Mr. Peters has a record as a shoe 
setter on horses which is seldom equaled or ex- 
celled. In the space of eight hours he has set and 
finished up ninety-six shoes, and in all dei)artments 
of his business is equally' skillful and expeditions. 
He has been industrious and nnitle a wise invest- 
ment of his profits. Besides his half interest in 
their large shop he also has eighty acres of land 
located on sections 34 and 17, and also has a nice 
village property. 

Mr. Peters was married in Blooniington, 111., 
Aug. 23, 1871, to Miss M. E. Slagel, who was 
born in Pendleton County, Va., Sept. 12, 1853. 
Mrs. Peters came West with her parents vvhile yet 
an infant, and they first located in Coles County, 
this State, whence they removed to Randolph 
Townshii), this county. Of this marriage there 
is one child only, a son — Herbert J. Mr. P. is a 
member and chorister of the Methodist Episcopal 
Cluircli. In i)olitics he is a Democrat and has been 
a Councilman in the village government. Mrs. 
Peters is an amiable and accomplished lady, finelj'^ 
educated, being a graduate of Wesleyan University 
in liotli classics and music. 

(^ IVILLIAM 11. H. ADAMS, President of the 
\/iJ// '"i"*^'* Wesleyan I'niversity, at Blooming- 
W^ ton, is a native of this Stnte, having been 
born in Eflingham County, March 31), 1840. He is 
the son of Christopher 15. and S;irali ((iannaway) 
Adams, and is descended from iMiglish ancestry, 
the Adams fnmily being a blanch of that from 
whicii President: .loiui ( }. A<lams sprang. The 
graudfatlier of our subject. Kli A<lams, of London, 



Madison Co., Ohio, was one of the early settlers of 
the Buckeye State. The Gannaway family settled 
in Virginia two centuries ago. One of the most 
prominent representatives in this country was John 
Gannaw.ay, the maternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, who was an extensive slaveholder and carried 
on a large plantation in the Old Dominion. Dur- 
ing the cai'ly years of his life he removed to Illi- 
nois, where he lil)erated his slaves and departed 
this life at the advanced age of eighty-six years. 
Eli Adams married the daughter of Christopher 
Beeks, who emigrated from England during the 
Revolutionary War, enlisted in the service of the 
colonies, and fell at the l)attle of Bunker Hill. His 
son, Christopher B., the father of i:>ur subject, was 
born in Xeui;i, Ohio, and was principally reared in 
Madison County, whence he emigrated to Illinois 
in 1837. He w.as married the following year to 
Miss Sarah (iannaway, and thej' became the par- 
ents of six children. 

President Adams was reared principally in Coles 
County, tliis State, and entered n|)on his i)rimary 
education in the jiioneer schools conducted in the 
log cabin. After having attained sufficient prog- 
ress, he entered the Northwestern University, at 
Evauston, III. He began his theological course at 
Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston, and was li- 
censed to preach when a mere youth of seventeen 
years, being placed in charge of North Avenue 
Church, at Chicago, III., a position which he held 
during the last two years of his college course. 
Soon after graduating, in 1870, he joined the Illi- 
nois Conference, his first appointment being at 
Monticello ft)r two yeai's, and was then sent to 
Clinton, III., whence after three years he was called 
to Weslc^'an University', and in 1S7"> became its 
President and the successor to Bishop Fallows, now 
of Chicago. 

Dr. Adams was united in marriage in 1S(_17, with 
Miss Ilannnh Concklin, of Plymouth, Ohio, and 
they became the parents of four children, three 
daughters and one sou — Lula May, Grace, Charles 
C. and Katie. 

During the late war Dr. Adams enlisted as a pri- 
vate in tiie linioii service in Co. A, 111th III. \'ol. 
Inf., and in 180.'! hi' was promoted First Lieuteuaiit 
and served as such until near the expiration of his 



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f 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



481 



term of enlistment, when he was brevetted, first as 
Captain and afterward as Major of the regiment. 
As Captain he commanded the 4th Battery, 
U. S. Artillery. Previous to this, liowever, lie 
drilled the first 2,000 colored troops, formed them 
into companies, and turned them over to the serv- 
ice. His commission as Major was signed by Presi- 
dent Lincoln. He was stationed for a time at 
Columbus, Ky., whence he went to Mobile, and 
from there to Little Rock, Ark. He was in the 
battle at Nashville, Tenn., under Gen. Thomas, and 
took part in several minor engagements against (!en. 
Forrest. He resigned his commission .Tuly t, 1805, 
and returning to Evanston completed his college 
course. Early in life he identified himself with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a member 
in good standing of the Masonic fraternity. 

^\'hen Dr. Adams first came to Bloominglon he 
had received no information of the honor about to 
be conferred upon him. Wesleyan University was 
then in debt about ^(j(i,000, but under his wise and 
efficient management, the most of this has been 
liquidated, and it now h.as an endowment of $8.5,000. 
In ISKG there were (JTO students enrolled, and its 
course of stud}' is considered the most thorough 
and efficient of any institution in the State. Dr. 
Adams has proved liimself equally able as an in- 
structor and an executive, and is rightly regarded 
as one of the pillars of an institution in which the 
intelligent people of McLean Countj' are vitally 
interested. 



W^ W. TILLOTSON. of the firm of Tillotson 
& Fell, engaged in the real-estate and insur- 
ance business, also examiners of abstracts 
and titles, with tlieir office at the northwest corner 
of the court-house, Bloomington, is a native of 
Delaware County, N. Y. Mr. Tillotson was born 
Feb. 28, 18-17, and is the son of Napoleon and 
Annie ((iuackenlmsii) Tillotson, natives of New 
York. There the father was extensively engaged 
in farming, and followed that calling with success 
until his death, which event occurred in 1850. Six 
children were born of the parental union: ,)ulia, 
who became the wife of L. A. Bodine, and lives in 
Wellsburg, Pa.; Lucy, now Mrs. Lloyd, of Bloss- 



burg. Pa. ; Mary. Mrs. Drake, of Almira, N. Y. ; 
James K., residing at Toled(j, Ohio; E. W., our 
subject, and Almira, who became Mrs. Dr. Gam- 
mond, and is residing at Corning, N. Y. The 
mother survives her husband, and is yet residing 
in Blossburg, Pa. 

E. W. Tillotson followed tiie labor common to a 
farmer's son on his father's farm until he was seven- 
teen years old, receiving his primary education in 
the common schools. In 1864 he went to Chicago, 
and for three years occupied his time in the insur- 
ance liusincss. He then accepted the position of 
State Agent fur the North American Life Insur- 
ance Comi)any for Iowa, and moving to Burling- 
ton, that State, he made it his home until 1870. 

Mr. Tillotson was united in marriage with Miss 
Cecelia N. Copp, Oct. 14, 1870. She was a daughter 
of Nathanii'l and Fanny (Foster) Copp, and a na- 
tive of Fredonia, N. Y. Her f.ather, during his 
younger years, was engaged in mercantile pursuits, 
but later in life occupied his time in locating and 
developing mines in Nevada, and died in San Fran- 
cisco in 1880. He had a family of nine children, 
four of whom are living; Fleta, Mrs. Stahl, of 
Bloomington; Andrew J., a manufacturer of furni- 
ture at Chicago; Cecelia N., Mrs. Tillotson, and 
Frank P., a wholesale grocer of S;in Francisco, Cal. 

After tiie marriage of our sidiject he returned to 
Chicago and accepted the position as General 
Agent for the Western States of the Mutual Life 
Insurance Company of Chicago, and held that po- 
sition for one year. In 1871 he moved to Bloom- 
ington, this State, and purcli.ased the insurance 
business of T. J. Bunn, and in 1874 obtained the 
financial agency of the Massachusetts Mutual Life In- 
surance Company of Springfield. Mass. During the 
year 1 875, Mr. M. C. Wait became associated with 
our subject as an equal partner, and the firm name 
became Tillotson & Wait. This relationship con- 
tinued until March 1, 187!), when Jlr. H. C. Fell 
purch.ased Mr. Wait's interest, and the firm name 
was changed to Tillotson & Fell. The new firm 
purchased the abstract books of Mr. Larrimore, 
and in 1880 the firm became agents for Schroder's 
Opera House, and in 1882 took charge of the Dur- 
ley Theater, which they still conduct. 

In addition to the other branches of business 



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482 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



oiHinierated Mr. Tillotson is engaged in the raising 
I if fine trotting stock, and is owner of Ripton, 21177 
of Ilanibletoniaii slo('k. lie liad the management 
of the McLean Fair grounds during the year 188G. 
His residence is on Franklin avenue, at the corner 
of Second street and Normal avenue. In polities 
lie is ifcpulilican, and in religion Presbyterian, and 
is in all respects one of the foremost citizens of 
McLean County. 

ELIJAH C BLISS, formerly a prosperous 
farmer of McLean County, is now living in 
case and retirement in his pleasant home in 
Bloomington. Ilis earlier years were passed in in- 
dustrious and lionorable toil, during wliich he built 
up for iumself a re|)utation .as an iiouest man and 
a good citizen. He comes of excellent New England 
parentage and was born in Bristol County, M.ass., 
Nov. 27, 1822. His parents were Elijah and Sarah 
(Perry) Bliss, also of Massachusetts, and engaged 
in agricultural pursuits their entire lives. The 
honscliold circle included eleven children, six now 
living, viz., William II., Frances, Cornelius, Zenus, 
Marsii.ill and Elijah C. 

Oui- subject w.as reared to farming pursuits, and 
rcni.-iiiu'il under the parental rtxif until Iweutj'-two 
years of age, receiving caieful home training and 
a common-school education. After leaving home 
he learned the carpenter's tra<le, at which he worked 
in his native State until l!-i,')l. He then came to 
Illinois, and locating in ,Iackson\ille followed his 
trade there for live years. He then purch.ased a 
farm, which he cultivated and occuiiicd for four 
years, when he sold out and came to McLean 
CoiMity, becoming a resident here in IHGI. He 
punthased 120 acres of land in Blue Mound Town- 
ship, ujjon which he lived and labori:d until Lsy;3, 
then purchased the five acres in Blooniiuglou where 
Ik; now lives, and which constitutes a [ileasant and 
commodious home. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Lncj' A. 
Ilnrmon t(K)k place at St. Louis, I\lo., in I8.')2. Mrs. 
I)liss is a native of Connecticut, and the daughter 
of Phincas and Mary ((irosven(jr) Harmon, natives 
v( the same State. Her father was also a builder 

4 m ' 



.and contractor, and died in Sullield, 'onn., in 18.33. 
The mother is still living at the advanced age of 
ninety years, and makes her home in Bloomington. 
Of their three children only two are living — Lucy 
A., Mrs. Bliss, and Sarah O., Mrs. C. E. Reed, of 
Bloomington. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are the parents 
of two children : Herbert E. married Miss Sadie 
Owens, and has one child — Emery; Leonard H. is 
at home; Zenus F. Moody, Governor of Oregon, 
is a step-brother of Mrs. Bliss. 

Our suljject is a strong Prohibitionist, and with 
his wife, a member in good standing of the Pres- 
byterian Church. He has been School Director 
and occupied other iM'ominent positions in his 
township. He is in all respects a representative 
citizen, .and a credit to the county which has been 
his home for so niauy years. 



yi> S. I)i;PK\V, builder and contractor at 
' lUooniington, has been a resident of the 
^^^^ I'rairie State since ISo.'i, when, a child of 
three years, he cune to this county with his parents. 
He was born in Indiana, Aug. 12, 1832, and is the 
son of James and Judah (Hill) DePew, natives 
respectivel3' of Virginia and North Carolina. 

.lames DePew removed from his native State to 
Indiana when sixteen years of age, and remained a 
resident of that State until April, 183."). He then 
came to Illinois, and settling south of l>looniington 
(irove, engaged in farming pursuits for a period 
of over thirty years. In ISGG he a})andoned active 
labor, and is now living a retired life in the city of 
Bloomington. The i)arental faniil}' consisted of 
six children, two now living, W. S. and James 
Albert, the latter a resident of Missouri. The 
mother died a few years after coming to Illinois, in 
LSK;. James DePew is a Republican in polities, 
and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church since 1824, his wife also having been con- 
nected with the same. 

The subject of this history spent his j'ounger 
days in school until eighteen years old, and then 
learned the tr.ade of cabinet-)uaking, which he 
followed for eight years. He then became a car- 
l)enter and joiner, and in 18G3 commenced as a 



1 








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a 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



485 



t 



contractor and builder, and was soon giving em- 
ployment to from three to six men. He has fol- 
lowed this continuously up to the present, and has 
been very successful in his business transactions. 

Mr. DePew was married on the 4th of June, 1854, 
to Miss Fannie M. Schaum, who was born in Indi- 
ana, and was the daughter of Jacob P. Schaum, 
who came to Illinois in 1849, and settling in 
Bloomington, engaged in the hatter's trade. His 
family included six children, five now living: Fan- 
nie M. is the wife of our subject; Henry L. i.s a 
resident of Lawrence, Kan.; Henrietta, Mrs. West, 
of Bloomington; John J., of St. Paul, and Rosella, 
Mrs. Worthsinith. 

Of the union of our subject and his wife were 
born four children : James P. married Miss Hesser, 
and they have three children — Mabel, Ethel M. and 
Earle R. ; Ida M., Mrs. Heafer, is the mother of 
three children — Stella P., Edgar M. and Roscoe C. ; 
EttaM. married Mark D. Drum, and William E. is 
at home. Our subject and his wife and children 
are members in good standing of the Methodist 
Episcopal C'hureh, and he has been Class-Leader 
four years. The family residence is pleasantly lo- 
cated at No. 803 West Olive street, and their 
friends and associates are numbered among the best 
residents of the city. Mr. DePew is Republican in 
politics, and a v.alued factor in the business and 
industrial interests of the city. His iiiHce is located 
at No. 21K South Main Street. 

"^f^OHN TALLON, an industrious and enter- 
prising farmer and stock-raiser of Mt. Hope 
Township, is what ma}- properly be called a 
(^^/i self-made man. He commenced life at the 
foot of the ladder, and by the exercise of his own 
native energy and perseverance has climbed up to 
a good position among his fellowmen. The worldly' 
goods of which he is possessed have been accumu- 
lated by the work of his hands and the sweat of his 
brow, and the confidence and esteem in which he is 
held by his fellow-citizens are the result of his 
straightforward business transactions and upright 
course in life. 

The subject of this history is a native of West- 



morelandshire, England, and was born Aug. 17, 
1833, his parents being Thomas and Rebecca (Jack- 
son) Tallon. The father was a blacksmith, of sub- 
stantial English ancestry and parentage, and fol- 
lowed his tr.ade all his life in his native England, 
spending his last days in Lancashire. The subject 
of our sketch was but two years old when his par- 
ents removed to Lancashire, where they lived for 
ten years, and then returned to Westnn>reland, 
where their son grew to manhood. At an early 
age he commenced working with his father in the 
blacksmith-shop, where he remained for three years, 
and subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
When he was sixteen years old he received $30 per 
year for his services, and a few years later his 
wages were raised to $100 a year and board. 

Not being satisfied with his condition or pros- 
pects in his own country, Mr. Tallon resolved to 
seek the New AV'orld. In the meantime he had been 
married, and in April, 1855, accompanied by his 
wife, he set sail from Liverpool and landed at New 
Orleans on the 1 8th of M.ay. They proceeded 
directly up the river to Pekin, III., reaching there 
two months from the day they sailed from Liver- 
pool. Upon arriving here he founil himself pos- 
sessed of |9 in cash. He had an luicle living in 
Pekin, who kindly employed him to plow corn two 
or three days so that he might replenish his slender 
exchecpier, and he subsequently procured a job in a 
brickyard at the munificent wages of seventy-five 
cents a day and board. He was thus occupied until 
August of that year, and then engaged in harvesting. 
From this time until 185G, our subject worked 
industriously at whatever his hands could find to do, 
and in the spring of that year rented a farm in 
Ta/.owell County, which he occupied and cultivated 
until the fall of 1870. He then came to Mt. Hope 
Township, purchased eighty acres of land on section 
IG, and h.as been a resident here since that time. 
He has been uniformly successful in his agricultural 
pursuits and business transactions, and subsequently 
added to his first purchase until he is now the pos- 
sessor of 3(50 acres of some of the finest land in 
McLean County. It is all enclosed and improved, 
a portion of it being devoted to pasture and grass. 
His stock-raising operations have yielded him a 
handsome income, and he exhibits some of the fin 






f 



t 



486 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






est animals to be found in this section of the Prairie 
State. In 188,") he revisited his native England 
and wiiile there, in partnership with one of his 
neighbors, purchased four English draft stallions at 
a gre.it price. They are magnificent animals, mod- 
els of symmetry and beauty. Mr. T., understanding 
fully the care of such animals, will doubtless utilize 
them in producing some of the finest stock along 
the Mississippi Valley. He is a good judge of 
horses, and takes genuine pride in his skill as a 
breeder. One of the horses, named " What's 
Wanted," he keeps at his home farm; he is a mag- 
nificent bl.ack animal with a white stripe in face, 
and weighs 1,900 pounds. 

The marriage of John Tallon and INliss Agues 
Ell wood occurred on the 10th of March, 1855. 
Mrs. T. is .also of English birth and parentage, her 
native place lieing Lancashire, near the early home 
of Mr. T. Of this union there have been born ten 
children, the record of whom is as follows : Mary 
E. became the wife of Andrew Lucas, .and lives in 
Piatt County, 111. ; Christina R. married Charles 
Dilliou, and lives in Nebraska ; Agnes .1. is deceased ; 
Charles W. is a resident of Mt. Hope Township; 
Lillie J. became the wife of William Tyson, and 
lives in Mills County, Iowa; Margaret A. married 
Elmer Ethel, of Mt. llojie Township; Cora Idella, 
Ida L. and Abigail S. are at home with their par- 
ents; Georgiana is deceased. 

Mr. Tallon is Democratic in politics, and takes 
an intelligent interest in local and general matters. 
He is well read and informed, and is the eneourager 
and supporter of every project calculated to pro- 
mote the welfare of ins county and community. 
A lithogiaiiiiic poitrait of Mr. Tallon i.s shown in 
connection with this sketch. 




LKREl ) 15. P.OZARTH, deceased, formerly 
a pi'osperous farmer and stock-raiser of 
Allin Township, located on section 26, was 
a worthy member of a well-known family, 
being the son of John and Cj'ntbia (Ta3lor) Bo- 
zarth. He was born in Christian County, Ky., 
Eeb. 25, 18;^7, and when a child of two years old 
was brouglit liv his parents to McLean County, 
4 * 



where the father subsequently became the owner of 
2,300 acres of land. He departed this life in 1859. 
The mother survived him for over twenty-live 
years, and died Jan. 6, 1887, when over eighty 
years of age. Their remains are interred in the old 
homestead cemetery, side by side, near where they 
first settled. 

The subject of this history received a fair edu- 
cation in the common schools, and remained under 
the parental roof until he had attained his majority. 
He was then united in marriage with Miss H.arriet 
Brooks, a native of this county, who was born May 
7, 1840. Mr. Bozarth purchased 675 acres of val- 
uable land, and settled upon it with his family. 
He followed farming pursuits 'and stock-raising 
until 1871, and then, on account of failing health, 
.abandoned active labor and removed into the vil- 
lage of Stanford; he died of consumption in 1872, 
while traveling for his he.ilth in Indiana. His re- 
mains were followed to the old home cemetery, and 
were laid to rest by the side of his jjarents. He 
was a good man in every sense of the word, and 
his name is held in kindly remembrance b}' a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Bozarth 
was a man of large stature, his height being six 
feet two inches, and his weight was over 200 
pounds. His eyes and hair were black. He left a 
wife and six children to mourn their loss, and two 
of the latter have since joined him in the other 
life. Their son, Charles J., now twenty-five years 
of age, is a resident of this county- ; Dora J. was 
born June 12, 1864, became the wife of II. L. Rns- 
missell, and lives in Stanford, this county'; Cynthia 
E. married Theodore Caullin, he was a farmer and 
stock-raiser of Greene County, Ohio; George Will- 
iam w.-is born May 29, 1808; Albert AV. and Alfred 
W. (twins) lived less than one year, dying in No- 
vember, ls71. 

The parents of Mrs. Bozarth were Albert and 
Elizabeth Brooks, natives of Ivcntueky. The date 
of the father's birth is not known, but the mother 
was born in 1806. After their marriage tiiey came 
to Illinois, locating in this county in about 1837, 
and engaged in farming pursuits until the death of 
the father, which occurred about 1840. His wife, 
who still survives, is a resident of Stanford. Their 
children were Harriet, Miles, George, William, 



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t 



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McLean county. 



48? 



Lucia and James. To the parents of our subject 
there were born the following children : Louviiia, 
Aprils, 1829; Addison, March 1, 1830; Milton, 
Jan. 1, 1832; George, Jan. 9, 1834; Is.abella, Feb. 
9, LS35; Alfred, Feb. 25, 1837; John, Jr., June 4, 
1839; James, July 15, 1841 ; Josiah, born Jan. 28, 
1843, enlisted as a soldier in the late war, and died 
in the army of smallpox in 1804; William was born 
March 5, 1845; Robert, Oct. 23, 1847; Hettie, 
Aug. 3, 1850. When the funeral sermon of his 
grandmother was preached, (ieorge William handed 
the Bible to the minister. Rev. J. G. White. 

A portrait of Mr. Bozarth is shown on a preced- 
ing page of this work. 

"^ OHN J. PEIRSON, a prosperous and well-to- 
do farmer of McLean County, residing on 
section 12, Old Town Township, is a son of 
(^^jl/ Henry J. and Ann J. ( Brown) Peirson, na- 
tives of New York, who, after a residence in Col- 
umbia County until 1857, came and made settle- 
ment in Bloomingtun Township, this county. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1885 the parents removed to the 
thriving city of Bloomington, where they are at 
present residing in quiet retirement, having accu- 
mulated a sufficiency to keep them during the re- 
mainder of their lives. Of their five sons and one 
daughter, John J. is the eldest. 

Mr. Peirson of this notice was born in Columbia 
County, N. Y., March 11, 1853, and was but four 
years of age when his parents brought him to this 
county. Here he received his education in the 
common schools, and here he has lived and labored 
at his chosen vocation, farming, until the present 
time. Living with the old folk until he was twen- 
ty-one 3'ears old, he then engaged with his father 
as an equal partner in the product of the farm, 
which relationship continued until 1881. During 
that year he purchased 1 GO acres of land located 
on section 12, Old Town Township, and on which 
tract he has since lived. He is now the owner of 
240 acres of valuable and productive land, and is 
meeting with more than ordinary success in the 
prosecution of his vocation. 

Mr. Peirson was married in Old Town Township, 
.^•- 



Oct. 28, 1875, to Gertrude C, daughter of Edwin 
and .Saloma Locmiis. She departed this life Sept. 
2G, 187(j, in 15k)omington Township. Mr. Peirson 
was again married, at Bloomington, 111., Oct. 18, 
1883, to Miss Annie K., daughter of Presley and 
Mary E. (Robinson) Saains, natives of Pennsylva- 
nia. Her parents settled in Fayette Count}', that 
State, after their marriage, and there the mother 
died. The fathei' afterward, in 1868, came to this 
county and settled in Towanda Township, where 
he died in 1877. Mrs. Peirson was the onlj' child 
born to her parents, and first saw the light in Fay- 
ette County, Pa., April 3, 1864. Of her union 
with our subject two children have been born: Nel- 
lie S., Oct. 7, 1884, and an infant daughter, March 
2, 1887. 

Mr. Peirson has held the office of Township Col- 
lector and also that of School Director. Relig- 
iousl}' he is a member of the Baptist and his wife 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he 
is Republican. 




-^^t 



ICIIAEL RUPP, of Dan vers Township, lo- 
cated on section 4 in 1871, and has been a 
resident here since that time. He is a na- 
tive of the Buckeye State, having been 
born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1844. His parents. 
Christian and Phebe (Rober) Rupp, were natives 
of (Germany, the father born in 1817, and the 
mother in 1820. Christian Rupp came to the 
United States in about 1831, locating first in Butler 
County, Ohio, wliere he rented eight}' acres of land 
and carried on farming. He w.as married to the 
mother of our subject in 1841, and they resided in 
Ohio until 1858. They then removed westward 
to Illinois, and Mr. Rupi) rented land until 1865. 
He then purchased 160 acres, wliich he improved 
and cultivated, and which remained his home until 
his death, which occurred in 1877. The mother 
was afterward mairied to Joseph Augspnrger, who 
died April 10, 1887, and she now lives in McLean 
County, 111. Of her first marriage there were born 
six children: Elizabeth who married Nicholas Stru- 
ber, and Christian, Joseph, Samuel and Michael; 



^ 



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•►^l-4« 



^^ 488 



McLEAK COUNTY. 



one died unnamed in infancy. The parents be- 
longed to the Mennonite Church. 

iMicliael Rupp worked on his father's farm and 
attended the common schools until reaching his ma- 
jority. He was married in 1871, to Miss Susan 
Zook, and that same year purchased 130 acres of 
land in Danvers Township, upon which he removed 
and has since resided. He was prosperous in his 
farming and business transactions and added to his 
original purchase so that now he is the owner of 
"218 acres, under a good state of cultivation and 
provided with a good farm residence and all the 
necessary out-buildings. 

Mrs. Rupp is tlie daughter (jf Bartliolomew and 
Barbara (Stacker) Zook, natives of German j' and 
members of the Mennonite Church. Of the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Rupp there were born eight chil- 
dren — Magdalena, Susan, Joseph, John, Christian, 
Samuel, Benjamin and Eli. Blr. R. is Republican in 
politics, and in all respects a law-aliiding and 
worthy citizen. 



^»/\/- — i«ili2i2?©-^-«| 



^^y*'^^^Odof^'\/\/\^ 




THOMAS C. KERRICK, of the law firm of 
Kerrick, Lucas & Spencer, was born in 
Franklin County, Ind., April 24, 1848. He 
attended school until twelve years of age in Indiana, 
and after coming to Illinois with his parents, 
worked on his father's farm in summer and pur- 
sued his studies during the winter se.ason. In 1868 
he entered Wesleyan University, where ho took a 
two years' course and afterward read law in the of- 
fice of McNult}' & Aldrich. He received his di- 
ploma in 187"), and w,as admitted to partnership 
with liis former instructors, McNulty & Aldrich. 
Tlie following year the firm was dissolved, but 
Aldrich & Kerrick continued until 1878. Mr. K. 
then practiced alone until December, 1881, when 
the firm became Kerrick, Lucas & Spencer. 

Mr. Kerrick was elected by the Council, City At- 
torney in 1878, serving two terms. Besides his 
law business he has interested himself in the rich 
and fertile lands of Illinois, havinga fine farm four 
miles nortli of lilooniington, and another in Ford 
County, 111., which is chiefly devoted to stock-rais- 
ing. He is prominently identified with the business 



r 



interests of the eit}% and is a stockholder in the 
gas com pan}'. 

Mr. Kerrick was married in 1871, to Miss Tollie 
Armstrong, who was born in Clarke County, Ohio, 
and is the daughter of David and Sarah Armstrong, 
formerly residents of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. K. 
are the parents of two children — Leonidas and 
Alice. The family residence is at No. 324 East 
Locust street, and they number !imong tlieir friends 
and associates the best people in the city. Mr. K. 
belongs to the Republican party, and is in all re- 
spects fulfilling the obligations of an enterprising 
citizen. He is now President of the Business 
Men's Club of this city. 



"»-^t^* 



► »^?5*f-»<^**f-- 




GRACE S. WHITNEY, a resident of Mc- 
Lean County since IsiSi), is now living a re- 
tired life in the city of Bloomington, where 
he owns and occupies a pleasant and com- 
fortable homestead, having retired from his labors 
.as an agriculturist in 1883. Our subject was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1833, and is the son of Horace 
and Lucinda (Cole) Whitney, the father a native 
of N'ermont and the mother of Pennsylvania. 
Horace Whitney, a prominent resident of Erie 
County, Pa., w.as there engaged as a lumber dealer 
and slicep trader, and removed from the Keystone 
State to Wisconsin in 1843, locating upon a farm 
in Dane County, where he engaged in agriculture. 
The parental liousehold consisted of five chil- 
dren, of whom our subject was the second in ijrder 
of birth. During the progress of tlie late war he 
enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. F, 3(Itli Wis. 
Vol. Inf., and was in the service twenty-two 
months. He participated in the battle of the Wil- 
derness, Turner's farm, Weldon Railroad, and many 
skirmishes, and escaped comparatively unharmed. 
At the close of the war lie returned to his parents 
in \\iscoiisiii, where he remained until 18C9. He 
then came to McLe.an County, and located in P.adua 
Township, where he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth 
(G.anoe) Baddeley, the daughter of Elijah and 
Elender (Evans) Ganoe. The p.arents of Mrs. W. 
were natives of Ohio and early settlers of Bloom- 
ington City. Of their five children, four are still 



i 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



489 



,t 



living, Mrs. Whitney l)eing the eldest. Her first 
husband, William II. Baddeley, was a native of 
England, and came to America with his parents 
when a lad eight years of age. They settled in 
McLean County, 111., and engaged in merchandis- 
ing at Le Roy. Their sou AV^illiam was reared on 
a farm and married when twenty-five years of age. 
After this event, with his young wife, he settled 
upon a farm in Padua Township, and continued 
there until his death in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Badde- 
ley became the parents of three children, two now 
living: Josephine, Mrs. Rodman, is the mother of 
two children — Elmer P. and George S. ; William H. 
married Miss Virginia Fulton, and they have one 
son, named after his father. 

Mr. and Mrs. Whitney, in their pleasant home at 
No. 506 South Evans street, are highly respected in 
their community and number as their friends some 
of the best people of Bloomington. Our subject is 
Republican in politics, and while in Padua Town- 
ship served as School Trustee and was otherwise 
honored with positions of trust. He has in all 
respects fulfilled the obligations of a good citizen 
and a useful member of society. 



'jw) ACOB COOPER, one of the honored pioneers 
of McLean County, after a life of industry 
has now retired from active labor, and is 
(^// enjoying a competency at liis pleasant home 
in the village of Danvers. Mr. Cooper was born in 
Hardin County, Va., Jan. 12, 1828, and is the son 
of John and Eve (Sites) Cooper, both natives of 
Virginia. After tlieir marriage the}' removed to 
Greene Count}', Ohio, in 1838. where the}' spent 
the remainder of their lives upon a farm, the 
father dying in about 1846, and the mother in 
1853. Their family consisted of eight children, as 
follows: John married >Miss Rachel demons, and is 
now deceased; Susan, Mrs. Thomas, lives in Ohio; 
Elizabeth married Mathias Sparr, and they removed 
to Indiana; both are now deceased. Samuel married 
Miss Mary Fudge, and Kane married Miss G oris; 
Amos took to wife Miss Sar.ah A. Maxwell; Mar- 
garet E. is unmarried; one child died at the age of 
three years. 

The subject of ovir sketch was united in marriage 



with Miss Mary J. Pierce, Oct. 16, 1848. Mrs. 
Cooper was born Aug. 22, 1829, in Greene County, 
Ohio, and is the daughter of William and Margaret 
(Davids) Pierce, both natives of Ohio, whence her 
father removed to Indiana in 1832, and died thei'e 
in 1838. He was a blacksmith. His widow remained 
there one year after his death, and then returned to 
Ohio, where the wife of our subject was reared to 
womanhood, remaining with her mother until she 
was married. The following year Mr. and Mrs. 
Cooper came to this county, and our subject pur- 
chased forty acres of land in AUin and Danvers 
Townships. To this he subsequently added until 
he has now 270 acres about six miles southwest of 
Danvers, under a fine state of cultivation, with a 
handsome and substantial farm dwelling, two good 
barns and machine shed, and all other necessary 
out-buildings. Here he successfully carried on his 
agricultural operations until 1885, and then, selling 
off his cattle and other stock, purchased two lots 
and a house in the village and prepared to establish 
a permanent home. He improved and renovated 
the old house, and has now a fine two-story resi- 
dence which, with its surroundings, makes a com- 
fortable and attractive home. Mr. and Mrs. C. 
are members in good standing of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church, with which they have been 
connected since 1878. Mr. C. has been an Elder 
in his church for some years, and most of their 
children belong to the same. The parents of both 
Mr. and Mrs. C. were identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. In politics our subject is a 
stanch Republican, and in all respects a useful and 
valued member of society. 

The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper 
was completed by the birth of five children, the 
record of whom is as follows : Charles W. married 
Miss Martha Dehart, of Iowa; Margaret E. became 
the wife of Emmett Williams, who died on the 
17th of December, 1883; Louisa B. is single and 
at home; Parrazaid A. is also unmarried, and resid- 
ing at home ; Henry F. was married to Miss Jane 
M. Ilaynes on the 30th of December, 1885. These 
children were carefully trained and educated, and 
have become good citizens and valued members of 
the community. 

To the parents of Mrs. Cooper were born the 



*► I I ^> 



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490 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



rj- 



following- children : James C, who married Mrs. 
Parthena Mitchell; Elizabeth A., Mrs. William 
Mitchell; Parrazaid A., who married Michael 
>Cook; Joim A., who married Miss Nancy Mitchell, 
Mary J., wife of our subject, and Isabella A., a 
half-sister of the others, who married (ieorge 
Wane}', and died in IbSS. 



B. WHITE, a representative citizen of 
Bloomington, is successfully engaged as a 
contractor and builder, and has his of- 
V^J) fice at No. .'lOC East (iraham street. Mr. 
J. B. White is a native of the Prairie State, and 
was born at Smith Grove, this county, Sept. 
26, 1844. His parents were .lames and Lovina 
(Smith) White, his father a native of New York, 
and his mother of North Carolina. The former 
came to Illinois in 1 830, and settled in McLean 
County, where, after attaining to suitable .ige he 
engaged in contracting and building, which he fol- 
lowed for twenty years. He then purchased a farm 
of 280 acres, near Holder, this county, which he 
has since occupied and been industriously engaged 
in raising stock and grain. He was one of the pio- 
neer Abolitionists of the county, and since the war 
has been a strong Republican in politics. He has 
alwaj's taken an active part in educational and re- 
ligious matters, and been a Class-Leader and 
Trustee of the Methodist E[)iscopal Church for 
many years. His family included three children: 
Mary C, Mrs. Keeney, of Kansas; J. B., of our 
sketch, and Asa K., also of Bloomington. 

J. B. White rcm.ained with his parents until he 
was .seventeen years old, and upon the outbreak of 
the late war enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. K, 
both 111. Vol. Inf. With the exception of a few 
months, during which he remained at home on ac- 
count of a crippled knee, he served from Sept. I'J, 
18C1, to Dec. 1(), 1865. He participated in the 
battle of Winchester, and other engagements in the 
-Shenandoah Valley, and along the .lames River, 
and endured bravely and faithfully the privations 
and vici.ssitudes of war, receiving an honoral)le dis- 
charge at the close. After his return home he 



1 r 



worked at the carpenter's trade, and in 1869 en- 
gaged as a contractor and builder. In the fall of 
that year he was married to Miss Mary, the daugh- 
ter of Benjamin an<l Elizabeth II. (Edwards) 
Coale. of Holder, this county. Of this union there 
have been born five children — William Lloyd (de- 
ceased), Elizabeth II., .lames L., Laura A. and An- 
nie C. 

Mr. White Ijecame a resident of Bloomington in 
1870, and at once established his (jresent business, 
which has now grown to lai-ge proportions, and 
gives employment to thirty men. lie is thoroughly 
skilled as an artisan, and is his own architect, mak- 
ing his drawings, jjlans, etc. The family residence 
is a handsome structure, and was erected in 1886, 
at a cost of *4,000. 

Politically i\lr. White is a Republican, and 
greatlj' interested in the cause of temperance. He 
is prominently connected with the First Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and Mrs. W. belongs to the So- 
ciety of Friends at Benjaminville. Our subject is a 
member in good standing of the G. A. R., and both 
sociall}' and as a business man occupies an enviable 
position among the first citizens of Bloomington. 



r^OBERT SWAN, of White Oak Township, 
U*j^ has a good farm of 120 acres on section 28. 
iii \\\ He has been a resident of Illinois since the 
^©(spring of 18.54. He was born in Millfield. 
Northumberland Co., England, in 1823, being the 
son of Robert .and Elspeth (Mitchell) Swan. His 
father was born in 1790, and was married in his na- 
tive England, where he .spent his entire life, dying 
Aug. 22, 18r)9. Both parents were meml)ers of the 
Presbyterian Church. The mother of our subject 
died in about 1825, and Robert Swan, Sr., was the 
second time married, in 1833, to Mrs. Donaldson. 
Of the first marriage there were born three chil- 
dren — Elizabeth and Andrew, who died in infancy, 
and our subject, the only one living. Of the second 
marriage there were four children — James, Nicholas, 
Thomas and William. The second wife of Robert 
Swan, Sr., died April 26, 1 867, when sixty-two 
years old. 

Mr. Swan of inir sketch remained under the par- 



-^^ 



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i 



f 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



491 



ental roof until he attained his majority, receiving 
a common-school ediicatiun. After emigrating to 
this country he located first at Otsego County, N. 
Y., where he was employed as a farm laborer for 
two years. He then went into Harrison County, 
Ohio, and was there married, Jan. 25, 1855, to 
Miss Martha Hilton. They located upon rented 
land, which our subject cultivated for two years, 
and then came to Illinois, working again by the 
month in this county. This was one year prior to 
his marriage. He subsequently rented land for five 
or six years, then purchased forty acres in White Oali 
Township, which constitutes a part of his present 
homestead. To this he subsequently added eighty 
acres more, and now has it all under good cultiva- 
tion, with a fine residence, good barns and all neces- 
sary out-buildings. He has been industrious and 
economical, and richly deserves his present reward. 

Mrs. Swan is the daughter of Thomas and Agnes 
(Swan) Hilton, natives of England, the father born 
Jul3' 17. 1790, and the mother in Northumberland 
County, in 1791. After their marriage they came to 
America in about ISIS, settling in Wasiiington 
County, Pa., where they remained for six j'ears. 
They then removed to West Virginia, and in 1832 
to Harrison County, Ohio. The mother died there 
in 1864, and the father in the fall of 1806. They 
were most worthy and excellent people, and de- 
voted members of the United Presbyterian Church. 

Mr, Swan is engaged in general farming, in which 
he has been quite successful. He is greatly respected 
in the community, being the friend of law and 
order, and has contributed his full share towards its 
growth and prosperity. 

)j;ORGE F. LOAR, Postmaster cf Cropsey, 
and senior member of the firm of Loar & Hay- 
ward, druggists, is a native of Pennsylvania, 
and born in Greene County, Oct. 5, 1858. His par- 
ents, John and Maria (White) Loar, were natives 
of the same State, whence they removed, in 1867, 
to Illinois, and settled in Belle Prairie Township, 
Livingston County, where they engaged in farming 
pursuits. The homestead ui)on which the parents 
still reside contains 160 acres of land, which John 




Loar during his earlier and active years redeemed 
from an unimproved tract and converted into a flue 
and fertile farm. 

The parental family of our subject included nine 
children, of whom George was the fifth in order of 
birth. He was a lad of nine years when the family 
came to Illinois. He was reared to manhood in Liv- 
ingston County, pursued his studies in the common 
schools, and when nineteen years of age commenced 
teaching, a vocation which he followed for five 
years. In the meantime, in 1881, in partnership 
with his brother, David W., who is a druggist, he 
established a drug business at Cropsey, which was 
continued under the firm style of Loar Bros, until 
December, 1885, at which date Dr. C. E. Hay ward 
purchased the interest of David W. Loar, and the 
firm became Loar & Hayward. 

Mr. Loar is one of the active and enterprising- 
business men of this section and is reckoned among 
its substantial young citizens. He was married, 
Nov. 20, 1884, to Miss Clara M., daughter of A. G. 
and Jane (Moore) Green. Mrs. L. was born at 
Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1861, and thej' have one son, 
Lloyd Alaire. Mr. Loar was appointed Postmaster 
at Cropsey in December, 1885, vice David W. Loar 
resigned, and is fulfilling the duties of his position 
with credit to himself and satisfaction to all con- 
cerned. 



ILLEARY BALL. The subject of our sketch 
is widely and favoraV)ly known throughout 
McLean County as being a representative 
farmer and business man of more than 
ordinary ability. He occupies a fine homestead 
on section 21, Cheney's Grove Township, and since 
1831 has been identified with the agricultural in- 
terests of the Prairie State. He was born in Lewis 
County, Ky., March 8, 1817, and is the son of 
Richard C. and Katie (Clary) Ball, natives of Mary- 
laud. His father was killed by a fall from a tree on 
the 25th of September, 1817; the mother after- 
ward removed to Illinois, and died in this county, 
Jan. 25, 1849. They were not connected with any 
church Itut lived worthy and excellent lives, and 
were greatly respected by all who knew them. 
Their eleven children were as follows: William, 




i 



i 



492 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i' 



the eldest born, died in infancy; Mary is deceased, 
her death taking place at the home of our subject, 
aged nearly eight3'-six ; Hilleary, Kllizabeth, Annie, 
Eleanor, Harriett, Rhoda, Henry, David and Snow- 
den, all of whom are deceased except our subject. 

Hilleary Ball was only .about six months old when 
his father met his death. He, was reared by his 
mother and remained iu his native county until 
1S;U, then came with her to Illinois, and has been 
a I'esident of this county since th.at time. After 
arriving at years of manhood he wjis united in mar- 
riage with Miss Calista llildreth, Nov. 22, 1838, 
the ceremony being performed by Rev. .Tonathan 
Cheney. Mrs. 15all was born in Lewis County, N. 
Y., May 27, 1817, and was the daughter of Aaron 
and Betsey (M.acomber) llildreth, both natives of 
Massachusetts, bcjru near the city of Boston. Some 
years after their marriage they removed AVest to 
Illinois, and spent their last days in this county, the 
mother dying iu Feliruary, 18(j(), and the father in 
September, 1867. Mr. H. was Rei)ublican in poli- 
tics, and both were consistent members of the 
Methodist E|)iscopal Church. Their five ciiildren 
arc recorded as follows : Calista, Mrs. Ball, was the 
eldest; Julia married Aliijah Westover, now de- 
cea.'sed, and lives in this county; Amos married 
Miss Maria Hartcastle, and is a resident of Kansas; 
Charles married Miss Polly Owens, and is now de- 
ceased; Alfred married Miss Annie Render, and is 
living in Texas. The six children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hilleary Ball were as follows: William H., born 
Nov. 24, 1841; Elizabeth T., Feb. 27, 1844; Julia 
A., July 2, 1840; Amos, Feb. 12, 1849; Alfred, 
b(n-n March i), 18.51, died June 5, 18.52; Hattie 
was born Oct. 21,18.50. Most of these children 
are married, and settled in comfortable homes of 
their own, and Mr. Hall is ipiite proud of the fact 
that he has nineteen grandchildren. 

The farm estate of our subject comprises 150 
acres of land and besides this he has given his 
children each a fine setting out. lie has seen the 
time when his taxes were less than $1, and also when 
they were over $300. He has i)reserved his various 
land warrants, and with them the autographs of 
several Presidents of the United States, which he 
considers beyond any value in dollars and cents. 
In addition to general farming he has of late years 
4* 



given much of his attention to the breeding of 
Norman and Clydesdale horses, many of his animals 
having been sold at the high price of !l!l,30(). He 
has been uniformly prosperous in his agricultural 
and business operations, and besides his fine extent 
of valuable land has a handsome and substantial 
dwelling, good barns and other out-buildings, and 
all the accessories of a modern country gentleman, 
surrounded by all the comforts and many of the 
luxuries of life. He is Republican in politics, and 
takes a lively interest in everything pertaining to 
the welfare and progress of his county and com- 
munity. Mr. Ball has a remarkably intelligent face, 
is in stature five feet and eleven inches, and weighs 
140 pounds. 

"Tp^iOBERT MOORE, deceased, was formerly a 
IL^i^'' resident of Old Town Township, his home 
(^\\\ being located on section 12. He was a pros- 
w© perous farmer and respected as a citizen, 
and left no dark spot upf)n any page of the his- 
tory of his p.ast. His parents were John and Jane 
(Williamson) Moore, natives of Virginia, where 
they settled after their marriage, and where they 
continued to reside until their death. The [larental 
union was blest by the birth of ten children, our 
subject being the youngest. 

Robert Moore was born in West \'irgiuia, Sept. 
21, 1813, and spent upward of forty years of his 
life in that State, engaged the while iu .agricultural 
pursuits. In 1853, accomi)anied by his wife and 
four children, he came to McLean County, and tak- 
ing up his residence in Norm.al Township, made 
that his home for thirteen years. He then traded 
the farm which he owned in Normal Township 
for one located on section 12, Old Town Township, 
to which he removed in 1866, and where he lived 
and labored at his chosen calling until his death, 
which occurred Dec. 4, 1883. At the date of his 
demise he w.as the owner of 165 acres of good land, 
which he left to his family free of all incumbrances. 
Mr. Moore was married in what is now West 
Virginia, May (!, 1840, to Miss Eliza J. Wells. She 
was the daughter of Charles and Margaret (Mun- 
sey) Wells, likewise natives of West Virginia. Her 
father was a farmer, and followed his calling iu the 



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i 







Shop fe Res. of W-.H. Loper, Hazel St.,Wcston. 




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Res.ofThomas Hatfi eld ,Sec.7.,Towanda Township. 



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Residence of S. F.Barnard, 5ec. 21. .Money Creek Township. 







McLEAN COUNTY. 



495 



' ' 

I 



State of his nativity until iiis death; hisgoofl wife 
also died there. Of the three children born to 
them Mrs. Moore was the youngest, the date of 
her liirth being Jan. 30, 1S22. By her marriage 
with our subject eight children were born, the rec- 
ord of whom is as follows : Charles W. married 
Miss Emma Deau, and they are living at Storm 
Lake, Iowa; .lane is living at home with her 
mother; Martha is the wife of A. R. Arbuckle, and 
tliej' reside in Nebraska; John died while in his 
eleventh year; George lives at home; Taylor de- 
parted this life when thirteen years old; Arthur 
married Miss Alice Craig, and resides in Nebraska, 
and Edwin L. died when seven years of age. 

Mr. Moore was a prominent member of the 
Christian Church, and a worthy laborer in the 
cause of the Master, lie also held several of the 
minor offices of his township, and was respected and 
loved for his straightforward and manly dealings 
with his fellowmen, as well as for his sterling worth 
and integrity. Mrs. Moore is also a member of the 
Christian Church, and has belonged to that denom- 
ination for upward of forty years. Her husband 
was immersed by Alexander Campbell, and during 
his lifetime was an Elder in a congregation in this 
county; all of the children now living are members 
of the same church. 

JOHN D. DOWNS is one of a family of six 
brothers, who were the sons of Larson and 
Sarah Downs, the family record being as 
follows: William, the eldest, is married and 
living at Hey worth; he was born Oct. 18, 1837, 
reared and educated in Randolph Township, and 
followed agricultural pursuits. His wife, formerly 
Miss Matilda Scott, a native of Ohio, was born 
May 8, 1 839, and came to Illinois with her parents 
in her girlhood. This brother served as a soldier 
of the Union, being a member of Co. H, 39th 111. 
Vol. Inf., which was known as the Yates Phalanx, 
and was commanded by Col. Thomas Osborne, now 
of Chicago. This gentleman was formerly Minis- 
ter to the Argentine Republic, South America. 
After enlistment this brother went with his regi- 
ment to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., whence he pro- 

4* 



ceeded with his regiment to Williamsport, Md., and 
thereafter particii)ated in about seventeen engage- 
ments, including the siege of Charleston. He 
served out his term of enlistment, then veteranized, 
and endured with liis comrades, bravely and faith- 
fully, their later hardships and privations. He was 
also eng.'iged in the battle of Drnry's Bluff, and fol- 
lowed (irant into Richmond at the final surrender 
of Lee. After his discharge he returned home, and 
for five years was a resident of Miami County, 
Kan. He then returned to this State, and siwo 
1873 has made his home in this county, (jeorge 
W. Downs, the second son of the family, owns 180 
acres of valual)le land in Rand and Downs Town- 
ships, upon which he is farming successfully. He 
also was in the army three years. 

John D. of our sketch was born in Downs Town- 
ship, Nov. 11, 184.5. He received a fair education 
in the common schools, and lived with his parents 
until his marriage with Miss Eliza Cowden, which 
took place in Old Town Township, Feb. 20, 18(j8. 
]\Irs. Downs was born in the latter-named town- 
ship, March 10, ISoO, and remained under the 
home roof until her marriage. Her father is now 
deceased ; the motiier is still a resident of Old 
Town Township. Our subject and his wife are the 
parents of seven children, all living at home, 
namely: Frank E., Mary M., Albert R., Frederick 
L., .John C, Fannie (J. and Blanche. 

Mr. and Mrs. Downs after their marriage loctited 
in Downs Township, where they remained until 
1878, in which year they removed to their present 
home in Randolph Township, which is located on 
section 12. The estate includes 337 .icres of finely 
cultivated land, and in all its appointments indi- 
cates the best of management. 

Solomon F. Downs, a younger brother of our 
subject, is a resident of Saybrook, this county, and 
the owner of 1 90 acres of good land : he was mar- 
ried in early manhood to Miss Anna E. Reid. An- 
other brother, Albert P., owns 160 acres of land in 
Downs Township; he married Miss R. Lemon. Al- 
fred E., who also owns a quarter section of land 
in Downs Township, married Miss Ellen A. Miller. 

Larson Downs, the father of our subject, was born 

in Tennessee, April 30, 1808, and remained in his 

native State until thirteen years of age. His father 

^ 



t 



f 



196 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



(lied while lie was still in his childhood, and his 
mother was married the second time, t)eoomin<i' the 
wife of William McGee. Afterward the fnmily all 
came to Illinois, Larson Downs locating in what is 
now Downs Townsiiip, in 1 .S2'.). He was the first 
permanent settler of that section, the t(jwnship be- 
ing named after him. lie died here Sept. 7, 1800, 
in the fifty-second year of his age. Politicallj' he 
was a Wiiig, and with Ids wife, a worthy member 
of the United Brethren C'luirch. The mother of 
our subject, who was forinerl3' Miss Sarah Welch, 
died at the old homestead in Downs Township, in 
186(5, aged forty-eight years. Kite sons of the 
parental family are solid Kcpublicans, and with the 
exception of Solomon F., are connected with the 
United ISrethren Church. 









~ KONARD CHASE, a wealthy farmer and 

k stock-raiser of Belleflower Township, is also 
one of its most relialilcand substantial citi- 
zens. He owns a beautiful homestead on section 
!), which is finely im|)roved, under a go(jd state of 
cultivation, and well stocked with chtiice grades of 
cattle and other farm animals. Onr suliject is a 
native of Dearborn County, Ind., the date of his 
birth being Aug. 26, 18;il. His father, Leonard 
Chase, Sr., and his grandfather, Anthony Chase, 
were natives of Massachusetts, the latter of En- 
glish ancestry, and a descendant of one of three 
l)rothers, Thomas, M'illiam and Acipiilla, who emi- 
grated from England. The grandfather of our 
subject was a seafaring man and died in Yarmouth, 
Mass. His son, Leonard, the father of onr subject, 
commenced life as a sailor with his ftither, who was 
commander of the vessel, and followed the sea un- 
til twenty-one years of age. At this time, during 
the War of 1S12, he was taken prisoner by the 
British and released after six weeks. He then 
st,Mrtcd West, stopping first at Cinciiuiati, which 
was then a small place, and engaged with a farmer 
by the name of .John Ferris. While there he made 
the acciuaintanee of Miss Mary Lee, and they were 
married. He then went into Dearbt)rn County, 
Ind., and entered Government laud in what is now 
-^^ 



Lawrencebnrg Township, five miles from the pres- 
ent town of that name. Here he built a log caliin, 
and commenced housekeeping, .\fter a few years 
this w,as replaced b}' a larger dwelling, but built of 
logs and covered with clapboards rived by hand. 
In that house the subject of this sketch was born. . 

Leonard Chase, Sr., cleared a good farm, upon 
which he remained until his death, which occurred 
in October, 1841. His first wife, mother of our 
subject, was formerly Miss Mary Lee, and of this 
union there were born seven children: Reliance 
became the wife of Sherwood Blasdel, and died in 
Dearborn County, Ind.; Louisa liecame the second 
wife of Mr. Blasdel, and died in Champaign, 111.; 
Catharine married Henry Blasdel, and lives in 
Dearborn Count}'; Mary became the wife of Jede- 
diah Scogin, and lives in Champaign Count}^ 111., 
which is also the residence of Maria, Mrs. William 
P. Sweet; Anthony died in Dearborn County, Ind., 
while on a visit from Champaign, 111.; Leonard, 
our subject, was the youngest child. The second 
marriage of Leonard Chase, Sr., was Miss Sallie 
Blasdel, who died in 1878. Of this marriage there 
were born two children — Jacob B., a resident of 
Bellertower Township, and Sallie, who married 
William Curtis, and lives in Dearborn Count}', Ind. 

The subject of this history was a child of two 
years when his mother died and ten 3'ears old when 
his father died. He lived with his step-mother for 
a short time, and then became an inmate of the 
home of his sister Mar}', for the following two 
years, when he started out for himself. He was 
employed at farm pursuits until twenty years of 
age, and then engaged on a fiatboat and made two 
trips down tiic river as far as New Orleans. One 
of these was made on a coaster, which traded at 
different points along the Mississippi. He made 
his home in Dearborn County until .Tanuary, 18,'),'), 
and then started on horseback for Illinois, \\'hcn 
near Indianapolis, the ground being covered with 
snow, he stopped and built a cutter, which he used 
in convoying him to Piatt County, this State. 
After two weeks spent there he vvent into L;i Salle 
Count}', and purchased a quarter section of land 
four miles north of Utica. He broke a few acres 
of the land, but in the fall sold out and returned 
to Dearborn Ct)uuty. In the spring of 1856 he 



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f 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



497 






purchased a lot of horses, which he drove to La 
Salle, and remained in that pLace until the follow- 
ing fall, thence returning to Dearborn Count}'. 

In the spring of 1857, accompanied by Enoch 
Nowlin, Mr. Chase went to Kansas, and they en- 
tered claims in Calhoun, which is now Jackson 
County. Our subject built a log house, and broke 
sixty acres and fenced the entire (juarter section. 
In 1860 he went to Colorado with six pairs of oxen, 
and with goods for Central City 700 miles distant, 
the trip oecup3'ing fortj'-flve days. He remained 
until the 10th of January following, then started 
back to Kansas, arriving in Omaha eighty days 
later. Soon afterward he fitted up another team, 
made a return trip to Colorado, and engaged in 
mining. He remained there until the fall of 1863, 
then started for Montana, where he engaged in 
mining until 1866, when he started eastward. The 
first 1,000 miles over the mountains and plains was 
made on horseback, 200 miles alone. He arrived 
in Dearborn County, Ind., in February, and en- 
gaged in farming with his brother on the old home- 
stead. He then came to Illinois and traded his 
Kansas land for personal property. In the spring 
of 1868 he located on the farm of his brother-in- 
law in Champaign County, whence, after two years 
he came to Belleflower Township, in McLean 
County, where he farmed on rented land for two 
years and then purchased the farm which he now 
owns and occupies. This was wild prairie when it 
came into his possession, but he now has it all im- 
proved and enclosed, has planted fruit and .shade 
trees, and erected a good set of frame buildings. 

The marriage of Leonard Chase and Miss Jane 
E. Smith took place on the 25th of March, 1868. 
Mrs. C. was born in Dearborn County, Ind., and is 
the daughter of John and Catherine (Tucker) 
Smith, being one of eleven daughters and four sons 
born to her parents. The daughters are all living 
and with one exception married : Sarah, Mrs. Wil- 
liam Shaw, lives at Moore's Hill, Ind. ; Eliza, Mrs. 
Robert Haddock, lives in Harrison, Ohio; Jane E. 
is the wife of our subject; M.atilda is unmarried 
.and lives with her father; Mary, Mrs. Amos Lid- 
die, lives in Dearborn County, Ind. ; Adeline H. 
married Alonzo .Tackscin, and lives in Champaign 
County, this State ; Albina E., the wife of Dr. John 




Spencer, lives at Moore's Hill, Ind., also Maria, the 
wife of Thomas Jennings; Ellen F., ISIrs. Martin Ew- 
bank, is a resident of De AV^itt Coiuity, 111.; Flora 
B., Mrs. Ezra (iuard, lives in Hamilton C<junty, 
Ohio; Eva B. married Charles Ward and lives in 
Dearborn County, Ind.; M;irk, the only son now 
living, married Miss Anna Sutton, and resides <u) 
the old homestead in Indiana. Mrs. C, her parents 
and all her brothers and sisters, are members of the 
Jlethodist Episcopal Church. The male members 
of the family are Republican in politics, as is also 
our subject. 



•jURR P. HEREFORD. The subject of the 
folkiwing history, who was born in Culpeper, 
li^jjlfl Va., March 22, 1826, came to Illinois with 
his parents when a boj' ten years of age. 
They first located in Tazewell County in 1836, and 
in 1837 moved to Clarke County, where he re- 
mained until reaching his majority, in the mean- 
time attending the subscription school in winter 
and working on his brother's farm in summer. 
He was the youngest child of his parents, and in 
the twenty-second year of his age was united in 
marriage with Mi.ss Aseneth Campbell, Oct. 22, 
1848. His first purchase of land consisted of 107 
acres of timber in Clarke Count}', upon wliich he 
labored for a short time, and then lived in Wood- 
ford County for twenty-four years following.- He 
became a resident of this county in 1875, and is 
now pleasantly located in Cheney's Grove Town- 
ship, on section 30. He h;is brought his land to a 
good state of cultivation, and has provided himself 
with suitable and convenient farm buildings. He 
has in all resiiects performed the part of a good 
citizen, and is held in high esteem l)y his neighbors 
an<l acquaintances. 

Our subject is the son of Aminon and Amelia N. 
(Powell) Hereford, who were both natives of Lou- 
doun County, Ya. Ammon Hereford, born in 
171)1, followed farming as an occupation all his 
life, and died near Flint Hill, Va., Nov. 2, 1825. 
He was a man of strong character and excellent 
principles, and endeavored to follow out the pre- 
ce|)ts of the (iolden Rule in his dealings with his 
fellowman. He never belonged to any religious 



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498 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






\ 



organization. He became connected with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity at Leesburg, \'a., of whose doctrines 
lie was a great admirer. His wife Amelia was born 
in 1790, and by natural disposition and edncation 
was well littcd to become the companion of such a 
man as lier hiisliand. Siic possessed a more than 
ordinaril}' g<.iud education, find was a lady of rare 
intelligence and kindness of heart. Like her hus- 
band, she (U'scendcd from the F. F. ^'"s. Their 
five children included four sons and t)ne (hiughter, 
the record of whose births is as follows: William 
T. was born Aug. l(j, 1814; Levcn P., Feb. .'i, 
181G; Thomas A., Feb. 13, 1818; Sidney A., the 
daughter, Feb. 2.'i, 1821; the birth of our subject 
has already been given. 

Mrs. Aseneth C. Hereford was born Sept. 2i, 
1827, in Cabell County, W. A'a.,and is the daughter 
of Thomas and Susan (Bradshaw) Campbell, natives 
of Virginia. Her father was born Aug. 25, 1805, 
and the mother in 181.'). Roth jjarents are still liv- 
ing, and are members of the Christian Church. Mr. 
C. has followed farming all his life, and fulfilled in 
all res|)ects the duties of an honest man and a good 
citizen. He is Republican in politics. Their chil- 
dren were, Aseneth, James O., Nancy F., Mary, 
Hannah, John F., William E., Zachariah T., Oliver 
P., and Elnora (deceased). James (). Campbell 
served in the Union army three years, being a 
member of Co. K, 29th 111. Vol. Inf. He escaped 
unharmed until upon his journey homeward, when 
he became engaged in a skirmish and was instantly 
killed. 

The twelve children of Mr. and Mrs. Hereford 
are as follows: William T., who was born May 2G, 
1850, married Miss Helen V. Camp, a ladj' of Ger- 
man extracti(jn, July 25, 1872; Daniel B., born 
Sept. 15, 1851, married Miss Maggie L. Powell, 
Dec. 21, 1873; Albert, born Dee. 14, 1852, married 
Miss Mary J. Mohr, Dec. 21, 1873; F^ngene W., 
born March 2, 1855, married Miss Sarah Emmett, 
Aug. 1, 187G; Cuthbert P., born May 7, 1858, mar- 
ried Miss I'^lizabeth Prather, Sept. 4, 1879, and 
died March 18, 1881; Abraham L., born April 29, 
18(50, died December 21, of the same year; Susan 
A., born Oct. 4, 18(52, married John M. Power, 
.Sept. 2, 1885; Aseneth M. was born April 10, 
18(55; Clara E., born Sept. 17, 1 807, became the 
4* 



wife of Frank J 1. Bradshaw; George H. was born 
Oct. 4, 18(J9; Edgar L., April 4. 1872; Maggie, 
born May 3, 1874, died May 10 of the same year. 
The earl}' life of Mr. Hereford was spent in hard 
labor and [)Oor fare. lie started out for himself 
early in life, his father having died before our sub- 
ject was born. He often worked for thirty-seven 
and one-half cents per day, and when grown to 
manhood received $9 per mouth. He knows how 
every dollar of his present possessions was obtained, 
and has learned the secret of contentment with his 
lot, which is the surest guarantee of happiness. 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. H. were reared in 
Woodford County and with their parents are con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which our subject has been Class-Leader for several 
years, besides Sunday-school Superintendent and 
Steward. He has been a stanch adherent of the 
Uepulilican party since its organization, and has 
held the minor offices of his township. 



<lf^()HN KUNE, one of the intelligent citizens 
of Le Roy, a self-made man in every re- 
s|ieet the word implies, and a gentleman who 
has added to his fund of knowledge obtained 
in early years in the public schools, by continual 
reading, was born in Greene Village, F^ranklin Co., 
Pa., F'eb. 27, 1827. Flis father, Nicholas Kline, 
was als(j born in that State and of German ances- 
try. The paternal grandfather of our subject emi- 
grated from Lancaster County, Pa., to Franklin 
County, the same State, in an early day, and it was 
in the latter county that tlie father of our subject 
was reared to manhood. When a young man he 
learned the trade of a blacksmith and carried on 
that business at Greene Village. He owned a small 
tract of land adjoining the village, and during the 
last two years of his life did nothing except a little 
gardening on this place. He died there in October, 
1849. The mother of our subject, F^lizabeth Nafs- 
ger, was born in Lancaster County, Pa. She was 
of German ancestry, and departed this life at 
(Jreene \'illage, Fr.anklin County, that State, in 1857. 
There were eight children born to the parents; 



•#^fU 



■^^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



499 



Jeremiah died in Livingston County, 111., in 1S83; 
Rebecca married Peter Kreighbaiim, and as his 
widow, is living at Chambersbiirg, Pa.; Eliza died 
in j'outh; Samuel was a pioneer, settled in Illinois, 
and was drowned in Spoon River about 1843; our 
subject was next in order of birth; Nicholas is a 
resident of Kansas; Catherine and Sarah were twins; 
the former became the wife of Norval Dixon, and 
they are living in Padua Township, this county, 
and Sarah died when quite young. 

The subject of this notice was the liflh in order 
of birth of his jjarents' children. He attended the 
common schools during the winter season, and 
worked on a farm through the summer. When 
twelve ye.ars old he engaged in working on a farm 
for a neighboi' at |o per month, and was tlius oc- 
cupied for nine months. The two following sea- 
sons he received for his services $4.50 per month. 
This was only during the summer season, and in 
the winters he went home and attended school. 
In the spring of 1842 our subject commenced work 
in the shop with his father, and continued to work 
with him until he was twenty-one years old. Then, 
iii company with another gentleman, he bought the 
shop and thej' carried on the business for two years, 
when Mr. Kline disposed of liis interest by sale, to 
his partner. 

In 1850 our subject made a visit to California, 
and set sail from New York City April 25 of that 
year. While on the way the vessel ran on a reef, 
and they were compelled to abandon it. All the 
passengers escajied and reached the island of An- 
cachs, where tiiey hired schooners to take them to 
Turk's Island, and there chartered a brig to take 
them to the Isthmus. They reached California 
without any further accident, on the 1 3th of Au- 
gust, and our subject found employment in a lum- 
ber-yard at San Francisco. He was almost out of 
means, and worked thereat long enough to replen- 
ish his exchequer, when he went to the mines 
in Calaveras County, where he was engaged for 
nearly a year and a half. After this he engaged in 
the provision business, procuring his supplies from 
Stockton, about forty-five miles distant, and was 
thus occupied until 1853. He then started <in Ins 
way home, via the Isthmus, and after his arrival 
came to this county, and purchased land in Downs 



*► f-/ ^ 



Township. lie only remained a short time when 
he went to Casey ville, St. Clair Co., 111., and worked 
at blacksmithing until the following spring. Then, 
retLirning to Pennsylvania he remained there until 
the following fall, when he came to this county and 
located at Le Roj', and became an employe of Gil- 
mer & Wright, blacksmiths. He worked for them 
a few months, and then bought Mi'. Gilmer's inter- 
est, and a year later sold out and bought a farm 
adjoining the village. For two years he was en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits, and then bought a 
half interest in the shop of a Mr. Wright, and they 
continued in the business together until the break- 
ing out of the late Civil War. They tlien sold 
out, and our subject resumed farming, which voca- 
tion he has continued to follow until the present 
time. His residence and part of his farm is inside 
the village corporation, and he is meeting with sig- 
nal success in the prosecution of his vocation. 

Mr. Kline was married to Miss Ellen Buck, .Ian. 
15, 185G. She was born in Fayette County, lud., 
Dec. 1, 1830. Mrs. Kline is the daughter of Har- 
mon C. and Lusena (King) Buck, natives of New 
York. Her father was born March 1, 1795, and 
died in Le Roy, 111., Feb. 8, 185s. The motiier 
was born Jan. 1, 1810, and departed this life Nov. 
17, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Buck were the parents of 
eight children: Ellen, wife of our subject, is tiie 
eldest; Ann, born March 31, 1832; Benson, Oct. 
12, 1833; Eliza Emily, May 10, 1 S35 ; Napoleon 
B., Feb. 19, 1837; Dudley, Sept. 17, 1,S3.S; Mer- 
rick York, July 12, 1840; Martha, Nov. 17, 1841. 
Harmon C. Buck and Lusena King were united in 
marri.age, Jan. 21, 1830, in the city <if Conners- 
ville, Fayette Co., Ind. 

The union of IMr. and Mrs. Kline was blest by 
the birth of eight children : Lydia E. married Dr. 
J. A. Tuthill, and they are living at Le Roy; Le- 
onora is the wife of George W. Simpson, also a 
resident of Le Roy; Clara was next in order of 
birth; Charles and Grace are twins, and Harry B. 
The latter four are living at home. Clara is a 
teacher in the public schools at Urbana; Charles 
has a ranch in Norton County, Kan., and Grace is 
teaching in the schools of Mansfield, Piatt Co., 111.; 
Irvin, the second child born to our subject and 
wife, first saw light Jan. 1, 1858, and departed this 

•►- 



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t 



500 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



-! 



life Apiil 4, l,s70; Irene, born Aug. 4, 1869, died 
Aug. .'51, 1869; slie was a twin of H.nrry B. 

Mr. Kline cast his first presidential vote for Zach- 
ary Taylor, and on the formation of the Repub- 
lican party joined it and voted for its success until 
1872, since which time he h.as voted with tlie Dem- 
ocratic party. 



■"lum/fS^-''^—^^ 



J-?^>^^^i/Z'?7a>'- 



m 



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EROMK B. HP:NDERSON,a minister of the 
Baptist^Church in Arrowsmith Township, 
but who lives in Cheney's Grove Town- 
ship, where he also owns and cultivates a val- 
nable farm, is a native of Lewis County, Ky., .and 
w.as burn Oct. 30, 18-21. He is the son of William 
P. and lOlizabeth (Ilendrickson) Henderson, the 
former a native of W.ashingtonX'ounty, Pa., .and 
the latter of New .lersey. William P. Henderson was 
born Jan. 1, 1792, and in early life removed from 
his native State to Kentucky, where he followed 
the trade of gunsmith, and died Sept. 1;"), 1841. 
His wife, Elizabeth, w.as born Aug. o, 17m4, and 
died in this State Oct. 11, 1.S58. Both p.arents 
were members of the Baptist Church. The little 
household included five children — Thomas O. (now 
deceased), Richard S., Eveline B., Rebecca .1. and 
Jerome B. 

Mr. Hendersdu uf our sketch came to this county 
in November, 1852, and located on a cpiarter sec- 
tion of land wiiich he now occupies. Ten years 
later he commenced his ministerial la})ors, having 
received a good education in the ctimmon schools 
and academies of Kentucky. He was also or- 
dained in the year last named, and has occupied 
the pulpit since that time, giving his leisure hours 
to the occupation of farming, of which he has al- 
ways been very fond. For his Christian labors he 
has never accepted ,iny salary, and has probably 
ofllcialed at more funerals and m.arriages than any 
other minister in McLean County. He was the 
first Supervisor of Chenej''s Grove Township, and 
served in this capacity for a number of years, with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. 
He has also been Justice of the Peace fur a num- 
ber of years. He lias organized several church .so- 



cieties, and been the means of gi-eat encouragement 
to the support of the (xospel in this locality. He 
is Republican in politics, and .i valued citizen, 
whose influence has always been cast on the side of 
truth and justice. 

The marriage of Jerome B. Henderson and Miss 
Mary Means was celebrated in Lewis County, Ky., 
on the 24th of July, 184.5. This lady was a native 
of Kentucky, born Feb. 6, 1824, and died .at the 
home of her husband April 27, 1881. She was 
prominently connected with the Baptist Church, a 
lady greatly respected for her noble qualities of 
character, and became the mother of seven children, 
as follows: Mary J., born M.ay 2, 1846, became the 
wife of I. T. Miller; Willi.am E., also a minister, 
was Chaplain of the 94th Illinois Infantry during 
the Late war; Katie 0., born Dec. 11, 1847, mai-- 
ried J. L. Arbogast; Cora B., born June 17, 1849, 
became the wife of William H. Harris, also a minis- 
ter; Willie M., born April 3, 18.01, married Miss Sa- 
rah Hall; Emma T., born Nov. 29, 18.53, married 
Stephen C. Murphy; Sar.ah M., born Nov. 11, 1855, 
died when seven years of age; Rich.ard P., born 
Aug. 9, ISGI, married Miss Jennie (iillis. The sec- 
ond wife of our subject, to whom he was married 
Nov. 29, 1883, was Miss Alice M. Murphy, who 
was born June 11, 1852, and is the daughter of , 
Joseph and Annie (Smith) Murphy, natives re- 
spectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Of this 
latter union there have been born two children — 
Thom.as ()., Nov. 4, 18S4, and Blanche ()., June 
16, iHsf;. 



RS. ELIZABETH STEPHENS, who is the 
widow of Wesley Stephens, owns and 
occupies a comfortable homestead of 
160 acres in White Oak Township, on sec- 
tion 4. Mrs. S. has been a resident of the I'rairie 
State since 1856. She was born in Brown County, 
Ohio, in lS22,boing the daughter of John and Jane 
Baird. Her father was born at Columbus, Ohio, 
and died in White Oak Township in about 1870. 
The mother was a native of ^'irginia, and died at 
the home of her husband in Twin Grove, this 
count}', in 1«66. They were members of the 
United Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Baird in 




i 



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t 



-<^ 



MuLEAN COUNTY. 



501 ' 






polities was strongly Republican. Their thirteen 
children were Jeremiah, John, Margaret, Elizabeth, 
Sophia, Mary J., James, Joseph, Maria, Martha, 
Robert, William and Lucinda. 

The subject of our sketch was reared under the 
home roof, and became the wife of Wesley .Ste- 
phens in March, 1853. They came to Blooming- 
ton, 111., in 1856, when there was only one black- 
smith-shop, one grocery-store and a few little 
houses scattered around. Mr. Stephens was a 
painter by trade, which he followed for a time 
after coming to Bloomington, and then purchased 
160 acres of good land, which is still tlie home of 
Mrs. S. and one of her sons. Mr. Stei)hens was 
born in Ohio, Aug. 3, 18-20, being the son of John 
and Martha Stephens. He was in all respects a 
good husband and father, and a worthy citizen. He 
departed this life in White Oak Township, iu 1863, 
and his remains were laid to rest in Oak Grove 
Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. S. became the paients of 
six children: Martha J. departed this life in 1872; 
Alice C. became the wife of Wilson Selders;. John 
married Miss Savilla Webster, and resides with his 
mother on the old homestead^ America died Aug. 
19, 1860. Mrs. Stephens is a member <if the 
United Presbyterian Church, to the support of 
which she li.as contributed cheerfully and liberally 
for many j'ears. The church edifice stands just 
across the road from her home. She is a lady of 
excellent character, and greatly esteemed among 
her neighbors and associates. 



i^ ENRY W. ELLINGTON. In a country 
which was originally inclined to swamp land 
the ra.anufacture of tile has been one of its 
most important industries, and among the 
firms which have made this a specialty, is that of 
Stoops & Ellington, of Colfax, in Martin Township, 
this county, of whom the junior member is the 
gentleman whose name stands at the head of this 
sketch. The works were established in 1880, and 
have been carried on iu an eminently successful and 
praiseworthy manner. It is probable that millions of 
rods of the products of this manufactory now under- 
lie the soil of McLean County, and pi-obably as 




many more will be laid in a corresponding number 
of years. 

Mr. Ellington of this sketch is a native of the 
State of North Carolina, and was born in Randolph 
County on the 2d of July, 1848. He is a son of 
Henry and Elizabeth (Eubanks) Elllington, who 
emigrated from North Carolina to Indiana when 
their son Henry was five years of age. They settled 
in Shelby County, where the subject of our sketch 
grew to manhood, receiving the advantages of a 
common-school education. In 1872 Henry Elling- 
ton started out in life for himself, and desiring to 
see something of the Prairie .State, came into this 
county, and locating in Blue Mound Township, 
turning his attention to farming. He pursued this 
for six years following and then became interested 
in a tile manufactory, after perceiving that this in- 
dustry would probably be of great benefit both to 
the farmers around and to himself. 

Mr. Ellington first located his factory in Padua 
but was afterward persuaded that Chenoa would be 
the better point for operations. He remained in 
Padua until 1879. then formed a partnership with 
Justus Clastic, and with him established the Ciienoa 
Tile Works, which they operated together for two 
years. Mr. Ellington then disposed of his interest 
in tiie business and established a livery stable in 
Chenoa, which he carried on in connection with 
farming until the fall of 1884. He then came to 
Colfax, and purchased a half interest in the tile 
works with which he is at present connected. These 
now have a capacity of half a million tile annually 
Their machinery is of the most approved pattern, and 
6,000 feet of steam pipe assists in facilitating the 
business. The boiler and engine are of fifty-five 
horse power, and in short everything about the 
factory is calculated for doing the best work in the 
most expeditious m.anner. They have a good home 
market for all they can produce. The works are 
conveniently located on the Kankakee branch of 
the Illinois Central Railroad, which affords excellent 
shipping facilities. 

The marriage of Henry W. Ellington and Miss 
Alice Stoops, of McLean County, was celebrated at 
the home of the bride's parents in Blue Mound 
Townshij), in 1>^74. Mrs. E. was born in Fulton 
County, III., June 22, 18')6, and of her marriage 



4«- 



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I 



oO'i 



a 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



with our subject there is one child, Kinma EUeanor, 
born Dec. 4, 1.S75. The pleasant residence of the 
little family is located on Grove street, and they en- 
joy tlie society of a large circle of friends and 
actiunintanees. 




,ELTBEN L. PORTER is favor.ibly known 
in Arrowsmith Township as an intelligent 
and industrious farmer, and occupies a snug 
1 homestead on section 21. He comes of 
substantial ancestry, and, like his parents, was born 
in Eayette County, Pa., the date thereof being July 
4, 1S2.'). He istlieson of .John and Eliza (Lowrey) 
Porter. The iirst representatives of the family in 
this country emigrated from England and Scotland 
respectively, and i)ossessed in a marked degree the 
reliable characteristics of those races. John Porter 
was born Aug. 10, l.SOO, and became a resident of 
Iowa while in the prime of life. He followed farm- 
ing, slujeniaking and tanning, aiid die<l in Appa- 
noose County, Iowa, in 1855. His wife, Eliza L.. 
w!is born in 1803, and died in the latter-named 
county the same year .<is lier husband. The chil- 
dren <if John and Eliza Porter, the i)arents of 
our subject, were, Erancis M., Reuben L., (Sarah; 
Mary, now Mrs. Payne; Moses; Kliza, Mrs. (ially; 
Susan, Mrs. Dr. Hunker; Catherine, now Mrs. Mon- 
roe, and all live in Appanoose County, Iowa, ex- 
cept Mrs. Bunker, who lives in Missouri. 

Our subject rema.ned with his parents until their 
i-emoval to the West, and became a resident of this 
cuuiity in 1852. He cultivated rented land for a 
number of years, and in 1853 purchased eighty 
acres in Arrowsmith Township which constitutes 
his present homestead. This he has brought to a 
gooil state of cultivation and upon it has a sub- 
stantial and convenient .set of buildings. He was 
married. Sept. 2. 1851, to Miss Susan Young, a na- 
tive of Butler County, Ohio, who was I)orn April 
15, 1.S33. Her parents were John and Rebecca 
(Britton) Young, both now deceased. Their family 
of five children is recorded as follows: Maria, Mrs. 
Erancis, is a resident of Ohio ; Hannah, Mrs. Arma- 
cost lives in Ohio; Rebecca, Mrs. Hollinger, lives 
in Ohio; and Benjamin lives in Nebraska. Jlr. 



and Mrs. Porter became the parents often children, 
of whom the record is as follows : Eliza died when 
one year old ; Virtue, Mrs. Scott, is a resident of 
Nebraska; Temperance, who married William John- 
son, is deceased; Patrick II. married Miss Esther 
Welch ; the remainder are William O., Mary E., John 
E., a teacher, Almeda, Susie and Eunice. Mr. Por- 
ter is Democratic in politics, and for many years has 
been a consistent member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, in which he has served as Class-Leader 
for twenty years, has been teacher in the Sunday- 
school and is Trustee of the church and parsonage 
property. With his son, John P^., he is at present 
Superintendent of the Sunday-school. 

/^) AKf>J-lNE M. BRININC, widow of Hamil- 
((( r- ''"" 15i''"i"&' '* the possessor of a fine property 
^^^' consisting of three farms, the main one be- 
ing located in Mt. lIoi>e Township, anil which con- 
stitutes the present homestead of the subject of our 
sket(^li. The other two lie in Downs Township and 
consist of 1 GO acres each. They are all finely im- 
proved and cultivated, and bear evidence of hav- 
ing been su|)erintended 1)3' an intelligent mind. 

Mrs. Brining was born in Orange County, Ind., 
Dec. 25, 1833. Her father, Eli .lones, was a native 
of North Carolina, and her grandfather, Allen 
Jones, a native of the same State, was a descendant 
of English and Welsh ancestry, and emigrated from 
North Can^lina to Indiana at an early period in 
the history of that section. He made the journey 
overland, and after locating in Orange County, 
followed his trade of cari)enter and cabinet-maker 
for many 3'cars, and spent the latter part of his life 
there. His son Eli, the father of our subject, was 
quite 3'oung when his parents removed from his na- 
tive State. He grew to manhood in Indiana, and 
was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Snyder, 
the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Hawse) Snyder. 

Mr. Jones learned the trade of his father, and in 
addition to the work of a carpenter and joiner also 
became an experienced millwright. In 1853 he 
purchased a tract of land in (ireene County, Ind., 
upon which he lived until li^(i2, and from there re- 
moved to Owen County, whence after three years 



.^1- 



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M. 



I 



McLean county. 



oOo 



i- 



he proceeded to Illinois and located in Logan 
County. From there he moved into McLean Connty, 
of which he is now a resident, liaving his liome in 
Allin Township. lie is now in liis seventy-ninth 
year. 

Mrs. Brining remained witli her parents during 
her childhood and youth, receiving careful home 
training and a fair education in the common 
schools. On the (Jth of Februar}', I SGI, she was 
united in marriage with Hamilton IJrining. He 
was a native of Spencer County, Ky.; and the son 
of Jacob F. and Barbara (Hawse) Brining. He 
was born on the 1.3th of .Tune, 1830, and was but 
six j'ears old when his parents removed from Ken- 
tucky to Illinois. The entire journey was made 
overland with wagons, and they camped and cooked 
I>y the vf.iy. They were among the first to make set- 
tlement in Logan Country, and there Mr. B. grew 
to manhood, and was educated in the pioneer 
schools. He lived there until 18G7, when he sold 
his property and purchased 100 acres of land in 
Mt. Hope Township, McLean Countv, on section S. 
This land was wild and uncultivated, but he was a 
man of great energy and industry, and in due time 
had effected a remarkable change in its original 
condition. He erected a good set of farm build- 
ings, planted fruit and .shade trees, and subse- 
quently added to his i)osse8sions, until at the time 
of his death he was the possessor of 320 acres here, 
and two farms of 160 acres each in Downs Town- 
ship. He departed from the scenes of his earthly 
labors on the IGth of Marcii, 188G, while still act- 
ive and little past his prime. 

In early manhood Mr. Brining was married to 
Miss Sarah Mountjc)y, and of this union there were 
three children — Martha, May ,1. and Alice. Of 
the second marriage there were born seven chil- 
dren, viz., Charles E., Imo (i., Minnie M., Owen 
L., Leslie C. and Lyman T. (twins), and i^uther V. 
Mr. and Mrs. B. were both connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal Cluirch, and in i)olities he was 
an uncompromising Republican. 

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Brining has 
superintended the management of tlie estate with 
ability and success. She is a lady of rare intelli- 
gence and courage, and was well fitted to be tiie help- 
meet of such a man as her iuisband. The family resi- 



dence and the entire homestead is first-class in all its 
appointments, and bears evidence of the thrift and 
enterprise which first established it and by which it 
has been perpetuated. It is one of the attractive 
spots t)f McLean County, and invariably attracts 
the eye of the traveler through this section. 

The portrait of Mr. Brining, which accompanies 
this sketch, will he recognized by all as that of a 
worthy and honored representative of McLean 
Connty. 

AMES H. McGregor, President of the 
Arctic Ice Company of Bloomington, 111., 
whose portrait is shown on page 504, ranks 
among the enterprising business men of the 
city, and as one who has contributed his full share 
toward the advancement of its business and indus- 
trial interests. IMr. McGregor was born in Wash- 
ington County, N. Y., on the IGth of March, 1830. 
His father, Peter .AIcGregor, was a native of Scot- 
land, who came to America in 1828. All his chil- 
dren except .James II. were born there. The father 
was a farmer by occui)ation, and located with his 
famil}' near the city of Montreal, Canada. The 
mother of our subject, before her marriage, was 
Miss Mary Stuart, and the family of herself and 
husband consisted of seven children, five sons and 
tw(j daughters. 

In August, 1853, the suljject of this history left 
the parental roof and coming into the States located 
in Bloomington, 111., and engaged at the brick- 
layer's trade, which he had previously learned. This 
he followed for many years, and is still engaged as 
a contractor and builder. In this capacity he has 
superintended the erection of some of the most 
important buildings of this locality and in the city 
of Chicago. In 18G3 he associated himself in part- 
nership with N. B. Heafer, of this cit}', with whom 
he operated for a period of twenty years. During 
this time the firm was interested in some of the 
best improvements in this city, having built the 
C. & A. R. R. shops, and afterward the McLean 
County court-house, which latter was erected at a 
cost of over 1300,000. They also built the First 
Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the finest 
church edifices in the city, and afterward laid the 






t 



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506 



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i 



McLean county. 



street pavements and built the water-works, to- 
gether with the tower, which is 200 feet in height. 
At the same time they were engaged in the manu- 
facture and laying of brick, also street pavements. 
The partnership was dissolved in 1883, by mutual 
consent, the two gentlemen still retaining a life- 
long esteem for each other. Mr. McGregor has 
been since that time carrying on the same business 
alone and was elected to his present position as 
President of the Arctic Ice Company in 1884. 

Ouv subject was married in 18GG, to Miss Mary 
A. Barnes, a native of Ohio, and they have two 
children — Mary and Edith. Mr. McG. is a mem- 
ber in good standing of the I. O. O. F., Remem- 
b)-ance Lodge No. 77. The family occupy a 
handsome and attractive home and enjoy the so- 
ciety and esteem of a large circle of friends. 

Duncan McGregor, deceased, a brother of our 
subject, was one of the most active railroad men 
of the West. He was born in Scotland, and after 
the death of his father in Canada, he and his 
brother, James H., went to Kalamazoo, Mich., where 
Duncan had charge of a force of men employed in 
the construction of the Michigan Central Railroad, 
their part of the line stretching from Michigan 
City, Ind., to Chicago, and employing them during 
the summer of I8;j2. Duncan McCiregor next went 
to LaSalle, 111., where he superintended the laying 
of the track of the Illinois Central Railroad to 
Hloomington, it being the first road to enter the 
latter cit^^ He then made his home at Blooming- 
ton for several years, holding the position of con- 
ductor on the I. C. R. R. In 1858 he went to 
Texas to take charge of the track laying <jf the 
Tex.as Central which r.an to Huston. 

During the Rebellion Duncan McGregor assisted 
in building the Brazos River Railroad. AVhile in 
that section of country he was pressed into the serv- 
ice of the Confederates in constructing and re- 
pairing railroads, and also ran a locomotive for 
them over different roads until the engine was so 
worn and the boiler so leaky that he was compelled 
to abandon it. At this the Confederates became 
enraged and were going to hang him, but by deter- 
mined effort he made his escape toward the Gulf, 
where he was picked up by .a Northern vessel and 
^ ' reached a place of safety. He then came North to 

4* 



Logansport, Ind., where he was employed as an en- 
gineer and conductor on the C. C. & I. C. R. R. 
for several years. On the night of his death he 
had taken the place of another engineer to run out 
an extra. When nearing the city of Columbus, 
Ohio, an obstruction upon the track threw the lo- 
comotive from the rails, and in the wreck he was 
instantly killed. This terrible accident occurred 
in 1874. Duncan McGregor was classed among 
the best railroad men of the West. 



^- 



?;'"*~w" 




RS. MARV C. KIRKPATRICK, widow of 
TlKjmas K. Kirkpatrick, owns and occu- 
pies a good home in White Oak Township, 
on section 34, and has been a resident of 
the Prairie State for nearly forty years. She was 
born in Rockbridge County, Va., Sept. 14, 1809, 
being the daughter of George and Pollen (Lowry) 
Guy linger. Her father was born in New York 
about the time of the Revolutionary War, and her 
mother, a native of Scotland, w.as about six years 
the senior of her husband. They were married in 
Rockbridge County, Va., in 1807, and remained 
there until 1840, when they removed to Ohio, and 
rented land in Adams County, where Mr. Guylin- 
ger died in the seventy -second year of his age. 
The mother preceded him three years, living to be 
seventy-five years old. They were members of 
what was known as the Seceders' Church. Mr. 
Guylinger was Republican in politics. They had a 
family of three children : John married Miss 
Martha Finley ; Susan became Mrs. Richard Kirk- 
patrick, and Mary C. of our sketch was the eldest. 
Mrs. K. was reared under the home roof and re- 
ceived a fair education in the common schools. 
She was married to Thomas Kirkpatrick in Adams 
County. Ohio, Sept. G, 1831, and they remained in 
Ohio until 1849, when they removed to this State 
and county, and located on the farm which is now 
the home of Mrs, K. This comprises IGO acres of 
good hind, with substantial farm buildings. 

Mr. K. was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 
1805, and departed this life at his home in White 
Oak Township, Feb. 3, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. 
K. became the parents of eleven children, of whom 



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McLean county. 



507 



only four are living, as follows: Ellen J. became 
the wife of Adam Kirkpatrick, and they live in 
Bloomington; Adeline married John Kirkpatrick; 
George married Miss Catherine Wrigiit, and Robert 
AV., Miss Margaret Hilton. The seven deceased 
are Samuel, who died April 30, 1859; James, Nov. 
16, 1860; Margaret C Aug. 25, 1885; John died 
in 1862; Thomas M. died in 1863, and Sarah M. in 
1865; Elvia A. was born Oct. C, 1855, and died in 
1873. 

Mrs. Kirkpatrick is an active member of the 
United Presbyterian Church, and takes much in- 
terest in missionary work. She has been a good 
mother, a kind neighbor and friend, and enjoys the 
esteem and friendship of a large circle of acquaint- 
ances. 



<^-^>t^ ■ 



->^5«f-« 




IRAM BUCK, one of the honored pioneers 
of McLean County, has now attained to 
the age of fourscore j'ears and six. He is 
a hale and hearty old gentleman, in full 
possession of his mental faculities, active as most 
men at sixt}', suffers no bodily infirmities, and can 
still hold the plow and ride on the back of spirited 
horses. His form has been a familiar one upon the 
streets of Empire Township for many 3'ears, and ho 
is held in that peculiar veneration and respect tacit- 
ly accorded those who first pusiied their w.ay into 
the Western wilds and marked out tlio track of a 
later civilization. 

Mr. Buck was born in the town of Ulysses, N. Y., 
which was then in Seneca but is now in Tompkins 
County. He first opened his eyes to the light on 
the 20th of March, ISdl. His father, William 
.Sherman Buck, was born in New Milford, Litchfield 
Co.. Conn., Feb. 17, 1764. His grandfather, James 
Buck, was also a native of the Nutmeg State and of 
English descent. The latter engaged in farming 
pursuits and spent his entire life in his native State. 
He married Miss Elizabeth Sherman, who was a na- 
tive of his own town and the sister of Roger Sher- 
man, who was famous in that day as a philosopher 
and a man of talents and learning. 

The father of our subject learned the trade of 
tanner and currier in New Milford and worked 



•►-•-^o- 



there until after he had attained his majority. He 
then went into Luzerne County, Pa., remaining thei-e 
until about 1798, whence he removed to Phelps and 
(4raham's Purchase in New York, and settled in 
the part now included in the township of Ulysses. 
The removal from Pennsylvania was effected with 
ox-teams, part of the route lying through a track- 
less wilderness. He purchased timber land and on 
a part of his first purchase now stands the village of 
Trumansburg. He had been there but a short time 
when, after clearing a part of his land, he established 
a lanyard and engaged in dressing hides and in 
shoemaking. For twenty years he did business 
without the assistance of railroads or canals. The 
only way of reaching market was to go overland 
along the rivers. There William S. Buck remained 
until LSI 8, and then selling his property proceeded 
further westward to Ohio. The journey to the head- 
waters of the Allegh.any River was made overland, 
and he arrived there the 1st of March, 1818. 
On account of the great amount of ice in the river 
his journey was here delayed until the 1 3th of April. 
While thus waiting he built a boat and as soon as it 
could be launched, moved with his family upon it, 
down to North Bend, Ohio. He had sold his land 
in New York on time, and was obliged to rent land 
in order to pursue his further operations. He locat- 
ed in Ilamiltnn County, Ohio, and rented land from 
President Harrison, until he could get pay for his 
uwn in New Y(jrk State. He remained there eleven 
years, ami then pulled up stakes again and started 
for Indiana, purchasing a farm in Switzerland Coun- 
ty, where he located and spent the remainder of 
his days, his decease occurring on the 4th of Au- 
gust, 1844. His wife died in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, in October, 1827. The parental family con- 
sisted of thirteen children, eleven sons and two 
daughters. 

Ilir.am Buck was the eighth child and seventh son 
of his parents. He was seventeen years old when 
they removed from New York to Ohio. He assist- 
ed his father in clearing the farm and tilling the 
soil, received a limited education in the subscription ' 
schools, and reinained under the parental roof until ' 
1826. He had inherited much of the energy and 
enterprise of his foref.athers and at this time had en- 
gaged considerablj' in speculation on his own ac- 



i 



'•¥^m-><» 



i 



u 



a 



508 



4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



count. Me made tliree trips ilown the river with a 
flatlxiat, transporting produce to various [wints. He 
had inipn^vedhis leisure time with his books, and in 
this manner had liecome well fitted for a teacher of 
those dajs, and employed his time during the winter 
season in dispensing knowledge to the sons of the 
early settlers, in the log school-house of those days. 
He possessed considerable musical talents and also 
taught singing as well as day school. In 182G he 
bought a stock of goods and commenced mer- 
chandising in Switzerland County, Ind. After two 
years thus occupied ho purchased a tract of timber 
land and found a read}' market for wood which was 
used on the steamboats, coal not then having been 
discovered or mined in that region. In 1S33, after 
having considerably enhanced the value of his prop- 
erty he sold out, and started for Illinois, via the 
Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Leaving his 
family in Beardstown, 111., he came on to McLean 
County, where he procured two teams and returned 
for his family and household goods. His means 
were limited, but he purchased eighty acres of land 
at $1.50 per acre in Randoli)h Townshii), and after 
building a log cabin, removed his family, and raised 
a crop upon rented land that year. The follow- 
ing year he raised his first crop on his own land and 
proceeded with its cultivation and improvement. 
In 1837 he sold out and came to Le Roy, where hfe 
purchased village property and also farm land. He 
built the first hotel in the place, naming it after the 
town. He soon succeeded in securing a post-office 
and ofliciated as the first Postmaster. He conduct- 
ed this hotel for eight j^ears and was remarkably 
successful in his farming and business operations. 
In 18;')! he removed to the farm he now owns and 
occupies and on which he has been a continuous 
resident since that time, a period of thirty -six years. 
The first purchase which Mr. Buck made in this 
vicinity consisted of 172 acres, to which he added 
as time passed until he became the owner of 965 
acres, all in Empire and Downs Townships. It is 
now all improved and under a fine state of cultiva- 
tion, being oi)erated mostly by tenants, but Mr. 
Buck has always exercised a general oversight of the 
whole, audits valuable condition to-day is owing to 
his remarkable energy and foresight. The land has 
been devoted to mixed husbandry and stock-raising 



and has yielded its owner a handsome income. It 
is beautifully located and its broad acres stretch 
over a flue tract of country, forming one of the 
most attractive spots in McLean County. 

The marriage of Hiram Buck and Miss ISIercy 
Karr was celebrated in Ohio on the 5th of April, 
1 827. Mrs. Buck was born in that part of Sussex 
which is now W.nrren Count}% N. J., on the IGtli 
of November, 180G, being the daughter of Capt- 
John and Mary (Lee) Karr, natives of Pennsylvania. 
Her father eoninianded a company under Wayne's 
Legion in the Revolutionar}' War and after his re- 
tirement from the military service returned to New 
Jersey and engaged in farming pursuits. His death 
occurred at the home of our subject in Le Roy in 
1 840, after he had become eighty-two years of age. 

Mrs. Mei'cy Buck clicd at the home of her hus- 
band in Le Roy Township, Aug. C, 188G. Tliey 
had become the parents of six children, five now 
living: Amanda M. married James Crumbaugli and 
lives in Emi)ire Township, which is also the residence 
of Thomas L; Elizabeth died when three years of 
age; Martha E. became the wife of John McConncll 
and lives in Downs Township; Nancy J. married 
Isaac T. Dawson and lives in Downs Township; 
Charles Albert is on the home farm. Mr. Buck has 
been Postmaster of three different offices — of Pat- 
riot, Ind., and Randolph and Le Roy, in McLean 
County. He received his first appointment from 
President John Q. Adams, and served in this ca- 
pacity under Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler 
and Polk. He was Sciiool Trustee in Indiana, and 
Clerk and Treasurer of the Board several 3'ears. 
He was Deputj' County Surveyor and School Trustee 
under the Constitution of 1 848, and elected a Coun- 
ty Judge in 1851, to fill a vacancy. Two years 
later he was elected for the full term of four years, 
and re-elected in 1857. He joined the State Militia 
in Ohio, and when twenty-three years of age was 
elected Captain of the first company of the 1st 
Regiment, 1st Brigade and 1st Division of the 
Jlilitia of that State. The same year he came to 
Illinois he joined the militia of this State, being 
soon promoted Adjutant, and in the late war he 
endeavored to enlist as a Union soldier but was 
rejected on account of his age. 

In politics Mr. Buck was formerly' identified with 



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n 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4- 



501) 



the Whig party and cast bis first presidential vote 
for John (^i. Adams, in 1824. He has voted at six- 
teen presidential elections, and continued a Whig 
until the abandonment of the old part}' b}' the 
org.inization of the Republicans. Then he cheer- 
fully indorsed the principles of the latter and has 
since cast his vote with that party. Mr. Buck was 
Supervisor of Empire Township four years and 
served as Justice of the Peace eighteen years. In 
1874 he was appointed a Trustee of the Industrial 
School at Urbana by Gov. Beveridge, and the follow- 
ing year elected a Trustee of Lombard University. 
The mother of Mr. Buck, who before her mar- 
riage was Miss Berentha York,, was a native of 
Stonington, Conn., and born Sept. 27, 1770. Her 
father, Amos York, also a native of Connecticut, 
afterward removed to Pennsylvania, locating in 
Luzerne County, and being among the earliest set- 
tlers of that region, when the country was peopled 
largely by Indians. In February, 1778, the Indians 
surrounded his house, took all his goods and cattle, 
made him prisoner and carried him to Canada, 
where he was held in captivity for two years. He 
was then released, but died soon after his return 
home. His wife was thus left a widow with ten 
daughters and one son, the youngest a babe at the 
breast. She removed to Wyoming with her chil- 
dren and was there at the time of the Indian mas- 
sacre, being one of the few who escaped in a canoe 
down the Susquehanna River. She afterward made 
her home in Luzerne County, Pa., and died at the 
age of ninety years. Mr. Buck is a devout Uni- 
versalist and contributed largely toward building 
the chapel in Le Roy ; it is named after Mrs. Buck, 
being known as "Mercy Chapel." 



^^ARRIGUS BROS. Wilbur C. and Joseph C. 
Ill (=-, Garrigus are conducting a livery, boarding 
^^5) and sale stable at Nos. 423 and 425 North 
Main street, Bloomington, having also a feed- 
yard in connection. Although comparatively young 
in business, having established in 1886, they 
have been successful from the start. Their stock 
comprises from twelve to twenty fine horses, and 
their vehicles are of first-class description. They 

<■ 



also conduct an undertaking business, having a fine 
heafse and all other accessories. 

Wilbur C. and Joseph C. Garrigus were born in 
Marshall County, 111., being the sons of Jacob and 
Matilda (Chandler) Garrigus, natives of New Jer- 
se3', the former of whom came to Illinois with his 
parents when a boy, and they settled in Marshall 
County. The father was engaged in general mer- 
chandising, and became County Treasurer and 
Postmaster. He resided there until 1872, then 
removed to Chicago, and for a number of years 
was engaged in the real-estate business. Later he 
was appointed United States Ganger, which oflice 
he still holds. He has always been an active and 
prominent business man and takes an interest in all 
matters pertaining to the public welfare. 

The two brothers received a flue education and 
bid fair to follow in the footsteps of their father as 
regards business talent and enterprise. Their 
younger brother, Charles, is in their employ, and 
the firm is becoming favorably known in this lo- 
cality as reliable, prompt to meet its obligations, 
and in all respects ranking with the first-class busi- 
ness interests of the city. One of the brothers is 
Democratic in politics, one Republican, and one a 
Prohibitionist. Wilbur C. married Miss Belle Clark, 
of Wisconsin, and they are the parents of one son — 
Roy. Their residence is at No. 1 104 North Prairie 
street. 



^AMES COOPER, one of the pioneers of 
McLean County, respected and loved by all 
who know him, and a progressive farmer of 
^^y Funk's Grove Township, is a resident on 
section 1. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, 
July 24, 1828, and his father, Michael Cooper, was 
a native of Lancashire, England. The latter grew 
to manhood in his native land, was there married, 
and came to this country about 1820. He had 
come to America with the intention of seeking 
a home for his family, but while here his good wife 
died in the old country, and his mother took charge 
of the children, who always lived in England. Mr. 
Cooper was again married, in Ross County, Ohio, 
and the lady selected as his life companion was 
Mrs. Ruhanna Hickle. She was born in Viroinia 



lia, T , 



i 



•^^ 



510 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



t 






and was the daughter of Alualiaiii N'aiiMetcr and 
the widow of Jacob Hickle. 

Michael Cooper was a wagon-maker hy trade, 
l)ut after iiis second marriage engaged in the voca- 
tion of a farmer. In 1 s;>0 he bought land in 
Madison County, Oluo. The tract contained 160 
acres and was military land and iieavily timbered. 
His title to this "property [jroved to be worthless, 
and after clearing quite a portion of it he lost the 
entire property. In 1837, accompanied b}' his wife 
and five children, lie started for Illinois. The 
journej' was made overland with a team of horses 
and a wagon, occupying three or four necks' ti-avel, 
and terminated at Bloomington, this State. Soon 
after his settlement there he rented land of Col. 
Gridley, at Lexington, a portion of whicli is now 
included in that city. This he worked until 1S41, 
when he moved to Towanda Township and rented 
a farm, which he worked for three years. He then 
went to Hudson Township, where he was a renter 
until 1847, during which year he started on his 
retiu'n to England, and it is supposed he was lost 
on the voyage as he has never been heard from 
since. His wife died at the home of our subject 
in 1872. 

Of the second marriage of Michael Cooper five 
children were born, the suljject of this notice being 
the third in order of birth. He was nine years old 
when he came to this county with his parents, and 
here attended the pioneer school and assisted his 
father in the labors ot the farm. After his father's 
death he worked out, receiving ^7. HO per month 
for his services. He saved his earnings, and in 
time was enabled to carry on farming on rented 
land, and made money by so doing. In 1807 he 
bought 210 acres of land on section 1, Funk's 
Grove Township. There were no buildings on the 
place in which to live, and he rented until 1873, 
when he moved on to the place and has since made 
it his home. He has a good farm under an advanced 
state of cultivation, and has been successful in the 
prosecution of his labors. In 1878 his residence 
was destroj'ed by fire and he then erected the one 
in which he is now living. The place at present 
consists of about ;500 acres, all of which is enclosed 
and well improved. 

Mr. Coojicr was married, Jan. 2.'!, 18(JG, to Fran- 



ces Veatch. She was born in this count}' Nov. 18, 
1842. Her father, Covington A'eateh, was a native 
of Indiana, and her paternal grandfather was born 
in Tennessee of Scotch-Irish ancestry. INIrs. Coo- 
per's father lived in Indiana until nineteen years 
old, and then, in 18;i(), came to this connty with 
his parents and settled with them in l\andol|>h 
Township. His father entered Government land 
and improved several farms. He was a carpenter 
by trade, and he would build a ho\ise on a small 
tract of l.'Mid and then dispose of the place and buy 
another. He spent the last days of his life in 
Qnincy, 111. He was also a Baptist preacher, and 
labored in the i)uli)il on Sundays for the conversion 
of souls. He died in 1878, aged eighty years. 
The mother of Mrs. Cooper, Eliza Branton, was 
born in Virginia in 1823, and came to this State 
with her parents in 1834. The}' located in Cham- 
paign, where their demise occurred. Covington 
Veatch, after living some time on his farm in 
Randolph Townsiiiii, sold out and went to Kansas, 
settling in Kingman County,- where he lived a 
retired life. 

Socially J\lr. Cooi)er is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and holds fellowshiii with Lodge No. 
251, of Ileyworth. He is also a memlierof Robert 
T. Harvey Tost No. GOG, G. A. R. He enlisted in 
August, 1862, in Co. B, !)4tli III. \'ol. Inf., and was 
in the service sixteen months, participating in the 
battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., and several other 
minor engagements. He was discharged on account 
of an affection of the eyes, from which he never 
recovered, and has lost the sight of one of them 
entirely. 



^ 



0'~~ APT. E. C. MYERS, .)ne of the successful 
farmers and stock-growers of Randoljih 
^_ Township, is located on section 8. His farm 
estate consists of 160 acres of highly improved and 
valuable land. Mr. Myers is the eldest son of Jo- 
seph and Ke/.iah Myers, the former now living at 
Loda, IrcAjuois Co., 111., being seventy-one years of 
age. The mother of our "Subject died many years 
ago in McLean County, and the father is now liv- 
ing with his second wife. He became a settler of 
this county in 1851, and at one time was a large 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 

511 ii 



»► ■ j« 



property holder in Randolph Township, most of 
which is still in the family. 

The grandfather of our subject on his father's 
side was John Myers, a native of Pennsylvania, 
who was the son of Casper Myers, a native of (xer- 
many, who with six other brothers emigrated to 
the United States prior to the Revolutionary War. 
Five of the brothers engaged in that memorable 
conflict, and the two younger were in the War of 
1812, one of whom fell mortally wounded at the 
battle of Plattsburg, N. Y. The survivor became 
the ancestor of our subject. Casper Mj'ers, after 
his retirement from the army, engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits in Liclving County, Ohio, and died 
there at an advanced age. The grandfather of our 
subject, John Myers, was born and reared in Penn- 
sylvania, his l^irth occurring about 1790. He emi- 
grated from his native State to Ohio, being among 
the early settlers of Liclving Count}', where he se- 
cured a farm and estal)iished a comfortable home. 
He afterward came to Illinois, and spent the re- 
mainder of his days. His son Joseph, the father of 
our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and was 
carried in the arms of liis mother to their home in 
Licking County, Ohio. This lady before her mar- 
riage was Miss Mar}' Gosnell, who was of English 
descent and born in Pennsylvania. The family 
came to Illinois in 1855; the father died in Ran- 
dolph Township, this county, June 1, 18(19. Her 
husband followed her to the silent land in Decem- 
ber of the same year. 

Joseph Myers, the father of our subject, re- 
mained with his parents until he had attained to 
years of manhood, and was united in marriage with 
Miss Keziah Barrick. She was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, and when about sixteen years of age removed 
with her parents to Licking County, Ohio. She 
subsequently came with her family to Illinois, and 
died in Randolph Township, this county, in 1875. 

Capt. Myers was born in Licking County, Ohio, 
Feb. 27, 1838. When fourteen years of age he 
was brought to Illinois by his parents and located 
in this county with them in 1851. He remained 
under the parental roof until April, 18()1, in the 
meantime receiving a practical business education. 
In April, 1861, he enlisted as a Union soldier in 
Co. C, 20th 111. Vol. Inf., under command of Capt. 



J. O. Pullen. After serving his term of three 
months, he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Co. 
K, S9th III. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Joseph Wood- 
ruff. The company was organized at Chicago, Aug. 
14, 1861, and proceeded at once to Benton Bar- 
racks, Mo., and thence to join the Army of the 
Potomac. Their first engagement with the enemy, 
who were led by Stonewall Jackson, was at Bath, 
Va., on the 4th of January, 1862. Our subject 
with his comrades participated in the famous march 
of Gen. Landers, in which they traveled over a 
mountain road of forty miles, in sixteen hours. He 
was afterward transferred to the celebrated Shields' 
Division, which assisted in the battle of Winches- 
ter, where the enemy was routed. They afterward 
met the enemy in several engagements around Suf- 
folk, Va., thence going to Port Royal, S. C, in 
February, 1863, where our subject witnessed the 
engagement between the iron-clad fleet and Ft. 
Sumter. The company sustained a serious loss in 
the death of its Captain (Woodruff), who fell at 
the entrance of Ft. Gregg, killed by a bursting 
shell. 

At that time, Jan. 1, 1864, many of the company 
re-enlisted as veterans at Hilton Head, S. C. 
Young Myers had been serving as First Sergeant 
since Januarj', 1862, and on the 24th of December, 
1864, was made First Lieutenant and the following 
year Captain. He afterward took an active part in 
many engagements and skirmishes, and was always 
on dut}'. During the summer of 1864, the killed, 
missing and captured aggregated 653 men of their 
regiment. Capt. IM3'ers was present at every en- 
gagement of the regiment from the time Ft. Sum- 
ter was reduced until the surrender of Lee at Ap- 
pomattox Court-House. Through all these dangers 
he escaped unharmed and received his honorable 
discharge Dec. 16, 1865. 

Capt. Myers was married in McLean County on 
tiie 3d of March, 1864, to Miss Martha Crose, tlieir 
wedding taking place at the home of the bride in 
Downs Township. Mrs. Myers was born in Downs 
Township, Oct. 27, 1844, and was reared on her 
father's farm, receiving a fair education in the com- 
mon schools. Her parents came to this county at 
an early d.ay, and assisted with their fellow pioneers 
in its growth and advancement. 



-t 



t. 



512 



McI.EAN COUNTY. 



i' 



('.■xpt. and JNIrs. iMyi'is became tlie parents of 
nine children, of whom one, Leota, is deceased. 
Those living, and all at iiome are, Ella I\I., Edith 
S., ]>avid, Joseph 1'., Tiiomas E., John J., Mabel 
and (ieorge. Capt. Myers is a member of the Re- 
publican party, although in political, as well as re- 
ligious views, he is extremely liberal. 

"if/ OSEPIT AV. ZOOK, Postmaster of Oak (hove, 
came to McLean County in 1S4'J, with his 
parents, and spent his j-outh and childhood 
(^^/ on his father's farm. lie has been a resident 
of this vicinity' since that time, and one of its most 
valued citizens. Mr. Z. was born in Fairfield 
County, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1837. His parents were Da- 
vid and Barbara (King) Zook, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, the father born ,Ian. (!, 1800, and the mother, 
Nov. 24, 1814. David Zook received a common- 
school education, and when a young man removed 
with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio. He was 
married in Wayne County, that State, in 1834, and 
they remained in Fairfield County until the fall of 
1841). The family then came to Illinois and loca- 
ted in McLean County, where the parents spent the 
remainder of their days, the father dying in 1872, 
and the mother in 1880. David Zook in early life 
was a stanch adherent of the Whig party, but later 
became a strong Republican. Both parents were 
members of the Ornish Mennonite Church. Their 
family consisted of four sons and four daugiiters, 
as follows: Nancy died in infancy; Joseph W. of 
our sketch was the second ; Rebecca became the 
wife of Christian Kenagy ; Susan E. married Henry 
Gephart; John K. married Miss Mary King; Sarah 
A. became the wife of Barton W. Stone ; David A. 
married Miss Barliara Kinzinger; Levi W. married 
ISIiss Emma Re3'nolds; Rebecca and Sarah are de- 
ceased. 

The subject of this history resided with his par- 
ents until his majority, having received a common- 
school education. He was studious and fond of his 
books, and engaged one term in teaching school. 
The state of his health prevented him from working 
ui)on the farm, and he started the first store of gen- 
eral merchandise in Oak (jrove, in 18ti4. He aft- 



ward sold this and engaged in teaching writing and 
painting classes. At the age of thirty-three years he 
was marric<l to Miss Leah E. Plank, of Danvers, 111., 
who has been a true and devoted wife and helpmeet 
in all his prosiierit^' and adversity. After marriage 
the young peojile removed to Ford County and lo- 
cated on :i farm. Our suliject taught penmanship, 
and after t\vo years returned to Oak (Trove, of 
which he was subsetpientl^' a[)pointed Postmaster, 
which office he has now held for six jears. He is 
also Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Town- 
shi[) Clerk and Collector, performing the duties of 
each witli credit to himself and satisfaction U> all 
conccrncil. 

Notwithstanding lie has been atUictcd with rheu- 
matism, and his health is otherwise impaired, Mr. 
Zook has lived a busy life, never content to be idle. 
He has been artlicted with the rheumatism since 
fourteen years of age, being compelled to use 
crutches for the last twenty-five years. He is Re- 
publican in ]>olitics, and both himself and wife are 
worthy members of the Mennonite Church. They 
became the parents of four daughters, two de- 
ceased: Lillian Olive was born July^ 21, 1871, and 
died Sept. 7, 1872; Katie Belle was born Sept. 8, 
1873; Barbara May, born Jan 21, 1870, die<l Jan. 
26, 1877, and Lydia Maude, born June 25, 1878. 



~w^,-\e2a£7©^^| 



>>*^~SWW7r>\.-w-.~ 



\1 



r/OllN J. MYERS, a native of McLean 
County, is now one of its most pronusing 
young fai'mers, and the son of a former resi- 
(i^// (lent of Randolph Township. The latter, 
Joseph Myers, was a native of Penns3ivania, and 
when an infant was carried by his parents to the 
home which they had selected in Ohio. The famil3' 
were of (ierman ancestry and parentage. Joseph 
Myers was reared in Licking County, Ohio, and 
after arriving at years of manhood was there mar- 
ried to Miss Kesiah Barrick, who was a native of 
Pennsylvania and removed to Ohio with her parents 
when a young girl. By her marriage she became 
the mother of ten children, of jvhom the subject of 
our sketch was the youngest but two. Of these 
there were six sons and four daughters, of whom 
five sons and three daughters are yet living, all 







RESIDENCE OF D . L .W H I TE j SEC . 2 I , BLOOM INGTON T0WN5H IP. 




RESIDENCE OF EDGAR BLAI5DELL ,. COR, THIRD & OAK 5T5.WEST0N, ItLS . 



"■:i5-'W-'"-3^i!irfS5i^^^'- 



;^S^'» ■ -•- 




RESIDENCE, IVIILL& TILE WORKS OF JOSEPH DORLAND , SEC .21 , RANDOLPH TP . 






<^ 



»» i y 4* 



MoLEAN COUNTY. 



515 



i 



married with the exception of two. She died at 
the home of her husband in Randolph Township, 
this county, in 1875. The father is now Hving 
near Loda, Iroquois Co., 111., whore he owns a com- 
fortable home. Me and his sons were at one time 
proprietors in this township of about COO acres of 
land. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, .John 
Myers, was born in Pennsylvania, and was the son 
of Casper Myers of German^', who, with six 
lirothers, emigrated to the New ^^'orld prior to the 
Revolutionar}^ War. Five of the brothers engaged 
with the colonies in the struggle for independence, 
and Uvo of the 3'ounger ones were in the AVar of 1812, 
one of these being mortally wounded at the battle of 
Plattsburg, N. Y. One of the survivors was Casper 
Myers, who, after his retirement from a military life, 
became a farmer in Licking County, Ohio, and died 
there at an advanced age. His son John, the grand- 
father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 
about 1790. He remained there until he attained to 
years of manhood and then emigrated to Licliing 
Count}', Ohio, being among the earliest settlers of 
that region. He purchased a tract of land and 
opened up a farm, upon which he lived for a num- 
ber of years, but finally came to Illinois and spent 
his last days in McLean County, dying in Randolph 
Township in 1869. His wife, Miss Mary Gosnell, 
was of English descent and born in Pennsylvania. 
She also died in Randolph Township before her 
husband but in the same year. 

The subject of this history was the seventh of a 
family of ten children. He was born in Randolph 
Township, this county, IMay 17, 1853, and remained 
with his parents until his marriage. This event 
occurred Sept. 24, 1879, in Normal, the lady of his 
choice being Miss Tina Hadley, who was a native 
of Collinsville, Madison Co., III. She was born 
Sept. 9, 185G, and is the daughter of Dempsey and 
Martha (Penney) Hadley, natives respectively of 
Nortli Carolina and Illinois. They removed north- 
west while young and were married in Collinsville, 
where they afterward located upon a farm. There 
the father died in 1862. Eleven years later the 
mother and children removed to Normal, 111., 
where the mother died in 1876, aged fifty-tour 
years. Mrs. Myers completed her education in 



the Normal University and began teaching when 
eighteen years of age. She followed this five years 
and until her marriage. Of this household there 
were three children, all living, Mrs. M. and one 
brother being twins; Charles W. is married and a 
resident of Pocahontas, 111. ; .John .T. is single and is 
a teacher. 

Of the union of !Mr. and Mrs. Myers there have 
been born three cjiildren, one of whom, Claude L., 
is deceased. Those surviving are Clyde H. and 
Alpha E. The homestead of our subject and his 
faniil}' is finely located on section 8 and comprises 
1()0 acres of finely improved land, and a substantial 
set of frame buildings. Besides the home farm he 
also cultivates 160 acres on section 7. Of late 
years he has been giving considerable attention to 
the breeding, purchase and sale of fine stock. He is 
in all respects one of the thrifty and enterprising 
agriculturists of Randolph Township, who is con- 
tributing his full quota toward the advancement of 
its farming and industrial interests. Mrs. Myers 
is a member in good standing of the Baptist Churcli, 
and in p<ilitics our subject atllliatcs viMth the Re- 
publican party. 

ENRY M. MILLER, for many years a prac- 
tical and successful farmer, is now living 
within the limits of the village of Hey worth, 
where he has resided for the past twenty 
He was born in Jessamine County, Ky., on 
the 13th of March, 1830. Both his father and 
grandfather before him engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, and both were natives of the same State and 
count}' as our subject and spent their entire lives 
there, where their remains are laid to rest. The 
father was William Miller, and the grandfather, 
Franklin Miller; the family were of German de- 
scent. 

The subject of this iastory grew to manhood on 
his father's farm in Kentucky, and when a young 
man came to the Prairie State, purchased a tract of 
laud of sixty acres in this county, and began its 
improvement and cultivation. He was successful 
in his undertakings, and besides his farm, which has 
now become quite valuable, he has also a desirable 




■<^ 



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t 



516 



,t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



village lot iiixni which are good iniprovements. 
Soon after coming to this county he was united in 
marriage with Miss Lydia A. llooton, who was 
born and reared in Madison County, Ky., and came 
with her parents to Illinois in her girlhood. Her 
father, Nicholas llooton, is still living in Bloom- 
ington, and is eighty-five years of age. The 
mother died in lley worth some 3'ears ago. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller there were 
born six children, two now deceased, Kddie and 
Mary; Smiley became the wife of Charles Kober- 
shaw, wlio oi)erates a cabinet-shop in Hey worth; 
Henry is out West; Callie and Ilattie are at home 
with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are mem- 
bers in good standing of the Methodist Epi.scopal 
Church, and in i)cilitics our subject is a reliable 
Democrat. 



V 



<if/ OSEPH M. EASTERBROOK, a resident of 
Belleflower, and one of its most solid and 
substantial citizens, has been a resident of this 
locality since 1865 and during this time has 
fully established himself in the confidence and es- 
teem of the people of this county. Mr. E. is a 
native of Ross County, Ohio, where he was born 
June 3, 1830. His father, George W. Easterbrook, 
was born on the Atlantic Ocean while his parents 
were on their journey from England to the United 
States. His grandfather, John P>asterbrook, was 
born in the city of London and was a leader in 
Gen. Proctor's band during the Irish rebellion; he 
also figured prominently in the War of 1812, hav- 
ing come to the United States during its progress. 
He was captured b^' tlie troops of (ien. Harrison 
during the battle of the Thames. He had been 
forced into the English army when quite young, 
against his own wishes, and after his cajiture by the 
Federals he foreswore allegiance to the King and 
joined the colonists, being given a Captain's com- 
mission by Gen. Harrison. After peace was de- 
clared he located at Cincinnati, Ohio, and fallowed 
the profession of music in the schools of tliat city 
for a number of years, until he became quite aged. 
His death occurred in Fayette County, Oiiio, after 
he iiad attained the advanced age of ninet}--six 

<• 



years. His son, George W., the father of our sub- 
ject, was reared in Cincinnati and Ross County, 
and having received a good education, adt)pted 
school-teaching as a profession, which he followed 
nearly all his life. He came to Illinois and this 
county in 1867, spending the last years of his life 
in Bellertower Township. He died here in 1875. 

The mother of our subject, who before her mar- 
riage was Miss Elizabeth Pursell, was born in Ross 
County, Ohio. She became the mother of two 
children, our subject and his sister Mary. The 
latter married Rev. Samuel Middleton, and died in 
Barnesville, Ohio. Joseph M. was reared on his 
father's farm and assisted in tlie labors around the 
homestead. This was originally a tract of timber 
land and as soon as our subject was old enough he 
had to work upon the land, while his father added 
to the family income liy teaching school. Our sub- 
ject remained on the homestead until nine years 
after his marriage, and then, in 1865, purchased the 
farm which he now owns and occupies in Bellcfiower 
Township. Upon this there was a dilapidated frame 
house, and a part of the sod had been broken. 
The old house has now been replaced hy a hand- 
some and substantial farm dwelling, with a good 
liarn and all other necessaiy out-buildings. He has 
been [irospered in his business and farming trans- 
actions, and has added to his first purchase until he 
now owns 240 acres, all finely improved and under 
a good state of cultivation, with a fine area of pas- 
ture. The farm and its belongings constitute one 
of the attractive spots of the township. 

Mr. Easterbrook was married, Oct. 5, 1854, to 
Miss Hannah J. Middleton, who is the daughter of 
Jacob and Rebecca (Bathurst) Middleton, natives 
of Center County, Pa. Her grandfather, James 
Middleton, of Pennsj'Ivania, descended from En- 
glish ancestry, followed agricultural pursuits, and 
spent the last j'ears of his life in Ross County, 
Ohio. Jacob Middleton was reared in his native 
Stale, and after his marriage removed to Ohio, in 
1821, settling in l{oss County upon a tract of tim- 
ber land. He cleared a farm from the wilderness, 
where he remained until 1866, and then came to 
McLean County, III., but returned to Ohio in 1873, 
and there died two years later. The maternal 
grandfather of our subject, Lawrence Bathurst, was 



^^ 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



517 



n, iiMtivc uf Peniisylvnnia, whose grandfather, Allan 
Bathnrst, a native of England, emigrated to the 
United States and located in Center County, Pa., 
where he was engaged in teaching school. The 
mother of Mrs. Easterbrooiv is still living; she 
makes her home with our suliject and liis vvifjc, and 
is now ninety-three years old. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. are the parents of five children, 
as follows: Ada, the wife of John 'J'. P.rokaw, lives 
in Bellefiower Township; Harry is at liome; Carey 
and George W. ai'e at Sayl)rook, and Jacob is also 
at home. Mr. and Mrs. E. and four of the children 
are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
In politics our subject is a stanch Rei>ubliean. 

Tiie grandfather of Mr. Easterbrook was left an 
orphan when quite young and was taken in charge 
by his uncle, Rev. Joseph Easterbrook, who was a 
minister in the Church of England. This gentle- 
man gave him a father's care and sent him to scliool. 
About three months prior to his graduation he was 
out with other students " sky-larking " in Lincoln, 
and he with six others were found with the King 
Geoige sixpence in their poclvets, and weie forced 
to leave school and go into the army. 



#••# 




R. DAVID A. WHITE, a inominent and 
successful physician of McLean County, 
residing at Oak Grove, White Oak Town- 
ship, is a native of Jackson County, Ohio, 
and was born March 22, 1847. His parents were 
William and Anna (Wade) White, natives respect- 
ively of Maryland and Pennsylvania. AVilliam 
White was born in 1804, and Anna, his wife, July 
4, 1812. The}' were married in Beaver County, 
Pa., Dec. 30, 1830, and resided there until 184.'i, 
when they removed to Jackson County, Ohio, in 
company with the familj' of Isaac Scott and Nancy 
Bryan and her father, Elisha ^'easy. They came 
down the Ohio River on a Hatboat. The water was 
very low, and they spent eleven days on the river 
from Logstown to Gallipolis, from which latter place 
they continued their journey in wagons. 

The grandparents of our subject, Artluir and 
Elizabeth (Bell) White, were natives of County 
Down, Ireland, where they were reared, and mar- 



ried ill 17HI). They enugratcd to America earlj' in 
their married life, and became the parents of four- 
teen children, as follows: Their first child died 
while crossing the ocean but was buried in America: 
John and Johns(jn (twins), William, Marj- A., 
.James, Alexander, Artluir, Ellen, Andrew (died in 
childhood), Saniiicl, David, Robert and Andrew. 
The_y all marrieil and reared large families except 
Johnson, who never married. John, Johnson, Will- 
iam and Robert are deceased. James, Alexander, 
Arthur and Samuel are living in Pennsylvania. 
David, Andrew and Ellen, in Ohio; Mary A., in 
Kansas. The mother of these children died in 
1827, at the age of fifty years. Arthur White set- 
tled in Beaver Count}', Pa., in an early day, where 
he followed farming and weaving. He was married 
three times, and was the father of nineteen chil- 
dren. His second marriage was with Jenny Hor- 
ner in 1831, and thej' had two children; the first, a 
daughter, died when a few months old, and the 
second was a boy (imbecile), the mother dying a 
few days after his liirth. The third wife of Arthur 
White was a widow, Mrs. Brown, with five children. 
The first birth of this marriage was twin boys, one 
of whom died when a few months old; the other, 
Joseph, grew to manhood and died in the Union 
army during the Rebellion. Tlie second born, 
Elizabeth, is still living in Pennsylvania. His third 
wife lived to the advanced age of ninety years. 
Arthur White died in 18.53, at the age of eighty- 
four years. His parents, Arthur and MoUie (In- 
gram) White, were natives of Ireland. They had 
two sons and one daughter, as follows: Henry, 
McJlie and Arthur. 

The father of our subject, William White, died 
in Jackson County, Ohio, March 17, 1878; the 
mother is still living in that State, and is in her 
seventy-fifth year. The household circle included 
eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, of 
whom the record is as follows : Samuel married 
Miss Mary R. Ransom in 18."35; they are now liv- 
ing in Jackson County, Ohio, and iiave become the 
parents of thirteen children, one deceased. James 
married Miss Amy Groosinan, and they are living 
in Carroll County, Mo. ; they have five sons and one 
daughter, two boys deceased. Arthur died in his 
youth; John W. married Miss Margaret Harper; 



4 



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I 



518 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



they had seven children, one deceased. William 
W. married Miss Millie Keiser; they have three 
sons and one daughter, .lohnson A. married Miss 
Margaret Aoton, and they have six sons and three 
daughters living, one son ilead. Alexander L. mar- 
ried Miss .lenn}' McDowell, and they became the 
parents of seven children, one now deceased, a twin 
daughter. Sarah E. and Mar\' E. are unmarried. 
Anna M. married Albert Kelley, and they now live 
in Jlissouri. The parents and all the children were 
at one time members of the United Presl)yterian 
Church. William Wiiite was a ruling Elder in the 
church. In polities he was a stanch Kepulilican, as 
were all his children. 

Dr. White of this notice was the eighth sun of 
his parents' children, lie received his early educa- 
tion in a log sciiool-houso witii slal) benches for 
seats. It was liis father's rule that his bo>'s should 
stay at liome and work for iiiin on the farm until 
tlicy were twenty yeai's of age, that they might in 
a measure pay for their rearing, and the subject of 
our sketch stayed on the farm the recpiired time. 
During the rebellion his lirothers were all in the 
army, in consequence of which fact he was svib- 
jected to unusual exposure on the farm, which 
caused an abscess of the liver, from which trouble 
he did not recover for a year. His i)iiysicians and 
friends gave him up U> die, but although he suf- 
fered a great deal and was brought to tiie verge of 
the grave, he recovered. This circumstance inclined 
him to the study of medicine. From this time on 
he used every means to secure a knowledge of the 
healing ai't. After leaving the farm he spent eight 
montlis as clerk in his lirother's store, receiving his 
board and clothes as wages. Not being inclined to 
the mercantile business, and realizing that teaching 
was more in the line of his aspirations, he at once 
commenced teaching school. lie continued teach- 
ing during the winter and attending the National 
Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, during the sum- 
mer, for about four years. lie had by this time 
become a successful teacher, and it was with scmie 
difliculty that he broke off from this calling to pur- 
sue his higher calling of a physician. Having ac- 
cumulated some monej' b^^ teaching, he entered the 
Ohio University and took a preparatory course to the 
study of medicine. He read medicine under Dr 
M» 



A. B. Monahan, of Jackson, Ohio, and entered the 
Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, from which 
institution he graduated March 1, 187.5, and com- 
menced the practice of his profession in J.ackson 
Connt^-, Ohio. From there he removed to Scioto 
County, and after a residence of three years at 
each place, turned his steps ■ westward, coming to 
this State in April, 1882, and locating in Oak 
Grove. . Here he has become a prominent and val- 
ued citizen. Having to rely entirely on his own 
resources, not having a dollar excepting as he e.-irned 
it, he had to encounter many ditlicnlties in life, and 
therefore did not graduate until he was twenty- 
eight years of age. 

Dr. White was married in Jackson County, Ohio, 
Sept. 10, 1874, to Miss Eliza E. "N'andervort. Mrs. 
White accompanied her husband to Illinois in 1882, 
and has been his cheerful and faithful assistant in 
all his undertakings. Both are members of the 
Ifnited Presbyterian Church, and enjoy the friimd- 
ship and associatitm of the most cultured people of 
this vicinity. They have one daughter, Florence 
E., born Aug. 28, 1875. 

James Vandervort, the father of Mrs. White of 
our sketch, was born April 20, 1818, and married 
Sejit. 22, 184G, to Miss Eleanor Glison, who was 
born April 30, 1821. Both were natives of Penn- 
sylvania, where Mr. Vandervort followed the trade 
of a carpenter and farmer until about the year 186G, 
when they removed to Jackson County, Ohio, 
where they now reside. Their famil3' of ten chil- 
dren were named as follows: John (i., .Jane Y. 
(<leceased), Robert (died in infancy), Robert A., 
Eliza E., James M., Martin (deceased), Albert A., 
Mary R. and Benjamin F. Dr. White is a Repub- 
lican but favors prohibition of the liqi4or tratiic. 



"V f~ 



■.o♦o.•(5^>-^®••o♦o.• 



C^ EWTON J. BATTERSHKLL, the successful 
Jj jeweler of Heyworth, established himself in 
s, business here Nov. 15, 1877. Since that 
time he has devoted himself actively to his busi- 
ness and has met with deserved success. He com- 
menced in a modest manner, but bj' industrj' and 
close attention to the preferences of his pati'ons, 
has built up a profitable and steadily increasing 



T 






-4*- 



McLean county. 



519 



i 




trade. He commenced without capital, but is now 
the owner of a good brick building, and carries a 
fine line of first-class goods. 

Mr. Battershell served his apprenticeship under 
that skillful and well-known watchmaker, Cj'rus 
Stall, of Elgin, 111., remaining with him three years. 
Later he worked as a "jour" in Hillsdale, Mich., 
aftei'ward in Chicago, whence he came to Heyworth, 
and determined to establisii in business for himself. 
He came hei-e without money and comparatively 
without friends, in fact his sole possessions consisted 
of a good reputation and an honest purpose to deal 
fairl}', and he purposed starting in a business at 
which several others before him had failed. The 
result has shown what may be accomplished by 
resolution and perseverance. 

The subject of this history was born in Bryan, 
Williams Co., Ohio, April 3, 1853. His father, 
Moses Battershell, was a shoemaker, and did busi- 
ness in Williams Center, Ohio, for a number of 
years. He died while still a young man, being only 
twenty-seven j'ears of age, leaving a widow and two 
children. The mother died one year later. On the 
same night our subject was born his brother Edwin 
died. The sister remaining, whose name was Mary, 
became the wife of Eli Culbertson, and now lives 
near Grand Rapids, Ohio, on the banks of the 
Maumee River, where her husband is successfully 
engaged in farming. The maiden name of the 
mother was Cordelia Beam, and by her death our 
subject was left an orphan in early childhood. He 
was taken into the home of an uncle, John N. 
Ryan, of Bryan, Ohio, where he remained for some 
years, and received a common-school education. 
When thirteen years old, his aunt having died, he 
set out to make his own living, and was variously 
engaged until seventeen, when he entered upon an 
apprenticeship at his present trade. 

Our subject was married on the 3d of May, 1883, 
in Heyworth, to Mrs. Alice Battershell, the daugh- 
ter of John Wakefield, of Randolph Township. 
Mrs. B. was born in this township, Nov. 9, 1854, 
pursuing her early studies in the schools of Hey- 
worth, and completing them at a college in Ohio, and 
made her home with her parents until her first mar- 
riage to W. V. Battershell, a cousin of onr subject. 
He was born and reared in Defiance County, Ohio. 




and died at the home of his father in that couuty, 
with consumption, on the 1st of August, 1880. He 
had been engaged in the grocery trade in Hey- 
worth, and was a successful and capable business 
man. Of this union there was one child, a daugh- 
ter, Grace, who died a few months after her 
father. Our subject is Democratic in politics, and 
with his wife, is a worthy member of the Presbyter- 
ian Church. 

JUDSON WILSON, Clerk of Dale Town- 
slii[), is pleasantly h^eated on section 11, 
and is well known and highly respected .as 
i^ a public-si)irited man who has filled many 

oflices of trust in the townsliiii, and has fidly mer- 
ited the confidence which his fellow-citizens have 
imposed in him. He comes of an excellent family, 
noted for their enterprising public spirit, their edu- 
cation, intelligence and refinement. The subject 
of our sketch is a native of Madison County, N. Y., 
and was born on the 2Gth of December, 1829. His 
father, William Wilson, was of English birth and 
ance~tr3% having first opened his e^es to the light 
in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1791, being the son of 
Thomas and Mar}' Wilson, of the same countr}', 
a)id descended from a long and honorable line. 

In 1801 Thomas Wilson, .accomiianied by his 
wife and seven children, emigrated to the United 
States, locating in Schenectady, N. V. They only 
remained theie for a brief period, however, and 
then, lioarding a fiatboat on the Mohawk River, pro- 
ceeded to a point near the city of Utica, that State, 
which was then called Baggs Tavern. From there 
Thomas Wilson went into the wilderness and pur- 
chased a tract of heavy timber land near what has 
been since known as Fenner Corners, in Madison 
County. Here he cleared a farm, cultivated and 
improved the soil, and established a comfortable 
homestead, upon which he remained until his death, 
which occurred in 1825. His son William, the fa- 
ther of our subject, there grew to manhood and in- 
herited forty acres of land from his father's estate. 
He purchascjd eight acres adjoining, erected a 
good set of buildings, and lived there until 1844, 
when he decided to remove to the West where he 
could secure a larger area of land. He started via 



' 



I 



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520 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



-►-■ 



canal to Buffalo, thence by the lake tt) Chicago, 
where he purclinsed a span of horses and a wagon 
and then proceeded overLand to McLean Count}'. 

After arriving- here William Wilson purchased 
1()0 acres of land on the southwest ([uarter of sec- 
tion 11. Of this there had been forty acres broken 
and fenced, and a good frame house finished with 
black walnut shingles, and sideboards of the same 
within and without. In 18,")8 he practically retired 
from active labor, rented his farm and removed to 
Bloomington, where he spent the remainder of his 
days, his death occurring in 1872. The wife of his 
youth was Miss Lydia Main, who was born in Ash- 
ford, Windham Co., Conn., Aug. G, 17;>;>. She was 
the (laughter of Thomas and Lucy (Tyler) Main, 
and the grand-daughter of .Jc^seph and Lucy (Fish) 
Tyler. She remained the faithful .and affectionate 
companion of her hnsband through many years of 
changes and labors, and survived him until March 
20, 1884, dying in Bloomington at the advanced 
age of over eighty-five ye.ars. Their household 
circle was completed by the birth of nine children, 
of whom the record is a.s follows : Mary became the 
wife of W. \l. Holmes, and died in Bloomington, 
111. ; Adelia married Samuel Landor, a pioneer of 
Bloomington, and they now live in Texas; Lucy 
became tiie wife of Hiram Hart, of Utica, N. Y. ; 
Lydia w.as married to Charles W. Godard, and 
died in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Walter dcp.arted this life 
while on a visit to Clinton, N. Y., and his remains 
were interred at Bloomington; Edward is a resident 
of Dale Townshii); A. .ludson. the subject of our 
sketch, w.as next in order of birth; Elizabeth be- 
came llie wife of C. C. Holmes, .and died in Bloom- 
ton. Tlie parents of Mr. Holmes were among the 
earliest [jioneers of Bloomington, locating there in 
183r), when the present flourishing city was but an 
hnmble hamlet of a few houses. Mr. H. was a 
carpenter and a skilled mechanic, and erected the 
first brick house in the town. Henry C. Wilson is 
a resident of St. Louis, Mo., but is now traveling 
in Europe. 

A. .ludson Wilson of our sketch w.as the third 
son of his parents, and spent his early years under 
the parental roof. He attended the district school 
.and assisted his father in the lighter duties of the 
homestead until 1 844, when he went to live with 



his uncle, Edward Wilson, of Madison County, N. 
Y., with whom he remained for six years following. 
Tiicu in 1850 he turned his f.ace westward and 
came to Illinois, making his tirst location in Mc- 
Lean County. He commenced teaching school in 
Randolph Township, and the next summer taught 
in Dale Township. In the f.all of 18.'il he entered 
the employ of Hol)inson & Betts, who were en- 
g.aged in general merchandise at Bloomington 
while the town was yet in its infancy. Their 
stock included almost everything that coidd be 
named for use about the farm and household, and 
young Wilson remained with these and other firms 
until 181)2. He purchased the south half of his fa- 
ther's homestead in 186G, ui)on which he located, 
and hiis been eng.aged in farming since that time. 
His land w.as comparatively uncultivated, but he 
set himself industriousl}' to work to improve its 
condition and raise the crops upon which he de- 
pended for his profits and livelihood. He was soon 
rewarded for his labors by the picture of smiling 
fields and growing grain, .and as time passed on he 
added beaut}' to utility, erected a handsome resi- 
dence and good out-buildings, planted fruit and 
shade trees, and is now possessed of one of the pret- 
tiest homesteads in McLe.an Count}'. The land is 
subdivided by green and handsome hedges, and is 
well stocked with good breeds of domestic animals. 
He is engaged mostly in mixed husbandry, and is 
supi)lied with all the imiilements and appliances 
for carrying on agriculture after the most approved 
mctiiods. A fine view of the residence of Mr. 
Wilson is shown in this work. 

The marriage of A. Judson Wilson and Miss El- 
len Cornell was celebrated in September, I8G0. 
The wife of our subject w.as born in Providence, 
H. I., on the 24th of April, 1839, and was the 
daughter of Serril and Elisa (Hopkins) Cornell. 
Of this union there were born nine children, of 
whom the record is .as follows: Nellie is the wife of 
.Tohn A. Cobbs and lives in Olney, Richland Co., 
111.; Charles W. is a resident of Wichita, Kan.; Ed- 
ward M., Elizabeth, Abbie, Mary, Robert, Erank 
and Harry are at home with their parents. 

Soon after coming to this county the natural 
abilities of our subject received due recognition, 
and he was called ui)on to fill the otiiccs which usu- 



i 



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McLean county. 



521 ii 






ally devolved upon the leading and best qualified 
citizens. For nineteen years he has served as 
School Director, was Supervisor for a period of six 
years, and has held the position of Town Clerk for 
nearly two years. He is giving his cliildren the 
advantages of a good education, the older ones 
having attended tiie Wesleyan Academy at Blooni- 
ington and the Normal School of \'alparaiso, Ind., 
and Libbie is at the High School in Olney, III. The 
parents and four of tiieir children are connected 
with the Baptist Church of Bloomington. Mr. Wil- 
son is Republican in politics, uniformly casting his 
vote in support of the principles of that party, and 
in all respects is fulfilling the duties of a conscien- 
tious citizen. 

Edward M. Wilson, son of our subject, is a young 
man of more than ordinary ability, a fine scholar, 
and possessed of literary and artistic talent. He 
has compiled a history of Dale Township with bio- 
graphical sketches of early settlers, having printed 
it with a pen and illustrated it with lead pencil 
drawings of the pioneer homes and those of the 
present day. The whole makes a remarkably inter- 
esting volume, and is admired by everyone who 
has seen it. It not only shows great skill with the 
pen and pencil but is a marked illustration of per- 
severing industry, the work expended upon it hav- 
ing consumed many weeks of careful and trying 
labor. 



'l*^ ANIEL ROSE. Located on section 6, 
Cheney's Grove Township, lies one of 
the prettiest homesteads in McLean Coun- 
ty, the property of the gentleman whose 
name st.ands at the head of this sketch. It consists 
of "220 acres of valuable land under a fine state of 
cultivation, with a handsome and substantial resi- 
dence, a good barn, and all necessary out-buildings 
for the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. 
The fences and farm machinery are kept in good 
repair, and everything about the premises indicates 
the supervision of the progressive and enterprising 
farmer and citizen. 

Mr. Rose is a native of this State, born in Clark 
County, Sept. G, 184C. His parents were Ira B. 
and Julia (Martin) Rose, the former a native of 

-4» 



" 



New York State, and the mother of Indiana. Ira 
B. Rose was born Oct. 6, 1805, spent his childhood 
and youth in his native State near the city of 
Rochester, and when about twenty years of age 
became a resident of Kentucky. There he fol- 
lowed the trade of a carpenter until 1831, then 
came to Illinois and located in Clark County. Here 
he followed his trade the remainder of his life, his 
death occurring Dec. 3, 1880. The mother was 
born Aug. 30, 1820, and was married to Mr. Rose 
in 183G. She departed this life at her home in 
Martinsville, Clark Co., 111., on the 10th of August, 
18.")"). She was a member of the Wiuebrenarian 
Church. The reconl of their nine children is as 
follows: Elim died in infancy; Martha J., born 
July 31, 1839, became the wife of David C. Myers; 
John N., born Jan. 31, 1842, married Miss Drury 
A. Tudor; William H., born April 25, 1844, mar- 
ried Miss Mary A. Ashby; Daniel of our sketch 
was the fifth child; Didama, born April 15, 1849, 
became the wife of George Harris; David, born 
April 20, 1851, married Miss Ellen Mclntire; P^me- 
line P., born Dec. 22, 1854, died April 31, 18GG. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his par- 
ents until the breaking out of the late war, and al- 
though only about sixteen years of age, enlisted as 
a soldier, becoming a member of Co. G, 1 23d Illi- 
nois Mounted Infantry. He was mustered into 
service at Martinsville, Clark County, and partici- 
pated with his comrades in the battle of Stone 
River, and many other engagements and skir- 
mishes. He served his full term of three years and 
received his honorable discharge at Springfield in 
1865. He again took up his residence in Clark 
County, from which he removed in 18G8 to Mc- 
Lean County. 

Mr. Rose was married, on the 7th of November, 
187G, to Miss Rlioda E. Tudor, who is a native of 
this county, born April 4, 1858. She is the daugh- 
ter of Thomas H. and Sophia (Hunter) Tudor, the 
former a native of Madison County and the latter 
of Jessamine County, Ky. Thomas H. Tudor was 
born July 4, 1828, and departed this life at the 
home of our subject, Sept. 14, 1885. In 184G he 
enlisted in the regular army and engaged in the 
Mexican War, being a member of the 1st Kentucky 
Regiment. He was at the battles of Buena Vista 



> 



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522 



McLean county. 




and Palo Alto, and csiaped nnh;unied. He then 
returned to lii.s farming pursuits until the breaking- 
out t)f the late Civil War, when he enlisted in the 
nth Kentuek3' Cavalry, serving three years. Al- 
though not wounded he never recovered from the 
hardships which he endured as a soldier, his health 
being completely undermined. 

The mother of Mrs. Hose was born March 24, 
1833. The parental family included six children 
— Richard P., Tinirsey. lihoda E., Drur^' A., and 
two who died in infancy. Mr. Tudor was a strict 
Republican in politics, and a mendier of MePherson 
Post No. 79, G. A. K.. at Saybrook, 111. 

Daniel Rose came to McLean C^ounty in IStiH, 
lirst locating at Funk's drove, where he was eni- 
[)loyeil as a farm laliorcu- by the month for two 
years. He then rented a farm six years, and at the 
expiration of that time purchased 1(10 acres of land, 
to which he subsequently added, and formed his 
present fine homestead. His three children are as fol- 
lows: Frankie was born Feb. l.S, lcS78, and died 
.Tan. li), 1870; I,ora M. was born Nov. 10. I.SSO, 
and Charles E., Oct. 2;'), 1882. 

The father of our subject was one of the earliest 
settlers of Clark County, this State, where he pur- 
chased a tract of land anil laid a jtortion of it off 
into town lots, forming ;i vill.age which was after- 
ward named M.artinsville, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his days. He was a Republican in poli- 
tics, and was widely and favorably known through- 
out that section as a man who generously identified 
himself with its interests and worked for its pros- 
perity and welfare. The beautiful residence of Mr. 
Rose is handsomeh' lithographed on another page 
of this volume. 



JOSHUA .7. CRAYSON. This gentleman is 
I clo.sely connected with the industrial inter- 
ests of Saybrook, where he has been occu- 
pied for a number of years as a carpenter 
and joiner. He is a ujitive of Dayton, Ohio, born 
.)an. 2, 1830, and the son of .loshua and Margaret 
(Mullen) Grayson, the father a native of Virginia, 
and tiie mother of Kentucky, and of Lisii ancestry. 
.Josiuia Grayson foUowcd the occupation of a 



farmer all his life. He was a member of. the 
Christian Church, and Democratic in politics until 
during the progress of the late war, when he con- 
sidered \w had reason to change his views, and be- 
came a zealous Republican. He departed this life 
at Maysville, Ky., in 1878. Mrs. Margaret Gray- 
son survived her husband until the fall of 1883, 
and also died in JNLiysville, having lieon a member 
of the s.'une church as her husbaniL Tlu'ir live 
children were .Joshua, Joseph, jMar3', Margaret and 
Francis M. The lirst wife of .Toshua Gr,a3'son, Sr., 
was a Bliss Cory, who lived about ten years after 
their marriage, and they had three children — .lohn. 
Reason and Elizabeth. 

The subjcf't of this historj' learned liis trade in 
Kentucky, and with the exception of a slKirt time 
spent at farming, has followed it up to the [jresent 
time. He came to Illinois in 18G4, and is consid- 
ered one of the fmest workmen in McLean County, 
besides possessing more than ordinary business abil- 
ity .•iiid intelligence. He is an extensive reader, 
well posted in theology and politics, and possesses 
.a large fund of general information. He is essen- 
tially a self-made man, and commenced life at the 
foot of flic ladder, without a cent except his own 
earnings. Through the exercise of the strictest 
economy and untiring industry lie has secured a fair 
competency, and is in possession of a good home. 

Mr. (irayson was married, Feb. !), ISfl;'), to Miss 
Matilda J. Rigdon, a native of Lewis County, Ky., 
and lK)rn Dec. 5, 1842. She is the d.-iughter of 
lili T. and Dicie (Hurst) Rigdon, both natives of 
Kentucky. Mr. R. is still living, making his home 
in Lewis County, Ky., where he is prominently con- 
nected with tiie Christian Church as one of its 
Folders. He is Republican in politics, and in .all 
respects a worthy and valued citizen. He lias been 
twice married. The children of his first wife, the 
mother of Mrs. (ira^'son, were James, Matilda, 
William, Malinda, Clayborn, Lewis and Sanford. 
Mrs. Dicie Rigdon died, and Mr. Rigdon tiien mar- 
ried Miss Loui.sa Plummer. Of this union there 
were born five children — Ida, Taj'lor, Hattie, Jas- 
per and Osc.ar; the latter two are deceased. 

.Mr. and .Mrs. Grayson have no children of their 
own, but ado|)ted a niece, Miss Nora C. Rigdon, a 
bright and interesting girl of about fourteen ye.ars. 



i 






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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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525 



Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal C!hurch at Saybrooiv, of which our subject 
is a Trustee, and has contributed liberally toward its 
support. He has been President of the City Coun- 
cil for about six j-ears, and served as School 
Ti'ustee tliree years. 

During the progress of the Rebellion Mr. Gray- 
son enlisted as a Union soldier in the 10th Ken- 
tucky Cavalry, serving one year, during which tim« 
he participated in several general engagements, and 
was taken prisoner at the battle of Mt. Sterling. 
His exchange, however, was effected six weeks aft- 
erward ; he then returned to his command. Mr. 
G. was Fourth Sergeant of his companj\ Previous 
to enlisting in the volunteer army he had been iden- 
tified with the Home Guards of Fleming County. 
He has always been a stanch Republican in politics. 
A lithographic view of Mr. Grayson's residence is 
shown on anotlier page. 



.■^i^f^sti^ 



«^».^-»«C5tf-» 



ill 



YMAN FERRE, a capitalist of Blooming- 
tou, wliose portrait is shown on the opi)o- 
^ site page, is one of its most highly respect- 
ed citizens, and one to whom its intelligent people in- 
variably turn in all matters affecting its general 
interests. His has been a busy and industrious life, 
upon which he can look back with satisfaction as 
having done a great work among tlie business and 
industrial interests of his adopted State, and con- 
tributed in a large measure to her wealth and pros- 
perity. 

Mr. Ferre was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1 821. 
His fatlier, Solomon Ferre, was also a native of the 
Bay State and a descendant of ancestors who came 
from tiie South of France and settled in this coun- 
try at an early period in its history. His father, 
Solomon Ferre, married Miss Margaret Rumrill, of 
Springfield, Mass., who descended from English 
stock, and whose father's people were among those 
who first settled in IMassachusetts. Solomon P'erre 
was a shoemaker by trade, and became one of the 
most skillful manufacturers in that locality, his busi- 
ness operations extending eventually over a large 
territory. He was a man of great energy and force 
of chai'acter, his perseverance being jjmverbial, 



seldom abandoning anything whie^h he undertook. 
He continued in business in Springfield, Mass., for 
many years and there spent the remainder of his 
days. The parental household included eight 
children, five sons and three daughters, only two of 
wiiom survive, our subject and his brother Good- 
man, now a resident of Bloomington. He was born 
in January, 1806, and was for many 3'ears a manu- 
facturer of carriages and wagons in this city. 

Lyman Ferre was the seventh child of his parents' 
family. He passed his bo3'hood in his native State, 
and in later years went to Western New York. 
From there, in 1840, he turned his steps westward, 
coming into Bloomington, a stranger without means 
or friends. He was willing to work at whatever his 
hands could find to do, and this, with his strong arms 
and honesty of purpose, soon secured for him the 
friendship of all honest men. He was variously 
employed until the fall of 1850, when, the gold ex- 
citment being at its height, he resolved to travel 
across the plains to California. He had saved what 
he could of his earnings and had a small amount of 
capital when starting for the Pacific slope. After 
arriving in Sacramento he sought the mining dis- 
tricts, and spent the following' year searching for 
the yellow ore. This not proA'ing as remunerative 
as he hoped, he determined to make a change and 
began to buy cattle, for which he exchanged a por- 
tion of gold dust. Some of these he allowed to run 
on the range and fatten on the grass, then sold 
to freighters at a good price. After sufficient ex- 
perience in this manner of living he concluded to 
return within the bounds of civilization, and started 
for the old camping-grounds in Illinois, via the 
Isthmus of Panama to New Orleans, thence by 
steamer to St. Louis where, after arriving, the crew 
were not allowed to land under twenty-four hours 
on account of cholera. After flnall}' reaching terra 
flrma, our subject made iiis way to Pekin and thence 
to Bloomington. 

Here, in 1852, Mr. Ferre opened up a carriage 
and wagon shop, and engaged in the manufacture 
of all kinds of road vehicles. His energy, industry 
and good judgment soon placed him on the high 
road to prosperitj', and it was not long before he 
was enabled to provide twenty men with employ- 
ment. His first shops were located on the corner 



> 



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4 



526 



McLean county. 



of Front and Center streets. In August, 1856, the 
stock and building were destroyed by fire and Mr. 
Ferre lost heavily. He did not sit down to mourn, 
however, but immediately erected some cheap sheds, 
and getting together stock and tools, commenced 
again. He continued in this manner for two years, 
meeting with success, and then commenced build- 
ing a brick structure which was to be three stories 
in height, covering au area of •22x()G feet. Into 
this he i-emoved soon after its completion. His 
manufactures increasing steadily in numbers and 
quality, he was then obliged to put up another 
building of the same size in which to accommodate 
his extensive business. This he occupied until 
187G, and then put up the structure now familiarly 
known as the post-office block, which is three stories 
in height, and 44x85 feet. The first floor of this 
is occupied by the post-ofHce and the third floor is 
devoted to the use of the Masons. Besides these 
buildings .and other valuable city property he is the 
proprietor of a good farm, and is a large stock- 
holder in the People's Bank of Bloomington, with 
which he has been connected since its organization. 

In 1840 Mr. Ferre made the trip by wagon and 
horse-team from Springfield, Mass., to Bloomington, 
111., camping out. In 1850 he made another over- 
land trip, from Bloomington to California, by 
horses to Salt Lake, thence by ox-team the remain- 
der of the way. In the meantime he had made a 
round trip from Bloomington to the Genesee Val- 
ley, N. Y., camping out both waj's. He started 
out with a good team and wagon, a few provisions, 
and $12 in money, and made the journey on that 
amount to Western New York. 

Mr. Ferre was united in marriage with ISIiss 
Jeanette F.. Il.nyes, of Bloomington, in 1841. Mrs. 
F., like her husband, comes from New England, 
having been born in Connecticut in 1823. Of 
this union there have been three children, two 
daughters and one son: Ada died when about 
eighteen years of age ; Belie is the wife of William 
G. Taylor, a prominent attornej' of Cleveland, Ohio; 
the son, George, died in infancy. The residence 
of our subject is ahand.some and convenient struct- 
ure, finely finished and furnished, where Mr. F. and 
his family dispense a generous hospitality to scores 
of friends, embracing the most cultured people of 



the city. Mr. Ferre is a member of Bloomington 
Lodge No. 43, A. F. & A. M., Chapter No. 24, and 
De Mohiy Commandery, and Chicago Consistory, 
having t.aken the 32d degree in Masonry. In 
politics he is a stanch Republican and has been 
since the organization of tliat party. 



-^s-- 



#••* 



'^/OSEPH A. PITTS, one of the most skillful 
and intelligent farmers of Mt. Hope Town- 
sliii), and a yentlenian of more than ordinary 
(j^// capacity, is possessed of an excellent educa- 
tion, is an extensive reader, and keeps himself well 
posted in regard to the imi)ortant questions of the 
day. He has made a science of his farming ojiera- 
tions, and while carrying on the tillage of the soil 
has at the same time cultivated his intellect, and in 
this vicinity is looked ujion as one eminently fitted 
to be a leader and counselor in the ordinary affairs 
of life. 

Mr. Pitts is a native of Bristol County, Mass., 
and first opened his eyes to the light in the town 
of Dighton on the 14th of November, 1823. He 
comes from a line of excellent ancestry, his father 
having been Hon. Joseph Pitts, who w.-is also born 
in Dighton, Mass., on the 14th of .Tuly, 1794. His 
grandfather, Capt. George Pitts, of English ances- 
try, was a native of the same localitjs'and of sub- 
stantial English ancestry. He was a ship carpenter 
by trade, and at one time owned a vessel which 
operated in the merchant service. During tlie 
struggles of the colonies for their independence, he 
engaged in the Revolutionary War; when peace 
was declared, he returned home and died in his na- 
tive town of Dighton, on theSlstof October, 1839. 
He was an energetic business man, and established 
a store in Savanu.ah, G;i., where he spent a part of 
each winter. 

Joseph Pitts, the father of our subject, in early 
life learned the trade of a shoemaker, but aban- 
doned it after a short time. Thereafter he spent 
his winters at his father's store in Savannah until 
1833. Previous to this he had been appointed 
Collector of Customs by President Jacksou for the 
Fall River District, and served until the election of 
Gen. Taylor as President, when he returned to his 
===, -*►- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



527 



i 



home in Dighton. He was the owner of a small 
farm there, and afterward for some years devoted 
his time to the culture of his land. He served a 
number of years as Justice of the Peace, and rep- 
resented his district in the State Legislature for 
four terms. In 18G8 he came to McLean County, 
111., and the following year engaged in the hard- 
ware trade, until 1874, when he retired from act- 
ive business, and lived with his son, our subject, 
until his death, which occurred Jan. 30, 1878. 

The father of our subject was twice mai'ried, his 
first wife being Mrs. Elizabeth Slade, who was born 
in Somerset, Bristol C<j., Mass., in March, 1795. 
She departed this life on the 20th of November, 
1839, leaving two children : John, who was born 
May 20, 1820, became a sailor, and died at sea in 
1843; .loseph A. is the subject of our sketch. The 
second wife of Josejjh Pitts, Sr., was Miss Harriet 
Briggs, to whom he was married Nov. 25, 1840; 
she also was born in Uighton, Mass., Nov. 22, 1809, 
and after becoming the mother of one child, died 
Nov. 10, 188tl. Her son, James K., now lives in 
Topeka, Kan., where he is engaged in the hardware 
business. 

Josejih A. Pitts was placed in school at an early 
age, and continued his studies uninterruptedly until 
he was fifteen years old. He was then apprenticed 
to the blacksmith trade at Dighton, Mass., and after 
one year of service met with an accident which de- 
prived him of the sight of one eye, the ball having 
been pierced by a piece of steel which flew from 
the anvil. He suspended operations one year, then 
went back to his trade, this time at Mansfield, 
Mass., for two years, during which he completed 
his apprenticeship, and worked as a journeyman 
for the three years following. He then went to 
Taunton, where he was employed in the locomo- 
tive shop for a short time, and was afterward placed 
in charge of a stationary engine at Dighton, where 
he remained until 1849. Then, in company with 
twenty-five others, he purchased a sailing-vessel, 
organized a conipany, and on the 9th of March 
started for California, and while passing the Straits 
of Magellan, on the 2Gth of June, they were ship- 
wrecked and their vessel destroyed. The crew was 
picked up by a Boston brig, and taken to Callao,. 
Peru, whence the American Minister sent them on 
■^a 



to San Francisco. Mr. Pitts there entered the 
mines, and spent one year searching for the yel- 
low ore, and then with the assistance of twenty-one 
mules, packed goods from the trading-posts to the 
mines. He remained at the mines selling the goods, 
and his partner attended to the transportation. He 
was thus employed until February, 1852, and then 
started homeward via the Isthmus to New York, 
and thence by rail to Dighton. 

On the 24th of March, 1852, Mr. Pitts was mar- 
ried to Mrs. Betsey \. Briggs {nee Peck), and on 
the 24th of May started for Chicago where he ex- 
pected to meet his partner from San Francisco. 
Their plan had been to purchase horses and take 
them across the plains, but his partner having been 
taken sick, the project was abandoned. Mr. Pitts 
then came to Bloomington to look at the country 
in that vicinity, and concluded that it would be a 
good place in which to locate. Thei-e was some 
Government land and a great many unimproved 
claims for sale at from #1.50 to $3 per acre, much 
of it being owned by Eastern parties. In June, Mr. 
Pitts returned to the East, and from parties there 
purchased 640 acres of land lying on sections 27, 
28, 33 and 34, of what is now Mt. Hope Township, 
and in October he returned to McLean County, ac- 
companied l)y his wife. 

The land which Mr. Pitts had purchased was un- 
improved, and he and his wife set up housekeep- 
ing in a rented dwelling, which the3' occupied for 
a year, Mr. Pitts in the meantime erecting a frame 
house 16x26 feet in dimensions, and hauling the 
lumber from Pekin, fortj' miles distant. In 1854, 
the residence being completed, Mr. Pitts and his 
wife moved into it on the 1 4th of March. Mr. 
Pitts then engaged vigorously in the improvement 
and cultivation of his land, and established the 
homestead which he at present owns and occupies. 
It is now all improved and supplied with good 
buildings. The first little house has given place to 
a handsome and commodious farm residence which, 
within and without, gives evidence of cultivated 
tastes and ample means. The barns and out-build- 
ings correspond with the residence, and the estate 
presents one of the most attractive spots in the 
landscape of the Mississippi Valley. It is espe- 
cially adapted to stock-raising, and to this Mr. Pitts 



i 



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McLean county. 



has given considerable attention. The farm is well 
watered by Sugar Creek, a never-failing stream 
which p.asses through it. It is supplied with the 
requisite amount of timber, and adjacent to the 
residence are orchards of fine fruit, and patelies of 
choice shrubbery. He has continued to add to his 
farm estate until it now comprises SOO acres. 

Mr. Pitts was deprived of the partnei- of his 
youth, by death, on the '24th of November, 1867. 
They liad become the parents of four children, as 
follows : John J. is a practicing attorney of Bloom- 
ington ; Elizabeth S. is an invalid and remains in 
her father's home ; Lemira is the wife of Emmons 
Snow, of Mt. Hope Township; Augustus D. is en- 
gaged as clerk for a druggist of Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Mr. Pitts was the second time married, on the 16th 
of May, 1876, to Miss Augusta A. Starbuck, who 
was born in Cumberland County, 111., in 1851. Of 
this union there have been born five children — 
Herbert A., Sarah A., Lewis E., Ralph L. and 
George W. 

Mr. Pitts has always been Democratic in politics, 
and cast his first presidential vote for James K. 
Polk. He is one of the representative men of Mc- 
Lean County, and in all respects is fulfilling the 
obligations of a man of influence, and a valued 
citizen. A fine lithogra[)hic view of the residence 
of Mr. Pitts is shown elsewhere in this work. 



^OIIN CARLYLE, widely and favorably 
known as the proprietor of Pleasant Park 
Earm, is one of the self-made men of the 
Prairie State, and has in all his operations 
distinguished himself as one of the most worthy 
representatives of his excellent Scottish ancestry. He 
was born in Dumfriessliirc, Scotland, Feb. 18, 1822, 
on a farm named "Millbank," in the parish of St. 
Mungo. His father, Walter Carlyle, and his grand- 
father, .Tohn Carlyle, were natives of the same par- 
ish, the latter being a farmer and stock-raiser and a 
man of note. He spent his entire life in his native 
parish. His son AValter was reared on the farm, 
and became an expert plowman, taking the prize at 
several county fairs. His f.ame became so great 



i 



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that finall}' no one would compete with him, and he 
was then appointed one of the judges at these trials. 
He also spent his entire life in his native country. 
His wife, the mother of our subject, was formerly 
Miss Jeanette Bell, a native of his own parish, her 
father, Thomas Bell, being formeily the owner of 
Millbank Farm. This lady also died in her native 
parish. The parental household included six chil- 
dren, of whom the subject of our sketch was the 
second, and the only one of the famil}' who came to 
America. 

John Carlyle w.as reared to farming pursuits, and 
remained under the parental roof until 1855, when 
he married, rented land, and commenced farming 
on his own account. He operateil thus for six years, 
and then, in May, 1861, started for the United 
States, accompanied by his wife and three children. 
After a voyage of four weeks the^y landed in New 
York City, the head of the famil}' possessing but a 
few dollars. They made no stay there, but pro- 
ceeded directl}' westward to Illinois, and located in 
this county, where the husband and father was em- 
ployed as a farm laborer at 50 cents per da\-. Ir< 
18C2 he rented land in Funk's (irove Township, 
and his first crop of corn yielded him 15 cents per 
bushel. He occupied that farm five years. Corn 
in the meantime had adv.inced in price till it was 
worth ^1.10 in Bloomington. Mr. Carl^'le, how- 
ever, had not confined his operations to grain grow- 
ing exclusively, but purch.ased calves and fed them 
until, in 1867, he was possessed of a good herd of 
cattle. The most of these he sold at a good price, 
and with the proceeds purchased a tr.act of land 
in Bellettower Township, whicli included the north 
half of section 25. There was a small frame house 
on the place, and in this the family lived for a time, 
.and then Mr. C. erected a more commodious dwell- 
ing. He has also a good barn and other necessarj' 
out-buildings. From time to time he added to his 
Landed possessions until finally he became the 
owner of 560 acres of land, which he improved, and 
continued its cultivation until 1885, and then prac- 
tically retired from active labor. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Mary 
Smith was celebrated at the birtliplace of the bride, 
Linn Hall Farm, in the parish of Tundergarth, 
Dumfriesshire, March 6, 1855. Mrs. Carlyle was 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



531 






Miss Lydia Davy in 1837, in his native England. 
Mrs. H. was the daughter of William and Lydia 
(Raindel) Davy, also natives of England, and the 
father a tailor by trade. The parental family em- 
braced seven children, of whom Mrs. Hallet is the 
onl}' one living. By her union with our subject she 
became the mother of eight children, three of whom 
died in childhood ; the record is as follows : Will- 
iam married Miss Emma Hartley, and they have 
four children — -Carrie, William, Harley and Ethel; 
Joseph, a physician, married Miss Ella Rodenbeek, 
and they have two children — James and Addison; 
James married Miss Elizabeth Wilson, and they 
have had three children — Rose (deceased), Edith 
and Edna; Lydia is a teacher in the McLean 
County public schools ; Elizabeth is at home with 
her parents. Mr. Ilallett departed this life Feb. 
•21, 1887, aged seventj'-two years. He was a Re- 
publican in politics, and a member of the 1. O. O. F. 
iNIrs. H. is a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



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nil-i^^- 



ARQULS L. (JUINN, one of the progressive 
young farmers of Bloomington Township, 
is successfully engaged in cultivating 250 
acres of land, and has a handsome farm 
residence located in the southwest part of the 
township on section 31. Mr. Qninnwas born upon 
the homestead where he now resides, April 17, 
18G0. He received his primary education in this 
township and completed his studies in the High 
School at .Shirley. He took possession of the farm 
in the spring of 1882, and has operated it success- 
fully since that time. 

Mr. Quinu was married at tlie home of the bride's 
parents in Funk's Grove, to Miss Addie, the 
daughter of H. L. Jackson, who has been a resident 
of Funk's Grove Township for a period of eighteen 
years. Mr. Jackson came from Kentuckj^ to this 
county soon after his marriage with Miss Margaret 
Thomas, who became the mother of nine children, 
of whom the wife of our subject was the sixth in 
order of birth. Mrs. Addie Quiun was born in 
Shirley, this county, Oct. 1, 1863, and remained 



with her parents until her marriage. Of her union 
with our subject there have been born two chil- 
dren — Lee, who died when eight months old, and 
Georgia L., born Dee. 6, 1886. 

Mr. Quinn was the eighth of a family of ten 
children. His parents, Sidney M. and Sallie A. Quinn, 
came from Kentucky in 18.51, and the father died 
at his home in this township in 1882, having been 
a resident of the Prairie State for a period of thirty 
years. The mother is still living, making her home 
at No. 907 AVest Wood street, Bloomington. 

Since his marriage Mr. Quinn has been conduct- 
ing the affairs of his mother's large farm, and has 
given much attention to the raising of fine stock. 
He is a solid Republican in politics, and with his 
wife, a worthy member of the Christian Church. 

^ OHN HAY, one of the honored pioneers of 
the Prairie State, came to Illinois in the 
spring of 1834, and has witnessed with keen 
interest and satisfaction its rapid develop- 
ment and prosperity. During a long residence in 
Danvers Township he has become widely and favor- 
ably known as one of its most reliable and valued 
citizens. He is now far down the sunset hill of 
life and remembers many of its interesting events 
with vivid distinctness, possessing all his faculties 
to a remarkable degree. He has been a member 
of the Christian Church for a period of over fifty- 
five years. He owns and occupies a fine homestead 
of 120 acres of valuable land, and is an ever wel- 
come and familiar figure in the vicinity which has 
known him so long and known nothing of him but 
good. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Washing 
ton County, Va., March 18, 1797, and is conse- 
quently now over ninety years of age. He is the 
son of Peter and Elizabeth (Finley) Hay, natives 
respectively of Massachusetts and Virginia. His 
mother was born in Augusta County in the latter 
State, and Peter Hay, in Boston, Mass. The latter, 
when a young man, went to Richmond, Va., and 
there followed the business of a tinner, with which 
he was occupied at intervals through life, in the 



»► ■ ■ <• 



I 



t 







:-o 



McLKAN COUNTY. 



i' 



meantime also being engaged in farming pursuits. 
After tlieir marriage the parents removed to Logan 
County, Ky., in about 1801, and resided there for 
neaily twenty years. Thence they removed to 
Cliristian ('ouutj' in the same State, where the 
fatlier died in 1824, and the njother followed him 
after a few months. They were both connected 
with the old-school Presbyterians. Their children 
were named as follows: .lane B., Mary F., Marcia 
S., Rachel, Catharine, John and George F., the two 
latter being the only representatives of the family 
living. 

Mr. Hay remained under the parental roof until 
after attaining his majority, receiving a common- 
school education and learning to »\>e\\ from the 
" Old Dillworth." In the spring of 1834 he came 
West, in the meantime having been married, and 
purchased a section of land near his present home, 
to which he removed his familj' the following 
spring. His marriage occurred in October, 1821 , 
when he was twenty-four years of age, the maiden 
of his choice being Miss Selcy Killelirew, who re- 
mained his companion for a period of nineteen 
years, and departed this life on the Dth of August, 
1S4(I. Their children were: .Samuel S., Peter G., 
Sarah K., John W., Mary J., Susnn (r.. Seley E., 
Joseph Iv, ;ind one daughter who died unnamed. 

Mr. Hay for his second wife married Mrs. Sarah 
Daniels, of South Grove, 111., who was born 
Sept. 5, 1810. Tills lady died on the 22d of 
February, 1858, leaving one child, Alpliia, who 
was born March 5, 184.3. In 18G0 our subject 
married Mrs. Cynthia Kowell, the mother of Hon. 
J. H. Ivowell, JNIember of Congress, and this lady 
died Nov. !, 18G7. Of the four children of Mr. 
Hay living, all ar? residents of Illinois. Soon after 
coming here John Il.a}' became activel3' interested 
in the affairs of this section. At the time of his 
airival, the township was not organized, although 
a Justice of the I'eace was re(piired, and he filled 
the position with credit to himself and satisfaction 
to all concia'ned. He was also School Director and 
Township Trustee for a number of years. 

Susan (i. Hay, a daughUu- of our subject, who 
was biu-n In Illinois in 1 835, became the wife of 
(ieorge Moe on the 5lh of .lanuary, 1868; the latter 
was born in Michigan in 1837, and during the late 

4* 




war enlisted as a Union soldier in the 4th Michigan 
Cavalry. He was wounded at the battle of Ken- 
nesaw Mountain and afterward, on account of this, 
received his discharge and is now drawing a small 
pension from the (iovernment. Mr. and Mrs. Moe 
are now living in Colorado, the former being en- 
gaged in mining. Mr. M. is Republican in politics 
and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a 
member of a Bloomington Lodge. Mrs. Moe be- 
longs to the Order of the Eastern Star and is also a 
member in good standing of the Christian Church. 

ENJAMIN F. NICKERSON is engaged in 
the livery business and as a breeder of fine 
horses. He owns at present the celebrated 
Almont King, a roadster stallion, destined 
to be the finest si)eclmen of his kind in this locality. 
He was sired by the well-known Mammoint, dam 
by Powers Denmark, and was foaled June 9, 1881. 
This animal weighs about 1,150 pounds, is a bright, 
rich bay in color and a nu)del of beautj' and syin- 
nietr^'. The record of his half-brother, Louis R., is 
2 :23^. Mr. N. also has in his possession the beauti- 
ful horse, Paul Bego, the 2d. This is a dark bay, 
sixteen and one-half hands high, eight j'ears of age, 
and weighs 1,400 ))ounds, with the kindest disposi- 
tion of the breed of which he is a member. The 
other animals in the stable of Mr. Nickerson are 
of the best and most jjopular Itreeds, and their pro- 
prietor fully understands their care and require- 
ments. He has a genuine love for his business, and 
is fast making for himself an enviable reputation 
as a breeder and a judge of fine horses. 

Mr. Nickerson has been a resident of Heyworth 
since the fall of 1881, when he established his busi- 
ness. He had previously been engaged in farming 
in Funk's Grove Township, on section .31, where 
he located in March, 1875, upon a tract of land of 
eighty-three acres which he had purchased and 
which w:is well improved. He yet retains his farm 
property, and has other real estate in the village of 
Heyworth. 

Mr. Nickerson was born in Randolph Township., 
Sept. 8, 1851. His father, Albert N., was one of 
the early pioneers of McLean County, coming here 



\i Ol I 

lere ^ ' 



i 




TILE WORKS OF BflRTELS & STOLL - LEXI NG TO N , ILLS, 



af 




t£ 



fB 



n VANTF ftr c:nM /BREEDERS 8t DEALERS OF NOR M A N , GLYDE \ CHENOA 1 LL5 
U.VMNi^t. OC. ilUN ,^ gg-j^gl^N AND TROTTING HORSES f ^"^ \^VJ t\ . I i-u J 



















^:^^-gt^^ 



RESlDENCEa BUSINESS PROPERXr OF A . E . 5WA P , COR . HAZEL ScSECOND STS.,WESTON ,1L15 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



535 



L. 



4 



nearly half a cenlury ago, and establishing himself 
in Randolph Township. He had previously with 
his family spent a few months in iSIissouri, which 
was then an unbroken wilderness through which 
Indians and other wild game roamed in plenty. 
The family lived in a covered wagon, intending at 
first to locate there, but the outlook was too dis- 
couraging and they recrossed the river to this 
county. There were then only a few settlers in 
this locality, but the father of our subject believed 
that it would develop into something great in the 
future, and with the sturdy resolution common to 
the pioneers of that day resolved to make his lo- 
cation here. lie cultivated and improved his tract 
of land in Randoli)h Township and established a 
comfortable home for his family, remaining there 
until 1871, when he removed to Hej'worth and 
lived retired from active labor until his death, 
which occurred in November, 1886, when he was 
seventy-seven years old. 

The father of our subject was one of the most 
highly respected and substantial citizens of Kan- 
doli)h Township, an Elder in the Christian Church, 
and Democratic in polities. His wife, formerly 
Miss Ellen Cook, was his faithful and devoted com- 
panion and is still living, making her home with her 
children in Ileyworth. .She was the sympathizer of 
her husband in all his undertakings, and with him 
united with the Christian Church, being noted for 
her womanly sympathies and kind deeds. 

The subject of this history was the seventh child 
and youngest son of a family of ten, seven sons 
and three daughters. Of these there are yet six 
sons living, but the daughters are all deceased. Mr. 
N. was reared in the manner common to most far- 
mers' boys, and received only three months' school- 
ing annually, until he was eighteen years old. He 
was reared to habits of industry, and at an early 
age commenced to work upon the farm, remaining 
under the parental roof until his marriage, which 
occurred Feb. 11, 1875, the maiden of his choice 
being Miss Fidelia A. Washburn, who was a native 
of Ileyworth and born Aug. 7, 1853. Mrs. N. re- 
ceived her education in her native village, became 
a teacher of music before her marriage, and has 
since occasionally applied herself to this profession. 
She possesses much talent in this direction, being a 



skillful performer on the piano. JMr. and Mrs. N. 
have become the parents of six children, four now 
deceased — Maude, Claude, Homer and an infant un- 
named. Those surviving are Lena M. and John 
A. Mrs. Nickerson is a member in good standing 
of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. N. is an ener- 
getic and straightforward Inisiness man; politically 
he is a reliable Democrat. 



^8^ 



\f/ESSE OGDEN, a well-known citizen of Mc- 
Lean County and a large land-owner and 
progressive farmer of Money Creek Tovvn- 
ship, and also .Supervisor of that township, 
resides on section 32, where he is engaged in gen- 
eial farming. Ilis parents were Benjamin and 
Sarah Ogden, the former born in what was known 
.IS the " Pickaway Claim," Ohio, and the latter in 
I'ennsylvania. The parents lesided in Pickaway 
County, Ohio, where the father was engaged in 
farming, and whence they removed to Fayette 
County, that State, and there resided until tiie 
fall of 1830, when they came to this county, mak- 
ing tlie trip overland. They settled on section 2S, 
Money CU-eek Township, and there the father con- 
tinued his labor as a farmer until his death, which 
event took place Sept. 27, 1S73. The mother died 
in the same township in the latter part of October, 
1883. Six of their ten ciiildren lived to attain the 
age of maturity, namely, Maria. Amanda, .lesse, 
Margaret, Elizabeth and Mary. Maria is the widow 
of Dr. Ethan McAfferty, who died in Money 
Creek Township Nov. 27, 18.S4, and she is still 
living in that township; Aniand;!, is the widow of 
Jonathan McAfferty, who died Dec. 11, 1863; 
Margaret is the wife of Wade llayworth, a resi- 
dent of Money Creek Township; Elizabeth married 
J. W. Stover, a farmer of that townshii), and Mary 
died in the same township. 

Jesse Ogden was born in the townsl)i|) in which 
he at present resides, July 2(1, 1,S34. He was reared 
to manhood on the old homestead of his father and 
received his education in the schools of this county. 
He has known no other vocation in life than that 
of a farmer, and is at present the owner of 500 
acres of valuable land, nearly all of which is under 



T 



t 



536 



■«► 



t 



McLean county. 



,111 advanced state of cultivation. He has held the 
olliceuf Supeivi.sor of Wonc}' Creek Township for 
several years, .■mil lias also been Assessor of the 
township fur two terms. Suciallj' he is a member 
of tile Masonic fraternity, ami in politics votes the 
Repiiliiican ticket. 



B^^^^i 




n- 



R.S. SARAH B. AYKUS, widow of Kev. 
Hiram Ayers, formerly of Bloomiiigton 
City, occupies a, jileasant and comfortable 
home at No. 610 Kast JIullierry street, and 
lias Ih'cii ;i resident of this city since 1 87.5. Rev. 
Hiram Ayers was born in Pennsylvania in I.S40, 
being tlie son of Benjamin and Lucinda (VVass) 
Ayers, also natives of the Ke_ystone State, and en- 
g.aged in farming pursuits. They came to Tazewell 
County, 111., in l.st2, and located iiiujii a farm 
which remained their perniaiumt home. There the 
father deiiartcd tliis life in l.ssd; the inotlicr is still 
living on tlie old homestead. 

Hiram Ayers remained an inmate of his father's 
house until seventeen years of age, and then came 
to Bloomington for the purpose of attending Wes- 
leyan ITuiversity. From this institution he grad- 
uated ill isi;;!, ;uid soon iiftcrward liecamc a circuit 
lireaclier of the Methodist K|iiscopal Cliiirch. He 
wiis devotedly attached to the cause of Christ, and 
eontimuMJ to iirench and labor for the .Master until 
his death, in ISJO. He was a man possessed of the 
rare faculty of making and retaining friends, and 
at his <lcatli was universally l.-inieiited. 

The marriage of Rev. Hiram Ayers and Miss 
Sarah S. I'.ishop took place in Bloomington, Nov. 
17, IsilM. Mrs. Ayers was born in ISi;i, iu Old 
Town Township, McLean County, and was the 
daughter of William and Margaret (Lake) Bisliop, 
both ii;itivcs of \'irginia. They came to Ohio in 
l.s 21, and engaged in farming until 1 .s;i;3. They 
then removed to Illinois and locnfed in ()1<1 Town 
Township, which remained their home during the 
lifetime of the fatln-r, his death having occurred in 
185;'). Mr. Bishop at one lime w-as .an extensive 
l.-ind-holder, and purchased in all about 2,000 
acres. He w.-is one of the substantial and prosper- 
ous men of his conununity, and in all respects a 




useful citizen. The mother of Mrs. Ayers, after the 
death of her husband, removed to Bloomington, 
where she now lives at the advanced age of eighty- 
three years. The parental family of eight children 
are all living, and were named Harvey, Henry, 
Samuel, George, William, Elizabeth (Mrs. Roop), 
Susan (Mrs. R.ayburn),and Sarah B., our subject. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ayers Itecanie the parents of two 
children — Albert E., born in ISGS, and Lottie \'., 
in 1809. The subject of this history is a most es- 
timable lady, greatly esteemed by her friends and 
associates, and carnestlj' devoted to her children 
and her home. 

B. INl'^S, a wortly member (jf the legal 
profession in Bloomington, is a native of 
the Empire State, and was born in Chau- 
(^ tauqua County, N. Y., in LSI 6. He is the 

son of Almond and Nancj^ (Tombling) Ives, na- 
tives respectively of Vermont and New York, the 
father being engaged in farming in the latter State 
during the earlier years of his life. He came with 
his family to Illinois in 1834, settling in Kendall 
County, near Vorkville, where he had purchased 
300 acres of (iovernment land. This remained the 
home of the family until 18r)4. Tliey then came 
to this county and lived in Bloomington three 
years, thence removed to Ambo3', Lee Count}^ 
where the mother died in 1861, and the father in 
1863. Of their ten children, seven are now living 
— Almond B., Simeon P., William E., P'ranklin B., 
Enos J., .Sarah IM. (Mrs. Tooker), and Nancy M. 
(Mrs. Sears). Mr. Ives was County Judge of 
Kendiill County, and Justice of the Peace for 
thirty years; lie also served as County Surveyor 
and Recorder. Both parents were members of the 
Baptist Church, in which the father was a Deacon 
for many years. He served as a soldier in the War 
of 1812, as also did the maternal grandfather of 
our subject, the latter receiving honorable wounds. 
Mr. Ives of our sketch descended from excel- 
lent iMiglish ancestry, the first representatives of 
the family in this country having been noted for 
their usefulness as citizens and their energy and 
enterprise as business men. Young Ives remained 



■•► 



r 






t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



f)37 



oil his father's farm until he was seventeen years 
old, then came westward with his parents to Illi- 
nois. He was a resident of Chicago some months 
in 1834. and in 1836 took up a claim in Kendall 
County, near Flano, which he cultivated and im- 
proved until 1H48. He then sold out and removed 
to Oswego, the county seat, where he engaged in 
the practice of law five years, and then came to 
Bloomington, where he has continued his practice 
since. 

Mr. Ives was married in 1,S35, to Miss Sarah 
Ervin, of Kendall County, 111., and of this union 
there were born six children — Mary P. (Mrs. 
tiage), Almira S. (Mrs. Biirnham), William W., 
Almond T., Isaac N. and Nellie C. Mrs. Sarah 
Ives died at the home of her husband, in Blooming- 
ton, June 14, 1854. He was subsequently married 
to Miss Lucinda Barber, of New York, of which 
union two children were born, only one of whom is 
now living, a son, Ellis L. Mr. Ives is Repub- 
lican in politics, and one of the reiiresentative busi- 
ness men of Bloomington, respected for his moral 
and intellectual worth. 



\] 



\Y/ ACOB r. JUNG, one of the prominent busi- 
ness men of Bloomington City, is a member 
of the firm of Higgins <fe Co., marble and 
granite manufacturers, whose place of busi- 
ness is located at Nos. 227 and 229 East Front 
street. The subject of this history was born in 
Nauvoo, Hancock County, this State, on the 9th of 
Fehruai}', 1850. He is the son of Christian and 
Elizabeth (Brandenberger) Jung, natives respect- 
ively of Coblentz and Bergen, Germany. They 
emigrated to the United States before their mar- 
riage, the father in 1 838. He first located in New 
Orleans whence, after a brief stay, he proceeded to 
New Y'ork and thence southwestward to St. Louis, 
Mo., where he remained until the Mormon troubles 
of 1848. Thence he removed to Nauvoo, and en- 
gaged as a contractor for j)lasteriiig and stone- 
work, and where he now resides, retired from the 
active labors of life. 

The parental family included ten children, six 
now living, as follows: Julia, Mrs. John Erb, re- 

4* ■ — — — — - 



sides in Keokuk, Iowa; Maggie, ]\Irs. Nifer, in Cali- 
fornia; Jacob P., in Bloomington; Lizzie, in Keo- 
kuk, also Mary M., Mrs. Carmichael; Henrietta is 
in Chicago. Christian Jung has been a prominent 
man in his eomm unity since coming to this Stale. 
He was President of the City Board of Nauvoo, 
and has also served as Alderman. He built the first 
German Lutheran Church there, and after the set- 
tlement of the MoruKjn troubles brought the first 
Lutheran minister from St. Louis there to preach, and 
kept him in his own family for a year. He early be- 
came identified with the Democratic party. He was 
one of the first to settle in Nauvoo after the Mor- 
mons had practically been driven out, and while 
engaged with others in armed opposition to them, 
was taken prisoner and held six weeks in the Tem- 
ple, whence he finally made his escape. 

Jacob P. Jung left the parental rocif at thirteen 
years of age, and going to Keokuk, Iowa, first en- 
gaged with II. K. Love, a banker. After two 
months he was employed to ride horses across the 
line from Missouri into Illinois for one summer, 
the Civil War then being in progress. He then re- 
turned to Keokuk for a short time, and from there 
went to t^uincj'. 111., and served an apprenticeship 
in the drug business witli Dr. John W. Hitter, for 
two years and five intjuths. Thence he went to St. 
Louis and engaged in business whence, after four 
months, he returned to his home in Nauvoo. From 
there, in 1869, he came to Bloomington, 111., and 
eno-aged with Peter Greenwalt as a stone-cutter, 
with whom he remained five months, and was 
variously engaged until May of that year, when he 
became an apprentice to a marble cutter, at which 
he served three years. Then, after a short time 
spent at each of the cities of St. Louis, Indianapo- 
lis and Cincinnati, he established business for him- 
self in Nauvoo, where he remained for two years 
and until 187(), when he went to South Alabama, 
and was emjiloyed in the Government A\'orks in 
July, 1877. He then came to Bloomington, where, 
after being employed at his trade for four months, 
he became associated with his present partner in 
September, 1878. Eight years later [188(;] they 
put up their present marble front, and are now do- 
ing an extensive and jirofitable business. 

Mr. Jung was married in 1881, to Mrs. Mary 



■*>— B-^* 

i 



f 



-4•- 

538 



I 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Cnniioii, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and the daughter of 
Hugh and Mary McLean. By her former husband 
Mrs. J. became the niotlier of two sons — ^^■illiam 
and .John — and of lier union with our subject there 
have been born a son and daugiiter — Gracie K. and 
Jacob P. The family residence is located at ]S'o. 
7i;i East Front street, where its inmates are enjoy- 
ing all the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
life. Mr. .Jung is Democratic in politics, and so- 
cially is n member in good standing of the K. of P. 




HUISTIAN UMMEL,a resident (.f Danvers, 
and an extensive imi)(>rter of line iiorses, is 
widely an<l favorably known throughout 
this section. He is a native of .Switzerland, born 
in the Canton of Neuchatel, .Ian. •22, 18.52, being 
the son of John and Mary A. (Slatter) Ummel, the 
father a native of Switz(n'land, born Fel). 7, 1801, 
and the mother of France, boin June 1 .'l, l.sil. 
.lohn I'mmel was a farmer and stock-r.-iiser, and 
s|>ent his entires life in his native land, dj'ing there 
Jnni' 28, 1877. The decease of the mother had 
occurred previously, June l.'i, 18G'J. The parental 
household included nine children, as follows: Mary 
A., Mrs. Christian Ranseyer; Anna, Mrs. John 
Ivanseyer; Rosina, Mrs. Abraham Kohler; Eliza- 
beth, Mrs. Phillip Kohler; Susan, INIrs. David Um- 
mel; David, who married Anna Kolik'r, and .lohn, 
who inarrie<l Elizabeth Saltzman; Henry for his 
lirst. wife marrieil Miss Anna Ummel, who died, 
and he was again niarried, to Miss Louise Niissel; 
he still lives in Switzerland; Christian, of our 
sketch, was the youngest of the family. The par- 
ents were connected with the Mennonite Church, 
and were most worthy and excellent people, and 
greatly respected by all who knew them. 

Christian Ummel was reared to manhood in his 
native land, and after reaching his majority, set 
sail for America in 1870. lie landed in jS'ew Or- 
leans, and from there went to Rutler County, Ohio, 
where he was employed on a farm b^' the month 
for three years following. He then came to Illi- 
nois, rented land in this county, and commenced 
farming on his own account, hi 187.') he was mar- 
ried to ^liss Lydia Kohler, and the^' became the 



parents of one child, which died when but seven 
months old. This lady was the daughter of Chris- 
tian and Susanna Kohler, natives of Switzerland. 
She departed this life Nov. 22, 1878, having died 
of consumption, and her remains were laid to rest 
in Imlioff Cemetery. She was a lad}' highly es- 
teemed for her excellent qualities of mind and 
heart. She was an affectionate wife apd a kind 
mother, and her name is held in kindly remem- 
brance 1)3' a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. 

The second wife of our subject, to whom he was 
niarried in 18.s;j, was Miss Catherine, the daughter 
of John and Uarl)ara (Slatter) Slanaker, natives rc- 
sjiectively of France and Switzerland. The father 
was born Ai)ril I'J, l.sOi), and the mother May 22, 
1810. They were married in Butler County, Ohio, 
in 1833, each having come to this country earl}' in 
life, the father in 1824. Their six children were, 
Mary, Louisa, Barbara, Catherine, John and Joseph. 

After his marriage Mr. Ummel continued farm- 
ing until 1884, when he removed into the village 
of Danvers, having purchased there a good resi- 
dence which made a pleasant and convenient home 
for his family. He is dealing jirinciiiall}' in Nor- 
man stock, and has two especially line animals, be- 
sides a black Norman whicii he prizes very highly, 
and is considered by those well posted, one of the 
linest that has ever been imported into this coun- 
try. i\lr. Ummel, formerly Republican, is now in- 
dependent in politics. 

\t|UUSON R. MASON, Secretaiy and General 
Manager of the Bloomington Mutual Life 
Benefit Association, and one of the self- 
made and wealthy men of Bloomington, is a 
native of New York, having been born on a farm 
in Oswego County, in September, 1841. His par- 
ents were Stephen R. and Sallie (Johnson) Mason, 
both of whom were born and reared in Massachu- 
setts. Stephen R. Mason was a fanner of modest 
means, with a familj' of ten children, of whom our 
subject was the youngest. The latter remained on 
the farm with his [larents until he had nearly reached 
his majorit}', having pursued his primary studies in 



^U 




4- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



539 



-t 



the common schools and completing them in the 
academy at Mexico Village near his home. He then 
went to Syracuse, N. Y., where he became l)0ok- 
keeper for the firm of Phelps & Chase, manufactur- 
ers of pianos and organs, in whose employ he re- 
mained until ISGo, in which year lie came to Bloom- 
ington. He still continued in the employ of the 
old firm after reaching this city, as a salesman of 
their pianos and organs. 

Mr. Mason was afterward employed by (iillett & 
Steere, and in l.SGG began operating in local fire 
insurance. During that year he was also ajipointed 
State Agent for the Ph(jenix Fire Insurance Com- 
panj'. of Hartford, Conn., and in this capacity 
proved himself master of the situation. He liad 
charge of about 800 agents, and was the principal 
adjuster in case of loss. The insurance business 
proved very remunerative, and Mr. JNIason con- 
tinued in it for a period of seventeen years. The 
company lost lieavily in the great Chicago fire of 
187t. In May, 1<S83, Mr. JVIason was appointed 
General Manager of the Bloomington Mutual Life 
Benefit Assocation, which is fast liecoming one of 
the substantial institutions of the city, principally 
owing to the discreet and wise management of our 
subject. The company operates over a wide ex- 
tent of territory, including the States of Illinois, 
Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota. 

Judson R. Mason was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary E. Rowan, of Bloomington, in 1865. Mrs. 
M. is the daughter of Martin B. Rowan, Esq., and 
grand-daughter of Dr. Isaac Baker, of Blooming- 
ton. Of this union there was born one child — 
Harry R. 

Mr. Mason has served in many important posi- 
tions connected with the Masonic fraternity, and 
has held all of the offices in the Sunday-School Un- 
ion in the State Sunday-School Association, and is 
one of the most active members of the First Bap- 
tist Church of Bloomington, having officiated in its 
Sabbath-school as Superintendent for the past ten 
years. He is also President of the Board of Water 
Works, and at present acting Mayor of the city, 
also Chairman of the Financial Committee and Al- 
derman of the First Ward. The association with 
which Mr. Mason is connected has grown from a few 
members to the number of il,000 and is represented 



b}' nearly f ,000 agents. Mr. Mason lias evinced 
financial ability equally well in his private affairs, 
as he came to Bloomington with scanty means and 
is now the [lossossor of a fine property, including 
one (*)f the finest residences in the city. He has in 
contemplation the erection of a fine business block 
the coming season, and is accounted one of the 
niAst useful and enter[)ri.sing inemberfe (if the eoni- 
munit3'. 

Vl?()HN A. MACE, editor and proprietor of the 
Saybrook Weekh/ Gazette, has been a resident 
of the Prairie State since 18G9, in which 
year, when a youth of sixteen, he came to 
this county with his parents. His birth took place 
ill Chester County, Pa., Oct. 10, 1853, and he is the 
st)n of Joseph and Mary E. (Thornbury) Mace, na- 
tives of the same county and State as their son. 
Joseph Mace was born Feb. 12, 1829, and learned 
the trade of a miller early in life, which he has fol- 
lowed since that time. Upon coming into this 
State he located first in Bloomington, whence after 
three years he removed to Shirle}', and subsequently 
to Cheney's Grove, where he rented a farm and also 
luirchased 120 acres, operating the two tracts of 
hind for two years thereafter. He then sold the 
farm and removed to Saybrook, where he resided 
one year. In 1876 he went to Michigan and located 
in Durand, Shiawassee County, whence he removed 
in 18,si; to Bancroft, that State, of which he is still 
a resident. He is a faithful adherent of the Re- 
publican party, and became a Mason before leaving 
Pennsylvania. The mother of our subject was born 
April 17, 18.'!t, and married to Joseph Mace in 
1S50. Her parents were Yearsley and Elizabeth 
(A'aleiitine) Thornbury, also natives of the Key- 
stone State, and of English ancestiy. Mrs. Thorn- 
bury is still living, having arrived at the advanced 
age of eighty-six years; her husband died in 1886. 
Their six children were Thomas, John, Mary E., 
Pliebe, Pascal and Clara. Joseph and Mary E. 
Mace became the parents of Benjamin P., Marshall 
T., John A., Sarah Ella B. (deceased), Mary P., 
.Joseph C, Paul V., Lizzie I., Hanson T., Clarence 
(deceased) and Nimrod. 

John A. Mace commenced business for himself as 
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540 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



clerk in a drug-store. He soon afterward took up 
tlie stud>' of pharmacy, and was employed three 
years in tlic drug-store of E. II. Shores, Saybrook, 
III., (hiring which time lie gained an excellent in- 
sight into tiie business, and was registered as a com- 
petent jiharmacist. He was afterward connected 
with the drug establishment of Creed JNIcDaniel, of 
Sayl)rook, with whom he remained until 1882. His 
attention in the ineMntinic had been directed to 
ji>urii:ilistie matters, and he decided to change his 
occupation to one which he felt was moie suited to 
his taste. He accordingly purchased the Saybrook 
/Jcra/il, afterward clianging it to its present title. 
He is a clear and forcible writer, and has evinced 
rare l)nsiness talent in the management of the Gn- 
zHtf, which has now become one of the leading pa- 
pers of the (u)unly. He is of that happy turn by 
which he can adapt himself to almost all circum- 
stances, and has been successful in his various under- 
t:ikiiigs, being possessed of nnnsual energy antl the 
resolution which admits of no such word .as "fail." 
The subject of our sketch was m.'irried to Miss 
.Maltie S. Crigler. Feb. 20, 11S84, and to them has 
l)(H'n born one child, a dsiughter, Ruth E., the dale 
of licr birth being Oct. li'i, l.s.so. Mr. Mace is 
wh.'it is called a genuine mossback Democrat, and 
for faithful service to the party was ajipointed 
I'ostmaster at Sayl)rook, 111., Aug. 11, 1 .S8.'>, which 
position he still holds, and is proving himself a 
capable and ellicient public servant. 



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k 



;;RANKHENI)ER, tlu!propriet<»rofoneofthe 
,1 linest farms in Belletlower Township, is lo- 
cated on sections 8 and 9, where he has 
made his home since 1871. He h.is a handsome 
and substantial resi(I<Mice, a good barn and all other 
necessary out-buildings, and a good supply of fruit 
trees. Around the dwelling are planted handsome 
shade .and ornameutid trees, and the homestead in 
all respects i)resents one of the most attractive 
si>ots ill the landscape of this section. Mr. Ilender 
is very actively engaged in stock-raising, and at 
present has eighty head of cattle, lOO head (jf Cots- 
wold and Southdown sheep, besides al)out fourteen 
head of horses. Owing to cholera his hog crop is 



rather light at present, he having only about twent}' 
head. 

Mr. Ilender is an Englishman l)y birth, and 
possesses in a marked degree the reliable and sub- 
stantial elements of his countrymen. His birth oc- 
curred in Hull, Yorkshire, Feb. 13, hs;!!. His par- 
ents were Matthew and F^leanor (Holingsworth) 
Hender. The father of our subject followed the 
sea for man}' years on a merchant vessel, and came 
to the United States in about IS.'Ji. Coming to the 
vicinity of (^uincy, 111., he jiurchased a small farm, 
which he occupied until 18.'')n, when he started over- 
land for Pike's Peak, Col., .accompanied bj' his son, 
Thomas. There they |)iu'cha.sed claims and dug for 
gold, and the father remaineil there the gieater part 
of the time for three years following, in the mean- 
time, however, visiting his family two or three 
times. He returned to this State during the war, 
and removing to Davenport, Iowa, lived there for 
a time, and thence removed to De Witt, Clinton 
County, where he spent the last years of his life. 
His widow now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Fred 
P. Kittenring, at De Witt, Clinton County. 

The p;neiital household included nine children, 
of whom the record is as folhjws: .lames, the eldest, 
is a resident of Washington Territory; Frank, our 
subject, is the second s<»n; jNIary, Mrs. Dixon, lives 
in Washington Territory, and Waltei- in Davenport, 
Iowa; Thoin.as, when last heard from, was in one of 
the Territories; Matthew during the late war served 
in the 8th Iowa Infantry and was wounded and 
taken prisoner at Shiloh ; he died at his home in 
Davenport about 1878; Ilenr}', now of Washington 
Territory, also served as a soldier in the 7th Mis- 
souri Cavalry ; Holingsworth, .also in Washington 
Territory, served in the 28th Illinois Infantry; 
Eleanor, Mrs. Kittenring, lives in De Witt. Iowa. 

Our subject commenced the life of a sailor on a 
coaster with his father when young, which be con- 
tinned until sixteen years old. He was then placed in 
charge of live small vessels called "lighters" and 
which wen; used in removing the cargos from large 
ships to the land, via the rivers. He was thus em- 
ployed till 1 8^i), and in December of that year set sail 
from LiveriK)ol for the United States, landing in New 
York City after a voy.age of forty-nine days. His 
first business there was in assisting to dig a canal at 



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a 



McLean county. 



541 






Bordentowu, N. J. Tbeiiee he soon after wanl 
went to Pittsburgh, Pa., and was employed in a 
waieliouse, of whicli he had charge for one year, 
and tlien started for the Soutliwest. Arriving at 
8t. Louis, lie engaged on the steamer "Arizona," 
which plied between St. Louis and Memphis. After 
making four trips, winter coming on the steamer be- 
came ice-bound in the river, and he with others 
went on shore and chartered an ox-team to take 
them to (St. Louis. This mode of loc(_)motioii l)eiug 
too slow, they abandoned the team and pushed 
ahead on foot. There were no houses on the road, 
and one night they were obliged to lay c>ut on the 
ground and this in mid-winter. The second night 
they arrived at the route of the Iron Mountain 
Railroad then in process of construction, and there 
our subject engaged to superintend the cooking for 
300 men. He was thus employed for six months, 
and then returning North to (.(uincy, 111., engaged 
with Samuel Holmes, who was a contractor, and with 
whom he remained three 3'ears. 

Mr. I-Ienden then engaged with Conistock Bros., 
stove manufacturers, two 3'ears, after which iiis em- 
ployers sent him to (ialesburg in charge of a stock 
of stoves and tinware, and he there opened a store, 
which he managed for the firm until they sold out. 
He then engaged with another lirm, with whom he 
continued six years and after this, in company with 
two partners, carried on the same liusiness four 
years, the lirm name being Hender, Zigler & An- 
drews. At the exijiration of this timb he disposed 
of his interest in the business to hi.s partners and 
erected a building in connection with the Union 
Hotel, where he established in business alone. This 
building was destroyed by fire in 1871, and he then 
concluded to try farming. Coming to McLean 
County he (jurchased 140 acres, to which he has 
added until he now has 300 acres, wiiich constitutes 
his present homestead, and upon which he has made 
great improveirfents since taking possession. The 
history of our subject thus briefly told, indicates 
him as a man possessed of more than ordinary abil- 
ity, with a remarkable faculty of adapting himself 
to circumstances. He has been imiformly prosper- 
ous in his business transactions, as the fine proper- 
ty' which he now owns amply testifies. 

Mr. Hender was married, April 12, llSSS, to Miss 
-4* 



Lncretia McCrary. Mrs. II. was born in Alaliaina, 
her father, Joseph MeCrary, being a native of South 
Carolina and of Scotch descent. He removed to 
Alaliama when young, where he was married and 
liv(Ml until 1.S43. He then removed to this State 
and settled in Jefferson Coulity, where he lived two 
3'ears, whence he removed to Peoria County and 
from there to Galesburg, where he spent the last 
years of his life. His wife, the mother of Mrs. II., 
also died there. Mr. and Mrs. II. have five chil- 
dren — Frank, Albert M., Lulu, Mar3' and Gertrude. 
The parents and throe of the children are members 
of the Episcopal Churcli. 

The mother of i\Irs. Hender, wht) before her mar- 
riage was Miss Elizabeth Carter, was born in \'ir- 
ginia, and was niari'icil first in her native State to 
JMr. Philgo, and went with him to Alabama, where 
he died about six months later. She departed this 
life at (ialesburg in 1884. 



R. JAMES F. MYERS, a prominent drug- 
gist and jjracticing physician of Saybrook: 
is a native C)f Ohio, born in Licking Coun- 
ty, Dec. 29, 185(1. He is the sou of Henry 
A. and Lovina (Schechter) Myers, both natives of 
the Buckeye State. Henry I\l3ers in his prime fol- 
lowed farming pursuits, and at one time officiated 
as a minister of the Methodist Protestant Ciiurch. 
He is now retired from active labor, and pleasantly 
located on a farm in Handol|)h Township. The 
wife and nnjther still survives, and continues to be 
the faithful companion and sympathizer other luis- 
liand. She shared with him his earlier toils, and is 
now enjoying with him a deserved rest. Their ten 
children are recorded as follows : Theodosia A. be- 
came the wife of George AV. Downs, and lives in 
Downs Township; Henry S. went to Washington 
Territory in 1883, and is now Street Commissioner 
of Sp(.ikaue Falls; Margaret C. is at home and sin- 
gle; James F., of our sketch, was the fourth child; 
William A. is deceased ; Rose L., Mrs. Kershaw, is a 
resident of Empire Township; Gtta died in infancy; 
Anna J., Mrs. Fisher, resides in Fairmount, 111.; 
Stanle3', the youngest, is still with his parents. 

Young Myers received his eai'l3' education in the 
(common schools, and when quite young evinced a 




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u 

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542 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






deckled taste for music. Wlieii eighteen years i>ld 
he gave close study to this art, which he taught at 
intervals for four years after\vai'(l, meantime attend- 
ing Westlield College, and tlie Evergreen City 
Commercial College of Bloomington. After leav- 
ing this institution he began the study of medicine 
with Drs. Hill it IJarnes, of P)loomingt<ni. the two 
most noted physicians of the country, where he 
studied three years, and in tiie meantime taking 
lectures in Hush Medical College at Chicago. He 
gr.-iduated from the latter institution in February, 
1S83, and immediately commenced the practice 
of his i)rofession at Farmer City, De Witt Co., 
111. The third year he took in a partner, with 
whom he operated one year, then disposed of his 
practice to his partner and removed to Sa\'brook, 
which has since been his home. Here he has one 
of the finest drug-storesin the county, and numbers 
among his friends and jwtrons its most wealthy and 
intelligent people. 

Dr. Mj'ers was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah .1. .Johnson, March l."), 1882. Mrs. M. is a 
native of this county, the daughter of J. C. and 
Klizabeth (Hargitt) Johnson, and was born Nov. 
11 , 181)0. Her father, who is now a resident of 
Hey worth, was born in 1822, and the mother, 
March ;i, 1827. The_v were married and came to 
Illinois in ISoS. Their eleven children are recorded 
as follows: JNIalinda is now Mrs. G. A. Nickerson; 
Thomas A. is the eldest son; M.ary E., Mrs. Pass- 
waters, lives in Kansas; George S., Richard M., 
William R. ; Sarah .)., wife of our subject; Charles 
W., Alfred E. and Albert W. (twins), and James 
A. complete the list. The father of Mrs. Myers 
crossed the plains several times to California, and 
wasrichl}' rewarded for his labors in the mines. He 
h.as been a great traveler, and there are few States 
in the Union which he has not visited. He has the 
faculty of observing the peculiarities of jieople and 
sections, and in this manner is possessed of a valua- 
ble fund of general information. His father before 
him was an astronomer, and his grandfather a 
highly educated gcuitleman. 

Mr. and Mrs. Myiu-s have two children : Dacie 
L., born Dec. 27, 1882, and Nettie K., Sept. 
14, 188;'). The family residence of our subject is 
pleasantly located, and is a home where relinement 



and cultivated tastes are apparent in all its appoint- 
ments. The Doctor is Republican in politics, and 
as a citizen, niMghlior and friend is nighl}' es- 
teemed among his townsmen. 

In addition to his regular college course Dr. 
Myers has taken great |)ains to instruct himself in 
the intricacies of his profession l)y employing pri- 
vate tutors. He has received certificates from the 
Central Free Dispensary of West Chicago, Illinois 
Charitable Kyeand Ear Infirmary, and for a special 
course in each of the following: Surgical Anatomy, 
Clinic Diagnosis, Diseases of Women, \'enereal and 
Skin Diseases, Diseases of Throat and Chest. The 
same are framed and adorn the walls of his office. 
His hospital practice and instruction have tended 
to make his medical education and in-oliciency much 
above the aver.age. 



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'^70NATHAN J. LANTZ, a native of the 
Buckeye State, but now a resident of Mc- 
Lean County, is carrying on farming oper- 
ations in Danvers TowMiship, on section 3, 
where he has uniformly met witli success. His 
birth-place was Knox County, Ohio, and the date 
thereof 18.'>y. His parents, Jonathan .and Nancy 
Lantz, were natives of Pennsylvania, where Jona- 
than Lantz, Sr., was born, in 1804, and his wife, 
Nancj', foui- years later. They w-ere engaged in 
farming i)ursuits, to which he had been reared from 
early childhood. He left his native State with his 
l^arents when about three years of age, and they lo- 
cated in Knox County, Ohio. There, after attain- 
ing his majority, the father of our subject pur- 
chased seventy' acres of hind and was soon afterward 
united in marriage with Miss Anna Yoder, the 
wedding taking place in Knox County, in 1827. 
Five years later they removed westward to Illi- 
nois, and located in White Oak Township, McLe.an 
Count}-. Here Mrs. Anna Lantz dep.arted this life 
in 1847, and the father of our subject made his 
home with his children until his death, which 
occurred Aug. 13, I88a. The parental household 
consisted of the following children: Gideon mar- 
ried Miss Catherine Yoder and lives in Oregon; 
lienjaniin died in infancy; Jonathan of our sketch 






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McLEAN COUNTY. 



545 



was the third in order of birth;. Jacob married Miss 
Rebecca Yoder; Lydia became the wife of Jacob 
Zook; Jeptha married Miss Mary Yoder ;John died 
in the ninth year of his age. 

Jonathan J. Lantz, Jr., retnained with his parents 
nntil the death of his mother, when lie became em- 
plu3'ed on a farm and thus continued until his mar- 
riage. This event occurred Nov. 9, 186"2, the lady 
of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Ehrisman. He 
then purchased 1"28 acres of land in Dan vers Town- 
ship, on section 4, which remained their home for a 
period of seventeen 3'ears. Mr. L. then sold out 
and i)urchased 160 acres upon which he has erected 
a fine dwelling, a good barn and all necessary out- 
buildings. He owns a half interest in a large saw- 
mill, the proceeds of which yield him a handsome 
income. He has been prominent in public matters 
since coming to this vicinity and has taken a gen- 
uine interest in the growth and advancement of his 
township. He held the office of Road Commissioner 
for nine years and is holding his third term as 
Township Assessor. He is Rei)ublican in politics, 
and with his wife, a worthy member of the Menno- 
nite Church. 

The parents of Mrs. Lantz were Daniel and 
Catherine Ehrisman, natives of Germany, where 
they were married in 1841. Eleven years later 
they sailed for the ITnited States and New York 
City, whence the^' immediately proceeded' to Illi- 
nois and located in Tazewell County, where they 
spent the remainder of their lives, Mr. E. dying in 
1870, and his wife in 1872. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lantz became the parents of one 
child onl3% a son. Christian, who was born Jan. ."), 
1864. 

^^^EORGE BOHRER, a prominent farmer of 
III (— -, McLean County, owns and occupies a com- 
^^j) fortable homestead on section 10, which 
comprises 165 acres, an attractive farm residence, 
a good barn and out-buildings, and all the appliances 
of a first-class agriculturist. 

Mr. Bohrer has been a resident of McLean 
County since he was a child of eighteen months 
old, when he removed with his parents from Brown 
County, Ohio, where he was born on the 26th of 



December, 1854. His father was Frederick C. and 
his mother, Maria (Ziegler) Bohrer, and after com- 
ing to Illinois they settled upon a farm in Normal 
Township, this county, where our subject was 
reared and received his education in the common 
schools. He remained under the parental roof un- 
til his marriage, which took place on the 26tli day 
of Decembei-, 1878, the lady of his choice being 
Miss Anna E. Bittner, a native of Builer Count}', 
Ohio. She was born June 30, 1856, and was the 
daughter of Conrad and Catharine (Lanz) Bittner. 
They removed from Ohio to McLean County when 
the wife of our subject was an infant ten weeks old. 
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. B. settled upon 
the farm which constitutes their present homestead. 
They have become the parents of three children — 
Anna, Hattie and Edwin. Mr. Bohrer devotes 
much of his time to stock-raising, and his pens and 
stables are supplied with some of the finest speci- 
mens of farm stock in this part of the county. He 
has in all respects distinguished himself as a useful 
citizen, is Republican in jwlitics, and has lived a 
quiet and unostentatious life, doing good as he had 
opportunity, training his children in those princi- 
ples which will constitute them an honor to their 
parents and to society. 



OBERT COLLINS, one of the honored 
pioneers of Downs Township, is now a resi- 
dent of Le Roy, where he lives retired from 
Reactive labor, and is enjoying the comforts 
obtained by early industry and economy. He has 
watched with deep interest the growth and jjros- 
perity of his adopted county, and has contributed 
his full share toward its prosperity. Mr. Collins is 
a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in 
White Water Township, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Jan. 
25, 1819. His father, Robert Collins, settled in 
Hamilton County at an eai'ly period in the history 
of that section, upon a tract of timber land, where 
he cleared a farm and established a comfortable 
home, which he occupied with iiis family until his 
decease, in 1826. 

After the death of the father, our subject was 
bound out to a shoemaker in Harrison Township, 




.1 

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546 



4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



with whom he st'rvod an apprenticeship of four 
years. Then, on account of the death of the wife 
of his employer, young Collins went to live with a 
brother of the same man, wIki was a farmer, and in 
company with him and his familj' came to Illinois. 
The journey was made overland, and after sixteen 
days' travel they arrived in this county on the 16th 
day of October. l.s;i(i. Our subject lived with his 
employer, Amos A. Miller, one year after their 
settlement in Randolph Township, and the two 
years following with John M.'iyberry. lie then en- 
gaged with a car|)enter in Emiiire Township, with 
whom he worked one year, and then purchased a 
claim of forty acres on section 25 of wliat is now 
Downs Township. Upon this there was a log cabin, 
in which our subject, who h:ul .already taken unto 
himself a wife, removed and they commenced 
housekeeping. He had no money with which to 
enter tiic land at this time and was obliged to earn 
it, and worked at whatever he could find to do. 
He used to take jobs of splitting rails, and in due 
time by chjse economy had earned enough to p.ay 
for the land. Mrs. Collins had a spinning-wheel 
and loom, and manufactured tiie cloth, then made 
the clothing for her family. For a number of 
years llicy kept sheep which provided them with 
yarn for stockings, and they raised flax, and in this 
manner kept the household supplied witii linen. 
]\Irs. C. also did considerable weaving for her 
neigiibors, and thus earned much of the mone^' which 
served to support the family, while her husband 
ap|ilied his toward the p.ayment of their land. For 
a nund)cr of years the nearest market w.as Peoria, 
sixty miles aw.ay, it requiring four days to make 
the tri|), and thej- carried their provisions along and 
cooked anil camped by the w.ayside. Wheat sold at 
different i)rices, sometimes as low as 35 cents per 
bushel, and for corn at times they would only re- 
ceive 15 cents per bushel. Mr. Collins with his 
family remained upon their first purchase for a 
period of nearly forty-six years, or until February, 
18.S6. lie had been prospered in his farming and 
business transactions, and is now the owner of 224 
.acres, all in a good state of cultivation and fur- 
nished with a shapclj' and substantial set of frame 
buildings. Mr. Collins, in 1.S84, purchased the 
residence he now owns and occupies in Le Hoy. 



In connection with it there are six lots, this being 
in block 137, and he also has six lots in block 135. 

The marriage of our subject occurred June 25, 
1840. ]Mrs. C. before her marriage was Miss Mir- 
anda Buckles, and shft was born Aug, 25, 1825, 
in White County, 111. Her father, Abraham Buckles, 
was a native of Kentucky, and her grandfather, 
John Buckles, was one of the pioneers of McLean 
County and spent the last years of his life in Em- 
pire Township, where also his son, Abraham Buckles, 
the father of Mrs. C, died. His wife, formerly 
Miss Mary Williams, depaited this life in Empire 
Township. 

The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Collins was 
completed by the birth of seventeen children, as 
follows: John A. is a resident of Empire Town- 
ship; Andrew J. lives in Monroe County, Mo.; 
Sar.ah E., the wife of Thomas Phillips, is a resident 
of Jefferson County, Mo. ; Miranda P., Mrs. George 
W. Johnson, lives in Downs Township; Mahala 
L. married George Jlayberry, and they live in 
Gage County, Neb.; Clarissa Bell became the wife 
of John Yanhohenstien, and is a resident of Paxton, 
Ford Co., Ill; Barbara F., Mrs. Alvin Carr, lives 
in Downs Township, this county; Rosettfl lives at 
home with her p.arents: Mary A., the third child, 
was born .Tan. 21t, 1848, and died April 20, 1879; 
Tabitha J., born March 31, 1849, died July 20, 
1880; Aniericus E., born May 31, 1850, died in 
March, 1 .s.S2 ; William R., born M.arch 2C, 1 855, died 
March 25, 1864; Alfaretta, born Feb. 26, 1857, 
died Jan. 20, 1880; Ira, born Nov. 3, 1860, died 
March 24, 1862; George E., born Oct. 12, 1862, 
died Aug. Ki, 1863; two died in infancy unnamed. 

Mr. and Mrs. C. and all but two children, are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which 
our subject joined in 1838, .■ind his wife in 1841. 
Mr. Collins has been .Steward and Class-Le.ader 
thirt3'-eight years, and has contributed liberally and 
cheerefully to the support of the church at this 
pl.ace. The church edifice, called Pleasant Hill 
Chapel, was built on his farm in Downs Townsliip 
in 1865; services were held in his own house prior 
to the building of the church. 

For man3' j'ears JNlrs. Collins cooked by a fire- 
place and her wash-tub w.as a trough dug out of a 
log b}' JMr. Collins; he also m.ade the w.ash-board. 



I 






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McLEAN COUNTY. 



n 



death, which occiirred in 1879. The parental fam- 
ily included five children, three now living — George 
A. ; Alice, Mrs. Rawson, of Blooniington, and James, 
engaged in the jewehy trade in Colorado. The 
mother died in 1848, at Perth Amboy, N. .). She 
was a member of tiie Baptist Chnreii and her hus- 
band of the Presbyterian. 

George A. Tryner graduated at Perth Ainboy 
Seminary in New .Jersey and commenced book- 
keeping in New York Cit3'. He came with his 
parents in 18.")7. to Salem, 111., and there began 
farming. This he abandoned after three years, 
when he secured a clericship in Salem and was thus 
occupied until liis enlistment in the army, during 
the late Civil War. He became a member of Co. 
G, 2 1st 111. Vol. Inf., was commissioned Sergeant, 
and after six months was on detached service with 
the Adjutant-CJeneral's department for thi-ee years 
and two months. He participated with his com- 
rades in the battles of Stone River and Chickamau- 
gua, and was with Slierman in his march as far as 
Atlanta, at which time his term of service expired. 

After retiring from the army Mr. Tryner en- 
gaged in business one year at Chattanooga, Tenn., 
and in lfS(i6 went to St. Louis, Mo., where he en- 
gaged in the drug business. After six months he 
sold out and came to Bloomingtonand was engaged 
in the grocery trade for a period of eight years. 
He then began building the packing-house in 1873, 
and has since had charge of the boolcs and finances. 
The companj- gives employment to about seventy- 
Kve men in Bloomington and has three men on 
the road. In 1879 Mr. Tryner formed a partner- 
ship with Mr. Richardson, and under the firm name 
of Tryner & Richardson they have transacted a 
good business in cigars and tobacco, giving em- 
ployment to about thirty men. 

The marriage of George A. Tryner and ]Miss 
Jennie Dunham was celebrated in 1864. Mrs. 
Tryner was born in Perth Amboy, N. J., her par- 
ents being P^dmund and Clarissa (Ross) Dunham, 
natives of the same State. Of lier marriage with 
our subject there were born three children, two onlj' 
living — Alice and Ethel. Mr. Tryner is one of the 
energetic and enterprising men of this section who 
have so materially aided in its growth and develop- 
ment. He has held various local offices, is now a 



member of the Board of Supervisors, the City 
Board of Education, Director of the Third National 
Bank, and a stockholder in the Bloomington Build- 
ing and Loan Association, being also one of the Di- 
rectors of the latter. He was an unsuccessful can- 
didate for Mayor in 18G8. 

Mr. Tr3'ner has been lai'gely interested in the 
[)urciiase and sale of Kansas lands. As may be 
supposed he carries a level head to be able to man- 
age successfully his v.arious interests, and he is uni- 
formlj' successful. In politics our subject affili- 
ates with tlie Republican party, and is a 3id Degree 
Mason. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias 
and the (1. A. R. The liandsome and substantial 
family residence is located at No. .504 East Front 
street, where our subject and his amiable lady dis- 
jiense a fine hospitality to hosts of friends. 



-«!h-KH- 



<jit4^>ii^ 



+<>+•€»- 



^AMES T. HULL, a native of the Old Do- 
I minion, came to Illinois in thcspringof 1864, 
and since that time has been a worthy resi- 
dent of the Prairie State. He was born in 
Hampshire Count}', W. Va., June 16, 1843, and is 
the son of Stephen and Catherine (Utta) Hull, both 
natives of Virginia. The father was a Whig in poli- 
tics, and a farmer by occupation. He died at his 
home in West Virgin lain about 1862, when seventy- 
five years of age. The mother died in April, 1884, 
in Iowa. Their four children were Benjamin, John 
II., Ann (i. and James T. By a former marriage 
Stephen Hull became the father of six — EIraira, 
Polly, Elliza J., Nancy, William and Betsey. 

The subject of this history was reared under the 
parental roof and received a good common-school 
education. During the late war he served as a 
soldier in Co. K, 9th 111. Vol. Cav., being with the 
ami}' ten months. He gained a good insight into 
the hardships of a soldier's life, but received no 
wounds. After returning from the army he pur- 
chased eighty acres of laud in De Witt County, 
which he sold in 1879 and removed to this county. 
Here he has now 120 acres, finely cultivated, and 
supplied with all conveniences for the business to 
which of late years he has turned his attention, the 
breeding of Norman and Clydesdale horses. In 



549 



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I 



f 



4»- 



550 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



this he has been very successful, his stables contain- 
ing some of the finest animals in this part of the 
State. He also owns sixty acres in I)e Witt County', 
111. 

INIr. Hull was marriefl in He Witt Count}', on the 
25th of .lannaiy, 18G(J. to Miss Mary E., daughter 
of Peter J. and Nancy (Clagg) Sutton, natives re- 
spectively of Kentucky and Ohio. Mr. Sutton was 
born Aug. 14, ISKi, and died in He Witt Cf)unty 
on the -i.id of February, 1.S.S5. He was Kepublican 
in i)()litics, and a gentleman universally respected 
for his excellent traits of character. The wife and 
mother, who was born Oct. '_'(), 1S17, is still living, 
and a member of the Christian Church. She w.as 
married to Peter. I. Sutton on the 'id of June, 1881). 
Their seven children were, William C, Mary E., 
(ieorge R., Johnson P., Jonathan J., Henry C. and 
Malinda .1. Tiie eldest brother of Jlrs. Hull. Will- 
iam C, served as a soldier in Co. B, l.sTth 111. \'ol. 
Inf.. and died in 18G4, at Knoxville, Teiui. Her 
j'oungest brother, Henry Clay, died of typhoid 
fever, in 1878, when eighteen years of age. 

Of the children of Blr. and Mrs. Hull, Clara 1?. 
became the wife of William Ilinthorn, and lives in 
(iibson City; Ella N., May, William L. and Ch.arles 
II. arc at home with their [larents; Bertie died when 
five months old. and Lulu in early infancy. Mr. 
Hull is Rcqiublican in politics and a strong temper- 
ance man. Both he and his wife .are members in 
good standing of the Christian Church. 

l/OHN B. SAVAGE, one of the self-made 
men of Le Roy, possesses a remarkable busi- 
ness talent and delights in trading .and mer- 
chandising. He is active and eneigetic and 
an excellent judge of lands, live-stock and dry- 
goods. His talents extend in all directions wherever 
a tr.ade may be effected. Mr. Savage was born in 
Tuscarawas Comity, Ohio, Feb. 10, 1844, being the 
son of Whalen and .lane (AlcCullom) Savage. The 
father of our subject died in Tuscarawas County 
in about 1850. The mother then m:irried John C. 
AVest, and now lives in Taylor County, Iowa. 

The subject of this history is one of a family of 
seven children born to his parents, six of whom 



I 



are still living. Sarah, Mrs. ^IcGee, is a resident 
of Harrison County, Ohio; James, and Ann, Mrs. 
West, live in Taylor County, Iowa; Mary, Mrs. 
Whitmer, lives in Corning, Iowa; John B., our sub- 
ject, was the sixth, and Jacob lives in Taylor Coun- 
ty, h>\\:\. John B. Savage was but six years of age 
when his father died. In 1858 his mother with 
four of her children came to this State anti c<njnty 
and settled in what is now Downs Township. The 
mother and her two daughters kej)t house for Den- 
ton Young, Sr., on his farm, and there our subject 
was also engaged breaking prairie. The second 
marriage of the mother occurred in the fall of that 
year, .and John B. made his home with her two or 
three years afterward. He then commenced to 
work on a farm by the month at a .salarj' of li'io, 
and was employed b}' one man seven years. After 
this he l)ecame man.ager of the farm and had a 
share of the produce, and then married and located 
on a rented farm, where he remained three jears, 
and in the meantime served as Tax Collector in 
Downs Township. In 1872 he moved into ^Vest 
Township, upon a farm which his wife had inherited 
from her grandfather, Henry West. Two years 
later he went to Le Roy and took charge of a Hour- 
mill, which he oiierated two years and then returned 
to his own farm. He was then employed by the 
firm of Barnum tt Keenan, to buy grain at Sabina, 
being the first gr.ain dealer in that place and the 
first Postmaster in wli.-it w.as then Monarch. He 
.also served six years as Justice of the I'eace. In 
1882 he returned to Le Roy and purchased a half 
interest in the drj'-goods business of James Kimler, 
which he conducted in compan}' with A. Whittaker 
eight months. He then purchased the interest of 
his partner and after operating one j'ear sold out, 
and a few months later opened a clothing store. 
This he also disposed of ijfter one j'ear, and engaged 
in the real-estate and loan business. In the fall of 
188G he traded a piece of land for a stock of goods, 
and his business now is to close out these in the 
most profitable manner that he can. Ills real-estate 
transactions extend throughout Illinois, Indiana, 
Missouri and Kan.sas. 

Mr. Savage was married, Oct. 1, 1868, to Miss 
Sarah L. (Brumbaugh, who was born in Empire 
Tovvnship, and is the daughter of Montgomery and 



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i 



t 



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t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



551 i i 




4 



Mary (West) Crumbaugh. (See sketch of H. W. 
Crumbaiigh.) Of tliis union there have been born 
two children — Herbert and Annie. During the late 
war Mr. .Savage served with the tlirec months' men 
in Co. (4, G8th 111. Vol. Inf. He is a member of 
the G. A. R., Thomas Riddle Post No. 230, at Le 
Roy, and in all respects is a representative citizen 
who has attained a good position by the exercise 
of his own talent and industry. 

s$)HOMAS J. NORTH, of Cheney's Grove 
Township, has been a resident of this State 
since the sjjring of 18G0, when he came into 
McLean Countj' from Indiana and was employed 
as a farm Laborer for the following seven 3'ears. 
He saved what he could of his earnings, and in 
that year purchased forty acres of prairie land 
where he established a modest, but comfortable 
home for his little family. 

He wiis prosi)ered in his farming and business 
operations, and after a few years doubled his landed 
possessions, and in 1883 doubled again, so that he 
now has 160 .acres <)f land, which he has brought to 
a fine state of cultivation and upon which he has 
erected a handsome and substantial set of farm 
buildings. He is now engaged in the breeding of 
Norman draft horses in which he has been remarka- 
bly successful, and is acquiring quite a reputation 
in this department of agriculture. As a business 
man, citizen and neighbor, he is uuiversall3- re- 
spected, and his present condition, surrounded .as he 
is 113' all the comforts of life, isonh' the just reward 
of his industry- and integrity. 

l\[r. North was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, 
March 28, 1833, and is the son of Jonathan and 
Hannah (Reed) North, natives respectivel}' of Vir- 
ginia and Ohio. Jonathan North was born in 1800, 
followed farming in his native State during his early 
life, and afterward removed to Indiana, where he 
departed this life in 1858. The mother was born 
in 1802, and died at the home of her husband, near 
La Fayette, Ind., in July, 1878. Of their children 
all are now deceased except our subject, Salem and 
Richarc 

Mr. Norm ol this sketch was but six years of 
4> 



age when his parents removed from his native State 
to Tippecanoe County, Ind. He remained there 
until 1860, in the meantime receiving a fair educa- 
tion in the common schools and assisting his father 
on the farm. He was married in December, 1863, 
to Miss Priscilla Cornwell, who was born in Ken- 
tucky in 1842, and is the daughter of Thomas and 
Martha (Riggs) Cornwell. They were natives, re- 
spectively, of Kentuck}' and Maryland. Her fa- 
ther, a farmer by occupation, died in November, 
1855, and the mother survived him more than 
twenty years, dying in 1876. The latter was a 
worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Their ten children were: Samuel, Louisa, John, 
-Tames, Elizabeth, George, Thomas, Martha, Pris- 
cilla and CinderelLa. Mr. and Mrs. North have had 
thirteen children, as follows : George, born Sept. 
7, 1863, died July 16, 1868; Anna, born Feb. 9, 

1865, died Nov. 5, 1885; James C, born Oct. 28, 

1866, died April U, 1884; M.artha, born Feb. 17, 
1869; Mary, born Feb. 26, 1870, died Aug. 25, 
18S3; William, born Nov. 17, 1871; Friinkey S., 
born April 3, 1873, died Aug. 28, 1874; Magd.alena, 
born Aug. 27, 1874; Elizabeth J., Jan. 16, 
1877; Alice L., Oct. 12, 1878; Elmira, Sept. 10, 
1S80; Elmira had a twin brother who lived only 
four days, and Ivo, born Sept. 22, 1884. 

^ — ^t^^P'^.S'^ ^ 

WTLLIAM H. NEWTON, of Blue Mound 
Township, is the fourth child of IJeury 
and Martha Newton, natives of N'irginia. 
After marriage they removed to Kentucky, where 
the mother died. Henry Newton afterw.ard, in 
1844, came to Illinois, and took up his residence 
in Dale Township, this county, where he passed the 
remainder of his life. The parental household in- 
cluded thirteen children. William Newton was 
born in Henderson Count}', Ky., Jan. 23, 1818. 
He was reared to farming pursuits, and remained 
in his native State until about seventeen years old. 
He then started out for himself, and coming to 
Illinois located first in Il.ancock Coinit}', where he 
remained until 1844. He then came to this county 
and lived in Dale Township about four j'ears. He 
afterward purchased 160 acres of land in Blue 



i 



-U 



552 



U 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Mound Township, located on section 11, which he 
has improved and ciillivaled, and which lias been 
his home since tliat time, although having parted 
with half (jf his original purchase. He has been 
prospered in his undertaking, and is uow retired 
from active labor. 

The marriage of Mr. Js'ewton and Miss Martha 
Routt tooli place in April, l.s40, in the city of Ma- 
comb, McDouongh Co., 111. Mrs. N. comes of 
a good family, and is the sister of ex-Gov. 
Routt of Colorado. She was born in Kentucky in 
1822, and of her union with our subject there have 
been six children, of whom the record is as fol- 
lows: Mary, who became the wife of William 
Russell, is a resident of Kansas; Alice, Mrs. C'harles 
Speers, lives with her husband in Blue Mound 
Township, this county; Mattie became the wife of 
James Wilson, of Cooksville; ,lohn married Miss 
Julia Smith; Tlionuis married Miss Eliza Smith, 
and is a resident of (\ilorado; Richard married 
Miss Alice Graham, and lives in Missouri. Mr. 
and Mrs. Newton are nnnnlx-rs in good standing of 
the Ra[)tist Church of Towanda. JNIr. N. is a Re- 
publican iu politics, and has held the varion> minor 
ofHces of the township with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to all concerned. 



^T/OHN E. TRIMMP:R, importer and breeder 
of French draft horses, has been a resi- 
dent of Normal Township since 188G, 
when he [)urchas(Mi his i)resent [jroperty, 
erected a large barn, and made preiiaraticnis to in- 
augurate the first stock fMrui iu this part of the 
county. To this he brought a uuuilier of high- 
grade animals, and eutered upon the liusiness which 
lias yielded him a, handsome income, and iu which 
lie has establislicd for himself .-in enviable rejjuta- 
tion among tiie stock-growers of the I'rairie State. 
The suliject of this narr.-itiou is the son of Jesse 
and Amanda ((iilinore) Trimmer, and was l)orn in 
Money Creek Township, this county. Jan. 17, 1845. 
He was reared on the farm of his f.-ilher. received 
a common-school educat-iou, and remained under the 
|)arei)tal roof until tlie l)reaking out of the late 
Civil War. He was raliier young for a soldier at 






its commencement, but as time passed on and i-e- 
ci'uits were constantly in demand he enlisted in 
February, 1864, in the 94th Illinois Infantry, serv- 
ing until the close, being mustered out in June, 
186C. While iu the service he was transferred to the 
37th Regiment and went to Texas with his comrades 
to guard the Freedman's Bureau. 

After his return from the army Mr. Trimmer 
pursued his studies in the Commercial College at 
Bloomington for a period of three months, and then 
engaged in farming and stock-raising in his native 
township. In 1874 he sold out, with the intention 
of going further West, but the grasshopper scare 
preventing, he gave up the idea and [lurchased 
another farm in Money Creek Township, which he 
still owns. This contains 465 acres, and besides this 
he has 7(>() acres in Bates and Henry Counties, Mo. 
In 1879 he removed to the latter-named county, 
where he engaged in operating a portalile sawmill, 
his Ijusiuess |)rincipally being the cutting of walnut 
timber. He also carried on a farm and engaged in 
stock-raising; for two successive j'ears he gathered 
the corn from 400 acres, and had enough stock to 
consume it. In 1884 he returned to Illinois, and 
in 188(j i)urchased the i)roperty in Normal which, 
he now owns, and has devoted his entire attention 
to his present liusiness. He now has some of the 
finest thoroughbred animals in BIcLean County, 
having in 1884 imported nine head of horses from 
F^rance, and in 18S(i, eleven more, among which are 
six mares, so that his staliles now coutain twelve 
head of full-blood liorses. 

In 18(;9 Mr. Trimmer was united in marriage 
with Miss Priscilln Surface, who was born in Illi- 
nois but at the date of her marriage resided in 
Dayton, Oiiio. The}' have liecome the parents of 
six children, of whom one, Pearlie (iene, died iu 
childhood. Those living are Artie, Daisy, AVillie, 
Myrtle and .an infant son. They occupy a pleasant 
and attr.-ictive residence, and are surrounded l)y all 
the comforts of life, besides enjoying the esteem 
and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. 
Politically Mr. Trimuier indorses the principles of 
the Republicau party, but is more interested in his 
business pursuits than in politics. 

Tlie parents of our subject, Jesse and Amanda 
(Gilmore) Trimmer, had a family of ten children, of 



i 




RESIDENCE OF W. J . BARNE5 ,ONE HALF MILE EAST OF M? LEAN . ILLS. 




BU5IHE55 HOUSE or JAMES DODGE , CffR. BUrOKDANoLINOEN STS. NORMAL, ILLS 




RESIDENCE OF S . A . 5T0 PS , SEC. 32,BLUE MOUND TP. 







McLean county. 



bob 



whom the record is as follows : three — George, Ada 
and Charles — died in childhood; William enlisted 
as a Union soldier in Co. C, 33d 111. Vol. Inf., and 
served until discharged on account of physical dis- 
ability; returning home he died soon afterward 
from disease contracted in the army. Eliza became 
the wife of T. McNaught; John F. is our subject; 
David F. resides in Lexington ; Sarah E. married 
J. A. .Scott, and Mary became Mrs. Frank Ilobart; 
Enos R. is engaged in farming on tlie ohl home- 
stead in Money C'reolv Township. 



^CKHART WEN 

E farmer and stoc 
ship, owns a trai 



SCKHART WENDEROTH, a representative 
toek-ra.iser of Danvers Town- 
p, owns a tract of valuable land ou sec- 
tion 31, which embraces 130 acres, with a fine two- 
story dwelling and idl necessarj' barns and out- 
houses for the carrying on of farming and stock- 
raising after the most approved methods. Our 
subject is a native of the German Empire and was 
born in Hesse-Cassel, Sept. 6, 1833. He is a son of 
Henry and Elizabeth (Wenderoth) Wenderoth, 
natives of the same Province. His father was born 
in 1783, and in 1839 was instantly' killed by a run- 
away team, leaving a widow and five children 
— Conrad, Henry, Elizabeth, Eckhart and Phillip. 
Henry and Elizabeth are now deceased. 

Ml'. Wenderoth remained in his native country 
until after his marriage. His wife was Miss Elizabeth 
Mauror, and their wedding took place on the 
2;nh of .lanuary, 18G9. Mrs. W. was the daugii- 
ter of Samuel and Magdalena (Schwartzentruber) 
Maurer, and was born Feb. 29, 1834. She came to 
America with her jmrents in 1860, and they located 
in Bloomingtou. They are both now deceased, the 
father dying in June, 18G3, at his home, and the 
mother in November, 1884. Their family included 
eight children — Phu'be, Christian, Peter, Elizabeth, 
Jacob, John, Daniel and Catharine. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wenderoth have become the jjar- 
ents of five children — Samuel P., Emil D., Catharine 
L., Matilda P. and Arthur O. After landing 
upon American shores Mr. Wenderoth sjient a short 
time in the city of Baltimore, afterward going to 
Ohio, thence to Lidiana, where he spent one year, 



and finally came into McLean County, 111. He 
commenced life with nothing to depend upon but 
his own labor, and was employed as a farm lal)orer 
for some years, in the meantime saving what he 
could of his earnings. In LSCO he found himself 
possessed of suflieient means to purchase eighty 
acres of land, to which he subsequently added as 
time progressed and his capital increased. He has 
done a large amount of hard work and has pursued 
a straightforward course through life. In his later 
years he is reaping a liberal reward, and is higlily 
respected by his fellow-citizens. 

Our subject, since earlj' childhood, has been 
identified with the Mennonite Church, which em- 
braced the religious faith of his parents, and Mrs. 
W. and two of their children, Samuel P. and Emil 
D., are also connected with this denomination. In 
politics our subject affiliates with the Democratic 
party, and takes an intelligent interest in whatever 
is for the general good of iiis county and community. 



-?3= 



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T"T 



=E>- 




^^^HOMAS P. GARRETT, one of tlie most 
skillful photographers of Blooniiiigton, ni.w 
be found in a handsome studio at No. 221 
North Main street. He is a native of Delaware, 
and was born in Stanton, July 10, 1846. His par- 
ents, Benjamin and Mary (Haines) (Jarrett, were 
natives of Pennsylvania, whence thej'' removed to 
Delaware in 1841, and engaged in farming. In 
1872 they returned to Penns^dvania, wh»re the fa- 
ther retired from business and departed this life in 
1 884. The mother lives in Pennsylvania, making her 
home with her .sons. Of these they had three — David 
H., a banker of Philadelphia; Isaac P., a farmer of 
Delaware County, Pa., and Thomas P., our subject. 
Benjamin Garrett held the offices of County Com- 
missioner and School Director, and with his wife 
belonged to the Society of Friends. 

Thomas P. (Barrett remained at home with his 
parents until sixteen years old, his earlier years be- 
ing spent upon the farm. After completing his 
primary studies he attended the Noi'inal School for 
three years and then went to Wilmington, Del., 
and learned photography. At the age of eighteen. 



r 



^ 



i 



556 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



^-.t 
■*-*-<• 



July 10, 1864. he enlisted in Co. E, 7th Del. ^'ol. 
Inf., and after a few months was transferred to the 
1st Del.aware Artillery, being in service one year 
and with the Army of the West in Louisiana and 
Arkansas. 

After receiving- his honorable discharge from the 
army young Carrett went to Kansas and resumed 
his chosen occupation, remaining tiiere for six years. 
He then returned East to Philadelphia and pursued 
his calling in the Quaker City from 1S71 until 1877. 
He tlien went to Harrisburg, and eighteen months 
later to Illinoi.s, reaching the Prairie State in 1879, 
and locating in Bloomington, where he has since re- 
mained and successfully pursued the calling of his 
clioicc. 

Mr. (iarrett was married in 1.S78, to Miss C. A. 
Ktherington, a native of Maryland, and the 
daughter uf William G. Etherington, of Cecilton. 
Of tliis union there were born two children — Elsie 
and Marjone. The pleasant family residence is lo- 
cated at No. G08 East Grove street, and is the re- 
sort of liif i-iiitured people of the city. Our sub- 
ject is Hepulilican in politics and a member of the 
(i. A. U., the Seven Wise Men, the National Union, 
the Red JMcii, and Royal Arcan\nn. 



-^^»af>- 



m 



(^riif-,. 






■i[ If l\AA AM SCHENCIC, a [)rosperons and 
A' A7f li'»''l.V respected farmer of Dan vers Town- 
'S/xy sldp, and who possesses in all respects the 
reliable and substantial qualities of his German an- 
cestors, is located on section 27, where he has a 
comfortable home, a good farm, and is living at 
peace with all his neighbors. Mr. Schenck was born 
in Germany, .lulj' 20, 1842, being tlie son of John 
and Margaret (Mire) Schenck, also natives of the 
Fatlierland, the former Ijorn in 1812, and the latter 
in 1820. They were married in Germany, and emi- 
grated to America in 1880, reaching this countr}' in 
October of that year. They came directly West 
to McLean County, to the home of onr subject, 
who had preceded them to the New World and 
was then located in Bloomington City. The pai'- 
reuts aftervvard removed to the country upon land 



*-.♦ 
i 



belonging to William, where they are still living, 
although not engaged in active labor. 

The parental family of our subject included nine 
children, of whom the record is .as follows: Will- 
iam of our sketch was the eldest; Henry died when 
about six years old; Anna became the wife of John 
Maurer; Nicholas died in infancy, and Henry when 
seven years of age; the next one, an infant girl, 
died unnamed; John died when three 3'ears old; 
Elizabeth became the wife of William Kassellman; 
Henry is traveling for a cigar manufactory. The 
parents are members of the Lutheran Church, and 
in politics John Schenck is strongl}' Republican. 

William Schenck resided with his jiarents until 
1864, when he was about twenty-two years of 
age. He then emigrated to America, and jn'oceed- 
ing westward, came into this State and county, and 
engaged for a short time as a farm laborer. He 
afterward went to Bloomington, where he lived for 
seven years and then purchased his present fine 
farm. This consists of 160 acres ujion which is a 
good set of frame buildings, and which is furnished 
with all the requirements of a first-class agricult- 
urist. 

Mr. S. was united in marriage with Miss Fanny 
Maurer in 1875. She is a daughter of Christian 
and Barbara (Masimans) Maurer, and was born in 
Butler County, Ohio, Feb. 26, 1847. Mrs. Maurer's 
parents were natives of France. They had seven 
children, live living — John, Joseph, Christian, Anna 
and Fannj', all born in Ohio. 

Mr. and Mrs. Schenck have two children — Ida, 
who was born Feb. 5, 1876, and Elmer, June 29, 
1879. He has four step-children : Mary, the wife 
of John Meyers; Elizabeth, ]Mrs. John Imhoff; 
William and Fr.ank. Mr. Schenck formerly was 
connected with the Mennonite Church but is not 
now a member of any religious organization. Mrs. 
S. is a Ba|)tist. 

When coming to this country our subject was on 
the water seven weeks and three da3's, during which 
time there were thirty-three deaths on board the 
ship and three births. The supply of drinking 
water gave out and tlie^' were obliged to resort 
to salt water, which was a poor substitute for 
quenching thirst. The year previous Mr. S. had 
broken his leg by falling from a horse, from which 



■«► ■ <• 



f 



•>-m-<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



5/-)7 



accident he has never fully recovered. He learned 
bricklaying in the old country and followed it for a 
number of years there. In 1884 Mrs. S. had her 
wrist broken while rolling a barrel, having slipped 
and fallen, in consequence of which she was laid up 
for some time. 



f/AMES W. CAMPBELL, a native of Adams 
County, Ohio, owns and occupies a comfort- 
able homestead in Dry Grove Township, on 
(^// section 2. His birth occurred on the 1.5th 
of May, 1829, and his parents were James and 
Elizabeth (Kerr) Campbell, natives respective!}- of 
Peuns^'lvania and Virginia. James Kerr departed 
this life in Ohio, in July, 1839; the mother sur- 
vived him eight years and also died in that State. 
The father of our subject followed the joint occu- 
pations of miller and farmer, and was a good citi- 
zen and member of the Presbyterian Church. The 
parental family included nine children, one of 
whom died in infancy; the record is as follows: 
Jane. Mrs. P. D. Smith, is now deceased; Robert 
K. married Miss Elizabeth McNeill, and lives 
in Livingstone County, 111.; Nancy E. married 
John Steen, of Adams County, Ohio, who is de- 
ceased ; .Sarah A. became the wife of Joseph Mc- 
Neil, now deceased ; Samuel married Miss p]mma 
Van Dieman and lives in Webster City, Iowa; 
Elizabeth became the wife of R. C. Morrison; 
James, of our sketch, was the eighth child ; Mary. 
Mrs. Canada, is now deceased. 

James W. Campbell and Miss Sarah J. Kirkpat- 
riek were married in Ohio on the Gth of January, 
1853. Mrs. Campbell became the mother of six 
children, and died P'eb. 13, 1876. Their children 
were Mary E., Bryce M., Emma A., now IMrs. \V. 
L. McNeill, of Dakota; Nancy E., Mrs. H. M. Ben- 
son of this county; Anna K., who died at the age 
of nine years, in December, 1876, and Ollie A. 
The second wife of our subject was Mrs. Nancy 
(Forbes) Kirkpatrick, to whom he was married 
Nov. 2.5, 1877. Mrs. Nancy Campbell is a native 
of Ohio, and was born Feb. 29, 1832. She is the 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Jamison) Forbes, 
who were natives respectivelj' of Scotland and 



Pennsylvania. The mother was born in 1800, and 
departed this life in McLean County in 1862; the 
father also died in this county. They were the 
parents of nine children: Andrew, Alex., Samuel, 
Boyd, Nancy, Bartley J., Mary J.. Isaac and Isa- 
bell. 

Mr. Campbell came to Illinois in 1852, and pur- 
chasing 120 acres of wild land set to work iit once 
to improve it. He subsequently added to his es- 
tate and is now the possessor of 280 acres, finely 
cultivated, a handsome and substantial dwelling, a 
good barn and all the appliances of a first-class 
agriculturist. In 1871 he began the raising of 
fine stock, including horses and cattle. He has one 
fine blooded Norman horse, five years old, which 
weighs 1,760 pounds, and is a model of symmetry 
.and strength. Mr. Campbell has been very suc- 
cessful in his stock operations, and has obtained 
quite a reputation as a horseman in this county. 

Our subject has been prominent in the affairs of 
ids township since coming here. He served as 
Supervisor foui- terms; has been Road Commis- 
sioner for the last eighteen years, and Chairman of 
the Committee on Cit}' Incorporation. In politics 
he is a stanch Republican, having been connected 
with the party since its organization, and religious- 
ly is a member in good standing of the United 
Presbyterian Church. 



^i^ IIINEAS M. STUBBLEFIELD, a promi- 
nent farmer, stock-raiser, and breeder of 
Norman horses, is a highly respected resi- 
dent of Funk's Grove Township, and a 
member of the family so widely and favorably 
known throughout this section. He owns and oc- 
cupies a beautiful home on section 9, the family 
residence being situ:ited on a rise of ground and 
commanding an extensive view of the surrounding 
countrj^ A view of the place is presented on an- 
other page of this volume. 

Mr. Stubblefleld was born in Funk's Grove 
Township, Oct. 25, 1851, and is the third son of 
John and Elisannah (Houser) Stubblefield (see 
sketch.) He attended the district schools, and re- 
mained under the home roof until twenty years of 




i 



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i 



f 



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ik 558 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



age. Then, wishing to fnrthei- pursue his studies he 
entered Wesleyan Ihiiversity, and continued four 
years, improving the opportunity thus offered and 
acquiring a store of useful knowledge. He then 
retmiiiMl home and assisted his father in the labors 
of the farm luitil his marriage, when he located 
with his young wife upon his present homestead. 
This contains KiO acres, all enclosed and under a 
good state of cultivation. Tiie buildings are 
shapely and siihstantial, and kept in good repair, 
and everything about the pl.ace denotes the intelli- 
gent and progressive fanner. 

iVIr. Stubblefield was married on the 27th of 
February, I.sT'.), to Miss Mattie B. Willerton, who 
was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, March 
24, 1854. Her father, Christopher Willerton, also 
a native of England, was reared there to farming 
pursuits, where he was also married and lived until 
1857. Then, accompanied by his wife and three 
children, he emigrated to America, settling tirst in 
Oswego, N. Y., until 18(J5, and then came to Mc- 
Lean County, III. He now owns a good farm in 
Danvers 'J'ownship, and is still engaged in agricult- 
ur;d |inrsnits. His wife, befoi'e her marriage, was 
Miss Harriet Baldwick, a n.ative of his own coun- 
tr3'. Mr. and Mis. Stubblefield have no children. 
They are members in good standing of the ilethod- 
ist lC|>iscopal Church. I\>litic.Mlly our subject is 
Republican, and socially belongs to McJ^ean Lodge 
No. Mil), A. F. & A. M. 




¥ 



HU.MA.S W. NEAL, of Allin Township, is 
occupied in farming pursuits (m sectiim 5, 
where he owns 410 acres of land, which he 
lias brought to a fine state of cultivation. Mr. 
Neal is a native of Indiana, born in 1835, and the 
son of Thom.as and Nancy (Wilson) Neal, natives 
resi>(;{'tively of Kentucky and Tennessee. The 
mother was born near Nashville in about 1798, 
and Thomas Neal in about 1800. They were mar- 
ried in 1H26, and located in Indiana on a tract of 
linil)cr land consisting of 240 acres, which Mr. Neal 
cleared and brought to a state of cultivation, and 
when^ he established a homestead, which he occu- 
pied until 1851. He then sold out and came into 



Allin Township, this county, where he purchased a 
half section of land, which constituted a part of 
the homestead upon which he spent the remainder 
of his days. He subsequently added to his first 
purchase and before his death was the owner of 400 
acres. His wife, the mother of our subject, de- 
parted this life in 1883, and Thomas Neal, in 1884. 
Their nine children were as follows: Mary J., John 
A., Sarah A., Elizabeth, Malinda, Martha and .Su- 
san (twins) ; Thomas, and the youngest child died 
unnamed. The parents were connected with the 
Presbyterian Church and worth}' members of the 
community'. 

Mr. Neal of our sketch attended school during 
his youth and boyhood and remained with his par- 
ents until his marriage, which occurred after he had 
reached his majority, the lady of his choice being 
Miss Cynthia A. Brown. After marriage the young 
people removed to their farm of 160 acres, which 
constitutes a part of their present homestead. To 
this Mr. Neal subsequently added until he is now 
the possessor of 420 acres, all under a good state 
of cultivation. 

The farm residence is a commodious and sub- 
stantial building, and the barns and outhouses 
fulfill the requirements of a first-class modern agri- 
culturist. Mr. Neal is giving much attention to 
the raising of fine stock, which includes Unrhani 
cattle and Polanil-China hogs. 

Mr. Neal has been prominent in the affairs of his 
township since coming here, holding the offices of 
Trustee for about lune years, and has also been 
Path Master and School Director. He is Demo- 
cratic in politics, and his wife is a worthy member 
of the Presbyterian C'hurch. Their children, twelve 
in number, are Emily, who married William Ayers; 
Margaret, deceased ; an infant boy vvho died un- 
named; Oscar; Ida Belle, who married David 
Holmes; George, Bertie, Anna May, .Mary IL, de- 
ceased, another infant unnamed, Frank and Ada. 

ISIrs. Neal is the daughter of Joel and Margaret 
(Ayers) Brown, llei' father, who was born in Ten- 
nessee, died in Tazewell Ctiunty, 111., in 1.S55, and 
the mother, a native of Ohio, died of cholera in 
1854. They wei-e the p.arents of four children, 
three sons and one daughter, the latter, Mrs. Neal, 
being eleven years of age when she was made an 
« » 



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McLean county. 



559 



orphan. Her brothers were Richard, Edward and 
James. The parents were worthy and consistent 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
carried out in their daily lives the principles which 
they professed. 



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■«^5«f-*J^Stf-< 



VILLIAM W. OUTLAW, who is familiarly 
known ill Cheney's Grove Tuwijsliip as 
one of its most successful farmers and 
stock-raisers, has a fine estate of 480 acres of land, 
located on section 2, wliieli he took possession of 
in 1809. On this farm he has 131 head of thorough- 
bred cattle with a magniticent fnll-l>looded bull, 
and twenty-four valuable horses, the head of the 
stable being a full-blooded Clyde which, although 
only two years old, pulls down the scales at 1,360 
pounds. This fine animal, which is named Marcus, 
is a model of symmetry and beauty and the admira- 
tion of that section. In addition to his horses and 
cattle Mr. O. feeds annually large numbers of hogs, 
having now about 130 head, and this branch of 
business has proved especially profitable. He also 
has 112 head of sheep, the male being the registered 
Shropshire, about three years old. The farmers of 
Illinois have usuallj' been a little careful about 
attempting sheep-raising, but Mr. Outlaw has 
proved that with a proper understanding of the 
business, it may be made as successful as any other 
branch of agriculture. 

Mr. Outlaw was born in Posey County, Ind., 
Feb. 27, 1850, and two j'ears later removed with 
his parents to Illinois. He is the son of George 
W. and Lucinda (McReynolds) Outlaw, the father 
a native of North Carolina and the mother of Ken- 
tuckj-. George Outlaw was born in 1827, is still 
living, and resides in Nebraska, being engaged the 
greater part of his life in farming and milling. His 
wife, who was born in 1 830, departed this life at 
the home of her husband in 1873. The record of 
their nine children is as follows: James and John 
died in their 5'outh; Mary A. became the wife of 
S. I). Reaugh ; William W. of our sketch is the 
fourth child; Robert D. married Miss McReynolds 
and located in Colfax, 111. ; Thomas married Miss 
Endicott and they are living in Stanford, this 



» ► f -„ '^_ 



county; Sarah became the wife of James McReyn- 
olds; Lovina married George Pollard; George W. 
is the youngest, and lives in Nebraska. 

The subject of this history remained with his 
parents at their home until after he attained his 
majority, and was then united in marriage with 
Miss Sarah K. Cales, Feb. 27, 1872. This lady 
was a native of Virginia, born in 1844. and the 
daughter of James and Sarah (Buchanan) Cales, 
with whom she lived until reaching years of woman- 
hood. She came to Illinois with her parents when 
a maiden of seventeen years old. Her parents were 
natives of Virginia; the father born July 15, 1818, 
and is still living and resides in Kansas; the miitlier 
died at the iioinestead in Tazewell County, III., in 
18(1(1. The second wife of James Cales was Miss 
(iaines, with whom he lived about sixteen years, 
an I she departed this life in about 1884. He was 
married the third time, the name of the lady not 
now known. His ten children were John B., Sarah 
E., Mary A., Margaret, James W., Martha A., 
Eliza E., Augusta V., Elmira E., and one who died 
in infancy. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Outlaw 
there were also ten children, as follows: Kinma .1. 
and James D. (twins) were born June 7, 1873; 
Thomas F., Oct. 13,1874; Minnie M., Feb. 14, 
1870; Ibba A., Sept. 2G, 1877; Bertha A., .Fan. U, 
1879; Joseph O., July 10, 1880; John, July 3, 1882; 
Lewis, Dec. 3, 1883; Imo A., Oct. 8, 1880. James 
D., Thomas F. and Ibba A. are deceased, having 
died in infancy. 



-5^^i 




ENRY NAFZIGER, one of the intelligent 
farmers of Danvers Township, owns and 
occupies a good homestead on section 22. 
He was born in the Kingdom of Wurtem- 
Germany, Oct. 19, 1832, being the son of 
Jacoli and Elizabeth (Rockey) Nafziger. The 
father of our subject was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Aug. 12, 1800. He came to America in the f. 'ill of 
1847, and after landing in New York City, pro- 
ceeded directly westward, staying in Peoria about 
a month, then came to this county, where he 
remained until his death, wiiich occurred in May, 
1 S.S2. The mother of our subject was born in Ba- 



\ 



i 



^^ 560 



-.1 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



varia anrl was the second wife of Jacob Nafzigei", his 
first wife having been Miss A'cronica Rockey, asister 
of the second wife. Of the first marriage there were 
three chihlren — .lacol), Christian P. and Veronica. 
The second marriage of Jacob Nafziger occurred in 
18-2S, and of this union there were born, Catherine, 
wlio married Christian Nafziger; Henry, our sub- 
ject; Peter and Frederick, deceased; and Kliza, un- 
nianicd, and who lives in Danvers A'ill.age. 

The subject of tliis sketcli was a youth of fifteen 
years when his parents came to the United States. 
He was trained to habits of industry and economy 
and remained under the iiome roof until reaching 
maniiood. He was then united in marriage with 
Miss Helen Nafziger, Aprd .5, 1855. Mrs. N. was 
born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Oct. 22, 1832, 
and came to America with her parents when a 
young woman twenty years of age. Our subject 
and his wife became the parents of nine children, 
three now deceased : Robert W. married Miss Mary 
Slaba<;li ; Fredericka died when eighteen years of 
age; John K. is farming in Tazewell County, this 
State; F^red is at home; Emma became the wife of 
August Habecker, and lives in Tazewell County ; 
Henry is deceased; Albert at home; Annie died 
when young; Jacob is with his parents. Mr. and 
Mrs. N. are members in good standing of the Men- 
nonitc Church, of which Mr. N. is Trustee .and has 
been Treasurer for several years. He has been a 
cheerful and liberal contributor to the support of 
the church and was one of the building committee 
at the time their house of worship was erected. 

Mr. Nafziger is one of the extensive land-owners 
of this section, having 230 acres in his home farm 
and 240 acres in Tazewell County, lie has of late 
years been turning his attention to the breeding of 
fine stock, including both cattle and hor.ses. He has 
one valuable thoroughbred Short-horn bull, thre^ 
cows and two heifers and several high-grade cattle, 
and his horses will compare with any that can be 
exhibited in this part of the county. The career 
of Mr. Nafziger is a striking illustration of what 
ma3' be accomplished by industr}^ and resolution. 
After leaving his native land and coming to Ohio, 
lie worked on a farm Ijy the month in Warren 
County, receiving the first year $8 per month. 
The second year he received 112 i)er month. He 



rented his father's homestead in this county for ten 
years, and at the end of that time purchased his 
present homestead. Every dollar of this he has 
accumulated honestly by iiard work and good 
management, and is now enjoying the fruits of his 
early toil and industry. 



••■^»^w-J»t^ 



'^5c^-^«s?i«;- 



i 



'* OIIN D. LEWIS is the owner of 200 acres of 
some of the best land in Cheney's Grove 
Township, of which he became a resident on 
the 1st of May, 1847. He first purchased 
forty acres three years later, which comprises a 
p;ut of his present homestead, but to which he has 
added until it is of the dimensions above given. 
His farm is under a line state of cultivation, and 
for a few years he was (juite extensively engaged 
in buying and shipping stock. Of late, however, he 
has confined himself more closely to the raising of 
grain and general farming. He has a handsome 
and comfortable residence, with a good barn and 
all other necessary out-buildings, and he and his 
familj' are enjoying all the comforts and many of 
the luxuries of life. 

j\lr. Lewis was born in Fleming County, Ky., 
Nov. 5, 1823, where he lived until he reached his 
majority, and cast his first Presidential vote for 
Henry Clay. His father, Peter B. Lewis, served as 
a soldier in the War of 1812. He was born in 
Culpeper County, Va., June 21, 178U, whence he 
removed to Mason County, Ky., and from there to 
Fleming County, where he departed this life Nov. 
29, 18()0. He was married, June 16, 181G, to 
Miss Catherine B. Ringo, who was born F'eb. 24, 
1798, and died at the home of our subject on the 
21st of September, 1884. Both parents were jjrom- 
inently connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which the mother had been a member 
since her girlhood. Their eleven children were, 
Emeline, Nancy, James R., John B., Hannah, Rob- 
ert, Albert, Alice R., Melville (who died when 
four j'ears of age), William F. and Bridget A. 

After coming to tliis county, John D. Lewis was 
married to Miss Margaret P. Riggs, Aug. 17, 1848. 
Mrs. L., a native of this county, was born Aug. 10, 
18.')2, aiul was the daughter of William M. and 



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^l 



McLean county. 



561 



Nancy (Pitts) Riggs, the former a native of Mary- 
land, and tlie latter of Lewis County, Ivy. William 
Riggs was born Seiit. 7, 1!S03, and departed this 
life Jan. 28, 1887, at his home in .Saybrook. The 
mother was born Jan. 4, 180G, and died Jan. 26, 
1881. Their six children were, George W., Henry 
M., Margaret P., William H., Mary J. (now Mrs. 
Hall), and Samuel R., who died in Tex.is, June 8, 
1883. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis became the parents of eight 
children, seven now living. Nancy C. was married 
to Brice N. Read; William A. married Miss Laura 
Owens; Mary A. married William C. Means; Emma 
D. became the wife of H. McMackin; Katuria; 
Samuel G. married Miss Emma Miller; Corla H. is 
at home. Mr. Lewis and his family are all members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which our 
subject has officiated as Class-Leader for a period 
of thirty years and been Steward and Sunday-school 
Superintendent about the same length of time. In 
early manhood, during the existence of the Whig 
party, he was a firm adherent of its principles, but 
ou the abandonment "f the old party b}^ the organ- 
ization of the new Republican party he cheerfully 
endorsed the principles of the latter, with which he 
uniformly easts his vote. 

The grandfather of our subject on his mother's 
side, Burtis Ringo, served in the Revolutionary 
W^ar for a term of seven years, and died a pensioner 
at the advanced age of one hundred and three years. 



\jl ACOB SPEERS owns and occupies a fine 
I farm of 160 acres in Blue Mound Township, 
^_^^ I on section 24. His land is all improved and 
(^^/ under a good state of cultivation, with a 
tasteful and convenient residence and all necessary 
out-bnildings for the shelter of stock and storage 
of grain. Mr. Speers has been a resident of Mc- 
Lean County since 1865, and of Blue Mound 
Township since 1870. He was born in Westmore- 
land County, Pa., Dec. 15, 1814, and is the son of 
Noah and Nancy (Frye) Speers, also natives of the 
Keystone State, where they passed their entire 
lives. They were the parents of thirteen children. 



all of whom, with one exception, grew to mature 
years. That one was killed when quite young, by 
being thrown frtmi a liorse. 

Jacob Speers remained in his native county until 
184(1. He then came to tliis State, locating first in 
Peoria County with his wife and six children. After 
a residence there of eight years they removed to 
Stark C<;unty, in which they remained eigiit years, 
then returned to Peoria County again and resided 
thereuntil tlie spring of 1865. Mr. Speers then 
came into tiiis ct)unty and lived in Chenoa Town- 
ship until tlie spring of 1868. Thence he removed 
to Towanda Township and after about one and 
one-half years, crossed the iVIississippi and became a 
resident of Kansas, in which State he remained until 
1870. He then returned to this county and settled 
in Blue Mound Township, where he has since lived. 
He has identified himself fully with the interests of 
the county and community since coming here and 
is reckimed among the thrifty and well-to-do far- 
mer residents of this section. 

The marriage of our subject took place in his 
native county of Westmoreland, Pa., May 10, 
1836, the lady of liis choice being Miss Margaret, 
daughtei- of John F. and Mary (Sterrett) Power, 
who were also natives of Pennsylvania, where they 
spent their entire lives and where their remains 
were laid to rest. Of their ten children, Mrs. 
Speers was the sixth. She was born in Westmore- 
land County, Pa., March 4, 1820. Of her union 
with our subject there were thirteen children, ten 
now living, namely, James S., John F., Noah L., 
Nancy J., Clarissa, William L., Harriett A., Charles, 
Solomon E. and Maggie S. The three deceased 
died when quite young. John married MissElt^anor 
Halstead and resides in Ford County, 111. ; Noah 
married Miss Maggie Ellis and also lives in Ford 
County ; Nancy is the wife of John Watt of 
Chenoa; Clarissa married M. J. Wilson and is a 
resident of Scott County, Kan. ; William married 
Miss Laura Power and resides in Blue Mound 
Township; Harriett became the wife of F. L. Voor- 
hees, and they are located at St. Jose, Cal. ; Charles 
married Miss Ollie Newton and is farming in Blue 
Mound Township; Solomon married Miss Irene 
Gay and is a resident of Blue Mound Township; 
Maggie became tlie wife of .J. B. Nichols of Ne- 



I 



f 



I- 



.562 



McLean county. 



braska; James married Miss Mary Davis; she died 
in Blue Mound Township, April 28, 1875. 

Mr. Spcers is Hepublieau in politics and has held 
some of the minor oliices of his township, including 
that of Assessor, in which he has served several 
years. He also served as Supervisor in Stark 
County, and was twice elected Justice of the Peace 
but would not. serve. Both our subject and his 
wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian 
Churctli, and held in high esteem by all who know 
(hem. 



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p^^OB^:RT STKWAHT. The name of this 
Uif gentleman is familiarly known in Yates 
4\\\\ Township where he has a snug farm home- 
^Q)stead, pleasantly located on section 15. He 
is a native of the North of Ireland, born in County 
Donegal, in December, 1833, and possesses the 
generous characteristics of the warm-hearted Celtic 
race. His jjarents, John and Eliza (Glenn) Stewart, 
emigrated from their native country with their 
family in about 1850, making their first location in 
the city of Philadelphia, Pa. Afterward they 
removed to New Jersey and in 1857, to Illinois, lo- 
cating in Peoria County. Later they removed to 
this county, where the father died in Yates Town- 
ship, Sept. 22, 1884. The mother had passed to 
her long home nearly eighteen years before, at 
Chenoa, 111. The five children of the parental 
family were all born in Ireland, and came to the 
United States with their parents; Martha became 
the wife of John Florida and resides in Peoria 
Count}-, 111.: Robert is living in Yates Township; 
Elizabeth married Chester Brown and resides in 
this county; Margaret, Mrs. Samuel Baird, lives in 
Chencja Township, and John in Yates Township. 

Robert Stewart was seventeen years of age when 
he came with his father's family to the United 
States. lie worked first in a cotton factory in 
Philarlelphia, where he remained until 1857, then 
started w(^stward toward the Prairie State. His first 
location w.as in I'eoria County, where he worked as 
a farm laborer, his father joining him in the fall of 
that year and the balance of the family the follow- 
ing spring. The second year of his residence in 
Peoria County our subject rented a ti-act of land 



and followed farming there until 18(;4. He then 
removed to McLean County, and in company with 
his father and brother, jjurchased 120 acres of hind 
in Chenoa Township, all of which was wild prairie. 
He at once set about the improvement ami cultiva- 
tion of the new farm, which he occupied until 1 875, 
then purchased his present homestead in Yates 
Townshi)). He is now the owner of KJO acres of land, 
which he has placed under a fine state of cultiva- 
tion. Robert Stewart was married on the 4th of 
July, 1.SG7, to Miss Nancy, a sister of A\'illinm 
Hanna of Yates Township. She was born in County 
Antrim, Ireland, and by her union with our subject 
became the mother of two children, one of whom 
died in infancy. Robert J., born Sept. 13, 1871, is 
living at home with his parents. Mr. Stewart is 
Republican in [jolities, and religiously coincides 
with the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. 

j//iLLIAM B. KENT, one of the early pio 
neers of Dale Township, and whose pcn-- 
trait is shown in this connection, became a 
resident of McLean County in 1843, and during a 
residence of over forty years, has been an inter- 
ested witness of the various changes that have been 
taking place in this section of the Prairie State. 
During this time he has fulfilled his obligations as 
a good citizen, and has contributed his full quota 
toward the jirogi-ess and prosperity of his adopted 
township. He has lived honestl.y and uprightly, 
met his moral and legal oblig.ations in a praise- 
worthy manner, has identified himself thoroughl}' 
with the business and industrial interests of this 
section, and, as a v.alued citizen, enjoys the confi- 
dence and respect of his townsmen in a marked de- 
gree. 

William B. Kent is a native of Indiana, and was 
born in Jones Township, Hancock County, April 
23, 1832. His father, Nathaniel Kent, was a na- 
tive of Ma.son County, Ky., and his grandfather, 
John Kent, died there in 1833. Nathaniel Kent 
learned the tr.-ide of a blacksmith at Lexington, 
whence he removed to Brown County, Ohio, and 
renting a tract of land, engaged there in farming 
pursuits. In the meantime, however, as time .and 




i 




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^• 



;i' 




>► if ■<- 



McLean county. 



565 



opportunity permitted, he continued at his trade, 
and remained a resident of that section until 1S31, 
when he moved into Indiana, hicated in Hancock 
County, and engaged in farming and blacksmith- 
ing alternatelj' for tlie following twelve years. 

In the fall of 1843 Nathaniel Kent decided to re- 
move to the Prairie State. He accordingly loaded 
his household goods and blacksmith tools into 
wagons, together with his wife and seven children. 
The entire journey was made overland, and Mr. 
Kent employed men to drive the teams. They 
carried their provisions with them and cooked 
along the route, making their beds in their wagons 
at night. After arriving in McLean County Mr. 
Kent rented one room in a house in IJry Grove 
Township, into whiph they removed and lived for 
a time, then rented a house of Roswell Munsell, 
and also a tract of land. Here Mr. Kent pursued 
farming operations, and worked at his trade for the 
following five years. He then purchased forty 
acres of land l.ying on sections 8 and 'J of Dale 
Township, upon which he remnved in the fall of 
1848. He w.as prospered in his labors, and in due 
time made an additional purch.ase of 160 acres ad- 
joining, lying on sections l(i and 17. As soon as 
his sons became old enough to man.age the farm, 
he turned the business over to them principally, 
and ai)plied himself nH)st of the time to his trade 
for twenty j'ears. Here, Mr. Kent established a 
comfortable home, which he occupied until his 
death, which occurred on the 7th of July, 1.S84. 

Mr. Kent was united in ni.arriage in earl}' man- 
hood, with Miss Annie Hawk, who was born in 
Brown County, Ohio, came West with her hus- 
band and survived him over one year, her death 
taking pLace Dec. 19, 188.5. Their family included 
thirteen children, ten of whom grew to years of 
maturity, having been carefully trained in those 
principles of honor and honesty which had been 
the secret of Nathaniel Kent's success in life, and 
of the respect in which he and his excellent and 
worthy helpmeet were held during the period of 
their long and useful lives. 

William B. Kent w.as the third child of his par- 
ents, and was eleven years old when he came with 
Ihem to McLean County. Here he attended the 
common schools ,ind assisted his father around the 



I 



farm and in the shop. He remained at home until 
the breaking out of the late Civil AVar, and then, 
on the 8th of August, 1862, enlisted as a soldier of 
the Union, in Co. L, 94th III. Vol. Inf. He served 
with his comrades until the close, having been in 
the battles of Prairie Grove, the siege and capture 
of Vicksburg, Ft. Morgan and Spanish Fort, and 
participated in v,arious other engagements and skir- 
mishes. He marched with his comrades through 
the States of Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ten- 
nessee, Alab.ama, Mississippi and Texas, most of 
the time being upon active duty, and returned 
home unharmed, and with his regiment received 
his honor.able discharge at Springfield, 111., on the 
9th of August, IHe.'). 

After his return from the army, Mr. Kent re- 
sumed his farming operations on the old home- 
ste.ad, upon which he has resided since that time. 
Of this he is now the possessor of 120 acres, a 
good set of frame buildings, and all the necessary 
appliances for carrying on agriculture after the 
most approved methods. Mr. Kent is still unmar- 
ried, having for his housekeeper his sister, Jliss 
Susan. Our subject is Republican in politics, lib- 
eral in his religious beliefs, and for his honest and 
upright dealings and straightforwtird business meth- 
ods, enjoys in a marked degree the confidence and 
esteem of his associates and fellow-townsmen. 






))EN,IAMIN H. WEBB, who owns .and occu- 
'^- pies a comfortable farm estate on section 16, 
Dry Grove Township, is a native of Mc- 
Lean County, and was born March 3, 1832. 
His parents, Stephen D. and Penina (Hinshaw) 
Webb, were n.atives respectively of South Carolina 
anil Tennessee. They were married in the latter 
State, and came to Illinois in 1826, locating in Mc- 
Lean Comity. Stephen Webb was born Maj' 8, 
1795, and died in this county April 11, 1886. His 
wife, the mother of our subject, the date of whose 
birth is not known, died in 1870, at the home of her 




:^- 



t 

566 



i 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



husband in Dry Grove Township. They were mar- 
ried on the 10th of December, 1824, and became 
the parents of six sons and one daughter. The 
record is as follows : .lolm married Miss E. Ruth 
of ViFginia; Kelly married Miss Amelia .lane Piatt, 
and lives in Greene County, Iowa; William married 
Miss Matilda Barker, who died in about 1803; 
he then married Miss II. Tliomas, who died a few 
years after marriage, and his third wife was form- 
erly Mrs. Malinda Christ, Mary .lane became the 
wife of B. F. Martin, of Dry Grove, and is now de- 
ceased ; Benjamin of our sketch was the fifth child; 
Thomas married Miss Johusou, and lives in Mis- 
souri; Milton S. married ^Aliss Mary A. Smith, and 
is engaged in farming in Dry Grove. 

Benjamin II. Webb was married to Miss Mary A. 
Dickens on the 3d of JNIarcli, 1857. Mrs. "W. w.as 
born in McLean Cckinty, Oct. 9, 1837, and is 
the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Cleveland) 
Dickens. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Webb 
tliere have been born seven children, who are 
recorded as follows : Warren married Miss Mary E. 
Jolnisou, and the3' have one child, Willie, wlio was 
born in Fcbruar}', 18S,5; Jenctta,now iNIrs. ,Iohn D. 
Lanil), has four children — Oliver, Park, Etta and 
Warren; Ilattie is now Mrs. Charles Hatfield; Char- 
lotte, I'^lizabetli, Editii and Florence are at home 
with tlieir jiarents. 

Mr. Wel)b is tlie possessor of 210 acres of fine 
farming land, and has given much attention to the 
raising of fine stock. He has been a prominent 
man in the township and has nerved the peojile 
■with credit in the various ottices with' which they 
have intrusted him. He was elected Supervisor in 
1874, and politically is a stanch supporter of the 
Democratic party. He has made the most of his 
opportunities in life, and his well-informed mind 
has been greatly benefited bj' traveling over vari- 
ous portions of the United States and keeping his 
eyes open to what is going on around him in the 
world at large. He is not identified with any 
church organization but aims to make the (Golden 
Pule the basis of his daily life, lives at peace with 
his fellow-men and as becomes a law-abiding and 
worthy citizen. 

A litliographic pf>rtrait of Jlr. Webb is presented 
in connection with this sketch. 



■► ■ <• 



i 



j^^ AMUEL A. DEAL, of Dry Grove Town- 
^^1^ ship, is engaged as a farmer and stock- 
1JA/\«J raiser on section 30, where he is the pos- 
sessor of a comfortable home. Mr. Deal 
is a native of tlie Old Dominion, having been born 
in Augusta Count}', Va., the d.ate thereof, July 8, 
1841. His parents were Samuel C. and Priscilla 
(Brown) Deal, who were born, reared and married 
in A'irginia, whence they removed to Illinois in 
October, 1848. They located iu Dry Grove Town- 
ship, where the mother departed this life on the 
5th of -Tune, 1875. She was a most worthy and 
estimable lady, and an active member of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church. Samuel C. Deal was 
born Oct. 18, 1814, and is still a hale and hearty 
old man, his present home being in Danvcrs Town- 
ship, about a mile and one-half east of his son's 
place. The parental family included nine children, 
as follows : .lohn B. ; Samuel A. ; Elizabeth E., Mrs. 
Peter Elkins; Newton, who died at the age of seven 
years; Mary C, now Mrs. A. K. Rigens; .lane A., 
who died in infancj'; .Sarah A., Mrs. .lt>]in Wright, 
Emma P., and A'irginia V. II., who married Ste- 
phen Staubns. 

The subject of this history remained under the 
parental roof until he attained to years of manhood, 
and on the 27th of March, 1873, was united in 
marriage with Miss ]Mary E. Harris, a native of 
Warren County, Ky., who was born on the Gth of 
April, 184U. Mrs. Deal is the daughter of Alex- 
ander C. and Mary (Norfleete) Harris, both natives 
of the Blue Grass State. Iler father was burn Dec. 
27, 1808, in Kentucky, and her mother Sept. 18, 
1819, in the town of Somerset. The mother is 
still living. The father died March 20, 1887. 
They were the parents of .seven childi'en, the rec- 
ord of whom is as follows: Amanda J. married W. 
C. Johnson; William II. died when one year old; 
1). M. for his first wife married Miss II. Bates, who 
died after a few 3'ears, and he was then married to 
j\liss Carrie Metcalf, of Connecticut; Dr. H. A., 
who practiced in Menard County, K3'., died on the 
11th of June, 1877; Mar}' E. is the wife of our 
subject; Thomas M. died at the age of three j^ears; 
James W. died in 1873 at fifteen years of age. 

The homestead of our subject embraces 799i 
acres of laud, with a fine dwelling-house, and good 



> 



a 



i 



♦■ 



McLean county. 



567 






barns and out-buildings, among which is the finest 
hog-house in the county. This is 30x80 feet in 
area, two stories in height, and he now has 300 fine 
porkers, besides an equal number of cattle, and 600 
head of sheep. As a stock breeder he is familiarlj- 
known all over the county as one of the best and 
most extensive. He has sold up to this date (1887) 
nine car loads of fat cattle, for which he obtains 
the highest market price. His property is estima- 
ted to be worth at least $7.5,000, a portion of which 
he inherited from his father, the balance has been 
accumulated through his own industry and good 
judgment, and he has added materially to the in- 
dustrial and business interests of this section, while 
at the same time his homestead forms one of the 
embellishments of McLean County, both on ac- 
count of its beauty of location and the improve- 
ment which Mr. Deal has brought aljout in addi- 
tion to its natural advantages. A lithographic 
view of the place is shown in this work. He has 
been in all respects a useful and valued citizen, is 
a member in good standing of tiie Chimberland 
Presbyterian Church, and in politics is an uncom- 
promising Democrat. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Deal have been born the chil- 
dren who are recorded as follows: James N., born 
Nov. 8, 1874, died Feb. 21, 1875; Mary P., born 
Nov. 21, 1875, died May 15, 1877; Hattie E. was 
born July 13, 1877, and lives at home with her 
parents; Addie P., born March 28, 1878, died Jan. 
5,1885; Samuel C, born May 6, 1882, died Jan. 
21, 1885; William II. was born Oct. 8, 1884, and 
Carey, Nov. 9, 1886. 



-^ 




R. OSCAR AYAKEFIELD, proprietor of 
the Medicine Laboratory, is located at the 
corner of Washington and Evans streets, 
Bloomington, and is carrying on an ex- 
tensive and protital)le business. Tliis establish- 
ment gives employment to twenty-live i;)r thirty- 
five men, besides six men on the road, and has be- 
come widely and favorably known tiiroughout this 
and adjoining States. Dr. Wakefield is a native of 
De Witt County, 111., and was born April 7, 1846. 
His parents were Dr. Cyrenius and Harriet (Rich- 



ardson) Wakefield, natives of Watertown, N. Y., 
who removed to Illinois and located in Blooming- 
ton in 1837. The parental historj' will be found 
in another part of this work. Oscar Wakefield 
was one of seven children born to his parents, and 
remained with them during his childhood and 
youth. He pursued his primary studies in the 
common schools, and later attended the Commer- 
cial College of Bloomington. He afterward en- 
tered the medical department of the College of 
Cincinnati, Ohio, and upon returning to Blooming- 
ton became, in 1871, a partner with his father, with 
whom he has continued to the present time. 

Dr. Wakefield was married in 1868 to Miss 
Agnes Benchley, a native of Connecticut, and the 
daughter of Henry A. Benchley, of Willimantic, 
C'rmn. Of this union there were two children — 
Herbert, who died when three and a half j^ears old, 
and Bruce. Dr. Wakefield is Republican in poli- 
tics, a member in good standing of the A. F. ife 
A. M., and i)rominent as a useful business man and 
a worthy citizen. He is a stockholder in the Peo- 
ple's Bank and the Plow Factory, and takes an 
active interest in all matters concerning the public 
welfare. He occupies, with his family, a pleasant 
residence at No. 506 East Washington street, and 
enjoys the esteem and confidence of the best citi- 
zens of Bloomington. 



' BRAHAM II. CARLOCK, one of the pros- 
((!J^//j|! perous farmers of White Oak Township, is 




m located on section 20, where he has estab- 
((^ lished a e(_)nifortable homestead and built 

for himself a reputation as an honest man and a 
good citizen. His parents were Abraham W. and 
Mar\' (Goodpasture), Carlock, natives of Overton 
Count3% Tenn., the father born April 7, 1800, and 
the mother, Jan. 4, 1803. INIrs. Carlock, on her fa- 
ther's side, was of English descent, and several of 
her brothers became prominent men of the State of 
Tennessee. One of tiiem, Judge Winburn Good- 
pasture, was Circuit Judge in Tennessee for many 
j'ears and presided over several counties. Dillard 
Goodpasture, another brother, is a prominent 
banlcer at Nashville, Tenn.; John and McDonald 



n 



t. 



568 



I 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 

i 



Goodpasture are both prominent physicians in 
Nashville. Abraham Goodpasture was a clergy- 
man of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 
Petersburg, 111.; he is now deceased. William 
Goodpasture, of Elkhart, Logan Co., 111., is a 
prominent farmer. Mrs. Carlock, on her mother's 
side, was of Scotch descent. 

Abraham Carlock was a farmer and stock-raiser, 
and left his native State while j'et a young man, in 
1829. Coming to Morgan County, this State, he 
rented land for two years and then, coming into this 
county, purchased 3G0 acres in Kansas Township, 
AVoodford County, and White Oak Township, Mc- 
Lean County. He was prospered in his farming 
and business transactions, .and added to his landed 
possessions until he became the owner of 1,700 
acres, 700 of which he disposed of before his death, 
but retained 1,000, which since his death has been 
subdivided. lie was here during the winter of the 
deep snow, which is so well remembered by the 
early settlers who were confined to their cabins for 
several weeks, being unable to communicate with 
e.ach other. At (jne time he saw a tribe of Tippe- 
canoe Indians, which passed about sixty rods from 
his house on their way to Tippecanoe, Ind. There 
was then no market for farm produce, and for sev- 
eral seasons lie w.as obliged to drive his hogs to 
Chicago to sell, and frequently after his toilsome 
journey could only get in exchange for them a 
small stock of groceries, but in common with the 
other pioneers he was made of stanch stuff, which 
permitted no thought of relinciuishing his first pro- 
ject of establishing a home in the West. He lived 
to see many changes in the face of the countr}' and 
the progress of civilization, and siient his last d.ays 
where he had toiled the most, and finally reaped an 
abundant reward. 

The subject of this history was born in Kansas 
Township, Woodf<jrd County, this State, Aug. 22, 
1H47. He remained on the homestead during his 
childhood and youth, and, after an attendance of 
three years completed his studies in the college at 
Eureka. The home circle of his jiarents included 
twelve children, Un\r now deceased: John (4. mar- 
ried Miss Lucind.'i ftlusic; Madison P. married for 
his first wife Mrs. Ewing; his second wife was Miss 
Nancy Judy, of Logan County, 111. ; Nancy became 



the wife of Thomas Brown, of McLean County; 
Sarah was three times married, her first husband 
being William Allen, the second Squire Marley, of 
Tazewell County, and the third, George Cranson, 
of Gibson. 111.; AVilliam B. married Miss Missouri' 
McCart, of Bloom ington ; Mahala became the wife 
of Benj.amin F. Gaddis; Abraham H. is our sub- 
ject; Margery married William Pusey, of Bloom- 
ington; Lavina became the wife of Ira Howell, of 
Danvers Township. 

Mr. Carlock of this sketch was married, in 
Bloomington, to Miss Ida lidwards. Jan. 9, 1871). 
After his mariiage he removed to the farm upon 
which he now resides, and which consists of 20.') 
acres. This is finely improved and cultivated, and 
upon it is a comfortable and commodious residence, 
with a good barn and all necessary improvements. 
In addition to general farming he is giving much 
attention to the raising of a good grade of stock. 
Our subject is Democratic in politics, and in all re- 
spects is fulfilling the obligations of a good citizen. 

Mrs. Carlock is the daughter of Elisha and Ce- 
lia (Hedges) Edwards, who were natives of Mor- 
gan County, Ohio, and were married there in ISfjC. 
They came to Illinois that same year and settled in 
Le Roy, this county, where Mr. Edwards eng.aged 
in the grocery trade for five or six years. He then 
purchased 1(10 acres of fine farming land, and en- 
gaged in .agriculture for three j'ears. He then re- 
moved to ISlooiiiington, and is now living retired 
from active lal)or. He was an Alderman there for 
about ten years, and served .as Justice of the Pe.ace 
several years. Mrs. Celia Edwards w.as born Jan. 3, 
1840, and V>ecanie the mother of two children — 
Eraeline and Orson. B3' the second marriage there 
were born seven children, as follows: Mary B., 
who died in infancy: Ida I., Elmer, Effle, Edwin, 
iMinnie and JMyrtle, twins; Oscar died in 1873; 
Emeline became the wife of B^ron Covey, and Ef- 
fie became Mrs. George Winchell. 

Our subject and his wife have become the par- 
ents of three children — Lulu E., born Oct. 2;"), 
1879, Pearl L., Aug. 23, 1881, and Celia M.abel, 
April 14, 1884. Mrs. Carlock is a member of the 
Christian Church. 

The grandfather of our subject was a soldier in 
the Revolutionary War and also In the War of ^ ^ 



* 



f 



•►-■-^^ 



;- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



569 



r 



1812, and took part in the battle of New Orleans, 
one of the hardest fought and last battles of that 
war. The grandfather of Mrs. Carlock was a suc- 
cessful physician and minister, and the author of a 
medical work of great merit. He died in the prime 
of life, when but fifty years of age. 

A view of Mr. C'arlOclv's handsome residence will 
be found on another page. 



bEVI VINCENT, M. D., represents in a 
worthy manner the medical profession at 
Weston, and sociall}' is regarded as one of 
its most valued citizens. He is a native of Albany 
County, N. Y., and was born Jan. 24, 182G. His 
parents, Martin and Hannah (Moore) Vincent, 
were natives of the same State, where the father 
was engaged in farming the greater part of his life, 
and died in Albany County, at the advanced age 
of about eighty-five years. The mother lived to 
be eighty years old. The household circle in- 
cluded seven sons and three daughters, all of whom 
grew to mature years, and nine are still living. 

Levi Vincent, the ninth child of his parents, was 
reared upon his father's farm, and received a good 
literary education in tlie schools and academies of 
Greenville and C'hesterville, in his native State. 
He was fond of his books, ambitious to excel, and 
attained such proficiency that at twenty years of 
age he commenced teaching, which he followed 
during tlie winter seasons until 1870, his summers 
being occupied in farm pursuits. In the mean- 
time, however, in 185G, he came westward to Illi- 
nois, and for a time was a resident of Marshall 
County. From his boyhood, however, he had in- 
tended to become a physician, and read medicine 
whenevei' time and opiiortnnity afforded. In tlie 
spring of 1870, he determined to del.ay no longer 
fitting himself for his chosen calling, and becom- 
ing the partner and pupil of Dr. E. E. Williams, an 
old pliysician of Streeter, 111., practiced with him 
until the fall of l.s71. He then entered upon a 
course of study in Bennett College, C'hicago, from 
which he graduated in the spring of 1872. After 
graduating, he practiced in Streeter one year, then 
returned to Marshall County, where he owned a 



farm, and upon which he removed on account of 
the failing health of his wife. He, however, gave 
his attention to his profession, and built up a good 
practice in the neighborhood where he had previ- 
ously resided for many years. In the spring of 
1879, he sold this farm and removed to another 
near Fairbury, which he owned, and wliicli he 
wished to improve. While there, the citizens of 
Weston, in this county, petitioned him to locate in 
their midst. In response to this he sold this farm 
also, and in November of the 3'ear named, moved 
into Weston, where he has since given his entire 
attention to his profession. Dr. Vincent, however, 
believing that real estate was the best investment 
for surplus funds, purch.ased in 1883, the north- 
west quarter of section 10, Yates Township, for 
which he paid $'),000. The land was low, and not 
considered valuable, Init he has drained and im- 
proved it so that it is now considered one of the 
finest faims in this part of McLean County. 

The first marriage of Dr. \'incent took place on the 
12th of January, 18.50, at Durham ville, Oneida Co., 
N. Y., wlien he w.as united with Bliss Harriett Dor- 
man. This lady was born in Albany County, N. 
Y., and was one of the playmates of his early child- 
hood. After remaining his faithful and affection- 
ate companion for over twenty years, she departed 
this life at her home in Marshall County, 111., May 
26, 1873, leaving one daughter, Cornelia N., the 
wife of Rev. George M. Weber, a minister of the 
Jlethodist Episcopal Church. 

The second wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married Dec. 18, 1873, was Mrs. Adaline (Powell) 
Ilalstead, who had also been an acquaintance of his 
from his early youth. Mrs. Vincent is the daugh- 
ter of Joshua and Ann (Smith) Powell, natives of 
Greene County, N. Y. They came West in 1846, 
and settled in Peoria County, this State, where the 
mother died at the age of forty -seven j'ears. The 
second wife of iMr. Powell was Miss Zilpha Hal- 
stead. His death occurred at Weston, Oct. 14, 
1 885, when he was in the eighty-ninth year of his 
age. The second wife died in January, 1885, aged 
eight3'-seven 3'ears. Mr. Powell when first coming- 
West, located for a short time in Peoria, whence 
he removed to Marshall County, being among the 
early pioneers of that section. He lived there un- ' 
^ -•► 



t 



570 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



I> 




*■ 



til 1882, then removed to AVeston and made his 
home with his daughter, ^Irs. Mneent. Mrs. Vin- 
cent by her first marriage with B. W. Ilalstead, be- 
came the mother of four children : Joslnia P., now 
a ganger in the eniploj' of the Revenue Depart- 
ment at Peoria; Finley B., a conductor on the P., 
D. & E. R. R. ; Annie, the wife of Chancy Myers, a 
resident of Ellsworth, Kan., and Addle died in in- 
fancy, aged about twenty-one months. 

Dr. A'iucent politically was formerly an uncom- 
promising Democrat, but has now arrayed liimself 
on the side of the Prohibition party. He has been 
honored with the local offices of his tovvnship, and 
takes a great* interest in educational matters and 
everything else connected with the welfare and 
prosperity of his community. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Vincent are active members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

^ T. STRAYER, a successful and influential 
farmer of Padua Township, is a native of 
J.ogan County, Ohio, born Jan. 22, 1850, 
and the son of Nicholas .Stra3'er, a native of Vir- 
ginia, and of German parentage. The latter, after 
marriage, removed to Ohio, where his wife died not 
long afterward, lie was then married to Miss 
Esther Kinnan. who was a native of New York, 
whence she removed with hei- parents to Ohio. Of 
this union there were born eleven children, our sub- 
ject being the youngest of the family. Nicholas 
Stra^'er departed this life in Logan County, Ohio, 
Jan. 21, 1852, when his son, Z. T., was two years 
old. Two years later the mother with her ten liv- 
ing children, started for the prairies of Illinois, and 
coming to this county located in Towanda Town- 
ship, (m what is now known as Money Creek. Two 
years later they disposed (;f their land there and re- 
moved to De Witt County, settling in Turnbridge 
Township. This also they sold not long after, and 
the mother and an older son speculated for some 
time ill hogs, but not being quite satisfied with the 
result of their operations, the mother and a ]jart of 
the family then went across the Mississippi to Mills 
County, Iowa, where she is now living, in the town 
of Glen wood, having arrived at the advanced age 



of seventy-five years. Mrs. Strayer has been a re- 
markable woman in her time, with more than ordi- 
nary business capacity, and notwithstanding her 
years, still retains her strength and activity, and 
the bright mind for which she has always been 
noted. 

Mr. Strayer lived with his widowed mother until 
he attained the years of manhood, and was then 
united in marriage with Miss Adelade Dickerson, 
the wedding taking place in Empire Township at 
the home of the bride's parents, cm the 17th of 
March, 1875. Mrs. S. is the daughter of Henry C. 
Dickerson, now a resident of Le Roy, and was born 
Sept. 8, 1855, in Empire Township, where she was 
reared and educated. She remained under the par- 
ental roof until her marriage with our subject, and 
became the mother of five children, as follows: 
Libby T., Harry IM., George, Walter S. and Henry, 
all at home. 

The homestead of our subject is on section 31, 
and includes 115 acres of valuable land, with fine 
farm buildings, and all the accessories of the mod- 
ern and progressive farmer. He took possession of 
this place in Februaiy, 1882, and has made great 
improvements since that time. He has held the 
various offices of his township, and politically is ac- 
counted a first-class Republican. Mr. and Mrs. 
Strayer are regular attendauts of the Methodist 
Episcc^lial Church. 




HRI8TIAN STRUBHAR, who is pleasantly 
located on Danvers Tovvnship, on section 3, 
is one of the representative farmers of this 
section -who is meeting with success and contribut- 
ing his share to the agricultural interests of this 
county. Mr. S. is a native of the township where 
he is now living, and was born June 13, 1844. He 
is the son of John and Anna (Schertz) Strubhar, 
natives of Alsace Lorraine when it was a Province 
of France. The father operated a farm in his na- 
tive country until 1833, then emigrated to America 
and located in I'utler County, Ohio, where he en- 
gaged in distilling for about six years. In 183'J, 
after having come to this county, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Anna Schertz. The parents of Mrs. 






I 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



571 , , 



V 



4 



S. came here from New Orleans. After marriage 
.lohii Sti'nbhar purchased eighty acres of land, to 
which he afterward added O.OO acres, and in due 
time became proprietor of one of the finest farms 
in this section of the country. Upon the home- 
stead which he had thus established, he remained 
until his death, which occurred Jan. 17, 1884, when 
he w.as over seventj'-five years of age, being born 
in 1809. The mother, born in 1820, is still living. 
Their ten children were: Mary; Christian, of our 
sivetch; Anna; M.agdalena, who became the wife of 
C. W. Kinzinger, and they reside in Danvers Town- 
ship; Barbara married Peter Risser, and they live 
in Danvers ; Catherine married C. R. Stuckey, and 
they live in the village of Danvers; Maggie, Phebe, 
and Peter, who is making his home with his mother. 
Maggie, Phebe and Mary are deceased. The par- 
ents were memliers of the Mennonite Cliurch; the 
father was a Democrat until 18.50, when he changed 
his views and identified himself with the Repub- 
lican party. 

The subject of our sketch was reared on his 
father's farm and received a good education in the 
common schools. He remained under the parental 
roof until twenty-one years old, and was then mar- 
ried to IMiss M.agdalena Ehrism.an. Their wedding 
occurred in this count}', Feb. 22, 18G."). After 
marriage Mr. ,S. cultivated a part of his father's 
farm, and in 1877 became the owner of eighty acres, 
and has added to his homestead until it now con- 
sists of 200 acres, and is finelj- improved, with a 
handsome and substantial dwelling, a good barn, 
and all necessary out-buildings. Everything about 
the premises is neat and orderly and indicates the 
supervision of an intelligent and enterprising man. 
In connection with his farm Mr. .S. owns and oper- 
ates a large sawmill which, in the sawing of lumber 
for his own use, proves a saving of hundreds of 
dollars during the year and in sawing for his neigh- 
bors yields him a considerable income. 

The wife of our subject was born in Danvers 
Township, McLean County, Jan. 22, 184.5, being 
the daughter of Ciiristian and F.'innie (Barrett) 
P^hrisman, natives of Wurtemberg, ( iermany. They 
came to this country about 1836; the familj' con- 
sisted of nine children — Magdalena, Joseph, Bar- 
bara, Catherine, Susan, Lydia, Samuel, Jacob and 

4« 



Benjamin; the latter died in 18G5. Mr. and Mrs. 
Strubluar have three children — Lydia, Samuel and 
Louis A., all at home with their parents. Both 
parents are members of the Mennonite Church, and 
our subject in politics is stronglj' Rei)ublican. 



-^ ^-^ ^ 

'^) lII^f'^^TI^N W. KINZINGER, a gentleman 
il in the prime of life, owns and occupies, a 

^^7 fine farm of 160 .acres in Danvers Township, 
on section 2. He has a fine dwelling and good 
barn, and all necessary out-buildings and appliances 
for the carrying on of agriculture in a first-class 
manner. The subject of this history' is a native of 
the Prairie State, having been born in Woodford 
County, in 184G. His parents were ^lichael and 
Magdalena (Nafziger) Kinzinger. They were na- 
tives of (iermany and came to this country in an 
early day, locating in Butler County, Ohio, where 
Michael K. followed the business of a distiller. He 
was married in about 1845 to the mother of our 
subject, and coming to Illinois they located in 
Woodford County. Here the father rented land 
the first year and in 1848 entered eiglity acres, to 
which he soon afterward added 100 more. He was 
prospered in his farming and business transactions 
and is still living and in good health. He and his 
excellent wife became the parents of twelve chil- 
dren, as follows: Catherine became the wife of 
Joseph Frj'; Peter married Miss Nafziger; D.aniel 
married Miss Mary Schick; J.acob m.arried Miss 
Lena Kerr; Christian W. of our sketch w.as the 
fifth child; Barbara became Mrs. David Zook, and 
Magdalena, Mrs. Jacob C4unda; Anna became the 
wife of Peter Strautz ; J.acobina B. married Joseph 
Strubliar; Caroline became the wife of (ieorge 
Kirckler; Killian and August were the two young- 
est and are living in Woodford County, 111. Both 
parents have been members of the Mennonite Church 
for many years. Mr. K. was a Democrat until the 
administration of Buchanan when he left the partj^ 
easting his first Republican vote for John C. Fre- 
mont, and has a/filiated with that party since that 
time. The mother of our subject was the daughter 
of Peter and Barbara (Beck) Naft'ziger, who be- 
came the parents of the following children: Bar- 



/ 



■•►-■-♦» 



* 



t 



••► 



572 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



bara, Magdalena, Phebe, Catherine, Jacob ,[_Peter 
and Valentine. 

Christian W. Kinzinger remained with his father 
on the farm, attending the common, schools and as- 
sisting in the labors of the homestead until he 
reached his majority. He was married, Jan. 10, 
1871, to Miss Magdalena Strubhar. After his mar- 
riage he cnltivatcd rented land for five years, and 
then purchased the land which he had worked and 
which constitutes his present homestead. It is all 
under a good state of cultivation with ten acres of 
choice timber. ( )f late years he has been giving 
considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, 
including horses, cattle and hogs. He makes a 
specialty of roadsters and has some flue specimens 
of Norman and Clydesdales. 

Mr. and Mrs. K. have become the parents of three 
children: Edward, born in 1872; Ophelia in 1873, 
and Urvina in 1876. Both parents are incml)ersof 
the Mennonite Church, and politically our subject 
is a straight Republican. He has'held tli» office of 
Road Commissioner two terms and was elected a 
School Director tiiree successive years. He is in all 
respects a representative citizen, and is contributing 
his full share toward the growth and prosperity of 
his township. 






^ .^^ ^ 

eHARI.KS .1. STRONG, of Danvers Town- 
ship, is widely and favorably known in this 
vicinity, and is prosecuting his agricultural 
pursuits on a fine homestead located on section 26, 
a view of which is sliown on another page. Mr. 
Strong was born in Richland County, Ohio, Aug. 
27, 1837, and is the sou of Abel and Hannah (Ber- 
dine) Strong; the f.ather was of English descent, 
and the mother of French Huguenot extraction. The 
father of our subject was born in Connecticut in 
179.5, and died in Ohio in 1840. He was a mer- 
chant and Justice of the Peace, and the Represent- 
ative of Richland County to the Legislature, be- 
ing elected on the Whig ticket. Besides a large 
stock of general merchandise, in which he enjoyed 
a lucrative trade, he owned 240 acres of fine farm- 
ing land which, with the buildings thereon, consti- 
tuted a valuable homestead. The wife and mother 

4> 



is still living in New York City, and enjoying good 
health for a lady of advanced 3'ears. 

The parental household included seven children, 
of whom the record is as follows: James died at 
the age of four j^ears, and Orlen when seventeen; 
Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of H. J. Hayes, 
of Toledo, Ohio, who is now a commission merenant 
and a member of the Board of Trade; of this union 
there were born three children, only one of whom 
is living; Mrs. Haj'es died in 1846. William L. 
married Miss Mary Aborn, and is a dry-goods mer- 
chant of New York Cit}' ; he was born in Richland 
County, Ohio. March 22, 1827, is a prominent and 
useful citizen, and a member of the Republican 
party; Rlioda married Rev. Benjamin Thomas, a 
Baptist minister, and died in Bloomington, III., in 
18,56, leaving three children; her husband died in 
Arkansas in 1.S83; Charles J. of our sketch was the 
sixth child; Abel died when two years of age. 

Charles J. Strong and Miss Mary Simpkins were 
married on the 3d of September, 1873, in McLean 
County, 111. Mrs. Strong was born in Highland 
County, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1846, and was the daughter 
of Jerennah and INIargaret (Ro.ads) Simpkins, na- 
tives respectively of New Jersey and Ohio. Her 
father was born Jan. 22, 1823, and the mother 
April 12,1827. After tiic birth of five children, 
the latter died on the 2d of July, 1857. Mar}', 
]\Irs. Strong, was the eldest of the family; Morris 
was born in 1848; Josephine in 18.51; Ida, now de- 
ceased, was born in 18,04, and Emma in 18,56. For 
his second wife Mr. Simpkins married Jliss Sarah 
Jacoby, in 1858. She w.as a native of Illinois, 
born in 1835, and is still living. Of this uni(m 
there were nine children, four of whom died in in- 
fancy. Those living are Jeremiah, boin in 1863; 
Daniel, in 1867; Julia, in 1870 ;' Jennie, in 1874, 
and Jessie. The father of these children is still 
living, and is now in Kansas. He served as a Union 
soldier in the late w.ar, in the 94th Illinois Regiment 
for three years as a private, receiving an ht)norable 
disch.arge at the close. He is now a member of tiie 
T. O. O. I'\ and the G. A. R., and in politics is a 
strong Republican. 

Mr. Strong came to Illinois in 1854, and after re- 
maining in Bloomington two years went back to 
Ohio, staitl there with his mother a year, and then 



T 






McLean county. 



575 i^ 



went to his brother in New York City. In 1859 
he enlisted in the Regular army for five years, be- 
ing quartered at Carlisle, Pa., for three months, 
.and upon the opening of the Rebellion went into 
active service. He participated in the seven d.ays' 
fight at Gaines' Mills, \'a., at Gettysburg and An- 
tietani, and at various other general eng.agenients, 
At Gaines' Mills he was wounded by a b.ayonet 
thrust through the right hand, but not so seriously 
as to be sent to the hospital.. After brave and 
faithful service he received his houor.able dis- 
charge on the 3d of March, 1.SG4. In l<s80 
he took possession of his present farm in this 
county'. This consists of 160 acres under a good 
state of cultivation, with a substantial dwelling 
and all convenient and necessarj' outhouses. He 
is a straightforward business man, greatly respected 
by his fellow-townsmen, and in politics is a firm ad- 
herent of the Republican party. 

The f.ather of our subject was a Captain in the 
War of 1812, having command of a company of 
Connecticut militia, serving throughout the con- 
flict until the ti-eaty of peace was signed, and was 
among the sturdy spirits of the old colonial times. 

ylLLIAM L. SMITH, senior member of the 
firm of .Smith & Warner, merchants at 
Cooksville, has been a resident of Blue 
Mound Township since the spring of 1857. When 
a lad of fifteen years old he came here with his par- 
ents, Jacob T. and Eliza (Williams) Smith. The 
former was born in Jessamine County, Ky., and 
the latter in Clark County, Ind. After marriage 
they settled in Floyd County, Ind., where they 
lived until April. 1857, then came to this county 
and settled in Blue Mound Township. Here the 
father died in the spring of 1863 ; the mother is still 
living, and resides in Cooksville. Their seven 
children included five boys and two girls. 

The subject of this history, the eldest of his par- 
ents' family, was born in Floyd County, Ind., Aug. 
•27, 1842. He attended school in his native 
county until the time his parents removed to Illi- 
nois. He remained under the home roof until 
he reached his majority and in August, 1862, the 
4* 



Civil War being then in progress, enlisted as a 
soldier of the Union in Co. E, 9-lth 111. Vol. Inf., 
and served until the close of the war, in the mean- 
time being promoted Corporal. After leaving 
the army he at once returned to Blue Mound 
Township, and soon afterward commenced taking 
the census of (Jridley, Money Creek and Towanda 
Townshijis. 

When Mr. Smith was taking the census in To- 
wanda Townshij) an incident occurred which is 
worthy of mention. In the course of his travels 
he ha.A occasion to call at a certain house where 
the people were expecting daily the return of 
a brother wlio had been recently discharged from 
the army. Mr. Smith, who had still retained 
a part of his old uniform, was taken for the brother, 
and as he approached the door a young lad}', sister 
of the expected wanderfer, rushed out to meet him 
ready to embrace him and bestow upon him the 
sisterly tokens of affection. Just as she reached 
him, however, she discovered her mistake, .and to 
say that her cheeks were suffused with blushes 
would scarcely describe her situation. Mr. Smith 
who fully appreciated the '• joke," did his i)art in 
easing it off, and was cordi.ally invited into the 
house by the father of the young lady, who had 
witnessed the occurrence and was rolling on the 
floor convulsed with laughter. 

He afterward engaged in farming and cari)entcr- 
ing and also dealt considerably in live stock, until 
1883. He then decided to change his occupation 
and go into mercantile business in Cooksville. He 
formed a partnership with Hugh W. AV'arner, and 
they have operated since that time under the 
firm stjde of Smith <fe Warner. They carry a com- 
plete stock and are doing a profitable and steadily 
increasing trade. 

Mr. Smith was married in Bloomington, 111., on 
the 10th of March, 1870. to Miss Mary E. Powell, 
sister of the wife of Hugh W. Warner, of whom 
a sketch will be found in another part of this work. 
Mrs. Smith was born in Madison County, Ohio, 
July 14. 1845. Of this union there is one child, 
a daughter, Eliza, who w.as born March 20, 1871. 
Our subject was appointed Postmaster of Cooks- 
ville in February, 1884, which office he held until 
after the change in the administration. He is Re- 



n 



f 



.576 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



piiblit-iui ill i)c>lities, and belongs to G. A. R. Post, 
No. 1 KJ, :ind also to the Masonic fraternity', Lexing- 
ton J>odge No. 4S-i. He has held the office of 
Township Clerk, and is a gentleman of sound judg- 
ment whose oi)inion is uniformly held in respect, 
and one who takes a genuine interest in the welfare 
of his county and CDiiiniuiiity. 






^/,ll .1. LUCAS, whose ijarenls were anioiii;- the 
W 1 '^'•"'Iv pioneers i>f Illinois, came to McLean 

/// 111 County with his parents when a child of 
^^ three years vh\, in isi'.'!. He li.-is been en- 

g.'iged ill farming pursuits the greater part of his 
life, but is now retired from active labor and enjoy- 
ing the I'omfortsof a [jleasant and attractive home, 
located at Xo. (Jl.3 East Walnut street. Blooming- 
ton. 

.Mr. Lucas was born in Wliite County, this State, 
Nov. 7, IS 18, his parents being AV^illiam and 
(iooden (Ileiidrix) Lucas, natives respectively of 
(icorgia and England. His father was a farmer by 
occupation, and became a resident of McLean 
County in 1H23, settling three miles south of 
Bloomiiigton. He there |)urc!iascd 240 acres of 
laud, liiiilt a log cabin and o|H'iied up a fine farm, 
upon wliicli. with his wife and fainil}', he spent the 
remainder of his days. The parental iiouseiiold in- 
cluded ten children, three; now living: A. .T., our 
snliject; Benjamin L., and Dorcas, ilrs. Keeder. 

Y'oung Lucas was roared to farming pursuits, re- 
ceived a fair education, and remained with his par- 
ents until twenty-one years old. Four years later 
he m.'ii'ried, and was given forty acres of the old 
homestead. He occupied tiiis two years, tlien re- 
moved to LaFayette, Ind., where he stojijied, how- 
ever, but a short time. He then relurncd and 
rented land three j'ears in McLean County, and 
afterward purchased forty acres four miles south of 
Blooniington. He lived upon this four years, and 
then purchased 172 acres in Martin Township; this 
was partly improved. After two years he sold out 
and rented hiiid in the Grove for three years. He 
then purcliase<l sixty-live acres, which he eultiv.ated 
until 187S), and then traded it for 220 acres in Eau- 



dolph and Downs Townships, upon which he lived 
until 1880, when he practically abandoned farming 
and moved into the cit}'. 

Our subject was married on the 28th of Decem- 
ber, 184.'5, to Miss Elizabeth .Simmons, a native of 
Virginia, and the daughter of Ephraim and Eliza- 
beth (Calluway) Simmons. Of this union there 
were born six children, only two now living: Wil- 
bur E. married Lydia A. Bay, and they have three 
children — Roy, Pearl and Ira; Benj.amin W. mar- 
ried M. B. Rhodes, and they have fivf children — 
Hugh, Charles, Abbie, Evva and Ivlith; W. E. 
lives with iiis father, and has always followed farm- 
ing. 

j\Ir. Lucas is Hei)iib]iran in politics, and is a man 
whose opinions are held in high respect in his eoin- 
munity. He has held the ofilees of Road Commis- 
sioner and School Director, and his sons are men 
of note and reliable and valued citizens, also hav- 
ing lieen connected with the School Board. 



-f>- 



^ti^ 



-— !> 




^ ORATIO G. BENT, LL. B., Professor of 
Common Law and Equity Pleadings and 
attorney at law, of Blooniington, is a native 
of Louisiana, but has been a resident of the 
Prairie State since 1859. He was born in the city 
of New Orleans, Nov. 22, 1857, being the son of 
Horatio and Lucinda (Grimes) Bent, the former a 
native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Batavia, 
N. V. Horatio Bent, .Sr., left his native State when 
a young man, and going South to New Orleans, en- 
gaged in the commission business and remained 
there until the breaking out of the Civil War, when 
he came N<n'th, locating in Blooniington in 1859, 
but onl3' lived a few years afterward, his death 
occurring in 1 805. His wife, with her two children, 
our subject and his sister, Nellie, who still survive, 
are all now residents of Blooniington, the sister 
having married .lames S. Neville, a prominent 
attorney here. 

Horatio Bent, .Ir., coinitleled his primary educa- 
tion ill the public schools of Bloomington and then 
entered Wesleyan University, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1879. He then studied law in the office of 



••_ ^m <• 






McLEAN COUNTS. 



577 



t 



Stevenson and Ewing, took a, coiiiso of study in the 
law department <,if the ISlooniinuton Law School, 
whence he graduated in 1882, and was admitted to 
the bar that same year. He commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession in St. Panl, Jlinn., but re- 
turned to ISloomington in the fall of 1883, forming 
a partnership with .lohn .1. Pitts. Six months later 
Mr. J. P. Lindley was taken into the firm, and the 
three have operated together since that time. Tiiis 
is one of the strongest firms in the city, all of its 
members being andiitions to excell in their chosen 
profession. In 188{) Mr. Bent received the nonn- 
nation for County Judge by the Democratic party 
with which he affiliates, but missed the election on 
account of a large Republican majority. Aside from 
his i)rofessional duties Mr. Bent is a professor in 
the Law School of Bloomington, with which he has 
been connected for the last three years, and at 
which he graduated with the honors of his class 
before entering upon his practice. 

The marriage of Horatio G. Bent and Miss Adah 
Crist, of Bloomington, was celebrated at the home 
of the bride's parents in 1 SSO. Jlrs. Bent is the 
daughter of Dr. L W. Crist, and by her marriage with 
our subject has become the mother of two chil- 
dren — Horatio C. and J^ewis G. Our subject is a 
prominent member of the First Baptist Church, 
and Mrs. B. is connected with the Grace Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



^lEV. GALEN M. GOODK, pastor of the 
Christian Church of Normal, has charge of 
one of the must prosperous congregations in 
^the county, and is performing the duties of 
his high calling conscientiously and satisfactorily to 
all concerned. Mr. Goode is a native of ^Macoupin 
Count}', 111., and was born July 4, 1842. Ilis father, 
Dr. John W. Goode, was a native of Maryland and 
came to Illinois at an early period in the history of 
this State, in about 18:30. lie located in Macoupin 
County and there practiced medicine the remainder 
of his life. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Maria 
(Bush) (ioode, was a native of Tennessee and came 
to this State in about the same year as her husband. 
She is still living and resides at St. Joseph, Mo., 

4' 



aged about seventy years. The pareut.al family 
included four children, all now living: Marsiiall is 
pastor of the Christian Church at St. Josejjh, Mo.; 
Darwin L. is the l\)stmaster of Stirru|) fJrove, Ma- 
coupin County, and also superintends the ojjerations 
of liis farm there; Martha is the wife of John B. 
Corvvin and resides in New London, Mo.; Galen M., 
our subject, was the youngest of the family. 

Mr. (ioode was reared on his father's farm and 
educated in the schools of his native count.y. In the 
fall of 1 iS.VJ, at the age of seventeen years, he became 
a meml)er of the Christian Church, in which he at 
once took an active part, and as his services were 
always in demand he found himself engaged in 
preaching Ijefure he fairly realized the fact. He was 
employed first to fill various appointments until 
twenty-five years of age, and was then chosen pastor 
of the church at Palmyra, 111., near his birthplace, 
where he remained until 1873. He was then re- 
moved to Illioiiolis, Sangamon Co., 111., where he 
remained for five years, was afterward located at 
Harristown, Macon County, and thence, in Sep- 
tember, 1883, came to Noi-mal. His life for many 
years has been wholly devoted to the Master's serv- 
ice, and aside from his pastoral duties he has fre- 
quently held protracted meetings in different States 
and taken part in many public discussions. In Pal- 
myra he conducted a debate with a Methodist cir- 
cuit rider by the name of Harlan on the subject of 
baptism, and two with the Presiding Elder of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South on the same sub- 
ject. These discussions took place before our subject 
was thirty years of age, and he was then known as 
the " Macoupin Boy." 

IMr. (ioode is a strong Temperance man and an 
earnest advocate of Prohibition, having devoted 
considerable time to lectures upon this subject 
throughout Central Illinois. In 1886 he was tiie 
candidate for Congress on the Prohibition ticket in 
the 14t!i District. His early education was quite 
limited and his present attainments are the result 
of his own industry and love of learning. He Is 
now not only finely educated in the linglish 
branches, but has made considerable proficiency in 
Greek and Latin. 

The marriage of Rev. Galen M. Goode and Miss 
Mary Nevins was celebrated Dec. 27, 1863, at the 



n 



t 



,t 



578 



mclp:an county. 



i 



home of the bride's parents in Macoupin County. 
Mrs. G. is also a native of Macoupin County' and 
the daughter of Sinns and ISIargaret (Steele) Nev- 
ins, and b^' her marriage with our subject became 
tiie mother of seven children, one of whom died in 
infancj'. Those living are : Carrie 15., Jennie A., 
Walter Scott, Harry Virgil, Uussell K. and Lucille. 




'»,1LL1AM MUNSOiS, an energetic and pro- 
'' gressive farmer of Randolph Township, 
owns and occupies a fine homestead of 120 
acres lying on a psirt of sections 18 and l!i. The 
laud is beautifullj' located and finely adapted to 
purposes of geuer.al farming. Mr. Munson came 
into possession of this valuable tract of laud in the 
spring of 187-2. It had then been much neglected 
and its buildings were of little v.alue, but with that 
energy and enterprise for which our subject is 
noted all over this section of country, he set to 
work to improve the condition of his purchase, and 
the results have been most satisfactory. He now 
has a handsome and attractive dwelling, good b.arns 
and out-buildings, and has brought the land to a 
high state of cultivation. His example is well 
worthy of imitation by those prone to give way to 
discouragement, and is a fine illustration of what 
may be accomplished by steady and persistent 
labor. 

Mr. Munson was born on his father's old home- 
stead iu Randolph Township on the 17th of Sep- 
tember, 1844. His father, a native of New Jersey 
(see sketch), had been a resident of Hamilton 
County, Ohio, having left his native State when 
ten years of age, with his parents. He was married 
in R.andolph Township to Miss Sarah J.Noble, who 
was born and reared iu Hamilton County, Ohio. 
Of this union there were born eight children, of 
whom our subject Is the eldest now living and was 
the eldest but two of the family. His early life 
was spent on the parental homestead until his mar- 
riage, which took place Feb. Hi, 18Gy. The maiden 
of his choice was Miss Amanda J. Scogin, and their 
wedding occurred at the residence of William Karr 
in Randoli)h Township. Mrs. Munson was born in 
De Witt County, near Wapella, this State, Jan. 4, 
-.4, 



184.'). Her parents were "William and Jlargaret 
(Karr) Scogin, who were born respectively' in 
Hamilton County, Ohio, and Warren County, N.J. 
They were married in Ohio, and after the birth of 
four children came to Illinois in about 1843, set- 
tling near what is now Wapella, and engaging in 
general farming. There the father died in the 
spring of 1881 ; the mother had passed to her final 
rest on the 8th of November, 1860. 

For his secorid wife AN'illiam Scogin married Mrs. 
Ella (TaHlinger) Marshall. She is now living with her 
daughter Emma in De Witt County. Of this latter 
union there were born four children, tvvo now liv- 
ing. Anna is married to Charles Buck of Vernon 
County, Mo.; Mrs. Munson of our sketch was reared 
at home until after the death of her mother, when 
she went to live with her cousin, William Karr, of 
Randolph Township, where she remained until her 
marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Munson have become the parents 
of five children, three now living — Nellie J I., 
Frank I. and Anna E. The deceased are John F. 
and Minnie, aged eleven and eight years, respect- 
ively; liotli died of scarlet fever, one on the 12th 
and the other on the 17th of December, 1880. Our 
subject and his wife are members in good standing 
of the Christian Church, and in politics Mr. Munson 
casts the weight of his influence in support of the 
principles of the Repnblican party. 



•'«£i2'®^^— f§f^ 



*^^wra?j».. 



^^APT. HIRAM McDowell PHILLIPS, 
(|( ^-^ hero of the Mexican and of the late war, 
"^^y and a resident of the thriving city of Le 
Roy, is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Pike- 
ton, Pike Co., Ohio, Feb. 1, 1822. His father, 
Thomas Phillips, .and his grandfather, also Thomas 
by name, were natives of Pennsylvania, and en- 
gaged there in .agricultural pursuits. Thomas 
Phillips, Jr., removed to Kentucky at an early day 
and settled in Harrison County, where his life ter- 
minated. Thomas, Jr., .accompanied his father's 
family, and aftei- a few years went northward into 
Ohio and located in Scioto County. He was there 
married to Miss Mary McDowell, a native of his 



^►-ff^ 



t. 



4«- 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






own State. The_y settled in Pike Countj', and lived 
for a few years, then removed to .Scioto and from 
there, in 1828, to Indiana. Tliey spent one winter 
in AVayne' County, and afterward lived in Tippeca- 
noe County a few years, then sellini>' out located in 
Montgomery County. The father of our subject 
departed this life Feb. 17, 1851, at the home of our 
subject near Danville, 111. The mother died in 
1845. The parental household included ten chil- 
dren, eight of whom grew to mature years; our 
subject was the youngest. 

Young Phillips was reared to farm pursuits, and 
pursued his studies in both public and private 
schools. He was a bright boy, fond of his books, 
and at fourteen years of age commenced teaching, 
which he followed for many years in Montgomery 
and Boone Counties, Ind. In 1848 he came to 
Vermilion County, this State, and taught there and 
in Champaign County until 1857. He then came 
to McLean Countj', and locating at Le Roy en- 
gaged as a mechanic. He enlisted in the army in 
May, 184G, becoming a member of Company G, 
1st Regiment Illinois A'oluuteers, and going with 
his comrades to Mexico served one year, or until 
the expiration of his term of enlistment. He par- 
ticipated in the battle of Buena A'ista under Gen. 
Taylor. During the late war, Oct. 11, IfSGl, he 
raised a company of volunteeis, of which he was 
appointed Cai)tain, .and with his comrades assigned 
to the 39th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, which 
was known as Yates Phalanx. He served three 
years and four months, and during that time par- 
ticipated in thirty battles, among them being that of 
Winchester. At Drury's Bluff he was wounded and 
captured, and confined three months and eight 
days in Libby Prison. He was then paroled and 
proceeded to Annapolis, Md., where he was dis- 
charged in December, 18G4, on account of disabil- 
ity, and it also being the expiration of his term of 
service. 

Mr. Phillips was m.arried, Dec. 17, 1848, to Miss 
Christiana W. Martin, who was born in Harrison 
County. Ky., and the daughter of Edward W. and 
S.arah A. (Phillips) Martin. Her father was a na- 
tive of Kentucky, and her grandfather, .Tobn Mar- 
tin, a farmer in Harrison County, that State, spent 
his last days there. Mrs. Sarah A. (Phillips) Mar- 

<■ 



tin was born in Ohio. She came with her husband 
to Illinois in 183(i, and they located in Vermilion 
County, near Danville, whence they removed to 
Champaign County, where the mother died. Ed- 
ward W. Martin departed this life at the home of 
his daughter in Le Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips 
have become the parents of thi'ee chihlren: Thomas 
E., now living in Jefferson County, Mo.; (ieorge 
W., at home, and Sarah A., the wife of I. N. 
Clarke, of Le Roy. 



<* )»,1LLIAM B. CARLOCK, attorney at hiw, 
\/iJ// Bloom ington, is a native of the Prairie 
V^^ State, and was born in AVoodford County, 
March 15, 1842. His father, Abraham W. Car- 
lock, who lived in Overton County, Tenn., until 
.arriving .at manhood, was born in Virginia, and 
married ]\Iiss Mary Goodpasture, of Tennessee. 
After their marriage they located in Overton 
County, Tenn., where they remained until 182(j, at 
which time they came to Illinois and lived for a 
while in Morgan County, whence the.y removed to 
McLean County, and thereafter to Woodford, 
where the father died, Feb, 19, 1884, being eighty- 
four years of age, he having been born April 7, 
1 800. Of the twelve children who completed the 
household circle, one died in infancy, and another 
lived until ten years of age. Ten children lived 
to mature ye.ars, and eight still survive, four 
brothers and four sisters, all being married and 
having families of their own. 

The subject of this historj' was the eighth child 
of his parents, and passed his childhood and youth 
on the farm. He received a fair education in the 
common schools, and was reared to habits of in- 
dustry and economy. After leaving home he en- 
tered Lombard University, at Galesburg, 111., where 
he pursued a thorough course of study, and grad- 
uated with the highest honors in the summer of 
1807. In the meantime he also taught a select 
school for several terms, to assist in defraying his 
expenses while in college. Wishing to still further 
perfect himself for business and usefulness in life, 
he entered the law department of the State Uni- 
versity of Michigan, .at Ann Arlior. and gr.aduated 

m^ 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



-4 



from thnt institution in the spring of 1869. He 
was then udinitted into the law office of Will- 
iams ife Burr, of Bloomington, where he studied 
until December, 18G9, and was tlien admitted to 
the bar. lie soon afterward opened an office of 
his own, and bejian the practice of his profession, 
to which lie has devoted his attention closely since 
that time, with the exception of a few months 
spent in Dakota, improving a tract of land, which 
he had purchased there. In this practice he has 
succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. 
He had a large circle of friends and acquaintances 
in both McLean and adjoining counties, which 
added to his success in the beginning of his career 
as a lawyer. Mr. Carlock is also the p.atentee of a 
wire device for improving the acoustic properties 
of public halls, churches, etc., from which he de- 
rives a handsome sum. 

The marriage of Mr. Carlock with Miss Missouri 
McCart took pLace on the 6th of October, 1870. 
Mrs. Carlock was born May 20, 1848, being the 
daughter of Robert McCart, Sr., a prominent con- 
tractor and builder of Bloomington. She is also a 
sister of Robert McCart, .Jr., an attorney at law at 
Ft. Worth, Tex., who was formerly in business in 
this city, where he was widely and favorably known, 
but is now, and has been a resident of Texas since 
IS77. Of this marriage there were born two sons — 
J.eslie H., Sept. 11, 1871, and William C, .July 15, 
1877. 

In politics Mr. Carlock is a stanch Democrat, 
though frecjuently in local matters he votes for the 
man who is best qualified to fill the otlice, instead 
of following in tiie line of the p.artv nomination; 
and while he has been an active and infiuential 
leadei', he has never had any desire to neglect his 
business for the purpose of .seeking office. Though 
a l>emocrat, he has always been in favor of accept- 
ing the go(^d principles iTiculcated by any party. 

Mr. Carlock is also a Huent German s|)( aker, and 
much of his business is carried on in thar, language, 
and perhaps one-half of his legal and loaning busi- 
ness is with the (ierman [teople. As a loan agent, 
he is considered one of the safest and most trust- 
wc^rlhy that can be found, having kejjt himself 
well posted upon the valuation of property. 

Mr. C.'irlock is a member of the LInitarian C'hureh, 



and his wife of the Christian Church. He h.as held 
the office of Trustee, and h.as alwa3's taken a 
deep interest in the affaii-s of the church and the 
spread of liberal Christianity. As a lawyer he has 
been eminently successful, and is regarded as care- 
ful and painstaking, and has acquired an enviable 
reputation for his legal acumen, among his fellow 
members of the profession. His most lucrative 
practice is, perhaps, confined to cases in chancery, 
though he has devoted much time to important 
common law and criminal cases. As a special 
pleader, and in preparing and arranging the evi- 
dence on a case and presenting the same to a jur3', 
he undoubtedly excels. He is already far advanced 
in the ranks of flrst-class Western lawyers. 

Soci.ally Mr. Carlock is polite and courteous to 
all, and his affability and bearing to his clients is 
such that he wins their confidence. He is much 
attached to his home, and takes a deej) interest in 
the welfare of his county. 




C«!S^)IIOMAS F. KENNEDY, Su|)ervisor of Mar 
tin Township, is actively engaged in farm- 
ing, and owns and occupies a fine homestead, 
which he purchased in 1882. He is a native of 
Clark Count}', K}., and w.as born near the town of 
AVinchester, March 23, 18.')2. He is the son of 
(Jeorge and Nancy E. (Railsback) Kennedy, both 
natives of the ]?lue Crass State, and both liorn in 
Clark County. They emigrated to Illinois in the 
fall of 18;j2, first locating on a farm two miles west 
of Bloomington. The family continued to reside 
thereuntil the fall of 1860, then removed onto a 
tract of land in Martin Townshii*, whei'e (icorge 
Kennedj' engaged in farming i)ursuits, and departed 
this life on the 10th of March, 180.5. His wife sur- 
vived him until 1807. Their seven children in- 
cluded three sons and four daughters, of whom 
only four survive. The grandfather of our subject, 
.lames Kennedy, a native of Kentucky', emigrated 
to Illinois and located in this county in 18.51; he 
is still living, an<l a resident of Martin Township. 
(See sketch of Capt. .James Kennedy.) 

The subject of this biography was the second 
child of his piuents' family, who removed to this 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



581 






county when he was but six months old. He received 
a fair odueatiou in the district school, and remained 
under the home roof until he was twenty-one years 
old. He then began farming on liis own account. 
In 1886 he took unto himself a helpmeet, in the [ler- 
son of Miss Nancy J. Wilson. Mrs. K. is the daugliter 
of John and Clara Wilson, natives of Indiana, but 
now residents of this county. After marriage the 
young people settled on a farm in Martin Town- 
ship, where our subject engaged in general agri- 
culture, including stock-raising. He is still in the 
prime of life, full of energy and ambition, and is 
recognized by all as a skillful and intelligent 
farmer, who avails himself of the most modern and 
approved methods of oper.ating his land. He en- 
joys in a marked degree the confidence and esteem 
of his fellow-citizens, who liave kept him iu the po- 
sition of School Director for many .years, and have 
elected him Township Collector for three years in 
succession and a inend)er of the Board i>f Supervisors 
since the spring of 1885, which oHice he still holds. 
Politically he is an unconipri>niising Democrat, and 
takes an active interest in everything pertaining to 
the welfare of tlie country at large. Both Jlr. and 
Mrs. Kennedy are pronrinently connected witii the 
Christian Church, our subject having joined when 
fourteen years of .age. He h.as been Clerk of the 
churcli society for several 3fears. 

Our subject and his wife became the parents of 
five eliildren, three sons and two daughters, all of 
whom are living and at Innne with their parents — 
Charles O., Ord C, George F., (iertrude F. and 
Myrtle Belle. 

R8. CLARISSA WALL, a pioneer of 1839 
a}id a resident of Le Roy, is a iiighly re- 
spected lady of good education and rare 
intelligence, and of more than ordinary 
ability in conducting business affairs. She is a na- 
tive of Kentucky, born Nov. 30, 1807. Her father, 
Aaron Garrison, a native of South Carolina, left 
his native State when a young man and wended his 
vvaj' to Ohio, stopping first at Cincinnati. While 
there he met and married Miss Lucy McColun, who 
was a native of his own State, and whose parents 
4 » 




removed to Cincinnati while it was yet an infant 
vilLage. 

After marriage Mr. (Harrison located across the 
river in Kentucky, where he remained until 1811. 
He then proceeded to Indiana and settled nine 
miles west of Lawrenceburg, in Dearborn Count}', 
upon a tract of timber land, consisting of sixty 
acres, where he put u\> a hewn-log house and cleared 
fifty acres. In 1824 he disposed of this and pur- 
chased 2-18 acres of timber laud in Rush County, 
whei'e h{^ put up another hewn-log house, which he 
occupied willi his family until 18,j(;. In the mean- 
time he also cleared a large (lortiou of tiiis purchase. 
Then, disposing of this he purchased 100 acres in 
Brown County. This was partially imjiroved. He 
was then in the eighty-fourth year of his age and 
lived but a few montiis after his last removal, his 
death occurring in December of that year. Mr. 
(;arrison was three times married, his first wife, the 
mother of our subject, dying in Rush County, IikI., 
in 1829. The second wife, formerly Miss F^lizabeth 
Scott, also died in Rush County-. He marrietl his 
third wife when eighty years of age. His children, 
nine in all, were by the first maVri.age. Of these, 
four sons and ft)ur daughters grew to years of ma- 
tia-it3'. 

The subject of this liistory made her home witli 
her parents until she had grown to womanhood, 
and until her marriage, Jan. 29, 183.'), to Jacob 
Karr. He was bcn-n in Essex County, N. J., in 
July, 1799, and their marriage took place in Lavv- 
renceburg, Ind. They located in Hamilton C'ounty, 
Ohio, Mr. K. purchasing a farm sixteen miles from 
Cincinnati, which he occupied until 1839. On the 
12th of May of that same 3'car he started for Illi- 
nois, which he had previous!}' visited, and purch.ased 
487 acres of land in what is now Fhniiire Township, 
this county. There was a log house and barn and 
sixty acres were broken. There were also fifty 
bearing apple-trees. Mr. K. was accompanied by 
three children of the first marriage. Their outfit 
consisted of two loaded wagons, one drawn by 
horses and the other by oxen. Mrs. K. came vvith 
her father-in-law, Capt. John Karr, accompanied by 
her two children and her brother-in-law, Thomas 
Karr, with a two-horse carriage. In the latter part 
of January of the year following, IMr. Karr re- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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turned to Ohio to settle unfinished business and 
collect money due him. He started for the West 
the latter part of Fehruary, making the trip on. 
horseback. He caught cold from exposure, was 
quite sick when lie I'eached home and lived but a 
few weelis afterward, his deatli occurring April 1, 
1840. 

In 1849 Mrs. Karr was married the second time, 
to Elias Henry Wall, who was a native of Warren 
County, K3'., whence he came to this vicinity at an 
early period in tlic history of McLean County. 
Mr. and Mrs. W. occupied the Karr homestead some 
time, then pnrciiascd a farm in Downs Townsliip, 
where they lived until the death of Mr. Wall, which 
took place Jan. 18, 1875. After the death of lierhus- 
band Mrs. W. returned to the Karr homestead, 
which she still owns, and occupies a part of the time. 

By her first marriage Mrs. Wall became the 
mother of three children: Mercy J. was born in 
Hamilton County, Ohio, Dec. 1, 1835, became the 
wife of Harrison Barnett, and departed this life 
March 23, 18G3; Mr. Barnett died October 9 of 
the same year, leaving one son, Asbury, who is 
now a resident of Le Ro3\ The second child of 
our subject, .Tames Karr, was born in Hamilton 
County, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1837, and died Sept. IG, 

1838. The youngest, Rachel, was born Jan. 4, 

1839, married George W. Powts, of Le lioy, and 
died Feb. 24, 1863. Of the second marriage there 
was lioru one son, George A. Wall, who died March 
10, 1863, aged twelve years and seven months. 
Asbury Barnett, her grandson, is the only survivor of 
her immediate family. He was born in West Town- 
ship, this county, Sept. 25, 1854, and was in his 
ninth year wlien his parents died. He then went 
to live with his grandmother, with whom he re- 
mained until his marriage, Sept. 25, 1873. The 
maiden of his choice was Miss Mary S. Johnson, 
who was born in Downs Township, this county, 
Dec. 15, 1853. Tliey have three children — Nettie 
M., Fannie B. and Marcy. Mr. Barnett is engaged 
in tlie livery business at Le Roy. 

Mrs. Wall through manj^ trials and afflictions has 
preserved a brave and courageous spirit, and has 
proved herself equal to every emergency. She has 
conducted her business and farming affairs intelli- 
gently and successfully, and her two homesteads 




r" 



are both handsome and valuable. She is greatly 
respected in her community, and during her long 
residence here has distinguished her.self for her 
womanl.y virtues and kindness of heart. 

NTHONY THAYER, deceased, was for- 
merly a highly respected resident of Yates 
Townshij), where he settled in 1867. He 
was born in the village of Warren, Wash- 
ington Co., ^'t., being the son of Aaron and Esther 
(Field) Thayer, who after their marriage located in 
Warren, \'t., wliere the father died in 1803. Three 
years afterward tiio mother emigrated to Illinois, 
and after living one year in Tazewell County re- 
moved to McLean County and settled in Yates 
Townsliip, where slie died July 13, 1879. Of the 
ten children composing the parental household only 
two are now living: Erastus, who resides at Forest, 
III., and timeline, tlie wife of Robert Hopkins, of this 
county. 

The subject of this biography received a good 
common-school education and assisted in the lighter 
duties about the small farm on which the family 
resided among tlie Green Mountains. He was 
about fourteen years of age when his father died, 
and being the youngest of the eliildren his mother 
naturally looked uiioii him as her future support. 
He accompanied iier to Illinois and soon after ar- 
riving in McLean County, purchased 160 acres of 
land on section 19, in Yates Tot ^ship, in which the 
mother retained a life lease. Y ig Anthonj' was 
industrious and soon effected n..-^crous improve- 
ments on the new purchase, b ving in view the 
establishment of a future home for himself as well 
as a comfortable abiding-place ' )r his mother. On 
the 20th of December, 1870, he /as united in mar- 
riage with Miss Maggie Arnold, who proved his 
faithful and affectionate companion during his life- 
time. Mr. Thayer died April 28, 1884, and is 
mourned as one who wasagood citizen, a kind hus- 
band and father, and a useful member of the com- 
tnunitj'. He was a stanch supporter of the Repub- 
lican party, a believer in the Christian religion, and 
although never having been connected with any 
church society he usually worshiped with the Pres- 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 

585 



byteiians. Of the union of ISIr. and Mrs. Thayer 
there were born six children, two of whom, George 
M. and Ella M., died in childhood. Those surviv- 
ing are, Clarence E., born Feb. 3, 1872; Ida L., 
March 6,1873; Frank E., July 27, 1874, and Minnie 
B., Jan. 2, 1883. 

Mrs. Thayer is a native of Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, and was born April 9, 1851. Her parents 
were John C. and Caroline Arnold, who emigrated 
to the United States when their daughter, Maggie, 
was but one year old. Mrs. T. continues to reside 
on the homestead purchased by her husband and 
which now consists of 240 acres of choice land, 
which she superintends in an intelligent and highly 
successful manner. She is a member in good stand- 
ing of the Presbyterian Church, and greatly re- 
spected wherever known. 




i^^iOBlAS S. STAUFFER is the owner of a fine 
farm of 160 acres of land on section 15, 
Old Town Township, and has been pros- 
pered in the vocation which he has followed thus 
far in life. The parents of our suliject were To- 
bias and Anna (Shank) Stauffer, natives of Lan- 
caster Count}^, Pa., and of Swiss and German an- 
cestry. Their married lives were passed in Lan- 
caster County, and the father died there Sept. 
17, 1884, in his eighty-first year. They had eight 
children, four sons and four daughters, and Tobias 
S. was the fourth in order of birth. 

Tobias S. Stauffer was born in Lancaster County, 
Pa., April 21, 1836. He lived at home until he 
was about twenty-one years old, having received 
his education mostly in the common schools. After 
attaining man's estate he taught school for eight 
terms in his native county, and after coming to this 
county taught one term in Danvers Township. 
After leaving the parental home the time of our 
subject was passed in teaching and clerking in a 
store, and also in working out on a farm for a num- 
ber of years. He commenced life with naught but 
a firm determination to succeed, and his first pur- 
chase was a small place in Lancaster County, Pa., 
where he continued to reside, engaged the while in 
farming, until the spring of 1867. From 1862 to 



»► ■ ^« 



April, 1S67, he was Justice of the Peace in Lan- 
caster County, and was also Assessor in 1865 in 
the same county. He then came to Alton, this 
State, and the following summer moved to this 
county and took up his abode in Dry Grove Town- 
ship. 

Mr. Stauffer's means were limited on arriving in 
the county, and he at first purchased only forty 
.acres of land, which he cultivated until 18 77, when 
he sold his jjlace and purchased an eighth-acre tract 
in Normal Township. There he lived for six years 
and disposing of his farm by sale, bought 160 acres 
of land in Old Town Township, the same being 
that on which he is at present residing. All his 
land is under a high state of cultivation and he is 
succeeding as well in his vocation as labor, energy, 
good judgment and economy will permit. 

Mr. Stauffer was married in Lancaster, Pa., Nov. 
20, 1860, to Miss Mary Bishop, daughter of Henry 
and Catherine (Shely) Bishop, natives of Lancas- 
ter County, Pa., and of Scotch line.age. The mother 
died in Madison County, III., and the father in 
Sangamon County, this State. Their children were 
ten in number and Mrs. Stauffer was the fourth in 
order of birth. She was born in Lancaster County, 
Pa., Jan. 1, 1843, and of her union with our sub- 
ject seven children have been born — Lineas B., 
Anna M. B.. David M., Henry B., Fannie E., Ben- 
jamin F. and Albert T. Lineas is a resident of 
Kansas and a farmer bj' calling; Anna M. B. died 
in Lancaster County, Pa., in infancy. While a 
resident of Dry Grove Township our subject held 
the oflice of Collector and was also Township 
Clerk of Old Town Township. He and his good 
wife are members of the Protestant Methodist 
Church, and in politics he is a stanch Republican. 
The publishers are pleased to present a portrait of 
ISIr. Stauffer in this work, and his many friends and 
acquaintances will readily recognize it, on another 
page. 

■JOSEPH HAMILTON, a highly respected 
resident of Yates Township, where he form- 
erly engaged extensively in farming, is now 
(^jl.' retired from active business, and occupies a 
handsome residence in the village of Weston. He 
h.as been a resident of this county since Decembei', 
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586 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1857, anrl has witnessed with keen interest the re- 
ninrkable eiianges which have transpired within a 
period of thirty years. He has also contributed his 
full share toward the progri'ss and development of 
his adopted county, and has presented an example 
of industr}', enterprise and success. 

JNlr. llaniilton was born in Brown County, Ohio, 
Nov. 16, lis 17. He traces his descent from excel- 
lent Irish ancestry, his grandfather, Robert Hamil- 
ton, being one of the first representatives of the 
family in this country. The grandfather emigrated 
from Ireland to the United States, prior to the 
Revolutionary War, in which he afterward served 
as a brave and couvageous soldier. His son Rob- 
ert, the father of our subji'Ct, after starting out in 
life for himself, pursued farming, and being very 
handy with tools frequently worked as a mechanic 
He was a man of more tlian ordinar}* intelligence, 
and througii his own efforts became fairly- educated 
and informed. During the last years of his life he 
served as .Justice of the Peace in Brown County', 
Ohio. He was taken from his earthly labors in the 
prime of life, his death occurring in 182'J, when he 
was .about forty-three years of age. His wife, the 
mother of oiu' subject, who before her marriage 
was Miss Nancy Parish, was born in Pennsylvania, 
and died in Brown County, Ohio, about 1875, 
having survived her first husband nearly fortj'-six 
3'ears, and living to the advanced age of eighty- 
three. The parental household included seven 
daughters and two sons, four of whom are deceased. 
Josepli Hamilton was (jnly twelve ye.ars old at 
the time of liis father's death. His mother subse- 
quently married .again, and the family being 
in limited circumstances, our subject three years 
later engaged as an ai)prentice to learn the sad- 
dlery and harness-making trade. He rem.ained 
with his first employer three and one half years, at- 
tending school three months in each year, and 
worked at his trade the balance of his time. He 
afterward worked as a "jour" for nine mouths, the 
highest w'ages he received being $12 per month. 
Subsequently he varied his occupation by driving 
ox-teams, for which he received $cS or $9 per month, 
and when nineteen years of age taught school at 
$8 per month and board. On the 21st of Febru- 
^' avy, 1837, he was united in marriage with Miss 



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Elizabeth J. Purdum, who was born in Brown 
County, Ohio, in 1817. After his marri.age our 
subject taught school and farmed alternately, and 
by the aid of his faithful, industrious and econom- 
ical wife, in time managed to save something from 
his scanty earnings. He resided in his native State 
until 1855, in the meantime having become the 
possessor of seventy acres of land. Then, believing 
that he could lietter himself in the further West, he 
emigrated to Illinois, first locating in Putnam 
County, where he resided two years. He then 
rented a farm of eighty acres at #4.50 an acre in 
advance, Ijeing obliged to borrow the money 
to [lay the rent. For two years he raised 2,000 
bushels of wheat each year, and in due time 
found himself on th(^ road to prosperity. In liS57 
he traded his land in Ohio for 100 acres in Lawn- 
dale Townsliip, this county, upon which he settled 
and commenced to cultiv.ate and improve. Then 
came the panic of 1857-58, and Mr. Hamilton in 
common with hundreds of others, suffered on ac- 
count of poor crops and other misfortunes. He 
had no thought of giving up, however, but kept on 
in the even tenor of his w.ay, and soon recovered 
himself, and once more enjoyed the smiles of fort- 
nne. In due time he was enabled to add to his 
original possessions, and besides his town property 
is now the owner of 180 acres of land, finely im- 
proved and furnished with all necessary buildings. 
He occupied this farm until the spring of 1880, 
when he purchased the property' at Weston which 
he now occupies, and where he is living letired 
from active labor. His faithful companion and 
helpmeet departed this life Nov. 9, 1884. Of their 
ten children two died in infancj' and one after 
reaching manhood. The seven living are Sarepta 
Ann, the wife of John Vawter; Perry ; Amanda, 
Mrs. Peter J. Piester; Theresa, the wife of John M. 
White; Robert, William, and Elizabeth, the wife of 
William Castle. 

]Mr. Hamilton has been a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church from boyhood. Ivarly in life 
he became a strong Abolitionist, and afterward 
identified himself with the Republican party. Of 
late years he has watched the temperance move- 
ment with the deepest interest, and now ranges 
himself on the side of the Prohibitionists. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



587 



The publishers of this work have taken consid- 
er.al)le pains in engraving a fine portrait of Mr. 
lianiilton, which may he found on another page. 

<iY]OHN E. TIIOiAIAS, one of the important 
factors in the architectural department of 
Bloomington, 111., is prominently engaged 
\^)j as a contractor and builder, and is considered 
one of the most successful and skillful of the craft. 
Our subject is a native of Greene County, Ohio, 
and was born July 3, 1833. He is the son of 
Francis F. and Jemima (Rice) Thomas, the father 
a native of Ohio and the mother of Pennsylvania. 
Francis F. Thomas, in early manhood, became one 
of the first settlers of Greene County, Ohio, and 
for a number of years was a prominent farmer of 
that region. In 185,5 he disposed of his real 
estate there and came to Bloomington, 111. The 
following year he purchased 232 acres of land in 
Bloomington, where he resumed his old occupation, 
and occupied the h<jme here established until his 
death, which occurred on the 20th of September, 
1862. The wife and mother had died two years 
previously, on the 12th of July, 18C0. They were 
the parents of five children, three of whom are 
living: John E. ; Leander, a farmer of McLean 
County, and Margaret, Mrs. Wilson, of Indiana. 

John E. Thomas remained with his parents until 
he was nineteen years old, and then went to Cin- 
cinnati, where he served a three years' apprentice- 
ship at the carpenter's trade. He then came to 
Bloomington, 111., and since that time has been en- 
gaged in his present calling and is the oldest con- 
tractor and builder in the city who is still doing 
business. He gives em]>lo3'ment to from five to 
twenty men, and has superintended the erection of 
some of the most important structures in the city, 
among which is the Second Ward school-house, 
which is the pride of all the peo[)le in that vicinity. 
He built the Orphans' Home in Indiana, the cost 
thereof being 180,000, and also the Methodist 
College at Greencastle, Ind., which cost 140,000. 
Before coming to Illinois he completed some im- 
portant contracts in Ohio, aud h.'is proved himself 
eminently fitted for his chosen vocation. He will 



accept none but the best work from the most skill- 
ful employes, and his name is a guarantee of the 
architectur.al beauty and the solidity of whatever 
building he undertakes. 

The marriage of John Thomas and Miss Eliza C. 
Carman took place on the 21st of October, 1858, 
in Bloomington. Mrs. Thomas is a native of Ken- 
tucky, and the daughter of Archie and Eliza (Grow) 
Carman, also of Kentucky. Of her union with our 
subject there have been born four children — Emma 
G., Mrs. Miner; Maude P., Jeannette A. and Car- 
rie L. The attractive home of our subject and his 
family is located at No. 1105 East Jefferson street, 
where they dispense a generous hospitality to a large 
number of friends and acquaintances. The family 
are connected with the Second Presbyterian Church, 
and in politics Mr. Thomas is identified with the 
Democratic party. He is also a member in good 
standing of the I. O. O. F. 

A lithographic view of Mr. Thomas' residence is 
shown on another page of this book. 




UGH W. WARNER, of the firm of Smith 
& Warner, Cooksville, is a native of Cham- 
paign County, Ohio, and the fifth child of 
Levi and Ann (Huffman) Warner, also na- 
tives of the Buckeye State, where they were mar- 
ried and lived until the spring of 1850. They 
then removed west to Illinois and located in Mar- 
tin Township, this county, where the father and 
mother died. Their eight children included three 
boys and five girls. Hugh W. was born Jan. 11, 
1839, and pursued his early studies in the subscrip- 
tion schools of his native county until eleven years 
old, when his parents made the removal West. 

Mr. Warner remained an inmate of the parental 
home until he reached his m.ajority. In August, 
18G2, after the outbreak of the late war. he enlist- 
ed as a LTnion soldier in the 94th Illinois Infantry, 
remaining in the service three j'cars, and receiving 
his honorable discharge at the close of the war. 
After leaving the army he returned to this county 
and eng.aged in farming pursuits until 1883. He 
then vvent into the lumber trade at Cooksville, in 
company with David Ilorney, with whom he oper- 
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588 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



ated for two years following. The}' then sold out 
and Mr. Warner purchased a one-half interest in 
the mercantile business of William L. Smith, and 
the}' have operated since then under the style of 
the firm as above given. Thej- carry an ample 
stock of merchandise and enjoy a lucrative trade. 
Both members of the firm are wide-awake, enter- 
prising and courteous in their dealings with their 
patrons and friends, and occupy an important posi- 
tion among the business interests of the com- 
munity. 

Mr. Warner was married in Chicago, 111., Oct. 
28, hs()7, to Miss Ann, the daughter of Harper and 
Margaret (Janes) Powell. Mrs. W. was born :n 
Ohio, Feb. 7, 1841, and I13' her union with our sub- 
ject became the mother of two children, Minnie M. 
and Alonzo. Mrs. Warner is a member in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Cooksville. Mr. Warner is Republican in politics 
and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, Lexington 
Lodge No. 482. 



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^?^KORt;K BUNNEY, a highly respected far- 
ll (=-) mer and a resident of Belletlower Township, 
^^5) "'here he is actively and intelligently en- 
gaged in the prosecution of his chosen calling, is a 
native of Leicestershire, England, born Aug. 29, 
l>i20. His father, William Bunney, and his grand- 
father, George Bunney, Sr., were born on the same 
estate in Leicestershire. A\illi;im Bunney, while 
young, learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he 
followed in his native shire, and there spent his 
entire life. He was married to IMiss Elizabeth Gill, a 
native of the same county as himself and son, and 
she also spent her life there. 

The subject of this history was reared in Leices- 
tershire anil commenced to earn his own living 
at the earl}- age of ten years, in the meantime 
assisting his mother in the support of the younger 
children. The most of this time he was engaged 
in farming ])nrsuits, and after arriving at years of 
manhood was married, on the 21th of June, 1846, 
to lyiiss Sarah Tomblin. Mrs. B. was bora in 



Northamptonshire, England, June 2, 1826, being 
the daughter of James and Sarah (Eady) Tomblin. 
In ISfiO our suliject set sail with his family for 
the United States. They emliarked at Liverpool 
on the 20th of March, and after a voyage of al)Out 
six weeks, laniled in Philadelphia on the 14th of 
May following. A brother of Mr. B. had assisted 
him by paying his passage. From Philadelphia 
they proceeded directly to Madison County, Ind., 
where Mr. Bunney soon secured employment and 
as fast as he earned the money i)aid over all he 
could spare to liquidate his indebtedness, which 
took nearly four years. In 1854 he left Indiana 
and came to this State, via the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers to Alton, thence by rail to Bloomington. 
He was accomi)anied by his family and they first 
stopped at Esquire Wakefield's, in Randolph Grove. 
He was employed by Mr. W. the following year, 
and the family took up their residence in a log 
house which belonged to the latter, and he began 
to cultivate land on shares. Mrs. Bunney was 
very industrious and assisted her husband in the 
support of the family by sewing and washing. 
After working land on shares for two years, in 
the meantime having lived economically and saved 
what he could, Mr. Bunney was enabled to 
liiiy .-i team, and then began cultivating land which 
he rented from Mr. Wakefield. He operated thus 
for six years, then removed to Bloomington Town- 
ship and rented land two years longer. At the 
exj)iration of this time he purchased forty acres of 
railroad land, in what was then Mosquito Grove, 
but now Allin Township, and buying a frame 
building (the first engine house in Bloomington) 
removed it to his little farm and converted it into 
a dwelling. He occupied this with his family for 
sixteen years following, then removed to Belle- 
flower Township, and in 1880 pui'chased his pres- 
ent homestead, which, however, he did not take 
pos.session of until two years later. 

The farm of our subject contains IGO acres, all 
enclosed, in a good state of cultivation and sup- 
plied with a good set of buildings. Mr. Bunney 
has proven himself a, first-class farmer and citizen 
and is universally respected wherever known. The 
children of our subject and his wife are recorded 
.as follows: Sarah, the eldest, became the wife of 



i 



J.: 



U 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



591 t^ 



Jonathan Tyas, and lives in Champaign Count}', 
111. ; Mr. Tyas enlisted as a Union soldier early in 
the conflict between the North and>South, afterward 
veteranized and served niitil the close of the war; 
Elizabeth married Dr. Elijah Woolley, a practicing 
physician of Saybrook; George W. married Laura 
Cochran and lives in Belleflower Township, on a 
farm; James T. married JNIalissa Knox and they 
also live in Belleflower Township, on a farm ; John 
R. married Hester Jane Vreeland and lives in Belle- 
flower Township; Wakefield E. married Alice 
Lyons and lives in the same towiiship; Winlield L., 
a twin brother of Wakefield E., Mary C. and Emma 
are at home. The second child died while on the 
passage from England and received an ocean burial, 
and two died in infancy. 

Mr. and Blrs. Biinney have been connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, 
Mr. B. having assisted materially in the erection of 
the church at Stanford and being one of its first 
Trustees and Stewards. He was licensed by the 
Methodist Episcopal Conference to exhort and has 
preached in various places since that time, doing 
excellent service in the cause. Mr. B. is essentiallj' 
a self-made man and he most nobly gives his excel- 
lent wife due credit for the courage and faithful- 
ness with which she has performed her wifely and 
motherly duties. He claims that to this excellent 
lady a large share of his success in life is due, and 
as a neighbor and friend she is no less warmly held 
in respect and esteem by all who know her. Mr. 
Bunney, in August, 1845, enlisted in the (Queen's 
army, serving in the 73d Infantry until April 
following, when he was discharged on account of 
disability. A handsome lithographic portrait of 
Mr. Bunney is shown in this work. 



'TpstsEV. WILLIAM G. ANDERSON, of Col- 
'lljiiv fax, is one of the foremost citizens of this 
(M>% county. He was b<irn in Jefferson County, 
\^ Ind., Oct. 12, 1«18, and is the fourth in 
order of birth of his parents' family of nine chil- 
dren. The parents of our subject were William G. 
and Anna (Whitaker) Anderson, and the latter 



was a daughter of Aquilla Whitaker, who moved 
to Kentucky in an early day, and settled on Bull- 
skin Creek, Shelby County. Mr. Whitaker was a 
particular friend of the famous hunter, Daniel 
Boone, and lived a close neighbor to him. To- 
gether they fought the redskins, and together they 
passed many a pleasant day hunting over the unde- 
veloped portion of the State in which they were 
located. The Whitakers were of German extrac- 
tion, and the Andersons of Irish lineage. 

U'illiani G. Anderson, Sr., was an early settler 
in Shelby County, K}'., whence he removed to Jef- 
ferson County, Ind., and there engaged in farming. 
He continued to follow his calling in the latter 
county, meeting with varied .success until his de- 
mise. This occurred in November, 18G2. Our 
subject's mother departed this life in the fall of 
the following year. The parental family comprised 
ten children, seven sons and three daughters, only 
five of the number surviving at this writing [1887]. 
Rev. William G. Anderson passed his boyhood 
days in Jefferson County, Ind., and there lived, 
engaged the while in farming until after he had at- 
tained the age of manhood. When in his twenty- 
second 3'ear, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage 
with Miss Jane Sheridan, the ceremony being per- 
formed in the county of his nativity. Miss Sheri- 
dan was the daughter of James and Plioibe (Rick- 
etts) Sheridan, the former a native of Kentucky, 
and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Anderson 
was the second in order of birth of her parents' 
children, and after her marriage with our subject 
they located on a farm in Jefferson County, Ind., 
and he there successfully followed his calling until 
the fall of 1855. 

It was in the fall of the latter year that Mr. 
Anderson, hoping to better his financial condition, 
brought his family to this State and located in this 
county. In the spring of 1858 he moved to his 
present location in Martin Township, on section 3, 
near the Mackinaw Creek. The fine productive 
farm on which he lives to day was then an unim- 
proved tract of land, having upon it a small cabin, 
which is still permitted to stand as a relic of by- 
gone days. Then he made his residence in it, but 
to-day he utilizes it as a stable. That our subject 
has been successful as an agriculturist is evident 



f! 



V 



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i 



.i* 




502 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1 



from the fine and well-impruved farm on which he 
lives to-rlay, and which has been brought to its 
present high state of productiveness mainly through 
his own labor. Our subject has devoted consider- 
able of his time to the feeding and raising of stock, 
and some years has fed as high as 100 head of cat- 
tle and 200 head of hogs. His farm consists of 320 
acres, 160 being located on section 3, ahd IGO 
ou section 2, and 170 acres of his land is inside the 
corporation of the thriving little village of Colfax. 
About fifty acres of this h.as been sold out in town 
lots. 

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have become the parents 
of five children, namely, William H., of Colfax; 
Francis M., now in Dakota; Mary, wife of B. F. 
Payne, of Dakota; Millard F., also of Dakota, and 
.James M. The latter was a soldier in the late war, 
and a member of the Sth Illinois Infantry. He served 
his country faithfully and well, and lost his life 
while fighting in her defense, being killed at the 
battle of Ft. Blakesley. Mr. Anderson has served 
as Supervisor of Martin Township, being the in- 
cumbent of that office for two years, 1 868-69. He 
was a candidate on the Prohibition ticket, at the 
election of 1886, for the Legislature, and wiiile he 
was defeated he received a handsonjc vote, and in 
his own township ran away aiiead of his ticket. He 
and his good wife are members of the Christian 
Church, and for twenty years our subject was en- 
gaged in preaching for that denomination. For 
five years he was a member of the State Missionary 
Board, of Illinois, and for one year acted as its 
Chairman. He acted as financial agent of Eureka 
College, of Woodford County, 111., from the years 
1873 to 1877, and raised more money for the time 
he occupied the position than any one who has suc- 
ceeded him, having raised on an average of $1,000 
per month while thus employed. Mr. Anderson is 
a self-made man in every sense of the word, and 
although his educational facilities in early years 
were exceedingly limited, he has improved each 
shining moment, and in addition to being a good 
Bible scholar, and posted upon the issues of Nation, 
State and count3', he is likewise one of the best 
farmer.s and one of the most honored and respected 
citizens of the county. A lithographic portrait of 
Mr. Anderson api>ears on another page of this work. 

-M» 



RIN WATERS, a resident of the Prairie 
State since 1844, and now engaged as book- 
keeper for Dr. C. Wakefield & Co., ranks 
among the substantial citizens, and h.as a thorough 
understanding of the duties of his position as an 
accountant, for which he has become well fitted by 
a good education and a large experience. The 
subject of this biography was born in Watertown, 
N. Y., Oct. 3, 1832, and is the son of AVilliam and 
Betsey (Wakefield) Waters, natives of the same 
place. William Waters was an official of his native 
county the greater part of his life, but in later 
years removed to Illinois, and purchasing a farm 
in De Witt County, devoted himself to agricultural 
pursuits and established a homestead which ho oc- 
cupied until ills death, July 4, 1848. The mother 
died at the same place two years later, in 18.50. 
Their four children were as follows: Henry, a 
resident of lola, Kan. ; Orin, of our sketch ; Dr. 
Zera, of Blooniington, and Susan, Mrs. Andrus, of 
Bloomington, wjiose husband is eng.aged in mer- 
cantile pursuits. The father of our subject was a 
stanch adherent of the Democratic i)arty, and be- 
longed to the Universalist Cliurch. He was gener- 
ous and warm-hearted in his disposition, upright 
and honorable in his business transactions, a liberal 
supporter of schools and churches, and greatly re- 
spected wherever he was known. 

Orin Waters was a bo3' of thirteen 3'ears when 
he came to Illinois with his parents. He received 
his education principally in the district schools un- 
til he was eighteen years of age, and then became 
a clerk in the store of Dr. C. Wakefield. In 1 849 
he came to Bloomington in the capacit3' of a drug 
clerk for the same gentleman, and continued five 
years, after which he established in business for 
himself, being thus occupied for four years, after 
which he sold out and engaged with R. Thompson 
<fe Co., in the drug trade, until 1867. He then as- 
sociated himself in partnership with J. S- Sibird, 
and tlie}' purchased the Bloomington Pantagraph^ 
conducting it until the fall of 1869, and then sell- 
ing out started the Leader, which they sold in 1.S74. 
Mr. Waters then engaged as book-keeper for Dr. 
AVakefield, which i)osition he has occupied since 
that time. 

Our subject was married on the 1st of Decem- 



i 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



593 



4' 



ber, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Richardson, of Water- 
town, N. Y., and the daughter of ,k>siali and Cyn- 
thia (Toleman) Richardson, natives respectively of 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and lier father 
was a farmer by occujiation. Jlr. and Mrs. ^Yaters 
are the parents of three children, as follows : Eranlc 
R. married Miss Mamie Heattjn, aiul the}' reside 
in Bloomington; Cynthia B. is the wife of Prof. 
George Hastings, of Santa Cruz, Cal. ; Delia is the 
wife of Harry N. Woods, engaged in tlie dry-goods 
trade at Bloomington, and tliey have one daughter, 
Lottie M. 

The residence of our subject is located on East 
Washington street, at No. 517, where he dispenses 
hospitality to numbers of friends by whom himself 
and excellent lady are held in high esteem. They 
are both members of the Unitarian Church. Mr. 
Waters is Republican in politics, and socially be- 
longs to the I. 0. O. F. 

(^S5^ AMUEL S. YODER. a native of Mifflin 
^^^ County, Pa., now makes his home in Dan- 
'\{J_^ vers Township, McLean Co., 111., ))eing 
pleasantly and comfortably located on sec- 
tion 3U. He has been a resident of the Prairie 
State since 1851, and is a fine representative of the 
intelligent and progressive farmers (.)f the West. 
Mr. Yoder was born in 181G, liis parents being 
John and Susanna (Stutzman) Yoder, also natives 
of the Keystone State, the father born in 17.S5,and 
the mother in 1795. They were married in Mifflin 
County, Pa., in 1813, and remained upon a farm 
in tliat State until 1.S37. He then removed to 
Fairfield Count}-, Ohio, and there cultivated rented 
, land until 1852, when he removed further westward 
into Indiana. In this latter State he made his home 
with one of his sons, and there spent the remain- 
der of his days, dying in aliout 1874. Tlie mother 
died in Pennsylvania in 1 836. Two of their 
twelve children died in infancy: Catherine became 
the wife of Adam Greenawalt; Samuel, of our 
sketch, was the second child; Joel married Miss 
Lydia Yoder; Elizabeth Ijecame the wife of Sam- 
uel Zook; Joseph married Miss Lydia Kurtz; Gid- 
eon married Miss Elizabeth Hartze ; Lydia be- 

■^m • 



came Mrs. Peter Stutzman ; John married Miss 
Catlierine Stahley; Adam married Miss Susan 
Kurtz; Susan became Mrs. David Kurtz. The 
parents were members of tlie Mennonite Church. 
John Yoder, politically, was an adherent of the 
old Wliig party, but afterward affiliated with the 
Republicans. 

Samuel S. Yoder was reared by his parents to 
farming pursuits, and received a good common- 
school education. After attaining his majority he 
was married to Miss Elizabeth Yoder, in 1838, in 
Ohio. He cultivated rented land until 1851, then 
removed to this State and county, purchasing forty 
acres in Danvers Township. In a short time he 
doubled his landed estate, but has now sold out and 
is living retired from tlie active Inisiness of life. 

The wife of our su+iject is the daughter of Jacob 
and Polly (Kinney) Yoder, both natives of Penn- 
sylvania.. They were married in about 180G, and 
removed from their native State the following 
year to Marion County, Ohio, where Mr. Yoder 
followed agricultural pursuits, and where both 
parents died some years ago. Of their children, 
tliree died in infancy. Those living are Nanej^, 
Jonatlian, Lydia, John, Elizabeth, Margaret and 
Priscilla. 

Of the marriage of Samuel S. and Mrs. Elizalieth 
Yoder there were liorn the following-named chil- 
dren : Jonathan married Miss Kittie Ballaman; 
Nancy became the wife of Ferdinand Holderly; 
Jacob married Miss Lydia King; John married 
Miss Rosa Zimmerman; Samuel P. first married 
Miss LTra Lantz, now deceased; his second wife was 
Miss Lucinda Walkce. Mr. Yoder is Republican 
in politics, and both he and his wife belong to the 
Mennonite Churcli. 



^AMES H. SPRAGUE, proprietor of the 
"Sprague House," Bloomington, is also en- 
^— . gaged in the cigar and tobacco trade on 
(^^ Main street, where the hotel is located and 
occupies No. 605. Mr. Sprague has been a 
resident of this section since 1857, and is as highly 
spoken of as he is widely known throughout both 
the city and township of Bloomington. His birth 



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594 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



It 



place was Marysville, Union Co., Ohio, and the date 
thereof Aug. 15, 1846. His father, Jackson G. 
Sprague, a native of Essex County, N. Y., was a 
cabinet-maker by trade. He migrated to Ohio 
when a young man, where he met and married Miss 
Sophronia Rose, a native of Buffalo, V. Y. After 
his marriage he located in IMarysville, Ohio, where 
he carried on an extensive furniture business until 
1856, and served as Sheriff of Union County, Ohio, 
for a period of seven years. He then removed 
with his family to Lexington, 111. He was opposed 
to slavery and a strong friend of the Union and 
thus, when the Civil War broke out, his patriotism 
was moved to such an extent, that he, in 1862, al- 
though forty-seven years old, volunteered his serv- 
ices to the Union and was mustered into the field 
of action as a member of Co. O, 33d 111. Vol. Inf., 
and served two years and a half, and was then dis- 
charged on account of physical disability. The 
disease which he contracted while in the army still 
retains its hold upon him and there is no doubt but 
that he will suffer from it all the days of his life. 
In consequence of this he now draws a pension. 
After retiring from the army he resumed business 
a few 3'ears, but his health compelled him to retire 
from active laljor. He then returned to Blooming- 
ton, and with the help of good emitloyes, carried 
on an hotel successfully for several years. The 
faithful and affecti<mate wife and mother departed 
this life in 1885, since which time the fatliei' of oui- 
subject has lived retired from active business. The 
four children of the family are Cloa A., deceas<'d ; 
James II., Lucinda R. and Freeman R. 

James H. Sprague was but ten years old when 
the family removed from Ohio and settled in this 
county. He received his early education in the 
schools at Lexington, 111., and in 18(11, although 
not having attained the age recpiired to become a 
sohlier, proffered his services to assist in the preserv- 
ation of the Union .•uid was accepted as a member 
of Co. 0, 146th III. A'ol. Inf., and served until 
lion(n'ably discharged at the close of the war. He 
then returned to Lexington, where he owned and 
operated a line of drays until 1871. He then en- 
tered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railway 
Company as a machinist, in their shops at Rloom- 
ington, where he remained fur a period of fourteen 



years. Subsequently he engaged as a traveling 
salesman for a Bloomington cigar and tobacco 
house, and Feb. 1, 1886, succeeded his employ- 
ers in the business. He now conducts a fine retail 
trade, having one of tlie finest tobacco stores in Cen- 
tral Illinois. He is courteous and attentive to his 
patrons, genial and pleasant in disposition, and has 
gathered around him a host of friends who value 
him as much for his excellent personal traits as 
they respect him for a thorough-going and upright 
business man. He is a stanch friend of the temper- 
ance movement, has never tasted intoxicating 
liquors, and in all respects is a law-abiding citizen 
and the friend of system and good order. He pos ■ 
sesses rare social qualities and takes a deep interest 
in the prosperity an<l welfare of his county and 
community. In about 1875, Mr. Sprague became 
identified with the Knights of Pythias and is now 
a member of Damon Lodge No. 10, having passed 
all the chairs from the outer door to the Grand 
Lodge. He is also a member of Custer Division 
No. 22, U. R. K. of r., and belongs to John A. 
Logan Post No. 14(i, G. A. R. Although said 
Post has a membership of over 400 there is but one 
younger in years than our subject. He possesses 
excellent executive abilit}' and is scarcely to be ex- 
celled in military tactics, being a good commander, 
tlior(jngli in drill and [jossessing the qualities requis- 
ite for the responsible position which he occupies. 
lie is Chief Captain of Hidgley Temple Patriarchal 
Circle No. 4, one uf the best drilled in the county. 
His conq)any comjieted for a prize on the 30th of 
May, 1887, and the Patriarchal Circle carried off 
the silver ciqi. Its members some time since pre- 
sented Blr. Sprague with an elegant watch charm, 
valued at $'M), which, howevoi', is insignificant in 
comparison with the spirit whicii i)rompted the gift. 
Mr. S. is also a member of Towanda Tribe No. 
48, of the Improved Order of Red Men, of which 
he is the highest oflicer as well as Captain of the 
Team. 

The marriage of Mr. Sprague occuried on the 
24th of December, 1868, the maiden of his choice 
being Miss Agnes D. Donovan. Mrs. S. was born 
in Lancaster County, Pa., and is the daughter of 
Joseph Donovan. Of her union witli our suliject 
there has been one son — Carl R., born Fel). 6, 1871. 



♦►■-4»- 



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*"it 



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ttttftlitMfMtSt^F^wiTti^^ 



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•^•tJi'v:v-" rv-''^:l^ 



'« 

f-.- . -^^^^^ 



Residence of F. A. Eyestone , Sec.6JT,2!.), Funks GroveTownship. 



iM. ^*'^^:m.. m:^7^ 










I 



Residengeot Ezra W.Kenyon ,5ec.5., Mt. Hope Township. 



^ 



4 



i 



■^^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



597 a 



The Spragiic House is .1 neat little hotel, ably 
conducted, and furnishes excellent accommodations 
to a goodly number of the traveling ijublie. Mr. 
and Mrs. S. are lovers of music and aside from the 
gatherings around the family fireside their voices 
are regularly heard in the choir of the Independent 
Church of Bloomington. Mrs. S. is, and has been 
organist of the Sunda3'-school ever since its organ- 
ization two and a half years ago, and Mr. 8. is, 
and has been Superintendent of the same for the 
same length of time. 



ZRA W. KENYt 

Eis an honored p 
of whicii he has 



t 



ZRA W. KEN YON, of .Alt. Hope Township, 
pioneer of the Prairie State, 
been a resident since he was 
■A little boy four years old. He was born in Plain- 
field, Windham Co., Conn., on the 21st of January, 
IsSG, and is the second son of Ezra T. and Susan 
(Rathbone) Kenjon; a sketch of his parents may 
be found in the biography of Dennis Kenj'on, in 
another part of this volume. 

The subject of this biography received his early 
education in the subserii)tion school, and later at- 
tended the free schools after their establishment in 
this locality. He commenced the duties of life at 
an early age by assisting his parents on the farm, 
and made his home with them until after his 
marriage. He then settled on a farm in what was 
known as New Kentucky, and is located on section 
20 of Mt. Hope Township. It was wild prairie land 
when he first came into possession of it, and he set 
himself industriously to work, breaking the sod, 
cultivating the soil and erecting the necessary farm 
buildings. He occupied this until 1805, and then 
removed to his present homestead. This last was 
also uncultivated, and he went through the same 
processes which he had employed on his first pur- 
chase. It consisted originally of eighty acres. He 
persevered in his operations until it is now finely 
improved and under a good state of cultivation. 
A view of the place is shown on another page. 

The landed possessions of Mr. Kenyon now ag- 
gregate 860 acres of land, furnished with suitable 
farm buildings. The family residence is commo- 
dious and convenient, the out-buildings are in ex- 



cellent order for the storing of grain and the shel- 
ter of stock, and his valuable farm machinery is 
modeled after the most approved plan. In short, 
all the appliances of the homestead give indication 
of the direction of an intelligent mind and wise 
judgment, and the farm, with its appliances, is one 
of the most attractive spots in the landscape of 
McLean County. 

Mr. Kenyon was married on the 2oth of March, 
1858, to Miss Margaret A. Leonard, a native of 
Susquehanna County, Pa., who was born on the 
U)th of May, 1837. ]\Irs. Kenyon is the daughter 
of Phillip and Eliza (Prescott) Leonard. The 
household of Mr. and Mrs. K. includes three chil- 
dren — Sarah E., Emma L. and Arthur T., and all, 
with the exception of the son, are connected by 
membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Kenj'on is Republican in politics, well informed, 
and takes an interest in all matters of general im- 
portance. He has been intimately connected with 
the business and industrial interests of this section, 
and has contributed his full quota toward the 
liuilding up of his adopted town and county. 



<»• 



'OSEPH DKNNING, a substantial and re- 
spected resident of Bloomington, located at 
No. 808 East Chestnut street, is turning his 
(^// principal attention to dairying, having a fine 
herd of fourteen cows, and carrying on a successful 
trade in milk and cream. Mr. Denning was born in 
Holmes Count_y, Ohio, April 20, 1834, being the 
son of Jacob and Mary A. (Wiley) Denning, na- 
tives of Penns3'lvania. The3' emigrated from the 
Keystone State and located in Ohio, in June, 1833. 
There the father was engaged in boot and shoe 
making, and remained a resident of the Buckeye 
State until his death, which occurred in 1857. He 
was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and officiated as Class-Leader for many 
3'ears; the mother is still living at an advanced age, 
and makes her home with one of her children in 
D.akota. The parental household of our subject 
included eleven children, seven now living, viz. : 
Joseph, Thomas F., Joshua W., Catharine, Samuel 
R., Jacob H. and Rev. John O. 

As is seen our subject was the eldest child of the 



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t. 



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■<^ 



598 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



r 



family household. lie was reared on a farm and 
attended school during his childhood and youth, 
remaining with his parents until thirt}'* years of age. 
In 18.09 he came to Illinois and rented a farm in 
Danvers Township, this county, which he occupied 
four years. He then rented land in NormalTown- 
ship for three 3'ears following, coming to Blooming- 
ton in 1870. He rented here until 1875, and then 
purchased a home west of the railroad, which he 
occupied six j^ears, and in 18S2 purchased his pres- 
ent home, which includes four lots .-ind a comforta- 
ble dwelling. 

My. Denning was married in this county in 1863, 
to Miss Aleinda, the daughter of Asa and Elizabeth 
(-Stewart) Hall, of West ^'irgillia. Her father was 
engaged in fanning |>ui'suits, and came with his 
family to Illinois in 1S")7. lie located in Danvers 
Township, this country, upon a. f.-UTU of 170 acres, 
which he had |iurchased, and which rc]iiaii\cd his 
home until his death in 1858. The mother sur- 
vived until 1871. Of their ten children, five only 
arc now living — Thomas Iv, W'illiMin S., .John N., 
David C. and Aleinda. The parents of Airs. Den- 
ning were members of t\w Presbyterian Church, of 
which her father was Deacon ;ind Clerk. 

Our subject and his wife became the parents of 
two children — Charles A. and Nellie M. Air. Den- 
ning is I{('i)ublican in politics, and, with his wife 
and son, a member of Grace Methoilist Church. 
He at one time o(Kni|)ied a position on the police 
force of the city, lb' has all his life been a man 
of industry and enterprise, and is a peaceful and 
law-abiding citizen, holding the resjiect (jf his 
ueighl)ors and the esteem of many friends. A lith- 
ographic view of Mr. Denniug's dairy is shown on 
another page of this work. 



■t^ ^-if t^?S>-^ -t^ •««" 




-«- 



O. KUTLEDGE, one of the honored pio- 
neers of iNIcLean Count}-, and in former 
days one of its most useful and valued cit- 
izens, having now arrived at tiie advanced age of 
eighty years, is spending his declining days in com- 
fort and retirement at the home of his son-in-law, 
William W. Eldei', of Ileyworth. During these 
long years he has built up for himself a good rec- 



^ r long 



ord, and has earned the good will of all with wliom 
he has come in contact. His familiar f<nin upon 
the streets is regarded with that peculiar veneration 
accorded the first settlers of the Prairie State, and 
there are none who do not wish that his last days 
may be his best. 

JMr. Rutledge was born near Augusta, Ga., Sept. 
18, ISOfJ. His father, Robert Rutledge, was also a 
native of the same State, and his grandfather, John 
Rutledge, whose birthplace is not now known, died 
in White County, 111. Both the father and grand- 
father of our subject were engaged in farming pur- 
suits. Robert Rutledge grew to manhood in his 
native State, and was married to Miss Jane Officer, 
who was reared in Georgia, but it is believed was 
born elsewhere. They became the parents of eight 
children, all liorn in the latter-named State, and of 
whom our subject was the eldest. The family' re- 
moved to Henderson County, Ky., in about 1820, 
and engaged in agriculture. There the father died 
a few years later, in the faith of the Presbyterian 
Church, leaving behind him a good record as a cit- 
izen, ncighlior, father and friend. 

Shortl}' after the death of her husliand, the 
mother of our subject came with her children to 
White County, III., at an early |ieriod in the his- 
tory of that State, in 1820. The land was then 
mostly wild and uid)roken, but in common with 
the other pioneers of that day thejr had ))repared 
themselves to meet with courage the ditliculties 
which might beset them. They engaged in farm- 
ing as belVire, but in 1)S2() removed to what is now 
McLean County, 111., and located south of Ran- 
dolph (;rovi\ in what is now Randolph Township, 
on section .'Ui. They settled on a squatter's claim, 
and when the land came into market secured it by 
purchase. Mr. R. of this notice first secured eighty- 
acres, and afterw.'ud added to his landed posses- 
sions until he finally became the owner of 1,000 
acres, which he has since mostly' divided among his 
children. He has, however, retained for his own 
use one fine farm of 240 acres, the proceeds of 
which yii'ld him a handsome income. 

Mr. Rutledge made his advent into McLean 
County, driving an ox-team with a small wagon. 
After coming to Illinois the f.nniily lived one year 
in Sangamon County. Our subject was poor in 

>► 4> 



'^ 



i 



-4»- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



599 



purse, as the father had not left luiy pniperty, but 
with the courage of youth he liravely began the 
struggle of life and set about the establishment of 
a future home. He wa.s remarkably successful in 
his undertakings, but after a short time his labors 
were interrupted by a call for troops to defend the 
whites from the dangers which ensued on account 
of the Black Hawk AVar. Our suliject, in this as 
in all other respects, bravely armed himself for his 
duty, went into service and reniaiuod until the 
conflict was over, escaping nnhainied. He was, 
however, one of the very few of his company per- 
mitted to return to their home, the others being 
carried off either by disease or the missiles of the 
enemy. Mr. R. was in the fight at Dixon, 111., and 
his companj' was commanded by Capt. M. L. C'o- 
vell, of Bloomington, 111. 

On the 1st of January, 1829, Mr. Rutledge was 
married in Randolph Township, then in Tazewell 
Count}', III, to jMiss Cynthia Rutledge, a native of 
Henderson Count}", Kj'. She came to this State in 
1812, when a ver}' small child, and was among the 
early settlers of Randolph Township. She depart- 
ed this life in this township in February, 1883, and 
her name is held in tender remembrance by her 
family and a large circle of friends. She was a de- 
voted member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
was possessed of all womanly virtues, being a ten- 
der and affectionate wife and mother, and at all 
times a faithful friend and helper of the attiicted 
and distressed. Mr. Rutledge has also been con- 
nected with the Presbyterian Church for many- 
years, and officiated as Elder for a long period. 
In politics, he has always been an uncompromising 
Democrat, and cast his first [^residential vote for 
Gen. Jackson. 







fLEXANDER J. YANCEY, formerly a 
prosperous farmer of this count}' but now 
engaged in the livery business at McLean, 
has been a resident of Illinois since 1872, 
He was born in Orange County, Va., Aug. 3, 184.5, 
being the son of Alexander and Elizabeth Jane 
(Lee) Yancey. The former was born in Madison 



County, Va., and the latter in (.)range County, 
where they settled after their marriage. The father 
of our subject was a farmer and slaveholder, and 
afterward became overseer of a i)lantation in the 
Old Dominion. He died in Orange County, Va., 
Aug. 7, 184.T,one day before the birth of his son, 
our subject. The latter was the third child of his 
l)arents, two others having died in infancy. He 
lived with his mother until he was ten years of age 
and was then in<leMtured to a farmer for a term of 
five j'ears. Being inikindly treated, he only served 
two of these and then went to live with an uncle, 
with whom he remained until fourteen years of age. 
Our subject then joined his mother in Rockingham 
County, Xa., and received his first instruction at a 
school. He was emiiloyed upon a farm during the 
summer seasons and i)ursued his studies in winter, 
thus gaining a fair education. 

In the fall of I.SOO, young Yance}' entered a 
printing-olHce in Ilairisonburg. Ijut not liking the 
trade soon retired and l)ecame an ai>prentice to a 
blacksmith, with whom lie served four months. The 
shop was then closed and he was variously emplo^'ed 
until the summer of 1802. The war being then in 
progress he was conscripteil into the reliel army for 
detached duty, and after serving six mouths en- 
tered Co. C, Gth Va. Vol. Cav., which rendezvoused 
•at Camp Lee, IJiclunond. Young Yancey, with 
others, was obliged to furnish his own horse, to pay 
for which he borrowed .|,')0() of his uncle. The 
first horse was killed, and he purchased another. 
To add to his misfortunes he was wounded at the 
battle of Gaines" Mills, but after a time recovered 
sufficiently, and was assigned to light dut}', being 
placed in charge of the cattle of the commissary 
department. He was in the valley of Virginia upon 
the surrender of Lee and soon after returned to his 
old home. 

Our subject resumed his school studies for six 
months, and then commenced to learn the carjien- 
ter's trade. After serving two years he received 
journeyman's wages and began to save money. He 
purchased lots in Ilai'risonburg, upon which he 
built tenement houses and later became a contractor 
and builder, which business he followed until 1872. 
He then sold his interest in that section, and com- 
ing West to Illinois, purchased fifty-three acres of 

— m^ 



; 



t 



,t 



600 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



I- 



land in Mt. Hope Township, tliis county, and com- 
menced life as a farmer, eoutinuing in agricultural 
pursuits until 1S84. lie was prospered in his agri- 
cultural and business operations, and as time passed 
on added to his first purchase aud is now the owner of 
1(53 acres, finely inii)r<)Ved and under a good state 
of cultivation, liesides this i)ropcrty he owns 
twenty lots in different places in the village of Mc- 
Lean. In 1884 he rented tlic farm, and coming to 
McLean engaged in liis present business. 

Mr. Yancey was married in 18(39, to Miss Susan 
C. Rodeffer, who was born in Shenandoah County, 
Va., being the daughter of William II. and Eliza- 
beth C. (Sterling) Roileffer. Of tliis union there 
have fieen born six children: Elizabeth C, Mag- 
gie -v., Arthur, wiio died in infancy, Cliarles II., 
Lulu J. and Hurt. Thomas Joiuison, ten years of 
age, is also an inmate of the iiousehold. Mr. and 
Mrs. Yancey are members in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcoi)al Church, and socially our sub- 
ject belongs to McLean Lodge No. 4U9, A. F. & 
A. M. 



<if/ OIIN FEAIIL, a worthy and successful far- 
mer of Allin Townsiiip, is a native of the 
Kingdom of Denmaric, where he was born 

Jan. ■>!'<, IS 11. His parents were Clarence 

and Christina (Manges) Fealil, natives of the same 
country as their son. They departed this life in 
18.59 and LSIJO, resi)ectively. When twenty-three 
years of age, Mr. Feahl turned his face toward the 
New World, sailing from Bremen in 18G4, and 
landing in New York City, wlicnce lie proceeded 
directly to Illinois and McLean Comity, locating 
at Dan vers. 

( )ui- siibjci-t was married, .Ian. 28, 18G8, to Mrs. 
Barbara (Staker) Scliertz, who was born in Butler 
County, Ohio, Sejit. (!, 18;i4, of German ancestry 
and p:uentage. Her p.areiits were John and Bar- 
bara (Eiigle) Staker, natives of (iermany, who emi- 
grated to the linited States in ISiO.and located in 
I'.iiticr Comity, < )liio, where the father died in 18G2, 
and the mother, July 11, 188G. Their children 
were five in number, all daughters: Elizabeth mar- 
ried Jacob Ehresman ; liarbara of our sketch was 
the second; Annie is now Mrs. I'eter Smith; Mag- 



dalena, Mrs. Jacob Reidell, and Catherine, Jlrs. 
William Miller. 

Mr. Feahl learned the trade of plastering and 
bricklaying in his native country-, in which he be- 
came an .expert, aud followed his trade for some 
years there. He purchased, in 1878, eighty acres 
of ImikI, which constitutes his jjresent homestead. 
I'pon this lie has a handsome and substantial resi- 
dence, with a good barn and all necessary out- 
buildings. Ill addition to general agriculture he 
is engaged in the breeding of Norman horses, the 
name of his stallion being Robert Prince Imperial, 
who is six 3'ears old and weighs 1,850 |)onnds. This 
is a fine animal in all respects and a model of 
strength and beauty. He has also several fine 
broods of marcs, and his operations in this depart- 
ment of business yield liim a handsome income. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Feahl are two in 
number — Elizabeth B., Mrs. E. McReynolds, and 
Annie A., boi-n .March 21, 1874. Mrs. Fealil liy her 
first marriage became the mother of five children, as 
follows: .loliii E. married Miss Barbara Reser; 
Mary K. is single and resides with her parents; 
William H. married .Mary J. Small, and Joseph 
A. married Annie E. Nebli. Mrs. F. belongs to 
the Mennoiiite Church and our subject to the 
Lutheran. Mr. F. is Democratic in politics, and 
in all respects is a law-abiding aud wortliy citizen. 



-~v..-\«jiej2'©^^-^ 



>>«.@^,S/Z^ZRr>,.* -vv^^- 



\f OIIN SHAVER, of Blue Mound Township, 
is a native of the Prairie State, born in Ful- 
ton County, Aug. 12, 1850. His parents 
/ were (ieorge and Margaret (Mcllhaney) 
Shaver, natives of Huntingdon County, Pa., where 
they were mrirried and settled for a time, but later 
emigrated to tliis State. Thej' made the journe}- 
overland with team, and took up their abode in 
Fulton County, where they passed the remainder of 
their lives. George Shaver was a farmer liy occu- 
jiation, and the parental household included nine 
children, four sons and five daughters, as follows: 
Henrietta, Winlield, Mary C, Permelia, Anna, 
John, Melville, Samuel, and Maggie; Henrietta, 
Winfield and Melville are deceased. 

The subject of our sketch was reared to farming 



*!■ 



t. 



-4^ 



-•► 



McLean county. 



601 



t 



pursuits and lived at home witli his parents until 
twenty-three years of age. In the spring of 1874 
he started out for himself, and coming into this 
county rented a tract of land in Blue Mound 
Township, which he operated foi' about five j^ears. 
He was prospered in his farming and business tran- 
sactions and at the expiration of this time pur- 
chased eighty acres of land. This, however, he 
sold, and purchased eighty-three acres on section 
4, which constitutes his present homstead. lie has 
a comfortable dwelling, a good barn and all other 
necessary outhouses, and is carrying on his peace- 
ful occupation with fair success. 

The marriage of Mr. Shaver occurred in Lexing- 
ton Township, this county, Nov. 28, 1878, the 
maiden of his choice being Miss Sarah, daughter of 
James and Luany (Evans) Woodard, natives of 
Indiana. They emigrated from Morgan County, 
that State, to McLean County, 111., in about 1862, 
settling in Lexington Townsiiip, where the}' still 
reside. Their five children, tliree sons and two 
daughters, are Anna, Sarah. I'ierce, Wesley and 
Alexander; I'ieret is deceased. Mrs. Shaver w.as the 
second in order of birth. She was born in iNIorgan 
Count}', Ind., Dec. 23, 18.t8, aTid remained witii 
her parents until her marriage. Slie is a member 
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and our subject, politically, aHiliates with 
the Republican party. 

ylLLIAM WILSON, a highly esteemed 
farmer of Towanda Township, is the son 
of Smith and Latta (Corliett) Wilson, na- 
tives of Ireland and Virginia respectively. Smith 
Wilson emigrated to America when Ijut a boy, with 
his parents, who first settled in Pennsylvania, 
where the father engaged in farming pursuits, and 
where he died. Several years afterward his widow 
came to Bloomington to live with her children, her 
death taking place in that city in May, 1864. The 
parental household included four daughters and 
eight sons, of whom the subject of this history was 
the seventh child. He was born in Fayette County, 
Pa., May 1, 1822, received a common-school edu- 
cation, and when nineteen years of age, commenced 

4 * 



to learn the trade of bricklaying, at which he served 
an apprenticeship of three years, and which he 
afterward f<jllovved in connection with farming 
until the present time. He lived in Fayette 
County, Pa., until the summer of 1859, when he 
came to McLean County, 111., but after a few 
months returned to Pennsylvania, whence he again 
removed, in the si)ring of 1800, this time with his 
family, to Bloomington, 111. There he followed his 
trade for nearly twelve years, and then purchased 
a farm in Towanda Township, on section 1, where 
he lived until the spring of 1883, and thence re- 
moved to section II, where he now owns ninety- 
nine acres of valuable land. 

Mr. Wilson was first married in Allegheny County, 
Pa., to Miss Eliza Corry, a native of Pennsylvania. 
Of this union there have been born two children : 
Lotta is the wife of Dr. W. A. Williams, of Santa 
Barbara, Cal. ; James married Miss Mattie Newton 
and resides in Cooksville, this county. Mrs. Eliza 
C. Wilson departed this life in Washington County, 
Pa., about 1857. Mr. Wilson, aftercoming to Illi- 
nois, was married the second time, on the 23d of 
November, 18G4, m the city of Bloomington, to 
Mrs. Louisa (Newton) Kennedy, daughter of Henry 
and ilartha (Haggard) Newton, and widow of 
Thomas Kennedy, who died in Kansas, in August, 
1855, leaving his widow and one daughter, Annie, 
who is now the wife of Fred A. Church, of Texar- 
kana. Ark. Mrs. Wilson's parents after their mar- 
riage, settled in Kentucky, where the father was 
engaged in farming. In the fall of 1836 they 
came to Hancock County. 111., and in September, 
1844, moved to McLean County, and settled in 
Dale Township, where they passed the remainder 
of their lives. Their household included three 
children. Mrs. Wilson was born in Kentucky, 
Sept. 30, 1835, and by her union with our subject 
has become the mother of two children — Edwin 
51. and (irace K. While living in Bloomington, 
Mr. Wilson was a member of the Board of Alder- 
men, and has also served as School Trustee. Both 
he and his wife are members in good standing of 
the Presbyterian Church. In politics our subject 
is strongly Republican. 

One brother and three half-brothers of Mrs. Wil- 
son — David Nathan, Dawson Newton and John L. 






t 



_,t 



602 



McLean county. 







Uoutt — served as soldiers in the Union army during 
the late war. John Routt was Sheriff of JIcLean 
Cuuiity at the outhreaii of the Rebellion, and after- 
war<l became a Captain in the 94tli Illinois Infantry. 
He was afterw.ard Division (^uarterni.aster with the 
ranic of Colonel. 



^EORfiE AGLE, a representative bnsiness 
man of Bloomington, is successfully eng.aged 
as a dealer in hides, wool, fur, leather and 
findings, and occupies Nos. 207 and 209 South 
Center street. Mv. Agle, whose name is spelled by 
the Germans Egle, was born in Erie County, N. Y., 
in IS 4.!, and is the son of P'rederick and Laney 
(Henry) Agle, both natives of German3% the fa- 
ther coming to America with his parents when a 
boy of eleven years. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject, also George Agle by name, after reaching the 
United States, settled in Erie County, N. Y., and 
was a remarkable man in many respects. He never 
rode in a wagon or on horseback to the knowledge 
of our subject, and when past eighty years of age 
would walk, every S.abbath, five miles to churcii. 
He died at the age of eighty-seven, and every tooth 
was as perfect as when a child. Before coming to 
America he served as a soldier under the first Na- 
])oIeon for a period of eleven years and six months, 
duiing which time he was at the memorable siege 
and burning of Moscow, Russia, and was the hero 
of many otlier thrilling incidents connected witli 
his life as a soldier. 

Fredericlv Agle, fatliei' of our sniiject, followed 
agricultural pursuits in Erie County, N. Y., until 
18H0, wlien he removed to IJIoomington, and has 
since lived a retired life. The mother of our sub- 
ject left her native land when a young girl, thir- 
teen years old, and was married to Frederick Agle 
in Krie County, N. Y. They became the parents 
of I'iglit cliildren.of whom ou)' sulijcct was the third 
in order of liirtli. 

George Agle was reared on a farm until sixteen 
3'ears of age, in the meantime icceiving a practical 
education. He then went to Hamburg, Eric Co., 
N. Y.. and engaged to learn tlie tanner and cur- 
rier's trade, at which he served tliree years, and 



then, at the age of nineteen, came to Illinois and 
opened up the business he now carries ou. He 
first located on East Front street for eight j'ears. 
In 1881 he purchased the grounds which he now 
occupies, and upon which he has erected a fine 
brick block, three stories in height, and occupying 
an area of 45x75 feet. He is also the owner of 
several houses and lots within the city limits, and 
a finely improved farm of 105 acres in Hudson 
Townshii), which is operated by a tenant. 

Mr. Agle was married in 1869 to Miss Carrie W. 
Eckliardt, who was born in Erie County, N. Y., 
and is the daughter of George and Margaret (Bley) 
Eckhardt, also of the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. 
Agle became the parents of three children: (Jeorge 
F. is in the office with his father; Frank W. and 
Charles F. are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Agle are 
members in good standing of the German Lutheran 
Church, of which our subject has been a Trustee 
for the last eight years. He belongs to the Repub- 
lican party, and is e.ssentiall}' a self-made man, to 
whom all credit is due for his worthy .and persever- 
ing efforts, which have met witli abumlant succtess. 




LBERT STETSON, A. JL, who ably fills 
the chair of Language and Reading in the 
Illinois State Normal University, and a 
resident of Normal, was born in Kingston, 
Mass., Aug. 6, 1834. The Stetsons in tlie United 
States are direct descendants of the Pilgrims who 
landed on our shores in 1820, from the Mayflower. 
Albert Stetson is a son of Joseph and Hannah 
(Bryant) Stetson. They had a family of foui-ciiil- 
dren, of whom there are living at the present writ- 
ing — Emma F., the youngest, and Albert, our sub- 
ject, the eldest. Our subject's father was a harness- 
maker by trade and followed tile same in Kingston, 
Mass. 

In early life Albert worked at shoemaking, and 
afterward in a tack manufactory. His education, 
however, was not neglected, for after attending the 
common schools at Kingston and an academy at 
New Hampton, N. H., for a wliile, he entered 
the Bridge water Normal Seliool, from whieli he 



i 



t 



-4^ 



McLean county. 



603 






graduated at the expiration uf a _yeur. Soon after 
leaving the Nfirnial School he entered upon the 
duties of a pedagogue at Proviucetovvn, Cape Cod, 
having charge of a grammar school in that locality 
one j'ear. After this he entered the prejiaratory de- 
partment of Antioch College at Yellow Springs, 
Ohio, where he remained a year. lie then returned 
to New England and accepted a position as assistant 
teacher in a private school for boys, at New Bed- 
ford, Mass., and w-as there one year. Leaving the 
school-room he was under private tutorship for a 
few months, and then matriculated at Phillips Exe- 
ter Academy, the school from which Daniel Web- 
ster graduated, and followed the curriculum of 
that institution for one year. 

In 1 858 Prof. Stetson entered the Sophomore class 
of Harvard University and graduated therefrom 
with honors in 18U1, having completed the entire 
course. He then taught for one year the High School 
at Provincetown, Mass., the same town wiiere he had 
taught just ten years before. In the fall of 1 8G2 Prof. 
Stetson came West, arriving at Normal, October 
12, and accepted a postion as teacher in the Illinois 
State University, which position he is filling at 
the present time with credit to himself and honor 
to the institution. Richard Edwards, long Presi- 
dent of the State Normal University, and now 
Superintendent of Public Instruction of Illinois, 
was one of Mr. Stetson's teachers at Bridgewater, 
and it was at his request that our subject accepted 
the position he now holds. 

Prof. Stetson was married, June 20, 18C4, to 
Margaret E. Osband. Siie was born in Wayne 
County, N. Y., and is the daughter of (Tideou and 
Mary Ann Osband. Their family consists of two 
children — Lillian M. and ^\'ill Stetson. Mrs Stet- 
son is a graduate of Macedon Academy, Wa3'ne 
County, N. Y., and a teacher for man}' years. She 
camn to Normal in 18G1 to accept the position of 
Preceptress of the State Normal School, having 
been the first to hold that position, and continued 
as such for three years. She was then married 
to the subject of this sketch and abandoned 
the profession, having taught altogether for up- 
ward of twelve years. Li the summer of 1868 
Prof. Stetson went to Europe and was absent for 
about four months. During that time iiis compe- 
^a 



tent wife taught sever.al of his classes. Mrs. Stet- 
son is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

The lirother of Mis. S., (ien. E. D. Osband, w.as 
a resident of Cliicago prior to the breaking out of 
the late Civil \\'ar, and was among the first to en- 
list in the Union army with Barker's Dragoons, in 
whicii he held the rank of First Lieutenant. This 
was the first company to leave Chicago for the field 
of conflict. He served three months under George 
B. AlcClellan.and then came to Chicago and helped 
to raise the 4th Illinois Cavalry, and was elected 
Captain of Company A ; later this company was 
detached, becoming Gen. Grant's escort, its 
Captain was thus (ju ver}' intimate terms with 
the General, and at his reque.st went to Missis- 
sippi and raised the .'id United States Colored Cav- 
elry, of which he became Colonel, and was finally 
brevetted General. He died in 1866 on a planta- 
tion in Mississipi)i, where lie had settled attiie close 
of the war. 



"vrv/V ^>^j2j2£/©^^^ 



f^^'^i/dTTVy^ 'X^Xy^^ 




ATTIIIAS SUTTER, a representative Ger- 
man farmer of Bine Mound Township, has 
been a citizen of the United States since the 
spring of 18.54, emigrating here with his 
parents when he was thirty-three years of age. lie 
was born in (iermany, Sept. 7, 1821, where he was 
reared to farming pursuits. In accordance with the 
laws and customs of his native country he was 
placed in school at an early age, and received a 
thorough German education and afterward served 
in the army for a period of twelve years. After 
landing upon American shores he proceeded at once 
to Albany, N. Y., where he lived three months and 
then started for the West. Coming into Illinois he 
located in McLean County, and for five years fol- 
lowing was employed in the lumber yards of the 
C. & A. R. R. at Bloomington. He then took up 
his abode on a small farm adjoining the city limits, 
where he lived until the spring of 1868, then re- 
moved with his family to Blue Mound Townshij?, 
settling upon section 111, which has since been 
his home. He possesses the substantial and in- 
dustrious qualities of his nationality and has been 




t 



604 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



greatly prospered in his business and farming trans- 
actions, lie is now the owner of 312 acres of 
valuable land, with good stock and a substantial set 
of frame buildings. 

SMr. Sutter was married in Blooniington on the 
•2d of February, l.sr,0, to JNIiss Elizabeth Baldish- 
field, a native of (ierman}', born Sept. 10, 1833. 
Of this nnion there were eight children: Samuel, 
the eldest, married Miss Otillie Zable and resides in 
Blue Mound Township ;Joseph, Henry, Edward and 
William; and three — Louisa, Mary and Frank — de- 
ceased. Our sidiject and his wife are stanch ad- 
herents of the Catholic Church, and politically Mr. 
Sutter casts his vote with the Republican pai-ty. 



7 AMES J. HASTINGS, who has been a resi- 
dent of the Prairie State since 1859, was 
i originally a plasterer by trade, but of late 
/ j-ears has been engaged in farming pursuits. 
He is now the owner of 280 acres of valuable land 
in Dry Grove Township, where he has a fine resi- 
dence and all the appliances of a modern country 
estate. His land is under a high state of cultivation, 
and his thrift and prosperity are the result of his 
own enterprise and industry. He has lived tem- 
peratelj' and economically, has invested his profits 
wisely, and is in all respects one of the prosperous 
and representative citizens of the township. The 
homestead is located on section 12, and commands 
the attention of travelers through this locality as 
being the home of wealth and comfort. 

Mr. Hastings was born in Fayette County, Pa., 
on the 2.Tth of February, l.S2(). His parents were 
.John and Jane (Carroll) Hastings, both also natives 
of the Keystone State, and of American ancestry. 
John Hastings was born May 17, 1797, passed his 
entire life in Pennsylvania, and died upon his farm 
there on the 14th of December, 1832. He was a 
member of the old Presbyterian Church. Mrs. 
Jane C. Hastings was born Nov. G, 1796, and died 
in Pennsylvania Nov. 11), 18;")8. She was an earn- 
est CHiristian lady, a member of the same church 
as her husband, and the mother of five children, all 
of whiim were living in 18M6. The record of the 
parental family is as follows: William married Miss 



h 



Sarah Cooper of Guernsey County, Ohio, and they 
•are living in Vinton County, that State; Mary A. 
was Krst married to Moses Hayes, who is now de- 
ceased ; her sec(jnd husband was Alex Dougherty, 
and they live in Illinois. .Tames .1. of our sketch 
was the third child of the family; Thomas C. mar- 
ried Miss Kach.'iel Hayes, and they are living in 
McLean (bounty. 111.; Jane became the wife of 
James H. Beeks, and they reside in this State. 

The marriage of James J. Hastings and Miss 
Ella J^enhart was celebrated on the 25th of January, 
1854. Mrs. Hastings was born in Somerset County, 
Pa., March 14, 1837, and is the daughter of George 
and Mary (Garey) Lenhart, natives of Louisiana 
and Pennsylvania. Both are now deceased. Of 
their children the record is as follows: Catharine 
became the wife of Josiah Wymer, and is now de- 
ceased; Benjamin married Miss Ella Fleck; Joseph 
and Angeline died in infancy ; Monroe married 
Miss Rosa CVjleman; Hannah, Mrs. B. Waltor, re- 
sides in Pennsylvania; Eucebie married Mr. C. 
Shumaker; A'ictoria married Miss T. Searberg; 
Mary and Ella were next in order of birth; Eliza- 
l)cth, deceased, was the wife of "William Goslin; 
George was the youngest of the familj'. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hastings there 
were born ten children, all but one living, and the 
record is as follows: Alice J. was born Oct. 25, 
1855; Mary F., Feb. 2, 1857; John B. was born 
Feb. 12, 1859, and married Miss Ida Smith; they 
are living in this county; William C. was born 
Oct. 5, 1860; Thomas J., born Aug. 2, 1.S62, died 
July 1, l.ssi ; Charles G. was born Aug. 25, 18G4; 
Bertie E., Aug. 2, 1868; Mark L., April 7, 1870; 
Stella C, June 30, 1872; James J., Feb. 23. 1875. 

Mr. Hastings came to this county in 1859, after 
working at his trade of plasterer in Peinisjdvania 
for about eighteen 3'ears. He followed the same 
business in connection with farming for some time 
after coming here, and previously purchased eighty 
acres of land in Dry Grove Township. He then 
entered upon its improvement and cultivation, 
and subsequently added to his acreage as stated 
above. W'hile not connected with any church or- 
ganization he is a believer in the Scriptures, .and en- 
deavors to follow the teachings of the Master and 
do unto others as he wishes them to do unto him. 



i 



•>-i^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



A- 



607 



Politically he is a Democrat. He has always taken 
an active interest in the prcxsperity of his township, 
and has contributed liberally to the erection of 
churches and the establishment of schools. Although 
not receiving a collegiate education he is a gentle- 
man of fine attainments, having been an extensive 
reader and keeping himself well posted upon mat- 
ters of general interest. 



-f^^J- 



-*^^ 



JEROME T. KEPNEK, one of the represent- 
ative citizens of McLean County and a 
successful farmer and stock-raiser, residing 
on section 11, Dry Grove Township, was 
born in Juniata County, Pa., Feb. 20, 1830. He is 
the son of Samuel and llattie (Walker) Kepner, 
natives of Pennsylvania, the former of German 
parentage and she of German descent. The father 
was born in 1803, and is yet living, having attained 
the venerable age of eighty-four years. He is liv- 
ing on the farm in Pennsylvania on which he has 
labored for the last fifty 3'ears. The place consists 
of 200 acres and is located a mile and a half from 
the Juniata River. The mother of our subject was 
born ill 1805, and died in September, 1883, in Penn- 
sylvania. The father is a member of the Lutheran 
Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He became 
the head of a family of nine children. Those now 
living are, Jerome, the subject of this notice ; Cal- 
vin; Samuel; Mary J., who is the wife of Samuel 
Ritzman; William W. was united in marriage with 
Miss Hittle, and Matilda, now Mrs. Benjamin Groni- 
ger. 

The subject of this notice is the eldest of his 
father's children and was reared to farm labor, re- 
ceiving his education in the district school, and con- 
tinued to reside with tlie old folk until the age of 
manhood. On becoming his own man he came 
West in 18.54, and located in Peoria Count}', wliere 
he purchased eighty acres of improved laiul. On 
this place he located with his wife and two children, 
and at once engaged in its improvement. A year 
and a half passed bj' when death took his loved 
companion from him, her demise being caused by 
I consumption. Our subject then took his two cliil- 
^ ' dren and returned to the place of his nativity. 



reaching there in 185fi. Remaining with friends 
until the following spring, he returned to Peoria 
Count}'' and was there a resident for about tluee 
years. He then went back East and was married 
to Mrs. Rice Stephens, the date of the ceremony 
being Aug. 11, 18(!4. She was born June 24, 
1838, in Juniata County, Pa., and was a daughter 
of Samuel and Sarah (Kopner) Rice, of German 
parentage. Mr. Rice was a dry-goods and grocery 
merchant at Port Royal, Juniata Co., Pa. He was 
born in 1803, and departed this life in January, 
1859. His good wife was born in 1814, and died 
in August, 1854. They had ten children, the first 
of whom died in infancy; Matilda C, Martha J. ; 
Sarah E., wife of our subject, John H., Mary M., 
Margaret E., W infield S., Zaehariah E. and Fran- 
ces A. 

The subject of tiiis notice moved to Livingston 
County, 111., in ISGD, and was there engaged in 
farming for fourteen years. He then came to this 
county and purcliased 15(J acres of valuable and 
productive land, tlie same being that on whicli he is 
at present residing. He is also engaged in the 
breeding and raising of fine draft horses and is 
meeting with signal success in both branches of his 
vocation. He has held the various offices of his 
township while a resident of this county and while 
living in Livingston County was Commissioner of 
Highways for ten years. He is at present one of 
the Board of School Trustees of this township. In 
j)olitics he is Republican, and his good wife and five 
daughters are members of the Methodist P^piscopal 
Church. 

A portrait of Mr. Kepner is presented on another 
page of this work. 



^5ilDE0N D. CRUMBAUGH, Police Magis- 
jll (=-, trate of LeRoy, was born in Frederick 
^^^ County, Md., Feb. 12, LSOG. His father, 
Simon Crumljaugh, was a native of the same county, 
and his grandfatlier, Conrad Crumbaugh, a native 
of Germany. The latter emigrated to the United 
States when a young man and located in Frederick 
County, Md., being among its earliest settlers, and 
there spent the remainder of his days. His family 
included eleven children, of wliom the father of 



T 



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t 



608 



4 



McLean county. 



'I 



our subject was tbe fourth son. Simon Crumbaugh 
was reared to niauhood on the farnv and with the 
exception of a short time spent in learning the pot- 
ter's trade, was occupied in agricultural pursuits 
during his entire life in his native State. His farm 
was about ten miles northeast of Frederick City, 
being the old liumestead where himself and all his 
brothers and sisters w<'re born. He was married 
to Miss Pha'be Dovilbiss, wlio was also a native of 
Frederick County, and died at the home of her 
husband near Woodsbury. Simon Crumbaugh died 
in November, 1843. They had but two children, 
John and Gideon L). The former spent his entire 
life in Frederick County. 

Gideon D. Crumbaugh was reared to farming 
pursuits, and lived with his parents until 1826. He 
then wont to Frederick City and engaged as clerk 
in a dry -goods store, and afterward followed the 
same in Daj'ton, Ohio, for twenty months, then re- 
turned to Maryland and worked on the farm which 
he had inherited from his father until 1854. Again 
he left Marj'land, this time coming to Le Roj' and 
engaged in clerking for three years. He was then 
elected Police Magistrate and has continued in the 
otfice since tiiat time, a period of twent^'-nine years. 
In 18G1 he was api)ointed Postmaster, holding the 
office until 1SG6. He was re-appointed in 1869, 
and continued until 1877. Since that time he has 
conlined himself to his duties as Police Magistrate 
and Collector. Mr. C. has [1887] just been elected 
to the office of Police Magistrate for four years 
longer. 

Gideon D. Crumbaugh was married at Dayton, 
Ohio, in 1821), to Miss Kli/.abeth Reid, who was a 
native of tliat city. Of tlii.s union there were 
born nine ciiildren, of wlioni tlie record is as follows: 
Simeon, a teaelier in tlie city schools at Toledo, 
Ohio, died there in 1884; (4eorge is a farmer of 
Fredeiick County, Md.; Mary J. died in Paris, 
Edgar Co., 111.; Kate became the wife of S. L. 
Bisliop, and lives in iMnpire Township; Margaret, 
who married Capt. .hunes Cannaday, lives in Martin 
Township; Laura died in Le Roy in 1863; Charles 
enlisted in Co. C, ;).'id III. \'ol. Inf., and died while 
a soldier in the Union army; Fannie married W. 
H. iJartlett, of Indianajjolis, Lid. ; Emma became 
the wife of Dr. I'arks and died at Little Rock, 



Ark.; Scott died in Le Roy in 1883. Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Crumbaugh departed this life in 1877, and 
Mr. C. was married in 1879, to Mrs. Permelia 
Wiley. The family residence is pleasantly located 
and our subject and children enjoy in a marked de- 
gree the highest respect of their neiglibors and 
friends. Mrs. Permelia (Wiley) Crumbaugh de- 
parted this life on the 17th of April, 18is7, aged 
seventy-four years. 

A fine likeness of Mr. Crumbaugh may be found 
on another i>age of this work. 

YTLE R. WILEY most emphatically lives 
5) on the line which divides Martin and Lawn- 
dale Townships, said line running through 



his kitchen, but for certain reasons he prefers to be 
called a resident of Martin. Of this he has been 
one of its most useful and valued citizens and has 
contributed a generous share toward its develop- 
ment. iSIr. Wiley was born in Garrett, Meade Co., 
Ky., Nov. 7, 1815. When but six mouths old his 
parents rennjved to another part of the State, and 
two years and a half later to Switzerland County, 
Ind., where our subject lived until 1835. In the 
fall of that year he came into McLean County, 111., 
with his father, and lived with him in what is now 
Martin Town^liip for aijout two 3'ears, having in 
the meantinu' iiurohased 160 acres of land located 
partly in I.awndaleand partlj- in Jlartin Township. 
To this Mr. Wiley subsequently added from time 
to time until lie is now the owner of 1,050 acres of 
land, 100 of wliiaii is in timber. He has been in- 
dustrious, economical and wise in his disbursement 
of funds, and is now reckoned among the thorough- 
going and [irosperous business men of this section. 
Mr. \\'iley was married in Switzerland County, 
Ind., June 13, 1843, to Miss Sarah R. Wiley, a 
distant relative, who was born in Switzerland 
County, lud., Dec. 12, 1825. Of this union there 
were born eight children, of whom the eldest. 
Thomas R., married Miss Mattie Reeves, and is a 
successful physician of Gibson City; Rhoda M. and 

> John are at home ; Hannah E. and William S. are 
deceased; Sarah L. became the wife of Henry C. 

I Henline, and resides in Lawndale Township; Lytle 



i' 



■*-* 

* 



u 



MoLEAN COUNT If. 



a 



609 






R., Jr., married Miss Mary M. Harpole, and is a 
resident of Martin Township; Mary C, Mrs. Will- 
iam Hudson, resides in Lawndale Township. The 
faithful and affectionate wife and mother departed 
this life Sept. 25, 1881, having been a lady greatly 
respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. She was .a prominent member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wiley might properly 
be termed an Independent Greenbacker politically, 
and in the casting of his vote endeavors to support 
those men whom he deems best fitted for office. 
He is a man whose opinion and judgment are highly 
respected, and has held various minor offices in his 
townsliip. 

UDGE THOMAS F. TIPTON, a prominent 
attorney of Bloomington, was born near 
Ilarrisburg, Franklin Co., Ohio, Aug. 29, 
1833. His father, Hiram Tipton, came to this 
State and county in the fall of 1844, and died March 
20 of the following year. The latter was a native of 
the same county as his son, and occupied himself in 
farming pursuits in Ohio during the earlier years of 
his life. There also he was married to INIiss De- 
borah, the daughter of Albert Ogden, Esq., of Fay- 
ette County, who was born the same year as her 
husband. After marriage they located in Franklin 
County, whence they removed to Pickaway 
County', where they lived until they started for the 
West. After reaching this county they settled 
upon a tract of land northeast of Bloomington, 
where the family resided for several years after the 
death of the father, and where our subject grew to 
manhood. The mother afterward married Henry 
Stumpff. 

Thomas F. Tipton started out early in life on his 
own account, his first step being to still further per- 
fect his studies by attendance at school in Lexing- 
ton, under the instruction of Col. W. N. Coler. He 
then commenced teaching and also studying law, 
and after a time thus occupied entered upon the 
study of law in the office of H. N. Keightley, of 
Knoxville, and was admitted to practice in his 
twentj'-first year, in .June, 1854. He opened an 
office at Lexington, where he lived and pr.acticed 
for seven years following, and tlien, in January, 



1862, came to Bloomington and associated himself 
in partnership with Judge R. M. Benjamin. They 
operated together until 1870, in the meantime hav- 
ing taken in Judge Weldon. In 1870 Mr. Tipton 
was elected Circuit Judge, the circuit being com- 
posed of the counties of INIcLean, Logan and De 
Witt. Three years later the district was changed 
so that McLean and Ford Counties constituted the 
circuit, and he was re-elected in the new circuit. 
Judge Tipton continued to occupy this position 
until the 1st of March, 1877, when he resigned, 
having in the meantime been elected member of 
the Forty-fifth Congress, serving two years. 

Our subject was married in this county in 1856, 
to Miss Marj' J. Strayer, who was born and reared 
in Logan County, Ohio, being the daughter of 
Nicholas Strayer. Of this union there were born 
seven children, five now living — Harry V., Belle 
E., Helen F., Laura B. and Thomas W. In early 
life Judge Tipton was what was known as a Douglas 
Democrat, but on the breaking out of the war be- 
came a stanch Republican, and has always been 
prominent in the councils of his partj' in this State. 



.-v- 



#>•# 




ETER D. SPRINGER, is a native of the 
Province of Alsace Lorraine, and emigra- 
ted from his native country with his par- 
ents when a child of four years old, and 
became a resident of the Prairie State in 1854. He 
was l)orn Sept. 5, 1826, being the son of Christian 
and Magdalena (Engle) Springer, a sketch of whom 
will be found in the biography of Andrew J. 
Springer in another part of this work. 

The subject of this history remained under the 
parental roof until he had attained his majority, m 
the meantime receiving a fair education in the 
common schools, and being trained to habits of in- 
dustry and economy. Nov. 13, 1856, our sub- 
ject was united in marriage with Miss Elisa 
Brenaman, in Tazewell County, 111. The young 
couple soon afterward removed to the farm of Mr. 
S., which he had purchased before his marriage, 
and upon which they still reside, and which con- 
sists of 390 acres of valuable land. Our subject 
erected a fine dwelling, two stories in height, and 



1 ' 

t 



t 



i L 
'^ 610 



4 



McLEAiSr COUNTY. 



coveriiiij .in .ilea of 20x34 feet, with .111 L 18x16. 
His l).irii,s .111(1 (uit-biiildings correspond with the 
resifleiK'C, and the whole premises indicate the su- 
pervision of a thoroiigii-going and progressive 
farmer. Mr. Springer ni.ilves a specialty of raising 
Poland-China hogs, of wliich he has one of the finest 
herds in Allin Township. He has been prominently 
identified with the .affairs of this section since com- 
iiie: here, and taices agt'iuiine interest in the welfare 
of his adopted country. He has been Justice of the 
Peace, Commissioner of Highw.ays, Town Clerk, 
School Trustee, School Director, and in each posi- 
tion has acquitted himself with great credit. So- 
cially he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in 
which he h.is been Senior Warden and Tre.isurer 
for a number of j'ears. 

Mrs. Springer is the daughter of Daniel and 
Elizabeth (lutze) Breuaman, who were natives of 
Germ.my, and spent their entire lives in their na- 
tive country. Their thirteen children were named 
as follows : Jacob, JMaiy, Elisa, Jo.seph, Allen, Anna, 
"William, Eunice, Edw.ird, Phebe and Ciiristian. 
Two died in infancj' unnamed. Both parents were 
members of the Mennonite Church. 

The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Springer were 
Amelia P., who died Oct. 17, 18,">7; Mary E. ; Ed- 
ward D., who died March 12, 1872; Emma A.; 
George B., who died iNIaj' 5, 1867, and William H. 
In politics Mr. .S. affiliates with the Democrats. 




4 



LEXANDER BRYANT, a pmspcrous far- 
i/u\ \ mer and stockholder in the t'lial mines of 
Bluomington Township, is pleasantl_y loca- 
ted on section (i, where he owns 170 acres 
of valuable land, mostly' under a good state of cul- 
tivation. Mr. Bryant has been a resident of the 
above-named township since 186.0. He formerly 
lived in the city of Bloomington, vvhere he was 
connected with the C. A- A. H. R. foi- fourteen 
years as conductor. 

The subject of this history was born in Lenawee 
County, Mich., Sept. 6, 1«I2. His fallier, John 
Bryant, was a native of Kngiaiid, an<l died in Len- 
awee County in 1 8.'>4, when our subject was a Lad 
of twelve years. The mother, .Margaret (Watson) 
4' 



Brj'aut, is still living on thp old homestead in the 
above-named count}'. This is comprised of 180 
.acres, which her husband entered from theGoveru- 
ment more than fifty j'ears ago. She is now well 
advanced in life, being in the eighty-second year 
of her age. The parents were married in Genesee 
Count}', N. Y., and their family included nine 
children, eight sons and one daughter, all living 
and married, with f.imilies of their own. Alexan- 
der was the fifth son and sixth child, and remained 
at home after the death of his father until he was 
twentj'-one jears old. Later he began work as a 
farm laborer, and in August, 1865, started west 
and lauded in the Prairie State. He soon after- 
ward engaged as a brakeman for the C. & A. R. R. 
and was thus employed jnst two years to a day. 
He was then promoted to conductor, which jiosi- 
tion he occupied, as before st.ited, for fourteen 
3'e.irs. He took possession of his present home- 
stead soon afterward, and five years later erected 
one of the best farm residences in the township. 
He has a fine barn and all necessary out-buildings 
and appliances required by a first-class agricultur- 
ist. Everything about the premises denotes the 
exercise of cultivated t.istes and ample means. 

Mr. Bryant w.is married in Bloomington, April 
27, 1868, to Miss Bessie Holmes, who was born in 
the Province of Ontario on the Island of Knox, 
Feb. 21, 1844. She was the daughter of John and 
Susan (Dunn) Holmes, both natives of Cork, Ire- 
land, where they were reared and married, and soon 
afterward emigrated to Can.ida. The father was a 
private in the British army, and they became the 
|)arents of seven sons and seven daughters. They 
afterward removed to Macon County, 111., where 
the mother died in November, 18G1, in her fiftieth 
year. The father is now living in Dale Township, 
this county, .iged eighty. Mrs. Bryant was educa- 
ted in C.inada, and came with her parents to Illi- 
nois in 1861. After the death of the mother, the 
family rcmovc^d to the city of Bloomington, in 
1866. 

Mr. and ^Irs. Bryant have become the |)arents of 
nine children, all living except one, Howard C, 
who died Feb. i."), 1887; the others arc Warren S., 
M.iry Ileli'ii, Harry L., William A., Joseph B., 
Ralph 10., Charles and Be.ssie L. Mrs. B. and all 



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i 



t 



■<^ 



.t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



611 a 



her children are members of the Episcopal Church. 
Mr. B. is Assistant Supervisor of Bloomington 
Township; he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, 
and in politics is a solid Republican. A view of 
the beautiful residence and surroundings of Mr. 
Bryant is presented on another page of this work. 






4 



"jfJONAS B. MAURICE, an enterprising young 
farmer and stock-breeder of Arrowsmith 
Tt)wnship, is the possessor of eighty acres of 
thoroughly cultivated land, where he makes 
a specialty of Poland-China swine, and in this 
branch of agriculture has been remarkablj' success- 
ful. He came with his father to Illinois in 1856, 
and the latter purchased 120 acres of lanil in Peoria 
County, where he followed farming and teaching 
alternately, having received a fine education in his 
youth. Our subject was born in Cumberland 
County, Pa., and is the son of T. W. and Maria 
(Barr) Maurice, both natives of the Keystone State, 
the father born in October, 1827, and the mother 
in November following. After living in Peoria 
County, III, for a number of years, the father of 
our subject traded his land there for property in 
McLean County, of which he is now a prominent 
resident. He has a fine homestead, including 240 
acres of land, with a good set of farm buildings, 
and in other respects is surrounded by the ciun forts 
of life. He is prominent in his community, highly 
respected, and one of the leading members of the 
Masonic fraternity, having been Master of the 
Lodge at Arrowsmith for some years. The unither 
died in iNIay, 1864. Their five children were Jlar- 
garet J.; Jonas B., our subject; Henry B. ; Maria 
B., Mrs. W. H. Thompson; Mary, Mrs. Allen J. 
Major. 

Mr. Maurice was reared to habits of industry, 
and has never been afraid to put his shoulder to 
the wheel. He labored on his father's farm until 
he reached manhood, and in September, 1879, was 
united in marriage with Miss Katie X. Kerr, who 
was born in Virginia, .Sept. 17, 1857. She removed 
with her parents to Independence, Mo., where her 
marriage to our subject took place. She is the 
daughter of Andrew and Sarah Jane (Bumgardner) 
-do 



Kerr, also natives of the Old Dominion, the father 
born Aug. 23, 1826, and the mother, March 14, 
1 856. Of their four children the record is as fol- 
lows: Florence M., born May 19, 1852, became 
the wife of William Sullinger, of Missouri; James 
P. was born Feb. 14, 1855; Katie V., Mrs. M., is 
the third child ; Parthenia R., who was born July 
27, 1861, died Nov. 8, 1883. The father of these 
children died in Missouri, Aug. 28, 1862. His 
widow afterward married William Crute, Nov. 24, 
1864. Mr. C. was of English birth and parentage. 
Of this marriage there were born three children — 
Sarah J., Oct. 27, 186.S; Willi.am J., July 20, 1870, 
and Mary A., Dec. 1, 1873. Mr. Crute departed 
this life Feb. 28, 1879. 

Our subject and his wife became the parents of 
three children: T. Wilson, born Dec. 21, 1880; 
Sarah E., Dec. 4, 1882, and Avis L., Feb. 6, 1886. 
Through his own efforts Mr. M. obtained a fair ed- 
ucation, and he takes an active interest in the wel- 
fare and progress of his township. He possesses a 
good fund of information, and in politics casts his 
vote with the Republican party. 

,|AGDALENA M. STUCKEY, widow of 
l\\ Christian Stucke}', is living on a fine farm 
li on section 5, Danvers Township, where she 
is surrounded by all the comforts of life, 
and enjoying the respect of a large circle of friends. 
Mrs. S. was born in Baden, Germany, Sept. 18, 
1827, lieing the daughter of Michael and Jlagda- 
lena (King) Miller. Her father was bo:n in 1795, 
and her mother in 1800, in Germany, and they 
were married in 1825. Nine years later they emi- 
srated to America, landing in New Orleans. 
Thence they went into Butlei' County, Ohio, where 
Michael Miller prosecuted farming on rented land 
until 1851. He then came to Illinois, and pur- 
chased eighty acres of land in Dry Grove Town- 
ship, this county. To this he soon afterwaril added 
120 acres, and this, with its improvements, consti- 
tuted a permanent and comfortable homestead, 
where he spent the remainder of his days, his death 
occurring in 1873. The mother died in the fall of 
1882. Their nine children were Christian, Magda- 



i 





1, 



612 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



■► ■, ■» 



lena, Jacob, Michael. John, Fannie, Catherine, Eliz- 
abeth and Joseph. Fannie, Elizabeth and Kate are 
deceased. The parents were members of the Ornish 
Mennonite Church, in which the father labored as 
a minister for a period of twent}' years. 

Mrs. Stuckey was reared by her parents, and 
was united in marriage with Christian Stuckey, 
Oct. 27, 18o0, in Butler County, Ohio. Mr. S. was 
a farmer by occupation, and directly after marriage 
they came to this county and located on rented 
land near Danvers. After a few years Mr. .S. en- 
tered forty acres, and provided a house into which 
he moved his family. He was prospered in his 
farming and business transactions, and in time 
added to his first purchase, so that at the time of 
his death he left his family with a fine estate of 
179 acres, under a good state of cultivation and 
supplied with modern improvements. His death oc- 
curred in Eureka Springs, Ark., whither he had 
gone for his health, and his remains were laid to 
rest in Park Lane Cemetery in Danvers. The 
funeral services were conducted by tiie Rev. Jona- 
than Schmoker, of Indiana, and Rev. Sears, of 
Danvers. Mr. Stuckey was a kind and indulgent 
father and husband. His family were greatly 
attached to him, and his death was to them an ir- 
reparable loss. When he started for Eureka 
Springs it was the hope of himself and his friends 
that the change would be beneficial. He remained 
about three months, but during the last week, how- 
ever, he began to fail and his wife was sent for. 
He died a few days after her arrival, and a devoted 
wife and five children are left to mourn their loss. 
The latter were Joseph, Catherine, Marj^ Daniel, 
.Samuel and Josei)hino. Joseph died when about 
three years of age. .Mr. Stuckey was a stanch Re- 
publican in politics, and a member of the Omi.sh 
Mennonite Church. 

\Vhen Mr. and Mrs. Stucke}- t(jok possession of 
the present homestead it was in a wild and unim- 
proved condition, and its cultivation involved 
much labor and perseverance. The residence is a 
tasteful and substantial structure, and there is a 
good barn with all ncccssarx' out-buildings. Mrs. 
S. has proved an excellent manager, and is carrying 
on the farm after the metiiods adopted and estab- 
lished b}' her husband. Her two sons, Daniel and 



i^ 



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Samuel, are still at home w-ith their mother; the 
former was married, Sept. 30, 1884, to Miss Ella 
Pancake, of Danvers Township, and they have one 
son eighteen months old. Her daughter, INfary, be- 
came the wife of J((hn Sehertz, and lives in this 
county; she has four children, two sons and two 
daughters. 



7AC()i; 11. ZOOK, a worthy farmer of Dry 
I Grove Township, owns and occupies a com- 
fortable home on section 28. He was born 
in Milllin County, Pa., Oct. 22, 1831. His 
parents on liotli sides and his grandparents, to- 
gether with his great-grandparents, were all born 
in the same county and State. His great-grand- 
father on his mother's side was an old Indian 
fighter 1)3' the name of Hostetter. The father of 
our subject was Yost Zook, and his mother, beft)re 
her marriage, was Susan Hostetter. The former 
was burn Aug. 21, 1803, and the latter in De- 
cember, ISO."). Mv. Yost Zook is now over 
eighty-four years old and his wife eightj'-one. 
They were married at Lewistown, Pa., Nov. 14, 
1827, by Rev. Christian Zook, and lived there until 
18,50, when they came to Illinois, and have since 
resided iu Dry drove Township. 

The parental familj' consisted of five children, 
all living save one, and all in Illinois except John, 
who removed to Columbus. Kan., in 1885. Mrs. 
King, the only daughter, lives in North Dry Grove, 
and is the owner of two fine eighty-acre farms. 
Adam Zook, the eldest son, is the possessor of a 
comfort.able fortune, and lives in Dry Grove Town- 
ship. Mr. and Mrs. Yost Zook have twenty grand- 
children and three great-grandchildren. Thej' have 
a fine home, and in their declining years are living 
in the enjoyment of the friendship and association 
of those who have known them for over thirty 
years. 

Jacob II. Zook remained under the parental roof 
until he had attained to years of manhood, engaged 
in farming pursuits. On the 21st of December, 
1862, he was married to Miss LydiaLantz, who was 
born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 28, 1843. 
Her parents were Jon.ithan and Nancy (Yoder) 



1 

1' 



t. 

•^-m-4* 



u 



McLEAN COUNTY." 



613 



Lantz, natives of Mifflin County, Pa. Tiiey came 
to Illinois in 1851, and located in Wiiite Oak 
Township. The father died in Dan vers, Jnly 31, 
1885; the mother departed this life at the home of 
her husband in White Oak Township, in 1853. 
The3f had become the parents of eight children, 
four sons and four daughters: The eldest died un- 
named; Ben is also deceased; Jonathan was the 
third; Jacob lives in Nebraska; Gideon became a 
resident of Oregon in 187<i; Jappha lives in Dan- 
vers Township; John died in September, 18(il, at 
the age of seven years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Zook have ten children, five sons 
and five daughters, of whom the record is as fol- 
lows: Elizabeth A. was born Nov. I'J, 1863; 
Nancy S., Jan. 30, 1865; Adeline Nov. 18, 1866; 
Ulysses A., Nov. 6, 1868; Jappha, April 29, 1870; 
Lydia A., April 21, 1876; Jacob N., May 16, 1878; 
John L., Jan. 14. 1880: Mary E., April 2, 1882; 
Christian A., Sept. 20, 1884. 

The homestead of our subject and his fuuiilj' con- 
sists of 108^ acres of finely cultivated land, where 
he makes a specialty of breeding swine and keeps a 
herd of milch cows. He has been prominent in the 
affairs of his township. He is Republican in poli- 
tics, and religiousl3' is connected with the Men- 
nonite Church, which comprises a membership of 
over 400. 

THA OWEN. This gentleman, familiarly 
known in Cheney's Grove Township as one 
of its prosperous and enterprising business 
men and farmers, is pleasantly located on section 
35, where he has been a resident since 1853. He 
came to this county in September, 1834, making the 
journey from his native State of Ohio in a two- 
horse wagon and driving two cows. He was ac- 
companied by his uncle's family, and the journey 
occupied thirteen days. He was employed on the 
farm of his uncle for six ^'ears following, and then 
worked out by the month for $8.33. After working 
tluis for about five years he purchased eighty acres 
of land, for which he paid $1.25 per acre, and aft- 
erward forty acres, much of which was a swamp, 
and none had ever been cultivated; for this he paid 




|5 per acre. He proceeded to work upon and im- 
prove it. meeting with success in his labors, and has 
since added to it until now he is the owner of 
nearly 148 acres, all enclosed and improved, and 
under a good state of cultivation. 

Mr. Owen was born in Meehaniesburg, Cham- 
paign Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1823, and is the son of 
Uriah and Keziah (Jaeo) Owen, both natives of 
^'irginia. Tlie fatlior was a farmer Ijy occupation, 
and died in Ohio when Otha was a lad of seven 
or eight years. The mother died a few years 
later, so that our subject earl}' in life became an 
orphan, and was forced practically to look out for 
himself. The parental household included six chil- 
dren, as follows: One died in infancy; Sarah died 
March 15, 1882; Mary became the wife of Samuel 
Peckham, .and died in 1 880 ; Jonatlian married a 
Miss Hester Shepard ; Otha, our subject, was the 
fiftli eliild; (ieorge W. married Miss Catharine 
Kline. 

Mr. Owen was reared t(.) manhood in this county, 
and (m the 20th of November, 1845, was married 
to Jliss Susan Kline, who was born in Fairfield 
County, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1827. She was the daughter of 
George and Catherine (Miller) Kline, both natives 
of Maryland. George Kline was born in 1792, and 
was drafted into the army during the War of 1812. 
His brother .Tacob, however, served in his place. 
The mother of Mrs. Owen was born in 1802, and 
died four years after her husband, in 1884. Both 
parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. 
Their ten children were — .Tohn, Susan, Mary, Re- 
becca, Harrison, Martin V., Catherine, Christina, 
Zarilda, who died quite young, and George. 

Mr. and Mrs. Owen liecame the parents of eleven 
children, three of whom are deceased. Tlie record 
is as follows: George was born Sept. 16, 1847, and 
died June 3, 1864, when seventeen years of age; 
Uriah, born Aug. 26, 1849, married Miss Annie 
Lips, and has one child; Elias, boj'u July ^, 1851, 
married Miss Catherine Murpliy, and they became 
the parents of three children, one of whom is de- 
ceased ; Laura, now Mrs. William Lewis, has one 
child ; Hannah became the wife of Albert Sprad- 
ling; Jay died Nov. 12, 1858; Lee was born May 
8, 1860, married Miss Linna Cliapman, and they 
have one child; Charlie was born July 2, 1863; 



4 



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I 



i L 614 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




Mary, Fob. 7, 1860; Kate, April 11. 18G8; Albert 
was born May ;">, IS71, and died Feb. 9, 1872. 

The homestead of our suljjeet and his family, 
besides the valuable land already spoken of, includes 
a fine residence, a good harn and all necessary out- 
buildings, and in all its appointments indicates the 
supervision of an enterprising and intelligent busi- 
ness man and farmer. i\Ir. Owen is Democratic in 
politics, and lias served nine years as constable in 
his township, and three years as Commissioner of 
Highways. 

^@: < V 

(_^ IRAM C. PUIIDY, engaged in general mer- 
chandising at Weston, is contributing his 
full quota to the busine.ss interests of the 
town, and is a most valued and enterprising- 
citizen. He is a native"of the Empire State, born 
in Clinton Count}', Feb. 8, 18"2'1:, his parents being 
Stephen and Mary (Chase) I'lirdy, natives of New 
York, born near Plattsburg. In about 1829 the 
family, with the exception of the father, who died 
in Clinton County, N. Y., removed to Cattaraugus 
County, and about three years later to Brown 
County, Ohio. The mother, .after the death of her 
husband, was married to Amos Church, who re- 
moved with the f.amily to Ohio. They came to 
Illinois in 1844, where the mother and stepfather 
passed the remainder of their lives. The children 
of Stephen and IMary C. I'urdy were, Henry, who 
resides in Brooke County, Kan., and Hiram C, of 
our sketch. By her second marriage the mother 
of our subject had five children, of whom only one 
is now living, Saniautha, the wife of R. K. Gaskell, 
of Topeka, Kan. 

The subject of this skctcii was educated in the 
district schools, wiiich were carried on in a manner 
widely different from those of the present da}'. He 
accompanied the family to Illinois, in 1844, and 
soon afterward entered the employ of the Sweet & 
Fogg Plow Manufactory, where he learned the 
lilacksmith trade, an<l where he remained the fol- 
lowing five years. lie then went to Hennepin, and 
in comi)any with a partner, engaged for the follow- 
ing two years in the manufacture of plows. The 
firm then dissolved, and our subject, coming into 
Bureau County, took " up his old occupation of 



ifirm 



blaf'ksniithing, which he followed until 18.')9. Then, 
going into Woodford Count}' lie decided to change 
his occup.ation, and engaged in merchandising, 
which, however, he followed only one year at that 
time, having an opi)ortnnity to buy out a good 
blacksmith ing business, which he merged into a 
wagon manufactory, and carried on the same for 
four years following. 

From this place Mr. I'mdy removed to Fairbury, 
III., and eiid)arked in the grocery trade, which busi- 
ness he caried on until 1871. He then went to 
Michigan, and locating in St. Joseph engaged in 
lumbering until 1870, and in that year came to this 
county, and established his present business. He 
has been fairly successful in his operations, and by 
his honest and upright course has gained the confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Soon after 
coming here he was tendered the position of Dep- 
uty Postmaster, and was ajipointed Postmaster in 
1877. Politically he atliliates with the Republican 
party, and since 1 858 has been a member in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Churcii. He 
and his wife united with it the same year. 

The first marriage of our subject took place in 
June, 1847, the maiden of his choice being Miss 
Genevra Ann (DeCaster) Lantz, who was born in 
Kentucky, but whom he met in Tazewell County, 
tills State. l!y lier union with our snl)ject she be- 
came the mother of five children, all of whom died 
in infancy. She departed this life in 1855. The 
second wife of our subject, to whom he was mar- 
ried in June, 1857, was Miss Mary Frances Burson, 
a native of Virginia. Of this marriage there were 
born three children: Edgar S., a resident of Chi- 
cago; Viola Oenevra, the wife of C. R. Bailey, of 
Chenoa, and Wilbur, who died when five j'cars of 

^f/OEL VODER, who has been a resident of the 
Prairie State since 1861, is comfortably lo- 
cated on se<aion 4, Danvers Township, where 
/ he is carrying on general farming with suc- 
cess. He first opened his eyes to the light in Mif- 
flin County, Pa., in 1817, being the son of John 
and Susanna (Stutzman) Yoder, natives of the 
same State. John Yoder vvas born in 1784, and 



I 



4 



'i 




Residence or Daniel Rose^5ec. G.^Cheeney'sGroveTownship. 



-^■xv^^tW-jsi y V 



^^5^5^^^^TT^^^ra55^-T 




" .^ 'fi \~ 



.""^ .■»?«. ?Vl i**" 






C 







.■s^ 




j^mjj^--^ 



Residenceof David W. Stan ger , Sec. 14, Arrowsmith Township. 






•n^..?^ 











Residence OF Geo.W. Bland, Sec 35.,Cheeney'sGroyeTownship. 



f 



■^•- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



B17 



f 



I 



his wife, Susanna, in 1794. They were married in 
Mifflin County, Pa., in 181 1, and located upon a 
farm of forty acres, which was their home until 
1837. The wife and motlier departed this life in 
1837, then Mr. Yoder with his children removed 
to Fairfield County, Ohio, and he resided witli one 
of his daughters until about 1852, when he went to 
Indiana, and died in that State about ten j'ears 
later. The parental household included twelve 
children, as follows: Catherine became the wife of 
Adam Greenwalt; Samuel married Miss Elizabeth 
Yoder; Joel of our sketch was the third child; 
Elizabeth was married to Samuel Zook; Joseph 
married Miss Lj^dia Kurtz; Gideon married Miss 
Elizabeth Hartzler; Lydia became tlie wife of 
Peter Stutzman; John married Miss Staly ; Susan 
is now Mrs. David King, and Adam married Miss 
Susanna Brown; two infants, twins, died unnamed. 
The parents were members of the Ornish Menuon- 
ite Church. 

Joel Yoder was reared by his parents until he 
attained his majority, and received a fair education 
iu the common schools. He served an apprentice- 
ship at the weaver's trade, which he pursued until 
1850. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Lydia 
Yoder, of Fairfield County, Ohio, and they re- 
mained in that State until 1851. Our sul)ject then 
determined to change his location and occupation, 
and emigrating to Illinois, came into this county 
and located upon rerited land in Danvers Town- 
ship. In 1870 he purchased eighty acres of liis 
present homestead, where he is carrying on gen- 
eral farming with good results. He has been School 
Director for a number of years, and keeps himself 
well posted on matters of general interest. 

Mr. and Mrs. Yoder became the parents of seven 
children, three of whom are deceased : Priscilla died 
when four j'ears old, and two infants died unnamed ; 
Gideon married Miss Hattie Spots; Elizabeth, the 
wife of Joseph Zhear, is a resident of Tazewell 
County; Solomon married Miss Catherine Eicher, 
and Nancy is the wife of John Amburg. The wife 
of our subject is the daughter of Jacob and Polly 
(Kime) Yoder, natives of Juniata County, Pa. 
They were married in 1804, and subsequently re- 
moved to Wayne County, Ohio, where they both 
died, the mother in 1828, and the father in 1852. 



Their cliildren were — Nancy, Jonathan, Lydia, 
John, Elizabeth, Barbara, Priscilla, Samuel and Re- 
becca. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder were members of the 
Omish Mennonite Church, as also Sre our subject 
and his wife. 

Mr. Yoder formerly belonged to the old Wliig 
party, but upon the organization of the Republican 
clieerfnlly endorsed the principles of the latter, 
with which he has since affiliated. The familj" resi- 
dence is pleasantl}' located, and its inmates are sur- 
rounded by all the comforts of life. 



/AMES S. WILEY. The subject of the fol- 
lowing history, one of the prominent busi- 
ness men of Martin Township, is at present 
quite extensively engaged as a grain dealer, 
having his headquarters on the line of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, at C<jlfax. He is a gentleman in 
tlie prime of life, active, energetic, and with a clear 
head for liusiness, and has for man3' 3'ears been 
closely identified with the business interests of this 
section. He is a native of this county, and was 
born near the present site of Colfax on the 8tii of 
Novemljer, 1852. His parents, William and Nancy 
S. (Hopkins) Wiley, were natives respectively of 
Lexington, Ky., and Spencer, Ind. William Wiley 
was born in 1813, and the mother of our subject in 
1824. The latter was a daughter of Robert Hop- 
kins, one of the early pioneers of McLean County, 
who entered the land which is now occupied liy 
Joiui Ciregory in Money Creek Township. 

The grandfather of our subject, John R. Wiley, 
emigrated to Illinois and located in this county in 
1830, the winter of which 3'ear was made memor- 
able by the great snou- which oceasioneil much pri- 
vation and suffering among the early settlers. He 
located in Money Creek Township, not far from 
the present site of Lexington, and died about the 
year 1854. 

James S. VV'iley [)ursued his earl}' studies in the 
district schools and later attended Wesleyan Uni- 
versity, wliere he took a two years' course, and 
then engaged in teaching. Soon after the estab- 
lishment of the town of Colfax and the Kankakee 
& Southwestern Railroad, which was a branch of 



■•►-■-^ 



I 



f 



■^•- 



filS 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



the Illinois Central, Mr. Wiley removed to that 
place and entered the employ of E. D. Churchill & 
Son, i>iain hnyers, of Chenoa, where he received 
his first lessons in liie business in which he is now 
engaged. He soon iiftcrward purchased the inter- 
est of the C'luuchills in tlu' business, and forming a 
partnership witii .1. W. IJcchtel, ojicrated with him 
under tlie tirni name of Heciitcl A- Wiley, until the 
present time. In addition U< iiis grain dealings, 
Mr. Wile}' is operating as a hardware merchant, 
earr^'ing a fine stoclv of stoves, tinware, and every- 
thing pertaining to th;it lirancli of traile. This he 
established in IHSl. Mr. Bechtel is at present also 
a partner in this business. 

The marriage of our sul)ject witli Miss Hattie 
Dennis, of Chats worth, 111., took place at the home 
of tlio bride's parents in August, 1881. Mrs. Wiley 
is the dangiiter of William K. and Maggie F. Den- 
nis, and I\y her union with our subject has become 
the mother of tw<> children, a son and daughter — 
Charle^ E. and ]Maggie. Mr. Wiley, socially, is 
connected with the I. O. (). F.. Martin Lodge No. 
71.5. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of 
Colfax, is connected with the .Sciiool Board and is 
Treasurer of the Colfax Coal Mining Company. 



€-^g 



VILLI AM II. II. ROSS, a highly esteemed 
resident of Mt. IIo])0 Township, is a native 
of McLean County, Til., and was born on 
the .-SOth of May, 1840. His father, .lohu W. Ross, 
was a pioneer settler of this section and a native of 
Indiana, and his grandfather, .lacob Ross of Penn- 
sylvania, emigrated from his native State to In- 
diana, where he lived a few years, and thence re- 
moved to Madison County, 111., where he opened up 
a farm. He was one of the pioneer settlers of that 
county, and established a honieste.ad there, upon 
which he remained until the close of his life. 

.lohn W. Ross, the father of our subject, was a 
youth of seventeen years when his parents came 
to the State of Illinois. He remained with them 
two years and then, at the .age of nineteen years, 
started out to seek his fortune and make his own 
way. He first came into McLean County, and in 
hie time was united in marriage with Miss Nancy 



r 



Funk, the daughter of John Funk. He purchased 
land in Dale Township, upon which he located, and 
industriously cultivated the soil until he retired 
from the active Labors of life, folding his hands for 
his final rest in the j'ear 18.5.3. His wife survived 
him eleven ye.ars, and departed this life on the 
home farm in 18(;4. Of their union there had been 
born seven children, of whom the record is as fol- 
lows: jMargaret became the wife of Thom.as Bra- 
zill, and lives in Oregon; .Tames was the next in 
order of birth; Mary was united in marri.age with 
Thomas Nicol, and lives in AUin Township; 
W. H. IL, the subject of <:iur sketch, was the next 
son; Francis M. is a resident of Arrowsmith Town- 
ship; Ellen liecame the wife of S. (,). Bark, and 
lives in Dale Township; John W. makes his home 
in Mt. Hope Township. 

The subject of our sketch was the foiu-th child of 
his parents' family, and was but fourteen ^ears of 
age when deprived vf the care and protection of 
his father. He remained at home with his mother 
and .assisted in the duties around the farm for the 
following seven years, .and then, at the .age of 
twenty, rented a tract of lauil and began farming 
on his own account. He w.as engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits thereafter until 1882, when he pur- 
chased the farm which he no\\- owns and occupies, 
and which is pleasantly located on section 1. It 
comprises KSO acres, under good cultivation, and is 
supplied with a good set of farm buildings. Be- 
fore making this purch.ase he had rented land from 
Mr. Ceorge l<^unk, a cousin of his mother, who was 
an extensive proprietor and engaged largely in the 
breeding of fine stock. This gentleman took a 
kindl^y interest in 3'oung Ross, and acted as his 
friend and counselor for many years. Mr. Ross is 
still associated with Mr. F. in the raising and feed- 
ing of farm animals, and to the wise counsel and 
excellent judgment of this stanch friend and ad- 
viser, is largely due his success in life and his pres- 
ent position in the community'. 

William II. II. Ross was united in marriage with 
Miss T^imley Price, on the 1 .'Uh of February, 18G(). 
Mrs. Ross is a native of Virginia, and the daughter 
of William and Mary (Decker) Price. They re- 
moved from ^Mrginia to Illinois in 1847, settling in 
McLean County, and spent their last days in Mt. 



■^^rf-^ 



t^ 



■<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



619 



Hope Township, where they had estab'islied a home 
soon after coming to this^State. 

Of the union of i\Ir. and Mrs. Ross have been 
born four children, viz. : Belle is the wife of Will- 
iam Richardson, who lives in Ellsworth, this 
connty; Charles lives in Funk's Grove Townshi].); 
Katie, the wife of George Halane, lives in Allin 
Township, and Liila M,ay is at home with her par- 
ents. ]Mr. Ross is Republican in politics, and is 
held in the highest esteem by the coninuuiity in 
which he resides. 




If^M ERLE H. RAYBURN, a farmer on section 
Sf), Monej' Creek Township, is a son of 



I 



David C. and Nancy (Fulton) Ray burn, the 
former a native of Ross County, Ohio, and 
the latter of Madison County, that fState. They 
located after their marriage in Madison Count}', 
Ohio, and there lived until the fall of 18.51, he en- 
gaged up to that time in f.arming. He then came to 
Bloomington, III., with his wife and four children, 
and made that his home during the following win- 
ter and then moved to Money Creek Township and 
located on section 3u. Remaining there until the 
f.all of 1880, he removed to the vilKage of Towanda. 
His good wife died in Money Creek Township Nov. 
21, 1873, ,aud he was again married, Miss Rachel 
S. Bowman being the other contracting party. 
David C. Raybnrn became the father of nine chil- 
dren, namely, Merle H., Quesnel, Chalmers, Cranmer 
G., Pascal, Duff, Zuingle and Melancthon L., and 
one who died in infancy. Quesnel died in Novem- 
ber, 187G, of consumption; Chalmers is married to 
Miss Isabell Hulton of Normal, this C(»unt3', and 
they !ire living in Butler County, Kan; Cranmer G. 
married Miss Susie Stevenson of Towanda, and they 
are living in Plj-mouth, Iowa; Pascal married Miss 
Julia Geeding of Towanda, and they are living in 
Marion County, Kan; Duff and Miss Anna Sh.-iw 
were united in marriage, and he is a farmer of Money 
Creek Township; Zuingle became the husband of 
Miss Susie Price, and they are residents of Ply- 
mouth County, Iowa. 

The subject of this notice was born in Madison 
County, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1845. He was nearly 






seven years of age when his parents lirought him 
to this county. Here he supplemented his educa- 
tion received in the common schools by acourse of 
two years' study at Normal. He has always occu- 
pied his time in agricultural jjursuits and knows no 
other vocation, and has lieen a resident of Money 
Creek Township ever since he first located there 
with his parents. Mr. Rayburn w.as married in 
Saline County, Neb., Oct. 2G, 1872, to Miss Emma 
Overman, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Dill) 
Overm.an, the former a native of North Carolina, 
and she of Rising Sun, Ind. They were brought 
to this State when young and were married in 
Mercer County, whence tliey removed to Fulton 
County, this State, and there lived for seyenal 
years. He died while a resident of that county, 
his demise occurring in M.arch, 186(!. The widow 
and her cliildi-en continued to reside in Fulton 
C(junty until 1 .sG8, when they removed t.i Lee Coun- 
ty, and in 1S72 made another removal still further 
West and became residents of Saline County, Neb. 
In 1877 the mother came to McLean County, 
where one year later, at Norm.al, she died. By her 

union with Mr. Overman six children were burn 

Sarah .1., Frank E., Emma, Clara, Leigh and Isabell. 
Emma, Mrs. Rayburn, was born in Fulton County 
111., May 15, 1852, and has borne our subject four 
children— Merle I.. David q., Emma G. and Ray 
L. Mr. Rayburn has held the office of Township 
Clerk and in politics is a stanch Republican. He 
w.as a memljer of the 145th 111. Vol. Inf., and served 
five months during the late Civil War. He and his 
wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and 
he h.as been a Deacon in the same for twelve years, 
and an Elder since July, 188(!. 

<if/OHN W. STOA'ER, one of the largo land- 
owners of McLean County, and one of her 
most successful and ]>rogressive farmers, is 
I pleasantly located on his fine farm on section 
33, Money Creek Township, where he is meeting 
v.'ith far more than ordinary success in the prosecu- 
tion of his vocation. Mr. Stover was born in Pick- 
awiiy C;ounty, Ohio, M.ay 15, 1833. He was reared 
to farm labor, and received but a limited education 



■*►- 



* 



t 



-4^ 



620 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



t 

r 



in his early yoittli, wliich lie, however, supple- 
mented by .1 practical one in later years. He lived 
in his native county until about 18.52, when he em- 
igrated to Illinois and took up his residence in this 
county. For about five years he worked out by 
the month, the m.njor portion of the time in Money 
Creek Township. Mr. Stover has always followed 
agricultund pursuits, and is a self-made man in every 
respect tlic word ini|)lies. In IS,")? he- settled in 
Mone3' Creek Township, and has made that his 
home until the present time. lie is now the owner 
of (JOO acres of valuable and productive land, and 
the major portion of it is under an advanced state 
of cultivatit)n. 

,i)hn W. Stover and iMi.ss Klizabetli Ogden were 
united in marriage in iUoouiiugton, 111., Aug. 20, 
1857. She is the daughter of lienjaniin and Sarah 
(Stretch) Ogden, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania 
respectiveh'. Ten children were born to the [y.ir- 
ents, and Mrs. Stover was the seventh in order of 
birth. She first saw light in Money Creek Town- 
.ship, Jan. IG, l.s;}',), and lived with her [larents 
until hei- marriage. (K her union with Mr. Stover 
six children have been born, and named Benjamin, 
W., Sarah A., Cora, Klta M.. Ida 1!., wlio died when 
about two years of age, and one who died in in- 
fancy. Iienjamin married i\Iiss Fannie Heller, and 
they are living in Money Creek Townshipand have 
two children — May E., and an infant unnamed; 
Sarah is tiie wife of Ward B. .Jones, and they are 
■living in Towaiida Township; Cora and Etta are 
living at home. Mr. Stover has held the office of 
School Director of his township for many years. 
Socially he is ,i member of the 1. O. O. F., and in 
politics is a standi Ivcpulilican. 

-^ 4"*- -<- 



I 



^SCAIJ A. (;HKEX, a representative farmer 
of Cheney's (Jrove Towiisiii)i, located on 
section 28, besides the ordinary pursuits of 
agriculture is also engaged in breeding line horses 
and cattle, lie is llii^ possessor of 366 acres of finely 
culti\ated land, ;ind supplied with a handsome and 
substantial set of farm buildings. His herd of 
Short-horns includes thirty-live head of some of 
the finest animals to be found in this section, and 
4' 



his horses of the Norman stock include two fine 
3'oung roadsters which he holds at a high value. 
In this branch of agriculture he has already gained 
a fine reputation, and his farm in all respects indi- 
cates the su|)ervisioii of the intelligent and pro- 
gressive farmer and business man. 

Mr. (ireen was born in Erie County, Pa., April 
28, 1834, and is the son of Isaac A. and Sallie 
(Pettitt) Green, both natives of Saratoga County, 
N. v., of English extraction, and both living. 
Isaac Green during the early part of his life engaged 
in fanning pursuits, but subsequently became a 
banker and after a few years thus occupied, retired 
from active labor. Both ixirents are members in 
good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of which the father has been Trustee and Steward 
for a number of years. Politically he uniformly 
casts his vote with the Republican party. His 
wife, Mrs. Sallie P. Green, was born May 5, 1809. 
The first representatives of both families emigrated 
from England over 200 years ago, landing at Prov- 
idence, K. I., and thej^ were numbered with the 
twelve persons who constituted the Baptist Church 
at that place. I'hillii) Green, the paternal grand- 
father of our suliject, was born in Dutchess County, 
N. Y., in 1782, and married Miss Nancy Adding- 
ton in 1803. They were members of the first class 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church which was 
established at (Jalway, N. Y. From there the 
family removed to Illinois in 1837. One of the 
sons, II. A. Green, the uncle of our subject, took 
part in the Black Hawk War in 1831. 

Isaac Green, the father of our subject, removed 
from his native State to Peoria County, 111., 
in about 1838, where he lived until \St)i. He 
afterward became a resident of JNIarshall County, 
where he lived for a period of thirty years and 
whence he removed -to McLean County. Isaac 
and Sallie P. Green became the parents of nine 
sons — George, Oscar, W. Lloyd, Ileniy, Elisha 1'., 
Rowe, Christie, Lawton and Lorin. 

Oscar A. Green was the second son of the family 
and remained under the parental roof until his 
marriage, which occurred Dec. 2'J, 18;j9. The lady 
of his choice was Miss Eliza .lane Snyder, a native 
of this State niid born in iSIarshall County, Nov. 
11, 1836. lier father was Col. Henry Snyder, a 



r 



■♦- 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



621 



Virginian, who was born April 24, 1700. He re- 
moved from his native State when but a lad, and 
engaged in farming in Morgan County, Ohio, 
where his marriage occurred, Jan. 18, 1!S1(J. The 
mother c)f our subject was born Jan. 4, 1793, and 
died at the home of her daughter in Mar.shall, 111., 
Aug. 17, 1873. Col. Snyder had died in 18.t5. 
He obtained his title by serving in the State 
Militia, and w.as a Republican in politics. Both 
parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Their twelve children were — David D., 
Emanuel, John, Sarah, James II., Samuel P., Mary 
C, Amanda, Oliver P., Eliza J., Elmina M. and 
Edwin A. 

Mr. and Mrs. Green of our sketch have become 
the parents of four children. The eldest daughter, 
Minerva C, became the wife of Maitin Luther 
Eiggs, Nov. 21,1883; Edwin P., Alonzo O. and 
Henry W. are at home. AVhile living in Blarshall 
County, Mr. (ireen held the ollice of Highway 
Commissioner for Ave terms, and was Superintend- 
ent of the Sabbath-school for three years. He is 
at present connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Saybrook, of which he has been Trustee 
and Steward foi' several years. Politically he is a 
strong Republican. 



t 



JOSEPH RANKIN, one of the highly re- 
spected citizens of Randolph Township, owns 
and operates a farm of eighty .acres, one half 
^^J on section 4, in Randolph Township, and the 
other half within the limits of the vill.age of Hey- 
worth. He purchased this in 1875, and has since 
made it his home and is carr3ing on mixed hus- 
bandry. Mr. Rankin was born in Indiana County, 
Pa., Nov. IG, 1834. His father, William Rankin, 
a farmer by occupation, was a native of the North 
of Ireland, of Scottish descent and Protestant par- 
entage. His grandfather, also by name William, 
was a native of the same locality, reared in the 
Protestant religion, and married an Irish lady of his 
own country, where she died in a few years. He 
was then married t(j a lady of the Presbyterian 



faith, and they became the parents of six children, 
of whom William Rankin, Jr., the father of our 
subject, w!is the youngest but two. When he was 
about two years of age his parents, with their fam- 
ily, came to the United States in 178.5, and locating 
in Indiana County, Pa., remained there engaged iu 
farming i)ursuits until the close of their lives. 

William Rankin, Jr., was reared in Indiana 
County, Pft., and there married to Miss Eleanor G. 
Turner, whose family history maj' l)e found in the 
sketch of John E. Wakefield in another part of this 
work. Mrs. Rankin was born in Wa.shington 
County, Pa., whence her parents removed to Indi- 
ana County, that State, where they died, as did 
also she and her husband in the same house in 
the township of Wheatfleld. The father at the 
time of his death in l.s4y was sixty-four ye.ars of 
age, and the mother, who died in liSIJS, was sevent3^ 
Biitli were members of the Presbyterian Church, in 
which William Rankin was Elder for many years. 

J(>sei)h Rankin was the eldest of a family of four 
children born to his parents, of whom only two are 
living, himself and one sister. The latter, Marga- 
ret, is the wife <jf John Irvin, and they reside on 
a faiin in Derr^- Township, Westmoreland Co., Pa. 
Those deceased vrere, Isabella and Mary E., neither 
of whom were married. Joseph Rankin was reared 
and educated in his native county, and was there 
married, June G, 1865, to Miss Sarah L. Lintner, 
of Indiana County, who w.as born March 24, 1838. 
Her parents were William and IMaria A. (Hender- 
son) Lintner, who were American boin l)ut of 
English and Scotch descent and Presbyterians in 
religion. Mrs. Sarah Rankin departed this life at 
the home of her husband in Randolph Township, 
March 23, 1876, leaving a family of four children, 
one having died in infancy, before the death of the 
mother. The others — Maggie B., William L.,Enima 
L. and Mary — .are at home. 

After marri.age Mr. and Mrs. Rankin located 
ujion a farm in their native county in Pennsyl- 
vania, whence, after three years they removed to 
Johnstown, Cambria Co., Pa., where Mr. R. engaged 
in mercantile pursuits for five years. He retired 
from this business after two years, and in the 
spring of 1875 came to this county and located 
upon his present homestead. He is a straightfor- 



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•i 



t. 



622 



I 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




ward business man and enjoj's in a marked degree 
the respect of liis neighbors and associates. The 
eldest daughter is connected with the Presbyterian 
Church, and our subject iiulilically is a solid Re- 
publican. 

Vy/OHN S. harper, cdltur anil proprietor of 
the Le Roy Ecu/le, has been a resident of the 
Prairie State since 1840, and an interested 
witness of its <ii'ouiii and development. lie 
was born in Lexington, Ky., Oct. 27, 1832, and is 
the son of Cyrus A. Harper, who was a native of 
\anceburg, Lewis Co., Ky. His grandfather, John 
.Sterling Harper, of Virginia, removed to Kentucky 
while a young man, and became the intimate friend 
of Daniel Boone. He was a cooper by trade, and 
carried on a large business in that line. 

Cyrus A. Harper, the father of onr subject, be- 
came a merchant of Lexington wlien a young man, 
and carried on business there until 18.'5G. He then 
came North to Galena, 111., where he opened a large 
store and also established a smelting furnace. He was 
joined by his family in 1840. While there in busi- 
ness he also started a store in Dubuque and another 
in Potosi. In 1838 he shipped the first boat load 
of flour ever sent up the Mississippi River, and 
sold it at Oalena at $20 per barrel. He removed 
from this latter place to Elizabeth, 111., where he 
carried on mercantile business and mining for eight 
or ten years, whence he went to Carroll Co., and 
was engaged in the same enterprise, mining near 
Mt. Carroll. He lived there for eight or nine years, 
but unwisely' went security for different parties, 
and was thereby financially ruined. He remem- 
bered that a few 3'ears previous he had purchased 
land in Madison, Wis., which had been sold for 
taxes. This, in the meantime, had become valua- 
ble, and he took steps to recover it, receiving there- 
for II.'), 000. He then went to Lyons, Iowa, and 
established a general store, which he operated two 
years, and was afterward a resident of Keokuk and 
Davenport, whence he returned to Lyons. Upon 
the breaking out of the Rebellion, he enlisted in an 
Illinois regiment and served three years, and upon 
his return from the army, settled in Amboj', 111., 



where he died in 18(17, from disease contracted in 
the army. He left a wife and four children; the 
former now lives in Monroe, Iowa. The mother 
of our subject, before her marriage, was .Miss Har- 
riet Sterling, of Virginia, who, by her union with 
Cyrus A. Harper, became the mother of four chil- 
dren, of whom John S. is the eldest; Margaret, 
Mrs. DcLare, lives at Moberly, Mo.; Charles is 
proi:^rietor of the Madison House, Chicago; Mar}', 
Mrs. Prowii, lives at Glenwood Springs, Col. 

John S. Harper was a lad of eight years when he 
removed with his mother to Galena. Tiiree years 
later he returned to Kentuck}', and entered the 
oflice of the Louisville Journal, as an apprentice to 
the '■ art preservative," under the instructi<m of 
the now well-known George D. Prentiss. He lived 
in the family of the latter for three years, working 
at his trade, and then returning to Illinois, he en- 
tered Mt. Morris Seminary, where he pursued a 
thorough course of study for another three years. 
Then, going to Freeport, he set type in the Journal 
oHice foi- two years, and since that time has been 
connected with various newspapers in the West, 
and earned the distinction of being the founder 
of more newspapers than any other man in the 
world, having started 152 in the States of Iowa, 
Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. 
These include the Freeport Journal, the El Paso 
Journal, Virginia Enquirer, Columbus Statesman, 
and Farmer City llepublican, all of which were 
small offices compared with others now running. 
Mr. Harper came toLe Roy in the summer of 188G, 
and in his management of the Eagle has displayed 
excellent judgment, and met with success. He is 
a strong and forcible writer, with a good command 
of language, and both in his supervision of the me- 
chanical and literary departments of the paper, has 
indicated rai'e judgment and good taste, and ac- 
cordingly the paper has become a power for good 
in the community, and prospered. 

Mr. Hari)er was married in November, 1800, to 
Miss Hannah V. Capper. Mrs. Harper is a native 
of Ohio, and l)y her luiion with our subject be- 
came the mother of two children, of whom only 
one, John M. C, grew to manhood. He was born 
in iSIarion, Iowa, Nov. 17, 1861, and died at Spring- 
field, 111., Oct. 29, 1883. He was a young man of 



i 



I 




McLean county. 



623 *^ 



great promise, a graduate of Virginia Seminary in 
Cass County, 111., and at the time of his death was 
local editor of the Springfield Daily Republican. 
He was a worthy member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and prominentl}^ connected with the 
Young Men's Christian Association. 

Upon the outbreak of the late war, IMr. Harper 
enlisted as a Union soldier in Jul}', 18G2, becom- 
ing a member of Co. G, 72d 111. ^^>l. Inf., and 
serving until the close of the war. He was m\is- 
tered in as Sergeant, and had been in the service 
but a few months when he was prostrated by sun- 
stroke and confined in the hospital for some time. 
He recovered suffleientlj' to be present at the bat- 
tles of Clarkesville, Corinth, Shiluh, Stone River, 
Mission Ridge and minor engagements. During 
the last year of service^ on account of impaired 
health, he was given the position of Clerk in the 
Provost Marshal's office. He is now a member of 
Lemon Post No. 211, G. A. R., at Farmer City. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Harper are connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



-^v- 



••o*o.-®v><^..o*o.. 



4 



' OHN PURDUM, a retired farmer and highly 
respected citizen of Weston, has been a resi- 
dent of McLean County since 1857. Dur- 
ing his thirty j'ears' residence here he has 
watched the growth and development of this section 
with the deepest interest and has contributed his 
share towards bringing the township to its present 
condition. He is a native of Ohio, born in Allen 
County, May 14, 1819, being the son of John 
Purdum, who was a native of Kentucky. The 
mother of our subject, formerly Miss Sarah Nevin, 
was born in Maryland and departed this life when 
her son, our subject, was but a babe. Besides 
himself his little sister, Elizabeth, was also left 
motherless. Elizabeth became the wife of Joseph 
Hamilton and is now deceased. After the death of 
his wife, John Purdum, Sr., was a second time mar- 
ried, and continued to live in Ohio, where he passed 
the remainder of his life, his death occurring when 
he was fifty-six years of age. 

Our subject was reared to farming pursuits and 
remained in his native State until ISoG. He then 



sought the prairies of Illinois and passed his first 
winter in Putnam County, whence he removed the 
following spring to this county and purchased 
eighty acres of unimproved land in Yates Tovvn- 
siiip. Here' he followed farming with fair success 
until 1881, when on account of failing health he 
abandoned active labor and moved into the village 
of Weston, which has since been his home. Besides 
the farm, which is now operated by a tenant, Mr. 
Culey, he owns the handsome village property 
which he now occupies. 

The subject of our sketch was married in 1839, 
to Miss Nancy Hamilton, who was born in Brown 
County, Ohio, Jan. 24, 1816, and who was the 
daughter of Robert and Nancy Hamilton. Of this 
union there were born eight children, two of whom 
died in infancy and one daughter, Samantha Jane, 
when twenty-three years of age. Those living are, 
John Turner, a resident of Tulare County, Cal. ; 
Semiramis, the wife of Guy Farr, resides in Yates 
Township ; Jonah Wayland is engaged in the lumber 
business in Vernon County, IMo. ; Robert Edgar is 
a resident of Yates Township; Mary E. became the 
wife of Cal. Wilson and they are residents of Liv- 
ingston County, 111. 

Mr. Purdum politically is a standi Republican 
and has been an active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for the past sixteen j'ears. 



1? ARRISON MILLER, a resident of the Piai- 
l(f)j) rie State for the last twenty years, and who 
Ui)^ in early life was engaged in farming pursuits, 
(^J) is now retired from active labor, and pass- 
ing his later days quietly at his home in Blooming- 
ton, which is located at No. 205 Union street. Mr. 
Miller was born in Clarke County, Ohio, ovi the 8th 
of August, 1825, and is the son of John and Jo- 
hannah (Smith) Miller, natives respectivelj' of Vir- 
ginia and Ohio. John Miller removed from the 
Old Dominion to Ohio when a young man, and 
opening up a farm in the wilderness engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred 
in 18G3. The mother is still living in Clarke 
County, Ohio, aged eighty-one years. The par- 



I 



t 



(•,24 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



ental household included twelve children, seven 
now living, the subject of our sketch being the eld- 
est. 

]\Ii-. Miller remained under the parental roof un- 
til he W.1S twenty-five years of age, and engaged in 
farming pursuits. He received a practical educa- 
tion, and assisted his parents dutifully while he re- 
mained with them. He then purehsised a farm of 
100 acres adjoining the old homestead. This was 
only partly improved, and he erected a frame house 
and proceeded witli the cultivation of his land. He 
remniued u|)(in this farm until 1867, then coming to 
Illinois settled in Hittle Township, Tazewell County, 
where he had |)urchased IGO acres of improved land. 
He occu|)ied this, with his family, until ISSl, and 
tiien removed to Bloomington f<ir the purpose of 
securing better advantages for his children. He 
owns the homestead which he now occu|)ies, and is 
passing his d.ays surrounded by the friends wlu) 
have known him for so many years, and by whom 
he is held in tiie greatest esteem. 

The marriage of Harrison Miller and Miss Sarah 
Wise took place in Ohio in IS.'iO. Mrs. Miller is 
the daughter of tJeorge and Mary (Zeigler) Wise, 
natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio and 
settle(l in Clarke County in l!S40. They occupied 
the farm whereon they then located the remainder 
of their liven. Of his thirteen children, ten by a 
first marri;ige, four are now living — Mar}', David, 
Sarali and .lacob. Sarah was a daughter of the sec- 
ond marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the ])arents of six 
children, of wh<ini tiie record is as follows: John 
married Miss Cyntliia llierouimous, and they have 
three children — Addie, Carrie and Hoy; Warren 
married Miss Carrie Raney, and they have one 
t^hild — Mabel; Annie, now iNIrs. .lones, has four 
children — Harry, Alma, Myrtel and Orion ; A\' ill- 
iam married Miss Ada Darnell; .lossie died while 
a stn<ieiit of the Wesleyan I'uiversity ; (ieorge is 
unmarried and living with his i)MreMts. 

Mr. .Miller is Republican in [lolitics, and keeps 
iiimself well posted upon matters of general inter- 
set. He was .Supervisor in Ohio, and a School Di- 
rector in Tazewell County. Mr. and Mrs. M. are 
both mendiers in good standing of the .Methodist 
Kpiscoiial (.'linrcli, and nro held in llic liighest re- 



spect by the communit}'. During the late war Mr. 
Miller was in the four months' service, participated 
in several engagements, and was on guard duty in 
Company (i, of the 171st Regiment. He was also 
one of the Gevernment Home Guards, called out 
in 1864. 



»-;»ti^ 



4!^ 



<^5<S^- 



^^EOIWiE T. RUTLEDCE, one of the whole- 
III g— , souled and geiiial men of Randolph Town- 
^^Jl ship, whose faculties are well balanced and 
who has a capacity for the intelligent enjoyment of 
the good things of this life, owns and occupies a 
line homestead on section 3(i, wliicii liy lus own in- 
dustry he has brought to a fine state of cultivation. 
He has also erected a handsome and sub.stantial 
farm dwelling, a good barn and all necessary' out- 
buildings, .-nid possesses all the implenieuts and ma- 
chinery for carrying on agriculture in a first-class 
nuinner. He lias l)een straightforward and upright 
in his business methods and occupies an enviable 
position among the reliable men of his community. 

Mr. Rutledge is a native of Randol|)h Township 
and was born on tlie old homestead of his father 
.Vug. 26, l.s;!4, lieing tiie eldest son of R. H. Rut- 
ledge, a native of South Carolina. He was the eld- 
est son and third child of a family of twelve, six 
sons and six daughters, three of each now being 
deceased, (ieorge T. w.as reared to farming [)ur- 
suits, pursuing liis primary studies in the common 
schools, aftei- which lu; entered Wesleyan Univer- 
sity at IJhiomington, where he took a thorougii 
course of study, and from which he became fully 
e{piipped for the further duties of life. 

I\Ir. Rutledge was married, in St. Louis, Mo., on 
the loMi of .liily, I ,S60. to Miss .\nn M. Wagoner, 
the daughter of Ilenrj' and Elizabeth (Ross) W.ag- 
oner. Her father was an extensive and well-to-do 
farmcu' of Downs Township, this county. Mrs. 
ixutledge was born in Center County, I'a., Nov. 6, 
ls;4"2. She was only two years old when her jwr- 
ents removed from the Keystone State to Tippeca- 
noe County, Ind., where the}' lived ui)on a farm 
for twelve years. Thence, in 18o6 they removed 
t<) Illinois, .-ind located on a farm in Downs Town- 
ship, tills county, which the father had purchased 



¥-~0^4» 



i 




I 



^l/|MWW«*»'' 




u 



Nl 



McLEAK COUNTY. 



627 



a year previously. He was then in moderate eir- 
eiimstauees but became very suceossfiil after com- 
ing tu McLean County, and is now one of the in- 
dependent farmers of Downs Township. Mrs. R. 
remained under the home roof until her marriage 
with our suljjeet. .She has become the mother of 
ten children, one deceased and one married. The 
latter, Aldora, is the wife of D. 11. Morgan, and 
resides at Bloomiugton ; Joseph C, Laura K.,Marj' 
F., Robt. H., Jessie M., Frank M., Addie E. and Her- 
mon IL are at home with their parents. Our subject 
and his wife, with one son and three daughters, are 
members in good standing of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, of which Mr. R. is .Steward. .So- 
cially he belongs to the I. O. (). F., and politically 
is an unconii)romising Democrat. 

eALEB FREEMAN, one of the honored pio- 
neers of ;\IcLeau County, is a gentleman 
possessed of fine personal traits of character, 
more than ordinary ability, a deep thinker and ex- 
tensive reader, and essentially a self-made man. 
He is well informed upon matters of general inter- 
est, liberal in his religious views, and in all respects 
one of the most intelligent citizens of this locality. 
He is occupied in farming inirsuits, and is pleas- 
antly located in Dale Township, on section 8. His 
home farm now comprises 340 acres. During his 
long residence in the Prairie .State, he has estab- 
lished for himself an enviable reputation as an hon- 
est man and good citizen, and one who has con- 
tributed his full quota toward the advancement 
and development of one of the wealthiest States in 
the Union. 

The subject cif this history was born in Butler 
County, Ohio, on the 11th of December, 1814. 
His father, John Freeman, a native of New Jer- 
sey, was one of the earlj' pioneers of the Buckeye 
•State. His son Caleb was but a small child when 
both the parents died, and the orphan boy was 
taken into the home of his unch^ then living in 
Butler County. The latter subsequentl3' removed 
to Mercer County, and left Caleb Freeman and his 
only sister in charge of a neighboring farmer, John 
Carter, who lived a few miles from Wapakoneta. 



Tiie county was thinly settled at the time, and 
wild game of all kinds was plenty, and our subject 
well remembers his wanderings over the hills and 
through the forest, and the lonely feeling which 
often took possession of him as he thought of him- 
self and his sister severed from home ties and kin- 
dred \>y a Providence which they were too young 
to understand. The sister grew to womanhood 
and removed to Indiana, where she died. After 
living with Mr. Carter two years, the Overseer of 
the Poor removed Caleb Freeman and bound him 
t(j John Ilolderman in Montgomerj' Count}', with 
whom he lived until old enough to learn a trade. 
He w.as thus enii)lo}'ed until sixteen years of age, 
and then served three years for his board and 
clothes while learning the trade of a tanner with 
.Snyder & McPherson. He then removed to Miami 
County, and was employed hy James Hannah for 
the following two years. He followed his trade in 
different ])laces in Ohio, and during the last four 
years of his residence in that .State was at Franklin, 
Warren County. 

In the meantime Mr. Freeman had been married, 
and in February, 1840, accompanied by his wife 
and her father's family, started for the prairies of 
Illinois. Their outfit consisted of three horses and 
a wagon, and they carried with them their house- 
hold goods and provisions, camping and cooking 
by the wayside, and sleeping in the wagon at night. 
They ai-rived in Dale Township on the 2Hth of the 
same month, and Mr. Freeman has been a resident 
of this township since that date, embracing a period 
of over forty-seven years. 

Mr. Freeman, at the time of his arrival here, had 
not a dollar in cash at his command. He and his 
wife moved into a small log house on her father's 
farm, and shortly afterward Mr. Freeman bor- 
rowed $100 and commenced business by purchas- 
ing hides and establishing a tannery. As soon as 
he had leather enough prepared for further opera- 
tions, he hired a shoemaker and had the leather 
converted into boots and shoes. His tannery was 
located on the west side of Twin Grove and the 
middle branch of .Sugar Creek. He operated in this 
manner until June ,5, 1845, then took the balance 
of his stock and [)aeked it ready for transportation 
to St. Louis. He loaded it onto a waoon and took 



i 



•►Hi-4* 



i 



t 



■<^ 



^A 



628 



McLean county. 



it by toam to Pekin, thence by steamer to St. 
Louis, wliere he sold it. He had been prosperous 
in his leather operations, and when he sold out he 
had money enough to jiay his indebtedness and 
start in farming. He had previously entered eighty 
acres of land on section S t>f what is now Dale 
Township, and he now prt)ceeded to the erection 
of a farm liouse. He put up a one story and a half 
building, twenty feet square, on the open prairie. 
As there was great danger from prairie tires he al- 
ways kept a strip burned around his buildings to 
prevent their being destroj^ed. and even with this 
precaution was obliged to keep a close watch lest 
some stray spark might set fire to his little property. 
The nearest markets in those days were at Pekin 
and Peoria, and it took two and one-half days to 
make the round trip. Wheat only brought from 
forty to ninetj'-four cents per bushel, and oats ten 
cents. The pioneers were obliged to avail them- 
selves of every shift and turn in order to make 
both ends meet, provide themselves with the neces- 
saries of life, and proceed with the improvements 
on their new homesteads. But they all "pulled 
together," each one helped his neighbor whenever 
he could do so, and in due time success began to 
smile upon their persevering and united labor. 

The marriage of Caleb Freeman and Miss Mar- 
tha Barnard took place at her father's farm, nine 
miles north of Dayton, Ohio, on the 28th of No- 
vember, 183y. Mrs. Freeman was a native of 
Montgomery County, Ohio, and was born Feb. 14, 
1811). Her parents were Samuel and Rebecca 
(Conipton) Barnard. She became the mother of 
eight children, and after remaining the faithful and 
affectionate companion of her husband for a period 
of forty-five years, departed this life on the II th 
of Ma}-, 1884. The children born of this mar- 
riasre are recorded as follows: Rebecca became the 
wife of Josiah Myers, and lives at Towanda, 111.; 
Samuel is a resident of Bloomington; Eunice mar- 
ried Lucius Rogers, and lives near Ellsworth, this 
county; Victoria, iNIrs. George L. Conkling, lives 
in Atlantic, Iowa; Clinton D. occupies a part of 
the old homestead; L. Edward is now farming in 
York County, Neb.; Elizabeth died at the age of 

Lten years and ten months; Abraham L. is a citizen 
of Kansas. 
<• 



For his second wife Mr. Freeman married Miss 
Mandana Grace Thurmau, the wedding taking place 
at Charleston, Coles Co., 111., on the 1 4th of .Tau- 
uary, 1885. The present Mrs. Freeman was born 
in Knox County, 111., and is the daughter of Isaac 
and Rebecca (McGrew) Thurman. By this union 
they have one daughter, Jessie Belle; they have 
also an adopted daughter, Jennie May Freeman. 

Jlr. Freeman has been prominent in the affairs 
of this couut_y since becoming a resident here. At 
the time of the organization of the township, he 
proposed for it the name of Dale, which was 
adopted without oi3i)osition. He has done what he 
could toward its moral and educational advance- 
ment, and is held in the highest esteem by his fel- 
low-citizens. During the earlier years of his life 
he was a member of the Whig party, but after this 
part\' was abandoned, and the Republicans organ- 
ized, he has cheerfully indorsed the princi|)les of 
the latter, and with them uniformly casts his vote. 

The i^ortraits of ilr. and Jlrs. Freeman are 
shown in connection with this sketch. 

^^ EORG i; THOMPSON, contractor and builder 
III (^— , at Bloomington, has his business oflice at 
^^41 No. 001 East North street, and in his par- 
ticular department is considered one of the skilled 
artisans of tliis section. Mr. T. was born in Can- 
nonsburg, Pa., Nov. 1, 1854, and is the son of 
Thomas and Dorotli}' (Maudlin) Thompson, natives 
of England, where they were reared and married, the 
latter event occurring al)out 1.S40, and came to 
America some nine years later. They settled at 
once in Cannonsburg, where Thomas Thompson 
engaged in mining, at which he is employed at the 
present time. Of the parental family there are 
four children living: Robert M. is operating a brick- 
yard at Houstonville, Pa. ; Joseph L., of Kansas 
City, is engaged as a contractor and builder; Mary, 
Mrs. Camp, lives in Cannonsburg, and George is 
our subject. 

Mr. 'I'iiompson remained under the parental roof 
until he was eighteen years of age and received a 
practical education. After leaving home he le.arned 
the trade of carpenter and joiner and worked one 



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k 



k 



>► ir^ 



McLean county. 



629 



i 



year in his native State. In the fall of 1878 
he came to Illinois and settled at Bloomington, 
wheie he worked at his trade five years, in the 
meantime associating himself with a partner, and 
under the firm name of Zeigler & Thomi^son, they 
engaged as contractors and builders, operating to- 
gether for four years, since which time Mr. T. has 
carried on Inisiness alone. In this he is very suc- 
cessful, and gives employment to three men besides 
himself. 

Our subject purchased his present attractive 
residence in 1885, having been maz-ried on the 1st 
of January, that year, to Miss Mettle J. Dnstin, the 
daughter of Clement and Maryette (Lasher) Dustin. 
Mrs. T. was born in Leavenworth, Kan., in 1868. 
Her parents were natives of Vermont and Ohio re- 
spectively, and were married at Janesville, Wis., but 
are now living at Leavenw^orth, Kan. Their family 
consisted of six children, four of whom are living: 
Edward C. of Leavenworth, Kan., engaged in com- 
mission business; Elmer E., an express agent at the 
same place; Mettie J., Mrs. Thompson, and Emily 
C, of Leavenworth. Jlr. Dustin moved from Wis- 
consin to Kansas in 1856, and is now retired from 
active business. 



--v- 



#-^ 



^/OHN N. KILOORE, a successful agricult- 
urist of Lawndale Township, owns a good 
homestead on section 22, and is numbered 
among the enterprising .young farmers of 
McLean County. He is a native of Franklin 
County, Ohio, born Nov. 12, 1859, being the 
youngest of a family of four children. (See his- 
tory of parents in sketch of Thomas Kilgore.) He 
attended the common schools and for two years 
pursued a thorough course of study in the Normal 
School at Lebanon, Ohio. He remained under the 
home roof until twenty-four years of age, then 
started for the prairies of Illinois. He arrived in 
this county iu the fall of 1883, and in the spring 
following located on his present homestead. This 
now comprises 240 acres of finely improved land, 
with a good house, barn, and all necessary out- 
buildings. 

Mr. Kilgore was married in Plain City, Madison 



Co., Ohio, Dec. .31, 1884, to Miss May L., daughter 
of Edmund and Lavinna Smith, natives respectively 
of Vermont and New York. Mrs. K. was born in 
Union County, Ohio, May It), 1864, and by her 
union with our subject has become the mother of 
one child, a son, Clyde S., born Dec. 13, 1885. 
Mr. Kilgrove is a stanch adherent of the Repub- 
lican party and socially belongs to the K. of P. 



-P- 



-i> 



1^ IVILLIAM ROCKEL. The subject of this 
\/2j// biography owns a comfortable farm home- 
W^ stead on section 18, Blue Mound Town- 
ship, and has been a resident of McLean County 
since 1865. Here he has 115 acres of valuable 
land, all improved and under a good state of 
cultivation and supplied with convenient and t.aste- 
ful farm buildings. Mr. Rockel is a native of 
Ohio, born in Clarke County, Sept. 15, 1844, and 
remained a resident of his native county until 
1865. His parents were Adam and M.ary (Baker) 
Rockel, the former a native of Pennsylvania and 
the latter of Virginia. After their mai-i-iage they 
located in Clarke County, Ohio, where the father 
engaged in farming pursuits and where both parents 
spent the remainder of their lives. Adam Rockel 
departed this life May 18, 1884, and the mother 
April 14, 1886. Their five children were Peter, 
Hairiett, Henry, Mar}' and William. 

Upon first coming to this county, being then 
a j'oung man twenty 3-ears of age, William 
Rockel w'orked as a farmer and carpenter for three 
years. In 1868 he became a resident of Blue 
Mound Township, where he has lived, with the 
exception of one year, since that time. He was 
married in Lexington, 111., Feb. 4, 1 868, to Miss Hes- 
ter A. Heller, daughter of Elias and I^liza (Branstet- 
ter) Heller, who were Ijoth natives of I'ennsylvania. 
They removed, soon after their marriage, to Clarke 
Count}\ Ohio, and from there to this county iu 
about 1856, settling in Towanda Township. They 
are still living, making their home in the village of 
Towanda. Their household circle included eight 
children, viz: Rebecca .L, Mary E., Christian M., 
Benjamin F., Eliza J., Hester A., Squire W. and 
William C. Mrs. Rockel was born in Clarke County, ' 



•►-■-4»- 



I 



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t 



t 



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630 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




Ohio, April 11, 18 17, and remained with hor par- 
ents until her marriage. 01 her union with our 
subject there have been born three children — Alice 
L., Clement W. and Mary A. Mr. Rockel, politi- 
cally, is an adherent of the Democratic party. 
He has served as Sclinol Director in his township 
and is fully entitleil t(.i b(! classed as an honest man 
and a good citizen. 

ALVIN RAYBURX, of the firm of Rayburn 
Barry, attorneys at law, and occupying a 
worthy position among his professional 
brethren of Bloomington, is a native of the Buck- 
eye State, having been born in London, Madison 
Co., Ohio, Dec. 20, 1 847. His father, William K. 
Rayburn, was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and 
his grandfather was .Judge James Ra^'burn, who 
was born in Virginia. The father of the latter was 
the son of one of three brothers who emigrated to 
America from Scotland prior to the Revolutionary 
AV'ar, in which two of the brothers took part. 
AVilliam K. Rayburn, the father of our subject, was 
a farmer and stoclc-raiser and became a resident of 
this State and county in 1851. He located in 
Bloomington Township, where he lived two years, 
then moved into Blue Mound Township, remaining 
until the fall of 187S. He then purchased a farm in 
Empire Township, where the family removed and 
where he lived four or five years; thence he moved to 
his father's farm, where he remained until the latter's 
death. In the spring of 1883 William K. Raj'buru re- 
moved to El Dorado, Kan., where he now lives. The 
mother of our subject, formerly Miss Amanda JI. 
V. Dungan, of Ohio, was the daughter of Wilson 
Dungan, a primiinent merchant of London, in that 
State. By her marriage witii AVilliam K. Rayburn 
she became the mother of eleven children, five of 
whom died ,in infancy. The six surviving are four 
sons and two daughters, of whom Calvin, our sub- 
ject, is the eldest. 

The education of Calvin Rayburn was lust con- 
ducted by a private teacher and he afterward at- 
tended the citj' schools of Bloomington. He re- 
mained under the home roiif until twenty-one years 
of .age, then entered Illinois Wesleyan College from 



r 



which he gradu.ated in 1876. He then tsiught 
school two years as Principal of the High School at 
Shelby ville. 111., and in 1878, he was Superintendent 
of Hillsboro City Schools. FLaviug decided upon 
the study of law, he entered the office of Rowell 
& Hamilton, in Bloomington, under whose instruc- 
tion he studied one ye.ar, and took a course in the 
Law Dep.artment of Wesleyan University. From 
there he graduated in 1879, and was at once ad- 
mitted to the bar. He opened an office iu July, 
1879, and entered into partnership with H. H. 
Green, who withdrew two jears later, since which 
time Mr. Rayburn has conducted his practice alone. 

Mr. R.ayliurn is an enterprising and useful citi- 
zen who has fully identified himself with the in- 
terests of the community. He is one of the 
Directors, and Secretary and Treasurer of the 
Electric Light Company, and local attorney for the 
Thompson-Huston Electric Company of Boston, 
Jfass. » 

The m.arriage of our subject occurred on the 12th 
of July, 1877, when he w.as united with Miss Jennie 
Buttolph, of Bloomington, and tliej- have one child, 
a son — William B. 



•>-^»^''-»»»^ 



<^*tf-^<^fe^ 



JOHN S. ROUSH, deceased, was the head of 
the firm of J. S. Roush & Sons, one of the 
im|)ortant factors of the business and indust- 
,^j_,, rial elements of Bloomington, and was pros- 
perously engaged in trade as a wholesale grocer, 
giving much attention to the better grade of 
coffees and the I'oasting thereof. 

John S. Roush was born in Highland County, 
Ohio, in September, 1832. His mercantile ex- 
perience commenced when he w,as seventeen years 
of age, with a capital of $600 and good credit, in 
Taylorville, Ohio, where he conducted a small store 
consisting of a stock of gener.al groceries and house- 
hold articles. He operated there until 1858, and 
then removed to Hillsboro, the county seat of 
Highland County, where he first engaged as dry- 
goods clerk and then associated himself in partner- 
siiip with Henry Strain, in the grocery business for 
five years following, when he purchased the interest 



•►*-^ 



* 






■<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



G31 



of his partner and operated alone until 18G'J, diirino- 
which year he removed to Bloomington. 

Here he entered into partnership with John 
McMillan, in the wholesale grocery business, under 
the style of McBIillan & Roush, with whom he 
operated for eighteen months and then purchased 
the interest of his partner, continuing alone for nine 
months. He then took in John F. Humphreys and 
they continued together until 1879, under the 
style of Roush & Humphreys, when our subject 
disposed of his interest to George R. Newton, and 
then went into business with his two sons, Charles 
F. and Edwin C, on Front street, where they 
operated until 1880, and then moved into their own 
building at the corner of Grove and Front streets. 
This is 46x90 feet in dimensions, with three stories 
and basement, all departments being occupied in the 
extensive business of the firm, which is now finely 
established and operates extensively throughout 
this and other counties. John S. Roush came to 
his death by accident in September, 1884, by his 
horse running away. He was an enterprising and 
useful citizen and universally respected. The 
mother is still living, the two sous now in business 
being the only children of the famil3', and who are 
still successfully doing the large and lucrative busi- 
ness of their father. 



(^*MOS YODER: Among the agricultural 
( @yLI element of McLean County who have met 
I i with success in their calling and who are 
entitled to enjoy the accumulations of a 
handsome competency, acqnire<l mainly through 
their own exertions and good judgment, Mr. Yoder 
is entitled to a place. He is busily engaged in the 
prosecution of his calling on his fine and product- 
ive farm on section 8, Money Creek Township. 
Amos Yoder is the son of .Jonathan and Magdalen 
(Wagner) Yoder, the former a native of Berks 
County, Pa., and the latter of Pottsville, that .State. 
They were married in their native State, and soon 
thereafter settled in Mitflin County, whence they 
removed to Center County, that State, whence, after 
a nine years' residence, they removed to Juniata 
County, Pa. They lived in the latter county until 



the spring of 18ol, when, hoping to better their 
financial condition in the undeveloped West, they 
came to this county and settled in Danvers Town- 
ship. From the latter township they removed to 
Dry Grove Township, where the good wife died in 
February, 1860. He died in Woodford County, 
111., in the winter of 1869. Twelve children were 
born to Jonathan and Magdalen Yoder, six sons 
and six daughters, and the subject of this notice 
was the sixth in order of birth. 

Amos Yoder was born in Mifflin Countj^ Pa., 
Dec. 17, 1828. He received as good schooling as 
the times and locality afforded, was reared to 
manhood on the farm, and has followed that call- 
ing all his life with the exception of about three 
years, in which he was engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits at Normal. Mr. Yoder came to this county 
in 1848, and settled in Dry Grove Township, where 
he made his home until the spring of 1880. He 
then removed to Towanda Township and lived 
there two years, then took up his residence at Nor- 
mal. In that city he was engaged in the grocery 
business for about three years, meeting with only 
partial success, and in January, 1886, he moved on 
to his place in Mone^y Creek Township, consisting 
of 320 acres, nearly all of which was under an ad- 
vanced state of cultivation, and on which he has a 
good farm residence and substantial out-buildings. 

While a resident of Dry Grove Township, Mr. 
Yoder concluded that he would try his fortune still 
farther West. He consequently sold out and vis- 
ited some of the Western States and Territories, 
but came to the conclusiim that no country excells 
McLean County for |)rodnetiveness, and after an 
absence of about two months, came back satisfied 
to make this his permanent home. Our subject 
was married in Danvers Township, in July, 1852, 
to Catherine Donner. She was born in Butler 
County, Ohio, and bore our subject five children — 
Millie, Barbara, Frank, Anna and Charles. Millie 
is the wife of D. J. Myers, and the3' are living in 
Ashland, Ohio; Barbara and George L. Kirckner 
became man and wife, and she died in Buck Horn 
V.alley, Col., April 28, 1883; Frank is a farmer and 
follows his calling in Dakota; Anna is the wife of 
D. A. Muse,_ and their home is at Denver, Col. ; 
Charles lives at home. Mrs. Yoder died in Dry ■ 



'I 



t 



/ 

V632 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



a' 



Grove Township, Sept. 20, 1864, and our subject 
formed a second matrimonial alliance, Mrs. Cath- 
erine (Kistler) Lantz being the other contracting 
party, and the date of their marriage Dec. 11, 1864. 
She was a daughter of John M. and Klizabeth (Naff- 
zinger) Kistler, and widow of .loseph P. J^antz, who 
died in Dry (Jrove Township, .Tune 30, 1861. Of 
her union with Mr. Lantz five children were born, 
viz: Thomas, Mary, Rebecca, Horace and Joseph. 
Thomas is married and resides in Nebraska; Mary 
is living at Normal; Rebecca is the wife of John 
P. Yoder, a resident of La Salle County, 111.; Hor- 
ace is a farmer, and lives in llissourl; Joseph is 
unmarried. 

The parents of Mrs. Catherine Yoder came to 
this county from Butler County, Ohio, in 1838, 
and settled in Dr3- Grove Township, soon thereaf- 
ter removing to Woodford County, 111., whence 
they returned to this count.y, and several years 
later became residents of La Salle County, this 
State. They removed from the latter county to 
Missouri, where the father died in October, 1876. 
The mother died in Iowa, in 1880. Eleven chil- 
dren were born to them, and all lived to attain the 
age of man and womanhood. Mrs. Yoder of this 
notice was the eldest of her parents' children. She 
was born in Butler County, Ohio, Dec. 10, 1833, 
and by her union with our subject has become the 
mother of seven children — Laura B., Salina, Leon- 
ard M., Elmer G., Minnie A., Henry L. and Ettie 
E. Wiiile a resident of Towanda Township, Mr. 
Yoder held the office of Justice of the Peace for a 
little more than a year. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Mennonite Church, and in politics our 
subject is a stanch Republican. 

'"fs^.x R. HENRY A. WINTER, a reliable and 
iV successful physician of Saybrook Village, 
is a native of New York, born in Cayuga 
County, Nov. t), 1843. His parents were 
Herman H. and Sahrina A. (Abbott) Winter. The 
mother was the sister of Chancy M. Abbott, who 
was a Senator in the General Assembly of his State 
and who died while in the midst of his usefulness. 




The Abbott family was of English origin, and be- 
came widely and favorably known in different })arts 
of the United States. The grandfather of Mrs. 
W. during the old Revolutionary' times, was Cap- 
tain of a company of scouts and a brave Indian 
fighter. His eaiiture was greatly desired by the 
British (iovernment who offered £40 for his 
scalp. He was one of a family of nine sons, 
all iif whom were distinguished for their energy of 
character, their ambition, and the activitj' with 
which they engaged in whatever they were inter- 
ested. 

After the death of hei' husband Mrs. Winter, who 
remained a widow, devoted herself to the care of 
her children of whom there were only two, and 
makes her home with her son, Dr. II. A. Winter. 
The sister of our subject, Adelaide J., became the 
wife of Dr. F. M. Iliett, and they have one son, 
John. This lady was finely educated, having pur- 
sued her studies at Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary, 
in Massachusetts. She afterward taught school 
and was especially jwoflcient in music. She was 
of amiable and excellent char.acter, greatly re- 
spected by all who knew her, and a worthy member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After a lin- 
gering illness with consumption she died at her 
home in Wisconsin, Dec. 21, 1871. 

The subject of this history commenced attending 
school in his native county when he was four years 
of age, and when of suitable years and attainments, 
entered Cortland Academy, where he remained 
under the excellent tutership of Prof. Clarke until 
April, 1861. He then journeyed westward to Wis- 
consin and entering the High School at Berlin, in 
Green Lake County, remained until October of 
that same year. Then, the Civil AVar being in 
progress, he enlisted as a LInion soldier in Co. B, 
11th Wis. X<)\ Inf., and one year afterward was taken 
with tj'phoid fever at Helena, Ark., and compelled 
to accept his honorable discharge. He returned t(J 
his old home in New York and soon afterward 
commenced traveling for his health, going through 
the States of Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. 
He w.as still interested in the success of the Union 
troops and after .arriving in Indianapolis, resolved 
to once more offer his assistance to preserve the 
LTnion. He re-enlisted in Co. B, 72d Ind. \'ol. Mtd. 



i 



■^^ 






u 



' ■► ■. ^» 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



633 



1 



Inf., and joined his command at Murfreesboro, 
Tenn. On the 24th of .Tune they moved out on 
Hoover's Gap, where occnrred a lively' battle and 
in which the Union troops, by the aid of their 
Spencer rifles, came out victorious. Thej' were 
afterward engaged at the battle of Chickamaugua 
and our subject with his comrades went through the 
Atlantic campaign, during which he w.as wounded 
with a spent ball in the right leg. He had the 
honor of being one of the division which assisted 
in the capture of Jefferson Davis, and afterward, 
at the Lamar House in Macon, Ga., talked face to 
face with the Confederate chieftain. Young Win- 
ter was afterward transferred to Co. B, 44th Ind. 
Vol. Inf., with which he was mustered out at Nash- 
ville, Tenn., Sept. 14, ISGo. 

After returning from the army our subject lo- 
cated in Williamsport, Ind., where he took up the 
study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. F. 
M. Hiett, with whom he remained until 1867. Dur- 
ing the following fall and winter he attended Rush 
Medical College, at Chicago, and until 1872, taught 
school and practiced medicine alternately. He then 
purchased a share in the business of Samuel Rob- 
erts, but wishing to perfect himself in his medical 
studies returned to Chicago, and after another 
thorough course in Rush Medical College, gradu- 
ated Feb. 19, 1873. Removing to this county. Dr. 
Winter engaged in practice in Saybrook, and has 
since distinguished himself as a fine practitioner, 
especiall3' of surgery, in which he takes great pride 
and has always been ambitious to excel. He has 
been remarkably successful in his practice, and by 
it has accumulated a fine competency. Both as a 
man and a ph3'sician he is held in the highest re- 
spect. His property in Saybrook consists of three 
dwelling-houses. 

Dr. Winter was united in marriage with Miss 
Delia Atkinson, Sept. 25, 1867, and they had one 
child, William A., who is now in the Freshman class 
of Wesleyan University, at Bloom ington. Mrs. 
Delia A. Winter departed this life Feb. 24, ISS.'i. 
She was a lady greatly esteemed by a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances, and a worthy member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as are also her 
husband and son. The second wife of our subject 
to whom he was married at Saybrook, this county. 



was Miss Catherine Cheney, a native of this 
county, born in 1848, and the daughter of e.\-Sena- 
tor W. H. Cheney, a pioneer of this county. 

Dr. Winter belongs to the Masonic fraternity, 
being a member of IMt. Olivet Commandery, and 
s connected with the K. of P., Hope Lodge No. 
140, at S.a3'brook. He is also a member of the 
I. O. O. F., S.aybrook Lodge No. 460, and of the 
G. A. R., McPherson Post No. 79. 



Wy H. MILNER, an expert architect of Bloom- 
ington, is closely identified with its inter- 
ests, having been born here on the 29th of 
September, 1864, and spending his boyhood and 
youth raainl3' within its limits. He is one of the 
rising young business men of McLean County, and 
for some time has given evidence of more than or- 
dinary skill and genius as applied to the business 
which he has chosen for his vocation in life. 

The subject of this history is the son of .John 
V. and Angeline (Baker) Milner, the father a 
native of Pennsylv.ania and the mother of Massa- 
chusetts. J. V. Milner and wife came to Blooming- 
ton in 1854 and he is now one of the most extensive 
hardware dealers in the county. They have a family 
of six children. 

Warren H. Milner received his earliest instruc- 
tion from his mother, until ten years old, then 
commenced attending a ward school from which he 
graduated in four years. He then entered the 
High School and after spending a like season, grad- 
uated from there also. In the meantime his leisure 
time had been occupied in the study of architect- 
ure, under the instruction of II. A. Miner, and 
during vacations he worked at the carpenter's 
trade with the same gentleman, remaining with 
him eighteen months. In 1884 he went to St. 
Paul, Minn., and engaged as a draughtsman, partly 
there and partly in Minneapolis, for the follow- 
ing year. He then returned to Bloomington and 
opened an office 7x14 feet in dimensions, and 
after two' months his business so increased he 
had to remove to larger quarters. He then fitted 
up and furnished rooms at Nos. 306 and 308 
North Main street, where he now employs two 

•► 



4 



t 



fi34 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



»► ■ <• 



men and is doing a fine business. His reputa- 
tion as a skillful ai'L-liitect inis already extended 
into adjoining .States, and lie has received orders 
from abroad as well as near home. Besides this 
business he is giving much attention to raising, 
and dealing in blooded i-oad and saddle horses, 
and takes great delight in watching the develop- 
ment of this noblest of animals. 

Mr. iSIilner is Republican in [lolitics, and in all 
respects bids fair to become one of tiie substantial 
business men of ilcLean County. 



OWEN SCOTT, publisher nnd proprietor of 
the Bloomington Bulletin, is a native of p]f- 
flngham County, 111., and was born in Jack- 
son Township on the Gth of July, 1848. He is a 
son of Dr. John O. and Martha B. (Parkhurst) 
Scott, of Tennessee. Dr. John O. Scott is still liv- 
ing in Effingham, 111., and having been born in 
1805, is consequently now over eighty-one years of 
age, The mother was born one year later and is 
still living. The parental iiousciiold included five 
children. 

Dr. John O. Scott came to Illinois in company 
with his father in 1822, when a young man of sev- 
enteen years. The father was a soldier in the War 
of 1812. After his term of military service had 
expired he resolved to occup}' himself in farming- 
pursuits. Dr. Scott became a highly esteemed 
citizen of Effingham County, aud for several years 
was School Commissioner, tiie office now known as 
County Superintendent, I icing first elected in 1842. 
He was a man of fine abilities, an extensive reader, 
and during the winter season, among other things, 
applied himself to the study of medicine, and be- 
came so interested in this, and acquired such a 
good knowledge of it that he commenced practice 
in 1850. In this he was so successful that he 
abandoned the farm a few years later and took up 
his residence in the city of Effingham, where he is 
now living in ease and retirement. 

Owen Scott of this history obtained his early 
education in the common s(-hools, which he at- 
tended until sixteen years of age. He was bright 
an<t studious, fond of his books, and at the age of 



»^m-<^ 



sixteen years commenced teaching, his first school 
being near his birthplace. Here he taught twelve 
months in succession, the latter six of which course 
of instruction was carried on in a grove out of 
doors. Whenever a rainstorm came on he and his 
pupils crawled into a little old hut which stood 
near, as protection from the rain. His journey to 
and from the sciiool lay about two and one-half 
miles through the woods, and the pioneer peda- 
gogue carried his gun along, by means of which 
he supplied game to families at both ends of the 
route. He had been reared to habits of industry, 
and his parents, in c<5ramon with other settlers of a 
new country, had very little "hard cash." At one 
time when he was about eleven years of age, and 
verj' much in need of a pair of boots, he took a va- 
cation from school of one week, and going to the 
woods with his dog caught rabbits, which he sold at 
five cents a|)iece, and on the following Monday 
morning, bright and early, was in his place proud 
of the new boots. 

In the couise of time young Scott was enabled 
to realize his long-cherished plan of attending the 
State Normal Universit}^ at Normal, where he pur- 
sued a thorough course of stud^' and then resumed 
teaching. He soon distinguished himself as an in- 
structor, and in 1871 became Suiierintendcnt of the 
Effingham City Schools, which position he finallj' 
resigned to enter the law office of Judge S. F. (Jil- 
more, and unilcr whose assistance and instruction 
he became ready for admission to the bar in Janu- 
ary, 1874. In the meantime, on the Gth of Novem- 
ber, 1873, he was married to Miss Nora Miser, of 
St. Louis, Mo. On Nov. 4, 187.'3, he became 
County Superintendent of Schools, and served 
eight years. \\ liilc occupied with the duties of 
this position he also devoted considerable time to 
the practice of his profession. On the 1st of Oc- 
tober, 18.S1, he i)urchased a half interest in the Ef- 
fingham Jh'iiKx-rnI, and in a shctrt time became sole 
proprietor. He conducted the paper for about 
four years and then sold out. 

Mr. Scott served three years as Deputy Treas- 
urer of Effingham Count}-, and was City Attorney 
of Effingham during 1877-78. In 1884 he came 
to Bloomington and purchased the Bulletin, vvhich 
was formerly edited by John H. Oberly. 



I 







Residence ofEphraim H ester, Sec .11., Cheeney s GroveTownship 







'^- ■ -I'M' 



Residence of Joshua GpfAYSON, Saybrook, 










.'^"y^j-.'vj^..'^i»^*jg^^?^>^-^^^.v^^^fe^:^i^^^^^^iS^':t^.^^;^:..,-.^^^ .. -V.v^-'^.^fi.rj^^'^ 



Residence OF O.A . M cans , Sec.15.,Cheeney's GroveTownship. 



t - 



i 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



637 



The daily Bulletin was established Feb. 8, 1881, 
as a daily eight-column folio paper, by the Bulletin 
Publishing Company. The Bulletin is a strong 
Democratic paper of the Jacksonian type, and its 
establishment at first was largely due to the exer- 
tions of the Democratic leaders of Bloomington. 
It was conducted by Mathew T. Scott, and was 
published as a morning paper until 1884, when 
it was changed to an evening paper. 8ept. 8. 
1884, Owen Scott, purchased the entire interest, 
and has since been sole proprietor and editor. A 
weekly was started at the same time as the daily, 
and is ii-sued on Friday. It is a six-column quarto. 
The daily is a seven-column folio; circulation of 
daily about 2,100, of the weekly 3,500. It has 
a steam-power press and a good job and binding 
office. The Bulletin for so young a journal has de- 
veloped remarkable vitality. It is conducted with 
ability, and is the leading Democratic newspaper in 
this section of the country. 

Mr. Scott alsopublishes the^ Illinois [Freemnson, 
a paper which is devoted to the Masonic interests 
of the State. It was established Sept. l.j, 188.i, 
and is a four-column quarto, published monthly, 
with a circulation of about 2,01)0. It is a well 
gotten up Masonic journal, and a credit to the city. 

Mr. Scott is a Democrat in politics, a member in 
good standing of the A. F. & A. M., and nitli his 
wife is a worthy member of the I?ai)tist Church. 
Of the union of our subject and his wife there 
have been born two children — Henrietta L. and 
Nora F. 



j^=^ AMU EL WEEK! 

'^^^ ful and highly n 

ll\/_Jl) dale Township, i 



t^^^ AMUEL WEEKS, reckoned among the use- 

y respected residents of Lawn- 

, is_descended from excellent 
ancestry, having been the son of John and 
Mary (Brailey) Weeks, natives of England, and 
who became the parents of nine children. Of these 
the subject of this history was the second. He was 
also born in England, Aug. 2, 1832, and continued 
to live in his native land until the summer of 18.56, 
when he started for the New World. After reach- 
ing American shores he located in Batavia. N. Y., 
where he worked on a farmby the month for nearly 
one year and a half, then came westward to this State. 
■^« 



He was employed as a farmlaborer for about two 
years in this countj', then coming ;to Lawndalc 
Township, purchased twenty acres on section 13, 
which comprises a part of his present homestead. 
He was prospered in his farming and business trans- 
actions, and in due time added to his first purchase, 
so that now he is the owner of 604^ acres, which he 
has brought to a line state of cultivation. He has 
also erected a handsome and substantial set of 
frame buildings, second to none in this i)art of the 
county. He keeps a herd of about 100 head of 
Short-horn cattle and twenty head of line horses, be- 
sides fattening about 200 head of liogs annually. 
Everything about the premises is kept in the finest 
order, and is indicative in every respect of the 
suiiervision of an intelligent man possessing more 
than ordinary good judgment and taste. The 
homestead forms one of the most attractive spots 
in this section of the county and its inmates are 
widely and favorably known, and esteemed among 
the first citizens. 

Samuel Weeks was first married in the city of 
Bloomington, 111., April 23, iH.^y, to Miss Elizabeth 
Cooper, who was also an.ative of England, born in 
1830. The issue of this marriage was as follows: 
George II., Leafy A. and William A. were the 
three eldest. Mary A., Maria J. and Minnie E. are 
triplets. The first is the wife of ,1. C. Harris of 
Cropsey Township, and the third, Minnie, is Mrs. 
Robert Abby, and resides in Belle Prairie Town- 
ship, Livingston County. The mother of these 
children died on the family homestead, Lawndale 
Township, April 6, 18G'J. 

The second wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in Fairbury, 111., Oct. 30, 1872, was 
Elizabeth J., daughter of .John and Grace (Jewel) 
Dart, and widow of Richard Taylor, who died in 
Devonshire, England, in 1870. Of the first mar- 
riage of Mrs. \V. there were born six children — 
William T., Mary J., Bessie D., Richard, Rcjbert S. 
and Grace D. Mrs. Elizabeth Weeks was born in 
England, June 2!), 1829. Of her union with our 
■subject there is one child, a son, Frederick T. Our 
subject and his wife are members in good standing 
of the Methodist Cliurch. In politics Mr. W. is a 
st.anch Republican and has held S(jine of the minor 
offices of his township, at present being Township 



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I 



t. 



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638 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Commissioner. He is public spirited and liberal, 
and one interested in the welfare and progress of his 
county and community. 



I 



L-v«ijei2^©"^^-| 



>>4.^-.®/2r7r?r>v. 'VA.ri^ 



•►■-4^ 



ILEY MILLER, one of the representative 
rf- business men and mechanics of Saybrook, 
\V and connected with the firm of R. Wirt & 
<@ Co., tile manufacturers, was born in Ross 
County, Ohio, on the 30th of May, 18.'')4. lie is the 
son of William and Elizabeth R. (Dunlap) Miller, 
natives of Ohio. Both parents early in life con- 
nected themselves with the United Brethren Church. 
The father is still living and makes his home in 
Saybrook. 

The subject of this history is the eldest of his par- 
ents' three children, the other two being John B. 
and Kmnia II. Mr. Miller has been a resident of 
this county since a boy of ten years, in 1864, at 
which time his parents located in Arrowsniith 
Towni^hii). He was reared to farming pursuits, and 
received a fair education in the district schools. 
After arriving at years of manhood he was united 
in marriage with Miss Eannie English on the 3d of 
Marcli, 1875. Mrs. Miller was born in Clark 
County, 111., and is the daughter of Abel and 
Susan (Hutchinson) English, both natives of New 
Jersey. Their children were Henry, Allen, Morri- 
son, Fannie, Florence, Augusta and Belle. Al- 
len and Augusta are deceased. 

Jlr. Miller was trained by his excellent parents 
to habits of industry, and since early yuuth has 
been employed in some useful calling. In 1881 he 
engaged in the mannfacture of tile in tliis cit}', 
wliere he woiked two years, and one year in Fair- 
bury, tiien returned tii Saybrook and entered into 
partnership with Rush, Wirt & Co., with whom he 
has been connected since that time. They are do- 
ing an extensive business, running two burning 
kilns, each with a ca|)acity of 8,000 per week, of one 
foot each in length and from three to twelve inches 
in diameter. The^' are enabled to obtain a verj' 
superior clay, and the product of their kilns is of a 
corresponding quality. They give emi)loyment to 
about ten men, and in connection with their tile 
business have recently' put in oi)eration a Penfleld 



plunge-mill, which was manufactured in Wil- 
loughby, Ohio, at a cost of §1 ,2.00. The cap.acity 
of this machine is about 10,000 four-inch tile per 
day. They are using soft coal for fuel. The tile 
from this factory is sent all over the State, and 
yields a fine income. Each member of the firm 
possesses good business abilitj', and all are honora- 
ble and upright in their transactions, their word 
being considered as good as gold. All are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Yea- 
man being Superintendent of the Sundaj'-school 
and Messrs Wirt & Y'eaman are connected with the 
Official Board. The former belongs to the ISIasonic 
fraternity and the K. of P. Our subject and Mr. 
Yeaman are members of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 
460, at Saybrook. The Arm unanimously supports 
the Republican party. 

Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one child, a daughter, 
Sylvia, born Dec. 5, 1875. They occupy a pleas- 
ant home on Main street, and enjoy the friendship 
and a.ssociation of the best people of Saybrook. 



-<»'^*.^-*<i55<f* 




.-;?jiiX-J!>Si^« 



ALCOM MoNAB, a native of the Empire 
State, born in Livingston County, Aug. 
/// L53 20, 1820, is now a highly respected resi- 
* dent of this county, making his home in 

Lawndale Township, on section 13. He is the son 
of John and Ann (Mclntyre) McNab, both natives 
of Scotland, who emigrated to America and set- 
tling in New Y'ork State, died in Livingston 
County, the father in 1862, and the mother in 
1876. Of their children, thirteen in number, Mal- 
com was the seventh. 

Maleom McNab was reared on his father's farm, 
remaining under the home roof until about twenty 
years old. He then engaged as clerk in a store in 
York, his native county, where he remained three 
and one-half years. Soon afterward he purchased 
a farm which, however, he only cultivated one 
year, then sold out and afterward operated on 
rented laud for a year. After harvesting the 
season's crops, not being quite satisfied with his 
condition or his prospects in the Empire State, he 
concluded to move out westward. After arriving 
in Illinois he spent the first winter in Livingston 



V 




t. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



6.39 ik 



County, and the following siiring, 1858, came to 
IMcLean County and for four years thereafter was 
engaged in breaking prairie. He then settled down 
on his present homestead in Lawndale Township, 
upon which he has brought about great changes 
since it came into his possession. This, which con- 
sisted of 200 acres, he has since added to, until he 
now has a valuable estate of 480 acres, finely im- 
proved, besides thirty-four acres adjoining Fair- 
bury. Of late years he has given his attention 
largely to stock-raising and has been uniformly 
successful in his agricultural and business transac- 
tions. One of the most important events in the 
life of our subject occurred on the 19th of April, 
1866, when he was united in marriage with Elnia 
G., daughter of Ransom and Mary (Ricketson) 
Bedell, and widow of Daniel Burt, who departed 
this life in the late Civil War. Mrs. McNab was 
born in Clinton County, N. Y., Feb. 1,5, 1844. Of 
her marriage with our subject there have been liorn 
five children: Christina, Malcom I)., Mary E., who 
died in infancy, Alexander B. and .Tames O. Both 
our sn!>ject and his wife arc prominent and useful 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McNab 
belongs to the Republican part}^ and has served as 
Assessor of this Township. 



(Gl 



i 



^S^EORGE C. GRAY. The hardware interests 
:)f Saybrook are most worthily represented 
by the subject of this sketch, who has a 
complete stock of everything in his line, and is one 
of the leading merchants of the kind in this coni- 
munit}'. His business was established in 1886. In 
early life Mr. Gray followed farming in this county, 
having come to Illinois with iiis parents when a 
child, in 1842. In early manhood he purchased 
eighty acres of land in Cheney's Grove Township, 
upon which he operated until 18.56, and then com- 
ing into Saybrook purchased a lieavy stock of 
hardware, in which trade he has been remarkably 
successful. He still retains his faj'm property. In 
connection with his town business he carries on a 
tinshop, and his agricultural and tr.ade interests 
contribute to make his life a busy one, with little 
time for idleness. He is still in the prime of life, 

-^u 



and has already built up for himself a reputation 
as a reliable business man and a valued factor of 
the community. 

Mr. Grey was born Sept. 27, 1840, near Akron, 
Ohio, and is the son of Thomas ,1. and Emma (Lit- 
tle) Gray, natives respectively of Connecticut and 
New York. His father was a carpenter by trade, 
which he followed the greater part of his life in 
Ohio; his death took place in this county Dec. 15,* 
1879, when seventy-one years of age. He was an 
excellent citizen and business man, and politically 
affiliated with the Democratic part}'. The mother 
was born in 1823 and died in 1867. She was a 
most excellent and worth.y lady, and a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The 
parental household included seven children, who 
are recorded as follows : Calista was first married 
to Daniel Mathews, who died in Hennepin, III., and 
she then married A. C. Coles; Cornelia was united 
to A. C. Coles, and about nine years later Calista 
and A. C. Coles were married, Cornelia having 
died; Temperance became the wife of Allen Morse; 
John married Miss GuUiford, who is now deceased; 
George C, our subject, was the next in order of 
birth; Frances became the wife of Samuel Wood, 
and Julia married William Hamilton. 

Young ( Iray remained with his parents during 
childhood and youth, and in 1872 was united in 
marriage with Miss IClizabeth Crocker. Mrs. G. is of 
English birth and parentage, and came to the United 
States with her father and mother when a child. 
Of her marriage with onr subject there have been 
born a son and daughter — William J. and Alice A. 
Mr. G. is a Democrat in politics, and a member in 
good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



»-i^ ^ 



<^/OHN M. STEPHENS, one uf the prominent 
and highly respected farmers of McLean 
Count}', is a resident on section 9, Hudson 
/ Township, and first located in this county in 
1851. He was born in Highland County, Ohio,' 
Feb. 12, 1829. His parents, Philip and Nancy 
(Meyers) Stephens, were natives of Virginia, but 
both moved with their respective families to Ohio 
when the}' were young. .lohn Stephens is the eldest 



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1 



f 



f 



ii 



640 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



"*T* 



*' 



in order of birth of his parents' childron. He was 
reared to manhood on his father's farm and edu- 
cated in the district schonl. and iu 1849 was united 
in marriage with Eleanor Kerns. She was born in 
Koss County, Ohio, Mov. .^o, lf<2y. Living in Ohio 
until 1 «;')!, they then came to this State, making 
the journe3' overland witli wagons, and settled in 
VVliite Oak Township, this county. 

in 1.S52 ill'. Stephens purchased a farm of Hfty- 
five acres in White Oak Township, on which he lived 
and farmed for two years and then sold. He sul)se- 
quently owned two other farms in that township 
and also disposed of them by sale. In the fall of 
1854, he purchased eighty acres of his present 
farm, together with twenty acres of timbered laud, 
and neither of the tracts were much improved. 
Mr. Stephens still continues to reside on the latter 
purchase and by strict economy, good judgment 
and hard labor, he has added to his landed inter- 
ests until he is now the proprietor of over 600 acres, 
over 400 of which is in cultivation. His place 
is one of llic finest in Hudson Township and iu 
addition to the cultivation of the cereals, our 
suliject has and is devoting considerable of his 
time to the raising of stock. He deserves great 
credit for the competency he has acquired, consider- 
ing that when lie first came here he was compara- 
tively a poor man. having oidy $200 in casli. Dur- 
ing the war he jiurchased eight}' acres of land and 
putting the same in wheat, realized for his product 
an amount equal to $40 per acre, and it has lieen by 
taking advantage of such opportunities and labor- 
ing hard to accomplish his aims, tliat he has suc- 
ceeded. For twenty 3'cars he owned and operated 
tlireshing-niachiues and was highly successful in 
that business. In fact, he realized liis start in life 
by the following of that vocation. In iidiilics Mr. 
Stepliens is Democratic and Ii;is held si>me of the 
local oflices of his townsliip. In religion he holds 
fellowship with the Christian Ciiurcli. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stephens iiave become the parents 
of eigiit children. Two died iu youth and six are 
yet living. The living are, William; Ada, wife of 
AVilliaui A. llogabooin, a resident of Lincoln 
County, Kau.; lluida A., wife of Walter Stotler 
of Hudson Townsliip; Rosa .1., who was united in 
mariiage with J. Mcsser and now resides in El 



Paso, this State; Minerva, who became the wife 
of Amos P. Johnston, a resident of Bloomington, 
and Kery, who married Miss Balinda Blough, and 
resides iu Hudson Township. 



'^ I^ILLIAM A. GERKEN, proprietor of the 
\^l/ ^^'^'^^ baker}' of Bloomington, is a repre- 
W^ sentative German citizen, and was born in 
the Kingdom of Hanover, on the coast of the North 
Sea, June 25, 1835. His father. Albert Gerken, 
was a gentleman of good education, and in his 
younger years was eng.aged at teaching school. He 
then entered the .army of Napoleon as a nuisiciau 
and soldier, serving six years. The mother of our 
subject, who in her maidenhood was Miss Catharine 
M. Floater, w.as the second wife of Albert Gerken, 
and they became the parents of five children. 

Our subject commenced .attending school at the 
early age of ti^e years, and continued until four- 
teen. He then served an apprenticeship of three 
years at the baker's trade, and when seventeen 
years old started for America. After a prosperous 
voyage he landed at Charleston, S. C, Nov. 20, 
1853. There he [).assed the winter occupied at 
his trade with the firm of Martin Meyer for a 
time, and then went to Aiken, S. C, engaging iu a 
store with the view of learning the English lan- 
gu.age and mercantile pursuits. Two years later he 
started for tiie Nortiivvest, and landing at Milwau- 
kee, Wis., engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store. 
From there he went to Kenosha, and forming a 
partuershii) with Andrew Clark eng.aged iu the 
grocery trade. They operated together for eighteen 
months, when ]\Ir. Gerken purchased the interest 
of his partner and coutiiuied the business alone for 
two years following. He then took Mr. AVilliara 
Ernst into the business, which they conducted to- 
gether for five years, and then our subject sold out 
to his partner .and engaged in the bakery business 
at Keuosiia for twelve months. 

In 1870 Mr. Gerken came to Bloomington, 111., 
and opened a bakery on the corner of East and 
Front streets, where the present business is located. 
He began on a small scale at first, but was pros- 
pered in his labors and now has the largest establish- ' 



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i 



t. 



t 



-4^ 



McLean county. 



641 a 



i 



ment of its kind in the city. The old building has 
been replaced by a large and handsomer one, which 
Mr. Gerkeu erected in 1881. It is 65x115 feet in 
area, three stories in height, and furnished with all 
modern appliances of a first-class steam bakery. 
The entire building is devoted to the business, 
which is almost exclusively wholesale, their sliip- 
ments being to neighboring towns and cities. Mr. 
Gerken is now largely interested in the milling 
business, having purchased a half interest in the 
Crown Roller Mills, W. II. Wentz being the owner 
of the other half interest. 

Mr. Gerken was united in marriage with Miss 
Minnie A. Stemni, at Kenosha, Wis., in 1863. Of 
this union there were born three children, of whom 
one only is living — Catharine M. Albert F. died 
when an interesting youth of sixteen years, and an 
infant died unnamed. Mr. Gerken is a member of 
Uhland Lodge No. 305, I. O. O. F., belongs to the 
Turners Society, and is a regular attendant of the 
Congregational Cliurch. 

M. THORNBITRY, a successful farmer and 
extensive live-stock dealer of Randolph 
Township, owns and occupies a valuable 
country estate on section 5. He took possession 
of his present home in the spring of 1 875, and has 
been a resident of McLean Count}' since the spring 
of 1862. He has owned lan<l in different parts of 
the county, but now is simply the owner of his 
homestead. He was a member of the firm of Bar- 
ber & Thornbury, who erected the Union Mills at 
Blooraington in 1867, which enterprise proved of 
great value to the city. Later, Mr. Thornbury 
abandoned the milling business, and turned his at- 
tention to farming, stock-growing and operations 
in real estate. 

The farm homestead of our subject includes 166 
acres, and he has a five years' lease of the Stewart 
farm of 320 acres. Upon this large area he oper- 
ates extensively, and has met with success in his 
undertakings. The subject of our sketch was born 
in Chester County, Pa., Aug. 17, 1829. His father, 
Yearsley Thornbury, was a native of the same 
county and State, where he was reared to years of 
4* 




manhood, and united in marriage to Miss Plnebe 
P. Valentine, who was also born in Pennsylvania, 
and who, surviving her husband, is now living with 
her youngest daughter, Clara, in Chester County, 
Pa., having arrived at the advanced age of eighty- 
seven years. She is still quite active in mind and 
body, and enjoj's a fair degree of good health. 
The father died in Chester County, Pa., in 1 885. 

Mr. Thornbury of our sketch was thrown upon 
bis own resources early in life, and lived for a time 
with his uncle, Hanson Thornbury, in Chester 
Count}'. He then vvent to learn the trade of a car- 
penter, serving his apprenticeship under Joseph M. 
Buffington, of Chester, with whom he worked for 
about four years. For his services he was to re- 
ceive his working clothes and his board, and was 
given two weeks in harvest time in which to earn 
his spending money. He followed his trade for 
three years only, and later engaged in marketing 
and butchering, meeting with fair success. He af- 
terward turned his attention to farming, which 
pleased him better than anything he had ever un- 
dertaken. 

T. M. Thoriiluiiy was married in his native coun- 
ty, Oct. 10. lHi;i, to Mrs. Mary (Price) Preston, 
who was born in Philadelphia, and reared in Ches- 
ter County. Her father, Issachar Price, was also a 
native of the Keystone State, engaged in farming 
pursuits and also in merchandising, and died in 
Pennsylvania. The mother, who was Miss Eliza- 
beth Alexander, is still living, having arrived at 
the advanced age of ninety-six years, and makes 
her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jane P. Fell, 
near Normal, in this county. By her first husband, 
the wife of our subject became the mother of two 
sons, Mahlon and Frederick, who are both success- 
ful physicians, the former residing in Norristown, 
Pa., and the latter in Chester, Pa. Of her union 
with our subject there have been no children, but 
Mr. and Mrs. Thornbury have an adopted child, 
Jean I. Thornbury. 

After his marriage, in the fall of 1861, Mr. 
Thornbury disposed of his business interests in his 
native county, and visiting the Prairie State, set- 
tled two miles east of Bloomington, on a farm, and 
removed upon it with his family the following 
spring. Both he and his wife were reared in the 



•>-B^-4« 



i 



u 



-A- 



642 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



faith of the Society of Friends. IMr. Thonibiiry 
has hehl the minor offices of Randolph Township, 
and in politics is a reliable Republican. 

VILLIAM KERBER, an enterprising Ger- 
man citizen of Blue Mound Township, 
owns 320 acres of valuable land on section 
30, and as a successful farmer and stocU-raiser is 
contributing bis full quota toward the agricultural 
interests of this section. He was born in Germany, 
Feb. 27, 1828, and is the son of Jacob and Mary 
Kerber, natives respectively of France and Ger- 
many. Both died in the latter country, after be- 
coming the parents of thirteen children. 

Mr. Kerber of this history pursued his studies 
several years in the common schools of his native 
country, and then entered the Trussian army, 
where he served three years. He afterward en- 
gaged in farming pursuits in his native Province, 
^vhere he lived until 18.04, and then set sail for the 
United States. He spent his first winter here in 
Wisconsin, then came t(^ Illinois, making his home 
in Bloomington about eight years, and working at 
whatever his hands could find to do. In 1867 he 
purchased forty acres of land on section 20, Blue 
Mound Township. This he afterward sold and 
made a purchase on section 30, which comprises a 
part of his present farm. Here he has made good 
improvements and brought the land to a high state 
of cultivation. By his upright and straightfor- 
ward business methods and prt)n\ptness in meeting 
his obligations, he has secured the esteem and 
confidence of his fellow-citizens, and has occu- 
pied an important place in their counsels. He is 
Democratic in politics, and has served as Commis- 
sioner of Highways. Both Mr. and Mrs. K. are 
firm adherents of the Catholic Church. 

After living two and one-half years in this coun- 
try, Mr. Kerber returned to the land of his birth 
and visited for si.K months among his old friends 
.and acquaintances. Upon the return voyage he 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Lorig, 
a native of his own country. The acquaintance 
ripened into mutual esteem, and on the 14th of 
March, 18;)7,thcy became husband and w^fe. Mrs. 



K. was born in Germany, ISIarch .5, 1839, and of 
her union with our subject there were born four- 
teen children, two of whom are deceased. Those 
surviving are Nicholas, John, William, Mathias, 
Mar}', Michael, Frederick, Peter, Henry, Anna, 
Elizabeth and Clara. Nicholas married Miss Annie 
Sutter, ami resides in Blue Mound Township; John 
married Miss Hoffman, qnd lives on a farm in An- 
chor Township; William married Miss Mary Sut- 
ter, and Mary became the wife of Joseph Sutter. 
These reside in Blue Mound Township. 



OBERT H. RUTLEDGE, one of the oldest 
settlers of Randolph Township and McLean 
tii'Al County, came into this section while Illi- 
^©)nois was yet a Territory, in 1812, and the 
experiences through which he has passed, combined 
with the changes which he has witnessed during a 
period of seventy-five years, would make a most in- 
teresting volume. 

The grandfather of our subject, John Rutledge, 
was born and reared in Dublin, Ireland, where he 
was married and learned the trade of a shoemaker. 
His bride, formerly Miss Jennie Offlse, was a lady 
of most excellent family, of pure Irish descent, and 
highly educated and accomplished. They became 
the parents of several children, and emigrated to 
the United States, settling in Charleston, S. C, 
where their son Thomas, the father of our subject, 
was born, being the first child born to them in 
America. Later John Rutledge removed North to 
Pennsylvania, and afterward to White County, 111., 
where he and his wife spent the remainder of their 
lives, being the first white persons vvho were laid 
in the virgin soil of what is now White County, 
111. The grandfather of our subject was very skill- 
ful at his trade of a shoemaker, and a man of the 
strictest integrity, and universally respected by all 
who knew him. 

Thomas Rutledge, the father of our subject, re- 
mained under the parental roof until after he had 
attained his majority. He then went South to 
Georgia, and was there married to Miss Sallie 
Smith, who was born in that State and of |)ure En- 
glish parentage. After the birth of one child they 



-r 



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I 



h 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




643 



I 



started North to Tennessee, whence they proceeded 
to Kentucky and afterward to Illinois, arriving in 
the Territory, as before stated, in 1812. Fourteen 
years later they came into McLean County, and at 
once located in Randolph Township, of which they 
were among its earliest settlers. Here Thomas Rut- 
ledge died, four years later, Aug. "20, 1830, and be- 
ing born Oct. 17, 1768, was consequently a little 
over sixtj'two years of age. The mother. Mrs. Sal- 
lie Rutledge, who was born Aug. 20, 1778, survived 
her husband thirteen years, and died in this town- 
ship, Dec. 12, 1843, being sixtj'-five years old. 
Thomas Rutledge became a prominent man in the 
affairs of this locality, being made Justice of the 
Peace, and having jurisdiction over a large extent 
of territory. He performed the marriage ceremony 
for more people in White County, 111., than any 
man before or since, as is shown by the records. He 
and his excellent lady had a family of twelve chil- 
dren, six sons and six daughters, of whom one son 
and one daughter died in infancy, and ten lived to 
be married. Of this number, Robert II. of our 
sketch is the only one surviving. 

Robert Rutledge received a limited education in 
the pioneer schools of White County, 111. He still 
remembers when the soil was new ami unbroken 
and Indians numerous, and it was often necessary 
to seek a barrack or fort, which served as a protec- 
tion from the vengeance or cruelt}' of the redmen. 
In these the pioneers would frequently spend their 
nights, some sleeping, while others .acted as senti- 
nels. A few j-ears later regular block houses were 
constructed, where the pioneers dwelt together for 
mutual protection. The first corpse of a white man 
which our subject ever saw was that of a Mr. Mor- 
gan, who had been killed by the Indians. The lat- 
ter not long afterward, on account of their depre- 
d.ations were driven off by the whites and punished 
to such an extent that they never returned. 

Our subject remained under the home roof until 
his marriage, the license for which was the first one 
of the kind issued by the authorities of McLean 
County. The wedding of himself and Miss Char- 
ity Weedman occurred on the 9th of June, 1831. 
Mrs. Rutledge was the daughter of George and 
Charlotte (Hune) Weedman. Her parents were both 
born and reared in Pennsylvania, whence they came 
.4*- 



later to Perry County, Ohio, where their daughter, 
Ch.arlotte, w.as born July 21, 1812. Her jmrents 
remained in the Buckeye State until the fall of 
1830, when they started for the farther West, and 
coming into McLean County settled in Randolph 
Township, where they both died in the same log 
cabin which had first become their home. Of this 
marriage there were born thirteen children, six now- 
deceased : Mary J. is the widow of John Halsey, 
and resides in Boone Count}', Iowa; Sarah L. mar- 
ried Joseph T. Martin, a farmer of Randolph Town- 
ship; George T. married Miss Maria Wagener, and 
they reside on a farm in Randolph Township; 
Nancj' E., Daniel and Leander are also residents of 
this township; the latter married Miss Mary A. 
Tilghman; Marcius Lafayette resides with his father 
on the old homestead; the deceased are Harriett, 
Benjamin, Charity A., Robert M., Araericus C. 
and Martin A. Mrs. Charity Rutledge, the mother 
of these children, died at her home in this township 
May 27, 1882. She was in early life connected 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later 
identified herself with the Christian Union Church. 
Since coming to this county Mr. Rutledge has 
been identified with its industrial and agricultural 
interests, and has materially aided in its develop- 
ment and |)rogress. He h.as been a friend of tem- 
perance, a supporter of the laws, and a member 
in good standing of the Christian Union Church. 
Politically he coincides with the principles of the 
Democratic partj', with which he has uniformly 
east iiis vote since exercising the right of suffrage. 



^ AMES RVBURN, one of the progressive 
farmers of McLean County, is located in 
Randolph Township, on section 12, of which 
he owns half, and besides this, 280 acres in 
Wapello Township, De Witt County, near his pres- 
ent homestead. Ml'. Ryburn is rated as one of the 
best farmers and most successful stock-breeders of 
the township. He keeps only a good grade of ani- 
mals, and everything in and about his homestead 
denotes the supervision of an intelligent mind and 
cultivated taste. The farm residence is a modern 
structure, handsome and substantial, and his barns 



'i 



t 






644 



McLean county. 



and nil other out-buildings are of first-class de- 
scription. Everytliing is kept in good order and 
repair, and tlie liomestead, with its beautiful lo- 
cation, invariably attracts the eye of the trav- 
eler through this region. 

The subject of our sketch took possession of his 
present farm in IS7"2. and its present condition is 
largely due to his own industry and enterprise. He 
is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Washington 
County, near the city of the same name, Sept. 19, 
182G. When seven }-eais of age his parents re- 
moved to Harrison County, Ohio, where they re- 
mained until l<s.').'>, and coming tlienee to the Prai- 
rie State, located in this county. .lames was the 
eldest of tlie family and w.as reared to habits of 
industry, receiving the advantages of but a limited 
education. He remained under the parental roof 
until liis marriage, which took place in Cadiz, Har- 
rison Co., Ohio, Feb. ;), 1854, the maiden of 
his choice being Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, who was 
a native of the Buckeye State, and born April y, 
1832. The wedding took place at the home of the 
bride's parents, Rev. James Forsj'the officiating. 
Mrs. Hyburn is the daughter of Joshua and Jane 
(Craig) Hamilton, natives resi)ectivel3' of Fayette 
and Washington Counties, Pa. Her grandfather, 
William Hamilton, w.as bcjrn in Fayette County, 
Ohio, of American parentage and Scottish ancestry. 
Her grandfather Craig was born in the North of 
Ireland, was of Scottish descent, and a Protestant 
in religion. He emigrated to the United States 
when twenty-one years old, and w.as afterward mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Johnson, of Washington 
Count}', I'a. Both th(' Craigs and Hamiltons were 
prominent families in Pciunsylvania. They fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits, and removed to Harri- 
son County, Ohio, at an early period in the history 
of the Buckeye Slate. John Craig died when fifty- 
five years old, Aug. 22, 1825. In addition to his 
farming pursuits he also carried on a dry-goods 
trade in Harrison County, and w.as one of the most 
valued citizens of the town of Cadiz. William 
Hamilton spent his last years also in Cadiz, and 
died there in January, 1839, after reaching the .ad- 
vanced age of eighty years. His son, Joshua, the 
father of Mrs. Ryburn of this notice, was the sec- 
ond child of his parents' family, by whom he was 



reared and educated near Cadiz, Ohio, and re- 
mained with his parents until his marriage with 
Miss Jane Craig, on the 28th of October, 1819. 
He then located on a farm which he operated suc- 
cessfully, and the union thus happil}' begun re- 
mained intact for a period of over fiftj'-one years, 
when Joshua Hamilton, who w.as born Sept. C, 
1793, dep.-irted this life, his demise taking pLace 
Dec. 17, 1.S70, .at seventy-eight years of age. The 
mother is still living, making her home with two 
unmarried daughters at Springfield, Ohio. She was 
born June 14, 1802, and is consequently over 
eight}'-flve years of age. She became the mother 
of eleven children, two of wh()m died in infanc}- 
unnamed. Those who lived to years of maturit}- 
were as follows: .lolui m:nried Miss Rebecca 
Pritchard, and lives in this county; William mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Sellers, and is farming in Knox 
County, Oliio; Craig was twice married, both times 
to Ladies by the name of McFaclden, the last one 
being j'et living; he died Oct. 5, 1880; Alexander 
was first married to ]\Hss Martha McFadden, now 
deceased, his second wife w.as iNIiss Mary Haver- 
Held, who now resides in Colorado; this son died 
in Colorado, Ai)ril 2, 18.S5; Elizal)cth, the wife of 
our subject, w.as the next in order of birth; R..achel 
married Hemy Croskey, and resides with him on a 
farm in Empire Township; Margai'et married Oscar 
Cl.ark, a farmer of W.alton, Harvey Co., Kan.; Re- 
becca and Mary are both unmarried. Mary holds 
the position of clerk in a dry -goods store at Spring- 
field, Ohio. 

5Irs. Ryburn was reared and educated at Cadiz, 
Ohio, and remained with her parents until her mar- 
riage. Slic is a lady of rare intelligence, having a 
remarkable memory for dates of important events, 
and carries in her mind a perfect encj'clopedia of 
interesting happenings all over the world. This 
valuable gift, possessed by few, makes her a most 
interesting conversationalist, and she is considered 
one of the brightest ornaments in the society of the 
communit}- where she lives. By her union with 
our subject she h.as become the mother of nine 
children, one of whom died unnamed, in infancj-. 
John H. is a resident of Knickerbocker, Tom (ireen 
Co., Tex., being a stockholder of the Stillson & 
Case cattle ranch ; Belle married Rev. S. H. Uunn 
■» 



I 



1 






v^- 



^k 






yf 



'*'%», 



i 'r ,*?' 



/ 



SlUfX^ \ 






V 



-^^ 



McLean county. 



647 



of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Du- 
hith, Minn.; Jennie M. resides in Blooinington, 
III.; Ingram C, wlio was given the maiden name 
of his great-great-grandmother on the maternal 
side, lives at home with his parents; Frank is with 
his brother. John, in Texas ; Lucy resides at Bloom- 
ington, and Harry and James are there also, attend- 
ing school. Belle graduated at Wesleyan Univer- 
sity in 1878, and Jennie in 1880; Lucy is also a 
graduate from the musical department of that in- 
stitution. Mr. and Mrs. Ryburn are members of 
the Second Presbyterian Church at Bloomington, 
as is also their daughter Jennie. In politics, our 
subject is a solid Republican. 



\i? t;WIS CASE. The early settlers of McLean 
I (@ County are fast passing away and soon the 
ji '—^Vi time will come when none will be left to 
tell of the trials and ditlicnlties encountered in its 
early settlement. Mr. Case of this notice is one of 
the number who has not yet crossed the river to 
the other shore, and is passing the sunset of life on 
his fine farm on section 25, Old Town Townshiii, 
enjoying the accumulations of an honorable past. 
He is the son of Abner and Alice Olive (Rowland) 
Case, natives of Connecticut. The parents after 
their marriage located in Ontario County, N. Y., 
whence they removed to Huron County, Ohio, and 
there lived until 1833, when thej' came to this 
county and settled in Old Town Township, on sec- 
tion 25. The parents lived there for several years, 
when they removed to Madison, Wis., and there 
died, the demise of the father occurring Jan. 5, 1854, 
and that of the mother Januar}' G of the same 
year, and both are buried side by side in one grave. 
The father of our subject was a farmer and left the 
plow to become a soldier in the War of 1.S12, and 
was ft participant in the battle of Lundj''s Lane, 
where three fingers of his left hand were shot away. 
He witnessed the burning of Buffalo, N. Y., and 
for his services as a soldier in the War of 1812 re- 
ceived a pension from the Government. Of his 
union with Miss Rowland, seven children, four sous 
and three daughters, were born. 

Lewis Case was the third in order of birth of his 



parents' children and first saw light in Ontario 
County, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1809. He was brought 
up to farm labor and there lived until 1824, when 
he accompanied iiis parents to Huron County, Ohio. 
He lived in the latter countj' until 1833, when he 
came to McLean County and made a settlement on 
section 25, Old Town Township, bringing with him 
from Ohio his wife and one child. The journey 
was made overland with an ox-team and his capital 
at that time consisted of three feather beds and $50 
worth of leather, which he traded for a cow, one 
hog, seven pigs, and provisions for the winter. He 
managed to get in a small crop of corn, but in the 
fall he lost his cow, four pigs ai.d one ox, which 
left him in a worse condition than when he first 
located. The following summer he made a short 
polie and plowed his corn with the single ox. He 
was possessed of that determination which knows 
no such word as fail and succeeded in erecting him- 
self a log house and soon iiad forty acres of his land 
fenced. The first religious meeting held in Old 
Town Township was held in the log house of our 
subject, and there the early settlers .assembled 
from a distance of many miles and worshiped for 
some thirteen years. 

Mr. Case had great faith in the future develop- 
ment of the country, and from his first settlement in 
the county economized with a view of increasing his 
landed interests .and at the present time is the pro- 
prietor of CIO acres of valuable land. The old log 
house has given way to a fine residence and the 
taxes of our subject have increased from twenty- 
five cents to upward (jf $300 a year. Mr. Case was 
married in Huron County. Ohio, to Miss Sarah 
Hendryx, Oct. 13, 1831. She was the daughter of 
John and Mary (Flynn) Hendryx, the former a 
native of Pennsj'lvania, and tlie latter of Ireland. 
Her parents settled in Steuben County, N. Y., after 
their marriage and tliere lived until 1817, when 
they moved to Richland County, Ohio, and were 
among the early settlers of that county. Subse- 
quently the}' made another remov.al, locating in 
Huron Count}', the same State, and in 1833, came 
to this county and settled in Old Town Township, 
where they lived until their death. Tne}' had six 
children who lived to attain the age of man and 
womanhood, of whom Mrs. Case was the eldest. ' ' 



*» ■ ^» 



i 



=f 



I 



-A 



648 



McLEAK COUNTY. 



She was bom in Steuben County, N. Y., Jan. 14, 
1810, and was seven yeai'S of age when her parents 
removed to Ohio, and continued to reside in that 
State until her marriage. She bore our subject five 
children — Jlary A., Olive, Sarah E., Hannah E. and 
Zerilda 1. Mary is the wife of Peter B. Price, and 
they are living at Hutchinson, Kan; Olive married 
John W. Savidge, and they reside in Danvers 
Township, tliis county; Sarah E. and Wesley 
Brown weru united in marriage and are living in 
Arrowsniith Townshii), this county; Hannah is the 
wife of Sylvanns Miivel, a fnrmer of Old Town 
Township. Mr. Case has four great-grandchildren 
DOW living; one great-grandchild is deceased. On 
tiio 13th of October, 1881, Mr. Case and wife cele- 
brated their golden wedding. Mrs. Case departed 
this life at the old homestead in Old Town Town- 
ship, on the 4tli of January, 1887, at the ripe old 
age of seventy-seven years. 

Mr. Case has held some of the minor offices of his 
township. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, with which his wife was also con- 
nected. In politics our subject is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and was one of the delegates to the first 
County Convention ever held in McLean County. 

As a representative and iionored citizen of Mc- 
Lean County, and of the township of which he has 
so long been a resident, we present the portrait of 
Mr. Case in connection with this sketch, as also 
tiiat of his deceased wife. 




lENJAMlN G. FALKINGHAM, a dealer in 
grain at Towanda, .and one of her promi- 
'•]))) II,' nent citizens as well as thorough-going 
business men, is a son of George and Eliza 
(Marsh) Falkingham, natives of England. Soon 
after their niai'riage the pai'ents crossed the briny 
waters to make their home in the free Republic of 
the United States, and made their way direct to 
this counly, locating in Towanda, where the father 
died Feb. 'iM, 1878.' The mother survives. They 
had four children, three sons and one daughter. 
One died in infanc}', and those living are, Benja- 
min (;., John H. and Georgia W. 

The subject of this notice was born at Towanda, 



111., June 14, 1858. He received a good education 
in the schools of that place, and when old enough 
became a clerk in his father's store. He continued 
to act in th.at capacity until about eighteen years 
old, when he worked at farm labor for about four 
years. He was then occupied in running a corn- 
sheller for two years, and since 1883 has been en- 
gaged in the buying and shipping of grain and 
stock, in which he has met with more than ordinary 
success. 

Mr. F.alkingham was married at Bloouungton, 
111., Oct. 13, 1879, to Miss Mary Burnes, a native 
of Wisconsin. Their union has been blest by the 
birth of two children — Eliza and Clarence. Our 
subject has held the offices of Town Assessor, Town- 
ship Trustee, and Street Commissioner of Towanda, 
and in politics lie is a stanch Republican. 



-i^m- 



Vi 



OHN M. WHITE, of Lawndale Township, 
has been a resident of McLean County since 
a boy thirteen years of age. He was born in 
Tippecanoe County, Ind., Aug. 17, 1837, 
being the s<jii of George C. and Julia A. (Noel) 
White, the father a native of New York State, and 
the mother of Ohio. The latter died in Towanda 
Township, March 25, 1865. The father still sur- 
vives and lives in this township. The subject of 
this histoiy was the seventh of twelve children born 
to his parents. He received a fair education in the 
common schools, and lived under the home roof 
until he was twenty-five years old. In the spring 
of 18G"2 he left Towanda Township and settled on 
a tract of eighty .acres of land on section 11, Lawn- 
dale Townshii), where he has since lived. He has 
been greatly prospered in his farming operations, 
and added to his first purchase until he now owns 
412 acres, all improved and under good cultiva- 
tion, with a fine set of farm buildings. 

The marriage of our subject took pl.ace in Clin- 
ton, De Witt Co., 111., March 10, 18G4, the maiden 
of his choice being Miss Emily G. Hampleman, who 
was born in Periy County, 111., and died the 
same night on which Mr. White's mother died, 
March 25, 18G5. Mr. White was a second time 
married, in Lawndale Township, April 18, 1867, to 



■<^ 



i 



I 



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t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



649 



Miss Theresa Hamilton, who was born in Brown 
County, Ohio, June 18, 1847. Of this latter mar- 
riage there were born two children — Clarence M. 
and Maiirie H. Mr. White has served in his town- 
ship as School Director and Trustee, and Highway 
Commissioner. Socially he belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity, and politically is an earnest snppoiter of 
the Republican party. 

In connection with his farming operations Mr. 
White makes a specialty of Norman horses, and in 
company' with his brothers, George W. and Edward 
M., has been quite extensively engaged in the im- 
portation of these from Europe. His stables con- 
tain about thirty head of these fine animals, in 
addition to which he has fifty to seventj' head of 
cattle and fifty to 100 head of liogs. 



EjHs^o 



<JYJOHN PAXTON, the son of John and Sarah 
J. (Fitch) Paxton, and now a resident of 
Blue Mound Township, was born in Guern- 
sey County, Ohio, -Jan. 17, 1832. His par- 
ents were natives of Penns^'lvania, and after their 
marriage removed to the State and county where 
their son was born, and where the}' passed the re- 
mainder of their lives. John Paxton, Sr., was a 
cooper by trade, but greatly inclined to farming 
pursuits, to which he gave most of his attention. 
Of the two sons who were born of this marriage, 
the eldest, Alexander, died in Guernsey County, 
Ohio. 

Our- subject assisted his father on the farm dur- 
ing his boyhood and youth, and received a fair ed- 
ucation in the common schools. He remained 
with his parents until he was twenty years old, and 
then started out for himself. He first crossed the 
Mississippi into Iowa, where he remained one year, 
then returned to Ohio and lived there until the fall 
of 1856. He then came westward and located in 
this county, becoming a resident of Old Town 
Township in the spring of 1857. In 18GC he came 
into Blue Mound Township and purchased a tract 
of eighty acres on section 34, which h.as since re- 
mained his home. His farm is finely improved, and 
upon it he has erected a handsome and substantial 
set of frame buildings. 



His marriage took place in Bloomington Town- 
ship, in the spring of 1857, the lady of his choice 
being Miss Nanc}' J. Scott, who was born in 
Guernsey County, Ohio, July 4, 1840. Mrs. P. is 
the daughter of William and Nancy (Britton) 
Scf>tt, who were natives of Pennsylvania, whence 
the}' removed to Illinois and located in this county 
in about 185(i, on a farm in Bloomington Town- 
ship. Subsequently they returned to their old home 
in Ohio, where they silent the remainder of their 
days. Of the ten children of Mr. and Mrs. Paxton, 
three died in infancy. Those surviving are James 
A., INFary E., Nanc}- E., John G., Charles S., Frank- 
lin M. and Laura B. Charles S. and Franklin M. 
are twins ; James married Miss Lizzie B. Story and 
lives in Padua Township; Nancy E. is the wife of 
John L. Bunn. and resides in Martin Township; they 
have one child, a son, Charles F. Those who died 
in infancy were William, Alice and one unnamed. 
Mr. and Mrs. Paxton are members of the Chris- 
tian Church, and our subject uniformly casts his 
vote with the Republican p.arty. 



■^I^OHN MOATS, living on section 30, Money 
Creek Township, is a son of Jacob and Sarah 
(Hinthorn) Moats, see sketch of J. I. Moats 
elsewhere in this work. John Moats was the 
second in order of birtii in a family of nine chil- 
dren. He first saw light in Licking County, Ohio, 
Sept. 10, 1812. When seventeen years old he came 
with his parents overland to this county. This was 
in 1829, and our subject is therefore one of the 
oldest residents of Money Creek Township, now 
living. He has witnessed its wonderful develop- 
ment, and has always been engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He is now the owner of 270 acres on 
which he has fair improvements. 

Mr. Moats was married in Knox County, Ohio, 
Oct. 22, 1874, to Louisa (Zolman) Donnell, daugh- 
ter of John and Catherine (Passey) Zolmau and 
v/idowof Joseph Dounell, who died in Cass County, 
Mo., in 1868. By her union with Mr. Donnell she 
had three children — Joseph. Josephine and Jesse. 
Joseph and Josephine are deceased. Mrs. Moats 
was the youngest of a family of ten children, dnd 



-•#-■-<• 



i 



I 



650 



McLean county. 






was born in Knox County, Ohio, Dec. 18, 1828. 
Our snhjoct h.as hold the office of Constable for one 
term, ami in politics is a Democrat. He and his 
wife .ire members of the United Brethren Church, 
and among the foremost citizens of Money Creelt 
Township. 



-Mxa'Js^--'— Si-: 



IV- «^S§S!^75!'*^ 



, ICHARD M. BRITT, a prominent and enter- 
„. prising farmer and stock-raiser of Mt. 
iiii \\\ Iloiie Township, owns and occupies a fine 
^©) homestead on section l.s,and in the various 
departments of liis agricultural pursuits is meeting 
with success. He is a straigiitforward business man, 
honest and upright in his transactions, and enjoys 
the confidence and good-will of his neighbors and 
associates. 

Mr. Britt is a native of Tazewell County, III., 
and was born in Ilill Township on the Ath of Sep- 
tember, l.s;57. His fatlier, Jefferson Britt, was a 
native of Virginia, l)orii on the 20th of March, 
1802. His grandfather, William Britt, was one of 
the early settlers of Virginia, a man of great indus- 
try and entei'inise, and prominent in the affairs of 
his community. The family is an old and excel- 
lent one, and noted for their high moral principles 
and excellent traits of character. 

.Jefferson Britt, the father of our suliject, was a 
Lad of t>nly twelve years when his parents reinoved 
from his native .State to Kentucky. They made the 
journey overland and located in Logan County, 
being among the earliest settlers of that region. 
There the grandfather died, and there his son Jef- 
ferson grew to manhood and was uniteil in mar- 
riage with Mrs. Mary (North) Dills. She was a na- 
tive of (Irant County, Va., was born near Peters- 
burg, and removed to Kentucky with her parents 
when a child. After marriage Jefferson Britt .and 
wife located in Logan County, where they re- 
mained until the fall of 183.5, and then started with 
their three children for the prairies of Illinois. 
They made the journey overland with teams, .and 
first halted in vviiat is now Logan County, where 
the}' rented land for two years and then, in the 



spring of 1837, removed to Tazewell County. 
There thej' m.ade a claim in township 22, range 2 
west, now in Hill Township, where the father erected 
a log house, having a puncheon floor and doors, 
and split thatches for the roof. He entered land 
from the Government, when it came into market, 
improved and cultivated his purchase, established 
a comfortable home, and remained thereuntil 1853. 
He then removed to Atlanta, where he spent the 
last years of his life, and departed from the scenes 
of his earthly lal)ors on the 14th of October, 1885, 
at an advanced age. The companion of his youth 
and the mother of his children died the year pre- 
vious, on the 24tli of January. Their union had 
been blest b^' the birth of four children, who are 
recorded as follows: William S. lives in Normal; 
Martha E. married Dr. J. B. Tenney, and lives in 
Atlanta; Mary II. ra.arried J. H. Burt, and lives in 
Hill Township ; Richard M. is the subject of this 
sketch. 

Richard M. Britt of this history w.as the young- 
est child of his parents" family. He spent the first 
sixteen years of his life on the farm, and received 
his education in the old log school-house. This 
rude structure was in marked contrast to the ele- 
gant buildings where " young America " now re- 
ceives his first lessons in expensive and scientific 
text-books. The floors were of puncheon, the win- 
dow-panes of greased paper, and the chimney was 
built upon the outside with dirt and sticks. The 
fireplace occupied nearly the whole of one end of 
the liuilding, and would take in a large log. After 
a few seasons spent in this primitive structure, the 
family of young Britt removed to Atlanta and he 
attended school there, being esteemed quite [irofi- 
cicnt in his studies for those days. He was indeed 
fond of his books and had made good progress, 
.and after leaving school officiated .as a pedagogue 
for two terms. He continued to make his home 
with his parents until his marriage, and for a period 
of four years had charge of the farm, and l)oarded 
with the family who cultivated the farm after his 
father had removed to town. 

Young Britt remained with his parents until his 
marriage, and then located upon the homestead 
which he now owns and occupies, and which his 
father had purchased from the railroad company. 



■ 









-;SSS.»" 






1^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



653 iL 



i 



The latter had made some improvement in its 
original condition, and after his son, our subject, 
came into the possession of it he continued its im- 
provement, and cultivated the soil with uniform 
success. He is now the possessor of 240 acres, all 
improved and supplied with a good set of frame 
buildings. The residence is a model of convenience 
and comfort, and gives indications in all respects of 
cultivated tastes and ample means. Besides the 
home farm Mr. Britt owns eighty acres in Tazewell 
County, besides forty of pasture in the same 
county and some timber land in Logan County. 

The marriage of Richard M. Britt and Miss 
Rhoda C. Medbery was celebrated on the ■27 th of 
June, 1864. Mrs. Britt w.as born at Fonda's Bush, 
Saratoga Co., N. Y. Her father, Henry Medbery, 
was a native of Rhode Island, and her mother, 
whose maiden name was Julia Lansing, was born at 
Lansiugburg, N. Y., and was of German descent. 
The parents of Mrs. H. removed to Michigan in 
1844, and thence to Wisconsin twelve years later, 
locating in Dodge County. Afterward they went 
into Winnebago County, where the father died and 
where her mother still resides. Mrs. Britt when a 
young lady came here to visit a brother who was 
teaching. He enlisted in the army and Mrs. B. 
took charge of the school. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Britt there have 
been born three children — Hallie, William H. and 
Bessie L. Tlie parents and two of the children are 
devoted members of the Christian Church. Al- 
though the immediate descendants of the old pio- 
neers grew up with but little opportunity for ■ an 
education, many of them, yes most of them, are 
noble, high-minded men and women, and are gener- 
ally among the foremost to make sacrifices to se- 
cure for tiieir children a substantial education. This 
rule has been splendidly exemplified in the case of 
our subject, who has given his children tlie benefits 
of a good education. 

Mr. B. is Republican in politics, and casts his 
vote in support of the principles of tliat party. He 
has contributed his full quota toward the business 
and industrial interests of this section, and in all 
respects is entitled to be classed as an honest man 
and a good citizen, and as such we present iiis 
portrait in this connection. 
<■ 




■>%■ "^ 

BRAHAM FRY, one of the honored pio- 
neers of Randolph Township, is highly re- 
spected as a citizen and thoroughly trusted 
<^ as a business man. He is now living re- 

tired from active labor on a fine liomestead which 
comprises 430 acres of highly cultivated land, and 
a handsome and commodious residence located on 
section 4. Mr. Fry came to McLean County in 
1854, .and purchased a tract of partly improved 
land which has been his home since that time. He 
was successful from the beginning in his farming 
and business openitions, and as time passed on, in- 
creased his facilities for agriculture and stock-rais- 
ing, and added to his landed possessions until he 
now has one of the finest country estates in Mc- 
Lean County'. 

Mr. Fry was born in Greene County, Pa., Jan. 
6, 181G, and in 1827 removed with his mother to 
Liclving Count}', Ohio, the father having previously 
died in Pennsylvania. Our subject, the eldest of 
seven children, four sons .and three daughters, was 
only ten years of age .at the time of tlieir removal. 
The mother spent the remainder of her days in 
Oliio, and died there at an .advanced age. The 
cluldhood and j'outh of Abraham Frj' were quickly 
passed, and he was early trained to habits of in- 
dustry, being put to all the labor lie could accom- 
plish .as he advanced in strength and size. Being 
the eldest child he early became .acquainted with 
the duties and resiionsibilities of caring for a fam- 
ily, and was the true and faitliful S3'mpathizer and 
friend of his mother in her widowhood. He re- 
mained with her until full}' developed into man- 
hood, and until some of the younger members of 
the family could fill his place, and was then mar- 
ried in Licking County, Ohio, to Miss Sar.ah Myers, 
who was there born and reared and remained until 
her marriage. They located in that c<iunty for a 
number of 3'ears, and removed to Illinois in 1854. 
Mrs. Sarah Fry departed this life in Randolph 
Township, April 22, 1863. Of tliis union there 
were born two children: Perry A., during the late 
war, enlisted in the 04th Illinois Infantry, and had 
only been in service about two mouths, when he 



4 



i 



•^f^^ 



■•► 



654 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



was attacked with camp diarrhoea, and died at 
Springfield, Mo.; John B. is >'et living; he married 
Miss I'auliue Stewart, and resides in Bloom iiigton, 
retired from active business. 

For his second wife Mr. Fry married Miss Eliza- 
beth Bishop on the 3d of November, 18G4. Mrs. 
Fry was born in Randolph Township, Oct. 1, 18;j-2, 
and is the daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Weed- 
man) Bishop, the mother now deceased. They were 
natives of Perry County, Ohio, where they were 
reared, educated, and married. Mr. Bishop was a 
farmer by occupation, and with his family removed 
to Illinois in 1831, settling in Randolph Township. 
He was one of the first settlers and became one of 
its most valued citizens. He is yet living, having 
arrived at the advanced age of nearly ninety years, 
making his home in E.ast Hej'worth, on the farm 
which he first occupied with his family. The house- 
hold circle included thirteen children, six sons and 
seven daughters, all of whom are living and mar- 
ried except one, an<l are established in comfortable 
homes, most of them being residents of this county, 
Mrs. Fry was reared under the parental roof, and 
received a fair education in the public schools. Of 
her union with our subject there have been born 
two children: Mary, Sept. 30, 1SG7, an<l Ljuira, in 
1873, died when less than a year old. 

The F'ry family are descended from pure Ger- 
man ancestry, and were among the earliest settlers 
of the Keystone State. There the grandfather of 
our subject died, and his son AbrahaTn, the father 
of our subject, was married to Miss Mary Becken- 
baugh. He died when his st)n Abraham was ten 
years of age. He and his wife were members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject has 
been a Deacon of the Christian Churcli for twenty 
years. Mrs. Fry has held the same ollice in the 
church since 1 883. 

In politics Mr. Fry is a solid Democrat, and has 
been Assessor of Randolph Township for five years. 
In all his transactions in life he has nothing to be 
ashamed of or to conceal, having steadily foUcjwed 
the honorable principles to which he was trained by 
his excellent and honored mother. The family, 
wherever they have been known, have been noted 
for their honest dealings with tlicir fellow-men and 
for their observance of the Golden Rule, which has 

4* 



impelled them to do unto others as they would be 
done by. A lithographic portrait of Mr. Fry is 
shown in connection with this sketch. 

^ ACOB BISHOP, of Randolph Township, is 
probably the oldest man living in the town- 
ship, and during his long residence here h.as 
secured for himself the profound respect of 
his fellow-citizens. Our subject is a native of 
Frederick Connt3', Md., and was born June 25, 
1797. He is the only surviving son of a family of 
thirteen children, and has two sisters yet living: 
Catherine, the widow of Jacob Weedman, aged 
ninety-two, and now living in Farmer City, l)e Witt 
Co., 111.; Elizabeth married John Young, now de- 
ceased, and is residing at Monmouth, III., at an ad- 
vanced age. 

The father of our subject, .John Bishop, was a 
native of INIaryland and of English and Irish de- 
scent. He was a blacksnuth by trade and in early 
life was married to Miss Hannah Cooper, a German 
lady, by whom he became the father of thirteen 
children. In 18r2 the famih' all removed to Perry 
County, Ohio, where the parents passed the re- 
mainder of their life, the father d3'ing when sixty- 
five years of age; the mother died some years after- 
ward and was about the same age. They were 
people highly respected in their communit}', and 
members in good standing of the Methodist P2pis- 
copal Church. 

Jacob Bishop remained on the homestead of his 
parents until his marriage, which occurred in Perry 
County, Ohio, May 10, 1820, the maiden of his 
choice being Miss Mary A. Weedman. She was 
born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 15, 1799, being the 
daughter of George and Charlotte (Huen) Weed- 
man, also natives of the Kej'stone State. They 
were of German parentage and descent, and re- 
moved to Perry County', Ohio, when Mrs. B. was 
but a child. Afterward thc^' came to Illinois and 
died in Randolph Township, this county, some 
years ago. They also belonged to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

Of the unit)n of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop there were 
born thirteen children, all living, and of whom the 



-» ■ ' » 



t 




MoLEAN COUNTY. 



655 



record is as follows: Sarah became the wife of 
Phillip Hand, a farmer of De Witt County, 111.; of 
George, the second child, there will be found a 
sketch elsewhere in this Ai.ui'.m; Hannah married 
John Cusey, and lives with her husband in Farmer 
Cit3', 111. ; Charity married W. Adams, now de- 
ceased, and lives in Downs Township; .Jacoli mar- 
ried Mrs. Mar>' II. Little, who is now deceased, 
and he lives in Heyworth; Charlotte became the 
wife of Andrew J. String-field, who served as a 
Union soldier in the late war and contracted 
the disease in the army from which he died at his 
home Aug. 30, IfSfil; Mrs. S. resides with her 
father; Lizzie is the wife of Abraham Fry (see 
sketch) ; William Fletcher married Miss Margaret 
Walmsley, and is a farmer of Downs Tp. ; Blarj' 
Emma became the wife of James Fulton (see 
sketch) ; Harriett (Mrs. George Wilson) resides in 
Normal, her husband having retired from active 
labor; John St. Clair married Miss Harriett Ches- 
ney, and is a farmer in Randolph Township; Asbury 
M. owns and operates fort3--six acres (_)f the old 
homestead; on the 15th of October, 1.S72, he lost 
his right arm by means of a tliresiiing-machinc, but 
has acquired such skill in the use of the left that he 
is still able to do the work of an ordinarj' man ; 
Joseph A. married Jane Ellsworth, and is farming- 
near Heyworth. Mrs. Margaret W. Bishop, the 
mother of these children, de|)arted this life at her 
home in Randolph Township, Jan. 23, 1873. She 
was a devoted member of the Methodist ICpiscopal 
Church, and our subject has been connected with 
that denomination since a j-outh of nineteen years. 
Several of the children are also following the foot- 
steps of their parents in their religious faith. Mr. 
Bishop and his sons are all Republican in politics. 



->E>»-i>t^- 



■-^- 




ICHAEL KINZINGER, a retired farmer 

of Montgomery Township, Woodford 

County, is one of its ])it>neer settlers, and 

a fine representative of the well-to-do and 

substantial German citizen. His birth took place 

in Germany Oct. 10, 1814, and he emigrated to 

tthe United .States in 1837, liecoming a citizen of 
McLean County the following- year. His parents 



;■ 



■<^ 



were Daniel and Catherine (vSwartztrober) Kinzin- 
ger, natives of the German Empire. Daniel K. 
was born in ITfiS, and Catherine, his wife, in 1771. 
He was a tailor by trade, which he followed until 
his death, which occurred in 1828, in his native 
land. The mother survived six years, dying in 
1834. Their marriage took place in 1.S0.5, and 
they became tiie parents of five children, four .sons 
and one daughter, as follows: Jacob married Miss 
Catherine Peachy ; Daniel died when sevent3'-five 
years of age; Michael of our sketch was the third 
child ; I'eter married Catherine Kneage, and Anna 
became the wife t)f Ilem-y Patton. The parents 
were members of the Mennonite Church. 

After the death of his father Michael Kinzinger 
was comparatively homeless. He went to live with 
a gentleman by the name of Gingve, near the town 
vf Jlorborg, where he remained for ten years fol- 
lowing. When sixteen years of age he commenced 
to learn the bl.acksmith trade, at which he worked 
two years. He then abandoned this and engaged 
in distilling, being thus occupied fourteen _ve.ars. 
After spending one j'ear in Bavaria he set sail for 
the United States, lirst landing in New York Citj-, 
whence he went into Butler County, Ohio, and fol- 
lowed his former business as a distiller. 

Our subject was married, in 1837, to Miss Mag- 
dalena Naffziger, in Butler C'(_)unty, and in 1838 
came with his famih' to' McLean County. They 
remained in Blooinington for a short time, and 
Mr. K. rented a tract of land and was occupied in 
its cultivati(.)n for six j'ears following. In 1844 he 
purchased eighty acres and soon afterward doubled 
this amount. He soon afterward erected a log 
house, 16x18 feet in area. This he divided into 
two rooms, and their floor was the ground in its na- 
tive state. In this humble abode there were born 
the twelve children of Mr. and Mrs. K., namelj- : 
Catherine became the wdfe of Joseph Frj-, of Stout's 
Grove; Peter was first married to Miss Naffzinger; 
his second wife vvas Miss Pauline Rust; Daniel 
was first married to Miss Mary Schick; his sec- 
ond wife ivas IMiss Mary Blank; Jacob married 
iNIiss jMagdalena Keen ; Christian married Miss 
Lena Strubar; Barbara became the wife of David 
Zook; Magdalena married Jacob Grundy ; Anna be- 
came Mrs. Peter Schantz ; Phebe, Mrs. Joseph Strn- 



i 



t 



t 



656 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






bar; Caroline, Mrs. George Kirchucr; Kileon anfl 
August are uiuiiarried. All ar(^ living at this writ- 
ing, March, 1887. 

In due time the log cabin was replaced by a 
handsome frame dwelling, a good barn and all nec- 
essary and convenient out-buildings. The laud has 
been finely cultivated and everything about the 
premises denotes the supervision of a thorough and 
intelligent business man. Mr. Kinzinger spent year 
after year industriously and economically, and 
now, resting from his toils, is passing his last years 
in the comfort and quiet which he has so fairly 
earned. 

Mrs. Kinzinger is tlie daughter of Peter and Bar- 
bara (Beck) Naftziuger, natives of Bavaria, where 
they were married and became tlie parents of 
eleven children, as follows: Elizabeth, .I.acob, .John, 
j\lagdalena. Barbara, Phebe, Peter, Valentine, 
Catherine, Christian and John (2d). Mr. K. is Re- 
publican in politics, and both he and his wife are 
members in good standing of the Mennonite 
Church, in which Mr. K. has been a minister for 
twentj'-three years. 

/^)EORGE S. JOHNSTON, who has been a 
III ,—-, resident of McLean County since the 24th 
^^5J of March, 18.t6, came to this State from 
Harrison County, Ohio, where he was born July 
12, 1832. His parents were Andrew and Margaret 
(Humphreys) Johnston, who are still living, and 
reside in Harrison County, Ohio, having attained 
an advanced age. Their famil3' consists of four 
sons and four daughters, of whom George S. was 
the eldest. The sul)ject of this history remained 
under the home roof and pursued his studies in the 
common schools until seventeen years old. He then 
entered Mt. Union Seminary, in Stark County, 
Ohio, and after completing his studies there, en- 
gaged in teaching for five years following. After 
coming into Illinois he taught one year in Pike 
County, and then took up his residence in Bloom- 
ington, where he engaged in operating a ditching 
machine. He removed from Blooniington to Dela- 
van. 111., where he cultivated rented land for six 
years and then moved to Yates Township, this 

4» 



county, where he remained twelve years. In 1878 
Mr. Johnston purchased IGO acres of land in Law^n- 
dale Township, where he has since lived. This is 
all improved, with a fine residence, a barn to cor- 
respond, and all the other requirements of a first- 
class modern agriculturist. He is engaged mostly 
in stock-raising and exhibits some very fine speci- 
mens of cattle and horses. 

Mr. Johnston was married in his native county 
in the Buckeye State, March 20, 18(;0. to Miss Mary 
McFadden, also a native of Harrison County, Ohio, 
born in 1830. Of this union there were born three 
sons — William, Oscar and James. Mrs. Mary John- 
ton departed this life in Lawndale Township, Aug. 
31, 186G. The second marriage of our subject also 
took place in Harrison County, Ohio, March 24, 
18G8, when he was united with Miss Belle Biruey, 
a native of that State and county. The result of 
this marriage was eight children, of whom five are 
living — Maggie, Rosa, Lizzie, Ada, and Rosco. 
Those deceased are Birney, Jane and one who died 
unnamed in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are worthy members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically 
our sul>ject is a stanch Republican. He has held 
the otHces of Township Assessor and Road Com- 
missioner, and takes a genuine interest in the wel- 
fare of his community. 

-^ "^-^ "^ 



"^1^ ETER HOIERMAN, a fair rejM-esentative 
Ij) of the grocer}- trade in Blooniington, is lo- 
cated at No. 107 East Front street, where 
he is operating profitablj' and successfully. 
Mr. Hoiennan is a native of Germany, and was born 
July 24, 1853. He received his education parti}' 
in the schools of Oldenburg, and later attended the 
University of Leipzic, where he completed his stud- 
ies when sixteen years of age. He began his mer- 
cantile experience as a clerk for a firm in Bremen, 
where he served until 1870 and then enlisted in the 
German .arraj\ He served as a soldier fifteen 
months, then received his honorable discharge, re- 
turned home, and in October of the following year 
set sail for the New World on the steamer Maine. 
After arriving in New York City he secured a 



-»— B-^ 



i 




■'-y^^a^aa.'a^jisj&fefe^^^ 



RESIDENCE OF MILTON H E N LI N E , 5 E C . 1 , TOWAN DA TP. 



'•:**-«Sii^"V,'r",;.'--'Ki-.;;^,' • 




Residence OF WASHINGTON DAWSON , sec. 29, CHENOA.TP.. 



pr 






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HEBpgTEES NEWBtSeOVERY KIIK" 

HfflffiffiBfflfflBifflffl 



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CHENOA tile works -CHENOAJLLS.. PIKE &.CA5TLE , PROPR'5 ., 
HEADQUARTERS NEW D IS C V E RV KI L K 



t 



•►^B-^*- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



669 



clerkship in the tea store of Phillip Stiuer & Co., 
with whom he remained until the spring of 1872. 
He then went as a coffee sampler to Rio Janeiro, 
S. A., where he spent three years, returning to New 
York City in May, 1876. Soon afterward he 
started West, and arriving in Blooniington, 111., 
was soon engaged as book-keeper for Reinhold 
Graflf, in which capacity he served acceptably for a 
period of nine years. He then became associated 
in partnership with E. Meyer, and they have oper- 
ated under the name and style of Hoierman & 
Meyer since December, 1884. They have a good 
trade, and the house is supplied with every article 
required in their line. 

The subject of our sketch was mairied, Nov. 4, 
1886, to Miss Minnie Balke, of Blooniington, and 
they occupy a pleasant home at No. 608 West 
Washington street, where they are surrounded by 
many warm friends. When Mr. H. began life on 
his own account in Blooniington he had but $1.75 
in cash. He learned book-keeping, both the Ger- 
man and English system, of the American Consul 
in Oldenburg, and soon acquired a good knowl- 
edge of the English language. He is thorough and 
methodical in his business transactions, and in all 
respects is considered a good business man and a 
useful member of the community. Sociall}' he be- 
longs to Mozart Lodge No. 656, I. O. O. F., Uh- 
land Lodge No. 305, and the Turners Society, of 
which he is Financial .Secretary and teacher of gym- 
nastics. He is also Secretary of the Illinois Dis- 
trict of Turner Societies, and occupies the same po- 
sition in Mozart and Uhland Lodges. He is also 
Treasurer of the German Benevolent Society. After 
this record it is scarcely necessary to say that he 
enjoys in a marked degree the confidence of his 
fellow-townsmen. 

ENRY G. REEVES, attorney at law, Blooni- 
ington, is a native of the Keystone State, 
having been born in Pittsburgh, Pa., June 
13, 1845. His father, Barnes C. Reeves, a 
farmer by occupation, was a native of New Jersey, 
and his mother, before her marriage, was Miss 
Mary M. Gray. After their marriage they settled 




•►■-♦^ 



I 



in Pennsylvania, where they lived until the fall of 
1855, when they started for the West, and coming 
into Illinois, settled in Old Town Township, this 
county, where Mr. Reeves died the following year. 
His widow, the mother of our subject, was thus 
left with several children, of whom Henry G., our 
subject, was the eldest. The mother died in 1884, 
upon the farm where they first settled. Two 
brothers still reside in Old Town Township. 

The subject of this history was reared on the 
farm, and received his early rudimentary education 
in the log-cabin school-houses, this being princi- 
pally in the winter season, the boy's assistance be- 
ing required on the farm during the summer. He 
was fond of his books, and made the most of his 
opportunities, in the meantime keeping his eyes 
open to what was going on around him in the world. 
In the fall of 1861 he entered Wesleyan University, 
from which he graduated in 1866, in the meantime 
having done service in the army. In June, 1862, 
the war being then in progress, many of his fellow 
students enlisted in the Union service, our subject 
among them, becoming a member of Co. G, 68th 
111. Vol. Inf., and serving six months. The regi- 
ment was first sent to Washington, thence to Alex- 
andria, vvhere our subject assisted in provost duty. 
He was mustered out in the fall of 1862. After 
his retirement from the array, Mr. Reeves returned 
to Blooniington and completed his college course. 
He commenced reatling law under the instruction 
of Judge Reeves of Bloomington, and was admitted 
to practice in this city in 1867, where he has since 
been engaged with fair success. 

The subject of our sketch was married in Bloom- 
ington, Dec. 25, 1866, to Miss Hattie Niccolls. and 
in the spring they went to housekeeping on North 
Main street, where they reside to-day. They have 
one daughter — Lettie N. The family residence is 
the abode of peace and plenty, and its inmates are 
surrounded by all the comforts of life, and among 
those whom they most value have hosts of friends. 
Mr. and Mrs. Reeves have been connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Bloomington since 
its organization, and have contributed to its sup- 
port liberally of their means. Mr. Reeves has been 
a member of the Board of Trustees for six years, 
and has served as Sunday-school Superintendent ^ 
______.. •►-■ 



t 



660 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



for seven years. Socially lie is a member of the 
(i. A. IL, belonging to Bloomington Lodge No. 
43. Mr. Reeves is in possession of the commission 
whieh vv;is issued tc) Abiier Reeves when a soldier 
ill the Revolutionary War, who was the great-great- 
grandfather of our subject. In [lolitics Mr. Reeves 
is a stanch Re|)idjlican. 



-<3=f+ 



=E> 




} 



H. NEWTON, County Recorder, is a resi- 
dent of Blooniingtou, where he enjoys the 
esteem and conlideiice of his fellow-citizens. 
lie was liorn in Hancock County, this 
State, on the 2.'id of May, l^i;i,S, being the son of 
Heniy and Martha (IIagi>ard) Newton, natives re- 
spectively of \'irginia and Kentncky. The}' were 
married in the latter State, and I'anie to Illinois in 
183G, locating in Hancock County, where they en- 
gaged in farming and livecl until the fall of 1S44. 
The_y then came into this t'ounty. and the father 
took up eight}^ acres of land in Dale Townsliii). 
He erected a large log house, planted fruit and 
.slia.de trees, and broke the |ii'airie sod, I'emaiuinii' 
there until the fall of ISoT. Then, selling out, he 
purchased property in Bloomington, where the par- 
ents took u|) their abode, and the father retired 
from a(^tive labor. The latter years (jf their lives 
were spent with their children in Dale Township. 
The mother died in 1.S71, when seveuty-si.\ years 
old, and the father, in l!^7.'),aged eighty-five. Both 
were members of the Baptist Church, in which 
Henry Newton was' a Deacon for :i nund)er of 
years. Their three children were Da'son and 
Louise, twins, and the subject of this sketch. 

.Mr. Newton ()f this l)ioi;i-aphy was rcai'eil i.in his 
fathei''s farm, took up his lirst studies in the district 
school, and in the winter of l.S.')7-r)S, attended the 
High School in ]51ooniiiigton. For two winters after 
that he taughtschool in McLean County, and when 
not teaching was engaged in farming until the 
spring of 1876. He then engaged as a travelinii 
.salesman for the nurseryman, W. H. Mann, of 
(iilman, 111., but abanihjned the road in a short 
time on aceonnt of sickness in his family. .Ian. 1, 
1^177, he became Assistant Circuit Clerk for .J. C. 

4* 



McFarlaiid, which position he occupied four years, 
and in 1880 was elected County Recorder, being- 
re-elected in 1884. Mr. Newton was married, in 
18(i2, to Miss Martha A. Hoover, wlu^ is a native 
of Ohio,. and the daughter of Samuel J. and Christie 
A. Hoover, natives respectively of Ohio and Scot- 
land. Of this union there have been born four 
children, William D. being the only one now liv- 
ing, and is Deputy Clerk and Recorder, having 
been connected with the office since 1882. The 
family residence is located at No. 309 West Market 
stii'ct. Mr. Newton is Republican in politics, and 
with liis wife anil son is a member of the Methodist 
Lpisc-opal Church, in which he holds the otiice of 
Steward. Before coming to Bloomington he was 
.lustice of the Peace, Township Trustee and School 
Director. 



"-^^i^ 



'~^\^ 



«^*^- 



\llHAAV K. BUNN, of Blue Monn I Township, 
who was born in Fayette County. Ohio, Feb. 
11, 183-2. came to this county with his parents 
when a hid of seven years, and has since made his 
home within its boundaries. He moved to Blue 
Jlouud Townshii) in the spring of 1884 and located 
n|>on his tine farm of 160 acres, where he also has 
a han<lsome and substantial residence, good barn 
and all other necessary out-lniildings. His entire 
pi'operty consists of 720 acres, part of which is sit- 
uated in Martin Township. 

The suliject of this history is the son of Heniy 
C. and .Marv K. (Moser) Bumi, natives of I'cnnsji- 
N'ania. and of excellent (icrman ancestr}'. They 
lived in Pennsylvania a fev\' 3'ears after their mar- 
riage, then removed to Ohio, and made their 
home in Fayette until 183!). Thence they came to 
Illinois, and locating in Empire Tow^nship, this 
county, there passed the remainder of their days. 
Their children, eleven in number, included five sons 
find six <laughters, of whom our subject was the 
eighth. 

Isaac Bunii was less than twenty years old when 
he started out for himself, and was enqjkij'cd as a 
farm laborer ftir one year. He afterward rented 
laud in iMiipirc ami Blue Mound Townshifis for six 
years, and then purchased fort}' acres in ]\Iartin 






,t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



661 u 



Township, where he lived with liis family until the 
spring of 1884, when he became a permanent resi- 
dent of Blue Mound Township, as before stated. 

The marriage of Isaac K. Bunn and Miss Ruth 
A. Waldon took place in Empire Township, Dec. 
■28, 1851. Mrs. B. is the daughter of Edward 
Thomas and Charity (Blue) Waldon, natives re- 
spectively of Virginia and Ohio; the mother was 
of Irish descent. After their marriage they settled 
in Sangamon Count}', III., whonce, in is3a, they 
removed to p]mpire Township, tliis county, where 
the father died in 1847. The mother still survives, 
and is at present in Martin Townslii|). Of their ten 
children six lived to mature years. 

Mrs. Bunn was born in .Sangamon County, 111., 
Aug. 11, 1831. Of her union with our subject 
there were born eleven ehildi'en, two of wiiom died 
in infancy: Minor K. married Miss Emma Davison, 
and resides in Livingston County, 111. ; Francis M. 
married Miss Mary C. Homan, and is a resident 
of Dakota; John L. married Miss Nancy E. 
Paxton, Jerry I. married Miss Tillie C. Rieke, 
and Hugh W. married Miss Nellie M. Lane, 
all live in Martin Township; Eva. J., Mary A. and 
Abraliam M. are at home with their parents; Ge- 
nevra is the wife of Lewis Iletland, and resides in 
Dakota. Mr. Bunn is Republican in politics, and 
is a gentleman highl}' esteemed by the community. 

?RANK BARNARD, capitalist, of Blooming- 
vj ton, and abstract and loan broker, is a native 
ill, of this county, and was born in June, 1800; 
he is the seventh son of Amos and Averstia C. 
(Moulton) Barnard. The former was an Ohioan 
by birth, in wiiich State he was reared and educated 
and spent his youth upon a farm. He came to Illi- 
nois in 1846, and located west of the city of 
Bloomington, whence he afterward removed into 
the city, in 18G7. After leaving the farm our sub- 
ject's father turned his attention to brokerage and 
loans, in which he was eminently successful .and ac- 
cumulated a fine property. He departed this life 
April 20, 1880, leaving to his family a large estate. 
The mother is still living. Their seven children 

-^•— 



included four boys and three girls, all living, and 
of whom Frank, our subject, was the second in 
order of birth. 

Mr. Barnard completed his studies at Normal 
Universit}' and upon leaving school, took a trip to 
California where he remained two years, then re- 
turning to Bloomington engaged in abstracting 
three years, and subsequently purchased the inter- 
est of J. W. C'ompton & Co., which he conducted 
with success and profit. He now owns a iinlf in- 
terest in the abstract books of the firm of Tillotson 
& Fell, from which business he derives a flue in- 
come. Considering that our suliject is still a young 
man, he has alreadj^ gained a good position in the 
business world. Socially he is a member of Wade 
Barney Lodge, A. F. & A. M. 



<X, I^ILLIAM M. FLESHER, a farmer residing 
\rJ/l on section 3, Money Creek Township, is 
vy^ the owner of 117 acres of valuable and 
productive land, on which he has good and sub- 
stantial improvements and where he is meeting 
with signal success in the prosecution of his chosen 
vocation. Mr. Flesher was Ijorn in Pendleton 
County, West Va., Oct. 19, 1827. He lived in liis 
native county until seven 3'ears old, when his par- 
ents emigrated to Fayette County, Ohio, t.aking 
William witii them. There he made his home until 
he accompanied his parents to this count3^ Living 
here until 1857, engaged the while in farming, he 
went to Kansas and followed the same vocation in 
that State for three years. He then came back to 
this county and has made tliis his home until the 
present time. Since living here he has spent a 
year and a half of his time in Lexington, and aside 
from that, has always lived in Money Creek Town- 
ship. 

Mr. Flesher, as stated, has a fine farm of 117 
acres on section 3, Money Creek Township, acquired 
mainly through his own exertions, econom}' and 
good judgment. He was married in Money Creek 
Township, Dec. 29, 1880, to Rebecca A. Pirtle, 
daughter of Henry and Sarah (Jones) Pirtle. Her 
parents were married in Kentucky, and settling iii 



1" 



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ii 662 



McLean county. 



that state, made that their homo until their removal 
to Owen County, Ind., where they lived until the 
death of the mother. The father died in Greene 
County, that .State. Ten children were born of the 
parental union, six sons and four daughters, and 
Mrs. Flesher was the j'oungest. She was horn in 
Owen County, Ind., Dee. 14, 1831, and by her 
union with our subject has become the mother of 
eiglit children — Andrew M., John II., -lames A. S., 
Lizzie, Eddie L., Charles S., George E. and Benja- 
min F. Andrew married Miss Lucy Fultz and 
thej' are living in Gridley Township, this county; 
John and JMiss Amanda Henliue became man and 
wife and are residents of Lexington Townshi|), this 
county; James married Miss Ilattie Drury and they 
are living in Woodfonl County: Lizzie is the wife 
of William Curry, a resident of Money Creek 
Township; Eddie and Miss Minnie Punke were 
united in marriage and live in Gridley Township; 
Charles, (jeorge and lieujaniin are living at home. 
Mr. Flesher has held the ofiice of Township 
Assessor for two years and has been the incumbent 
of tiie olHce of Justice of the Peace about six ^ears. 
His wife is a member of the Christian Church and 
in politics he is a stanch Republican. Mr. and Mrs. 
Flesher have had their trials and troubles in life, 
and sickness has often attended theii- household, 
but a kind providence has smiled upon and pre- 
served them a united and happy family, and now 
in the sunset of life, in tlieir pleasant little home 
in ^Money Creek Townshii*, they are enjoying the 
accumulations of an honorable past with no dark 
spots upon their record to trouble them. 



^- 






"^IJAMES LAUKIN is one of tiie large land- 
I owners of Money Creek Township, and a 
gentleman jiossessing consideralile agricult- 
ural information, iis his success in that voca- 
tion indicates, lie is pleasantly located on his fine 
farm on section .'5(), where he is sunounded with all 
the comforts and |)h'asures of a farm life, together 
with a happy and contented family. .Mr. Larkin was 
born in Ireland in 18;!."). Coming to the United 
Stales when twentj' years of age, in 1 8.").j, lie for 
six months made Cincinnati, Ohio, ids home. He 






then came toPontiac, Livingston Co., 111., .uid hav- 
ing no means with which to engage in business or 
to purchase land, he worked out on a farm by the 
month for about a j'ear :ind a half. After that he 
came to McLean County, where he continued to 
labor bj' the month at the same vocation for about 
two years. He then rented land of one I'eter Hef- 
ner, in Mone}- Creek Township, and for six years 
was engaged in farming in this manner. 

The first purchase of our subject was eighty acres 
of land in Money Creek Township, located on sec- 
tion .'5G. He has been a resident of that township 
since 18(j(), and has added to his acreage until he 
is at present the pix^jrietor of 410 acres of valua- 
ble and productive land. Mr. Larkin was married 
in Ciiicago, Sept. 18, LSf);), to Miss Julia Ilogan, 
born in Ireland in 18;!7. Of this union seven chil- 
dren have been born who are yet living, viz., James 
M., ,Mary, John D., Margaret, Sarah, William and 
Julia. Mich,ael and Edward A. died in infancy. 
Mr. and Mrs. Larkin are members of the Catholic 
Cliurch. In polities our subject is independent, 

/ ACOB I. MOATS, residing on section 29, 
Money Creek Townshi]), has been a resident 
of McLean County since 182U, and has 
I made his home continuously in the above 
township. His father, Jacob Moats, was born in 
Maryland, and when four years old was sent into 
Pennsylvania where he was reared to manhood on 
a farm. He was married to Miss Sarah Hinthorn, 
a native of West Virginia, and they took up their 
residence in Licking County, Ohio, whence they 
came to this county in the fall of 1829, and were 
among the early settlers of Money Creek Township, 
locating on the same section on which our subject 
now is. The father continued to reside on that 
section, engaged in the prosecution of his vocation 
until his death, which took place Feb. 1. 1844. His 
good wife crossed the river to meet him on the 
other shore, July l(i, 1873. They were blest by 
the birth of nine children — Henry, John, Margaret, ' 
William, Jane. Mary A., Rebecca P., Sarah P. and 
Jacob I. Henry and John are farmers of Money 
Creek Township; Margaret is the widow of Albert 



t 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



^. 



663 i i \ 



Phillipps anrl also lives in Money Creek Township; 
AVilliam died in tliat townsliip in September, 1840, 
and Jane died there in the fall of the same year, as 
likewise did Mary A. and Rebecca P. ; Sarah de- 
parted this life ill the fall of 1848. 

.Jacob I. Moats was the youngest of his parents' 
children and was born in Licking County, Ohio, 
April 14. lS-28. When less than two years of age, 
in 1829, he accompanied his parents to this county. 
He was reared on a farm, the one on which he is 
living, and received his education in the common 
schools of that locality. He has devoted all his 
years to agriculture and liai witnessed the growth, 
not only of Money Creek Township, but of Mc- 
Lean County, and the wonderful development it 
has made from 1829 until the present time. He is 
now the owner of 210 acres of good land, on 
which he has substantial improvements and is meet- 
ing with more than ordinary success in his vocation. 

Mr. Moats was married in Money Creek Town- 
ship, Nov. 3, 18.50, to Miss Mary .J., daughter of 
William M. and Martlia (Kinnan) Dodson. Her 
father was born in Kentucky and her mother in 
New Jersey, and they came to this county in 1847, 
from Champaign County, Ohio, and settling in 
Money Creek Townsliip, there lived until their 
death, his taking place March 27, 18G3, and hers 
Dec. 21, 1880. Eleven children were born of their 
union, namely, Joseph K., Maryette, Jesse, Abner 
N., Mary J., Martha, William R.. Elizabeth, P^sther 
A., Daniel D. and Naomi E. Joseph K. is a far- 
mer and resides in Kansas; Maryette w.as the wife 
of William Hamilton and died in Towanda Town- 
ship in 1851; Jesse died in infancy; Abner N. is a 
resident of Money Creek Township; Martha is the 
wife of Lewis Sailor and they are living in Hudson 
Township; William R. is a farmer and lives in Kan- 
sas; F>llzabeth is the wife of James Allen, and they 
live ill Missouri; Esther A. married F. A. Bishop, a 
farmer of Money Creek Township; Daniel D. w.as a 
member of the 94th Illinois Infantry and died in the 
hospital at New Orleans; Naomi and Rev. Yeakle 
were united in marriage and are living in Kansas. 
Mrs. Moats was born in Cham[)aign County, Ohio, 
Feb. 10, 1830, and was about eighteen years old 
when she accompanied her parents to this county. 
By her union with our subject four children have 



been born — John W., Martha .1., Sarah O. and one 
died in infancy. John W. married Miss N. L. 
Rowe and they are living in Money Creek Town- 
ship; Martha is the wife of II. P. S.ichs, a farmer of 
Money Creek Township, and Sarah O. lives at home. 
Mr. Moats has held the office of Road Commissioner 
for many years and also that of School Director. 
He and his wife are members of the United 
Brethren Church, and in politics he is a stanch 
Reimblican. 



'Y/ EONARD REDDICK, a prominent grain- 
I (© Ijiiyer of Saybrook, is a native of Musking- 
jl^V um County, Ohio, born June 19, 1822, and 
the son of Phillip and Mary (Bartlett) Reddick, 
the former a native of Maryland and the latter of 
\'ermont. Phillip Reddick was born in December, 
17'.)G, and departed this life in Ohio in 1873. The 
mother, born in 180G, died at her home in 1871. 
Botli parents were members of the Lutheran Church. 
Their twelve chiMren were Leonard, Mary A., 
Elijah, Elizabetii, Samuel, Eliza J., Margaret, John, 
George, Abraham, Amanda and Clara. 

Our subject was the eldest member of his father's 
family and remained under the home roof receiv- 
ing careful training and a common-school educa- 
tion. After reaching manhood he was united in 
marriage with Miss Sarah Moore, June 12, 1849. 
This lady was born in Ohio in 1824, and was the 
daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Claj'pole) 
Moore, who .are both deceased. They were most 
worthy and excellent people and members in good 
standing of the Baptist Church. Their children 
were Mary, Harriet, Sarah, John, Jane, Eliza, Mason, 
Daniel, Catherine and Joseph. By this marriage 
Mr. Reddick became the father of two children — 
Mary J. and Harriet. Mrs. Sarah M. Reddick de- 
parted this life on the 12th of April, 1852, after 
their removal to Hamilton County, Ind. She was 
a highly respected lady and a worthy and consist- 
ent member of the Baptist Church. 

The second wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in 1854, was Miss Rebecca Gallow.ay, a na- 
tive of Indiana. Of this union there were born 
four children — Sanford, Alvin, Fremont and Jos- 



4 




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(ifi4 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



eph (;., all living. Mrs. Rebecca G. Reddiek died 
So|)l. 12, 18(i4. The following j'ear our subject 
came to Illinois, arriving in this county on the 2d 
of November. In early life he had learned the 
carpenter's trade, which he followed for a period 
of thirty -two years, and superintended the erection 
of some of the most prominent buildings, including 
several large churches in and around Saybrook. 
He abandoned his trade in llS7i>, to engage in 
graiu-buying, in which he has been reuiarliably 
successful, being the leader in this business at Say- 
brook. In 187;i he commenced dealing in lumber, 
but sold out to engage in his present business. 

Prior to the outbreak of the Rebellion .Mr. Red- 
dick was a stanch Democrat, but the first gun that 
was lired upon Ft. Sumter also knocked the democ- 
racy out of him and he went over without delay to 
the Kipulilican party, whose principles since that 
time he has vigorously supported. He has been 
l)i()miucnt in the affairs of his township, holding 
its various offices and also being prominent in the 
local affairs of Saybiook. Religiously he is con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which he has been Steward and Ti iistee and greatly 
interested in Sunday-school work, to which he has 
contributed generously of his time and means. 

ELI BARNARD, who has always been occu- 
pied in agricultural pursuits and is at pres- 
j -^1 ent engaged in that vocation on his fine farm 
on section 21, Money Creek Township, is a son of 
Melman N. Barnard, whose sketch is given in con- 
nection with that of S. F. Barnard in another por- 
tion of this work. Our subject was a twin brother 
of Levi Barnard and was born in Money Creek 
Township. Sept. 1, 184;{. He was reared to man- 
hood on his father's farm and received his educa- 
tion in the pioneer log school-house of this county. 
All his years thus far in life, with the exception of 
about three months, have been spent in the bound- 
aries of thf township in which he was born. 

Mr. Barnard is at present the owner of a fine 
farm consisting of 240 acres, and located on sections 
20 and 21, Money Creek Township. He thoroughly 
understands the vocation at which he labors and is 




meeting with success in the conducting of his place. 
Our subject was married in Champaign Countv. 111., 
Jan. 1, 18G7, to Miss Sarilda, daughter of Joseph 
and Eleanor G. (Beaty) Shaw. Joseph Shaw was 
born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and his wife was a 
native of the same county. The^' were married and 
settled in that county, whence they removed to 
Pickaway County, same State, and then, in 1862, 
came to this county and located in Money Creek 
Township. He died there Feb. 4, 1868. Twelve 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. 
Barnard vvas the fourth in order of birth. She was 
born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Jan. lo, 1843, and 
by her union with our subject seven children have 
been born— Nettie, Sinia, Josie, Leslie, Anna, Grace 
and Alta. Nettie died when three yeai'S old. 
Socially .Mr. Barnard is a member of the IMasonic 
fraternity. He .and his wife hold fellowship with 
the Christian Church, and in politics he is a stanch 
Republican. 



;>ILLIAM WIRT RANDOLPH is one of 
lerchants of Towanda. The ancestrj- 
of the Randolph family' in the United States 
dates back to an early day. Edward Fitz Randolph 
and Elizabeth Blossom came with their parents from 
Northampton, England, to escape religious persecu- 
tion in that country. Miss Blossom came in the 
Mayflower in 1620, and Edward arrived here in 
1630. The}' were married in this country. May 10, 
1G4G, and settled at Barnstable, Barnstable Co., 
M.ass., and became the parents of eight ciiildren. 
Joseph, the fifth child, was born in 16,56, married 
Sar.ah (^ongdon in 1687, and the}' had twelve chil- 
dren ; Joseph, the second of these, was born in 1690, 
married, and became the father of twelve children. 
Joseph, the fifth of these, was born in 1722, nuir- 
ried Esther Broderick, and thej' had eleven chil- 
dren ; John, their sixth child, was born in 17o2, mar- 
ried Phebe Steele by whom he had eight children, 
and died in 1826. Steele, the sixth son of John 
and Phebe (Steele) Randolph, and father of our sub- 
ject, was born at Piscataway, N. J.. Oct. 22, 1786, 
and was married Jan. 25, 1810, to Harriett Runy on, 
of French extraction. She was born in Middlesex 
County, N. J., Jan. 14, 1793. They first settled 




i 



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! 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



6ti5 ' ^ 



I 



in Somerset County, N. J., nftei- their marriage, 
where he followed the occupation of a miller and 
which vocation he continued until his death. He 
died JMai-ch G, ISfif), in Somerset County, after a 
residence there of upward of forty-five 3'ears. 
After his death his wife came to Bloomington, 111., 
where she lived for some eight years and then, re- 
turning to New Jersey, departed this life at Hound- 
brook, Somerset County, Nov. 25, lf<71. They 
had seven childi-en — Esther R., John S., Mielie A., 
Keune R., Asa R., William Wirt and one who died 
in infancy. Esther became the wife of Peter 
Kline and departed this life in Macon County, 111., 
Oct. 4, 18G5; John S. is living at Boundbrook, N. 
J.; Phebe A. w.as the second wife of Peter Kline 
and died at Bloomington, 111., Jidy 10, 18(!8; 
Reune R. is living at Bloomington, 111., and Asa is a 
resident of Summit, N. J. 

William Wirt Randolph was born in Somerset 
County, N. J., Jan. 8, 1834, and lived at home 
until he was of age. lie received his education in 
the Quaker schools and upon the death of his father 
came west to Chicago, where he worked at the 
carpenter's trade about six months. He then went 
to Ueeatur, 111., and there worked at the same 
trade for something over a year, when he came to 
Bloomington, this county. Arriving here in 185G, 
he began working at his trade and was thus occu- 
pied for about sixteen years. During that time, 
however, he became infatuated with the idea of be- 
coming suddenly rich .and the novelty of digging a 
fortune out of the ground, and went to Pike's Peak, 
in the spring of 1860. He soon satisfied himself 
that the precious metal was not to be had in such an 
abundance as to make him a Crcesns, and in Jan- 
uary of the following year he returned to this coun- 
ty, having made the journey overlan<I. In 1871 
our subject traded for a farm in Blue JMouud Town- 
ship, on which he moved and liveil for two years 
engaged the while in its cultivation. He then sold 
it, and in 1873 moved t<» Towanda and worked at 
his trade for two or three years, after which he 
opened a restaurant and gradually merged it into a 
mercantile business. I-n May, 1878. our subject 
bought the stock of goods owned by Morrison and 
Moats of Towanda, and embarking in th.at business 
has thus been engaged until the present time. Of 
4* 



course, lie increased his stock as the requirements of 
his|)atrous demanded, and by honest and fair deal- 
ing built up .'I good and lucrative trade. He now car- 
ries a general assortment of all kinds of goods. 
The dry-goods department of his business is under 
the immediate charge of Mrs. Randiilph. In ad- 
dition to his mercantile interests, Mr. Rand(.)lph is 
the owner of valuable village |n'opert3' in Towanda, 
and has succeeded in life by following the dictates 
of his own judgment and liringing to bear that en- 
ergy and [lerscverance with which he is so happily 
endowed. 

Mr. Randolph was married in lioundbrook, N. J., 
Oct. 18, l(S,"iG, to Jliss Angeline B., daughter of 
Anirew and Hannah (Dunham) Drake, natives of 
New Jersey. Her father died in Dunellen, Mid- 
dlesex County, that St.ate, Jan. 14, 1873. His 
widow, the mother of Mrs. Randolph, survives and 
is at i)res(nit residing in New Jersey. They had 
three children who lived to attain the age of 
maturity : J(_inathan, a resident of Wisconsin; Ange- 
line B., wife of our subject, and Barzilla, who is en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits at Baltimore. Mrs. 
Randolph w.as born in New Market, Middlesex Co., 
N. J., Aug. 17, 1835, and has borne our subject six 
children — Lillie II., Emma I)., Etta D., Asa R., Ella 
I), and Il.attie B. Lillie H. died May 11. 1SG4; 
Emma departed this life Oct. G, 1859; Etta died 
April 23, 18G4; Asa R. is Station Agent at Ster- 
ling, Col.; Ella B. died in March, 1870; .and 
Ilattie B. is living at home. 

In politics Mr. R. is a stanch Republican and 
cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856, and 
has voted for every Repidjlican nominee for Presi- 
dent since that time with the exception of Abrah.am 
Lincoln first time, when he w.is absent from the 
State. Mr. Randolph became a member of the 
Ba|)tist Church in March, 1854, in his native State. 
He has been connected with the First Baptist Church 
of Chicago, First Baptist Cluirch of Decatur, 111., 
and First Baptist Church of Bloomington, 111., and 
since becoming a citizen of Towanda, has held fel- 
lowship with the First Baptist Church of that place. 
He has been a constant worker in the Sunday- 
school since 1857. He was instrumental in organiz- 
ing a colored Baptist Church and was the first 
Superintendent of the Baptist ISouth Mission at 
»^ 



f 






666 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



t 



Bloomington. He was also the first Superintendent 
of the Baptist West Mission, now the German 
Church. Since leaving Bloomington, he has helped 
to organize, and was the first Superintendent of the 
first Baptist Sunday-school at Lexington. In 1871 
he organized a Baptist Sunday-school at Towanda 
and has been its Superintendent until the present 
time. His entire family are earnest workers in the 
Church and Sunday-school. When the contrabands 
first came to Bloomington, Mr. Randolph and his 
sister, Mrs. Phebe A. Kline, with others, got them 
together and organized a night school, for Mr. 
Randolph claimed that while the question ofsuffer- 
age was being agitated the colored man should 
be taught to read and write that he might know how 
to vote. Mrs. Phebe A. Kline was a lady of con- 
siderable attainments, and for ten years taught a 
private school at Bloomington with marked success. 

W)ILLIAM 11. BRIGGS, Es(j., a prominent 
and influential farmer of Yates Township, 
is the proprietor of a beautiful homestead 
on section 4, where he has resided since 1868. He 
was born in Troy Grove, La Salle Co., 111., April 17. 
1841, being the son of Phillip Briggs, a native of 
New York. The latter grew to manhood in his 
native State, whence he journeyed westward and 
coming into Illinois, located first near Peoria. There 
he made the acquaintance of Miss Hannah Smith, 
who was boi-n in Pennsylvania, and in due time 
selected her as his life companion. After marriage 
they settled in Troy Grove, La Salle County, and 
occupied a prominent position among the pioneers 
of that section. Mr. Briggs, although a carpenter 
by trade, jjurchased a tract of land and engaged in 
farming, employing himself at his trade whenever 
time and opportunitj- afforded. Many of the early 
dwellings and otlici- buildings in that section were 
the result of his handiwork. After a time he re- 
moved within the city limits of La Salle, where he 
lived al)Out two years and until the cholera com- 
menced its ravages in that portion of the State. He 
then returned East with his family' and resided in 
his native State for five or six years following. 
Thence they removed to Huron County, Ohio 



where Phillip Briggs departed this life in about 
1855, at the age of forty-seven years. He was a 
man of great force of character, a stanch supporter 
of the Whig part}', and a worthy member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Briggs after 
the death of her husband resided in Ohio until 1861. 
then returned to Illinois. She is still living and 
makes her home with her daughter in Winona, 111., 
having arrived at the advanced age of seventy 
years. The parental household included eight 
children, six of whom are yet living — William IL, 
Daniel B., James Franklin, .hinins .1., Marilla A. 
and Elnora. 

The subject of our sketch received a common- 
school education and being the eldest of the family, 
after the death of his father, was the chief supporter 
and advisor of his widowed mother. The elder 
Briggs had met with reverses and lost his health 
and property at about the same time. The family 
were thus left in straightened circumstances and it 
required the utmost care and good judgment on 
he part of the mother and son to keep the children 
together and minister to their necessities. William 
H. remained with his mother until he was twenty- 
six years old and until his brothers and sisters had 
grown to be of an age when they could take care of 
themselves. In the fall of 18C7, he purchased 
eighty-nine acres of his present farm which was then 
uncultivated prairie. He set about its improve- 
ment industriously and energetically and in time re- 
ceived the reward of his labors. He now has a 
good homestead of 160 acres under excellent culti- 
vation, supplied with a shapely and convenient set 
of frame buildings. Besides the homestead he also 
has 120 acres in Iroquois County, and devotes his 
time and attention to mixed husbandry. 

On the 6th of February, 1872, Mr. Briggs was 
united in marriage with Miss Rebecca P^ckert, who 
was also a native of La Salle County, 111., and born 
Nov. 11,1848. She is the daughter of Jonas and 
Nancy (Erb) Eckert, who were natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. Of the union of IMr. andMrs. B. there were 
born four children, of whom the record is as follows : 
The eldest, a son, Jay Henry, born June 15, 1874, 
died Aug. 20, 1874; Those living are, Stella H., 
who was born March 4, 1876; Josie Perl, June 1, 
1878, and Viola N., Dec. 14, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. 



n 



i 



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McLean county. 



669 






B. are members in good standing of the Baptist 
Clinrch, in tlie .Sunday-scliool of which our subject 
has been Superintendent for several years. He has 
held many of the minor offices of his township, and 
at present is Justice of the Peace, having been 
elected in 1885. Politically he is a strong Re- 
publican and uniformly casts his vote in support 
of the principles of that party. 



JAMES THOMPSON, a gentleman who is 
widely and favorably known in McLean 
County, and a resident of Cheney's Grove 
Township, which he represents in the Board 
of Supervisors, is a native of Summit County, 
Ohio, and was born Jan. 2, 1840. He is the son 
of Bowman and Elizabeth (Cannon) Thompson, 
natives respectively of England and Pennsylvania. 
His father was born in Northumberland County, 
Jan. 5, 1811. He remained in his native county 
until he was nineteen j^ears of age, then emigrated 
alone to the United States and, locating in Stark 
County, Ohio, followed farming pursuits. Thence 
he went into Maumee County, where he purchased 
a farm but remained there only a short time. On 
account of tlie fever and ague in that region he 
then removed to Summit County and purchased a 
farm. On the 2d of September, 1834, he was mar- 
ried, near Massillon, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Can- 
non, who was born near Carlisle, Pa., March 13, 
1813. Mrs. T. was the daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (Gilchrist) Cannon. Her father for a number of 
years before tlie war was a slave-owner, but finally 
liberated his slaves of his own free will. Tlie grand- 
father of Mrs. T. was a Major in the Revolution- 
ary War, serving directly under Gen. Washington, 
and came out of the conflict without a wound. The 
Gilchrist family, in years gone by, was widely rep- 
resented throughout the Southern States. 

The parents of our subject were orphaned at an 
early age, and Bowman Thompson, in his early life, 
probably acquired those habits of persistence and 
industry which proved the secret of his success. 
He departed this life in Cheney's Grove Township, 
Oct. 13, 1865. His wife survived until May 2, 
1876, nearl}' eleven years. Their five sons and two 



daughters were John, George, James, our subject, 
Robert, Sarah C, Harry B. and Jane E. James 
passed his childhood and youth upon the farm in 
Summit County, Ohio, receiving a common-school 
education. After arriving at years of manhood he 
was united in marriage, Jan. 2, 18G1, with Miss 
Charlotte S. Oliver, who was born Feb. 23, 1843, 
iind was the daughter of Richard and Ann (Brit- 
nell) Oliver, both natives of England. Richard 
Oliver was born Nov. 28, 1810, and departed this 
life in Tazewell County, 111., in 1881. The mother 
died in 1854. They were married in England, 
came to America in 1837, and located in Tremont, 
Tazewell County, where they p.assed the remainder 
of their lives. Of their seven children three are 
now living — John, Thomas and Charlotte S. ; 
Thomas H., Lucy A., and two unnamed, died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Oliver was a painter and cabinet-maker 
by trade, and carried on a good business in the gro- 
cery line. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M. 
for many years, belonged to the Sons of Temper- 
ance, and during his early life had connected him- 
self with the Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson became the parents of six children — 
James R., who married Miss Ida Newland and has 
two children; Albert B., Lucy C, Elizabeth C, 
John R. W. and Harry G. 

During the late war Mr. T. became a member 
of Co. L, 4th III. Vol. Cav. He participated with 
his comrades in the fight at Fts. Henry, Donel- 
son and at Pittsburg Landing, being among the 
first on the scene of conflict. Thence he went with 
his regiment to Corinth, Miss., and after the cap- 
ture of Island No. 10, moved upon Memphis 
thence to Trenton, and in February was with his 
regiment at the battle of Coft'eeville, where the fa- 
mous Col. McCullough was killed, being pierced 
again and again with the enemy's bullets. There 
our subject was taken prisoner l)ut escaped within 
an hour on account of the friendly darkness which 
aided him. He then proceeded to Vicksburg and 
from there to Natchez, Miss. This was in 1864, 
and in October of that year, having completed his 
term of enlistment he was mustered out, receiving 
his honorable discharge at Springfield, III. He had 
determined to aid in the conflict to the end and re- 
tired with the comforting assurance that he had 



T 



*■ 



t 



,t 



•►-"ll-^ 



670 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



performed his part bravely and faithfully. He en- 
tered the service as a private and was promoted 
Commissary Sergeant. After retiring from the 
arm}' he resumed his oceu])ation as a farmer, and 
has distinguished liimself as an intelligent and val- 
uable member of the comraunit}'. He served as 
Collector of his township three years, vvas Super- 
visor four years and still holds the oHice. He has 
held other prominent positions among the counsels 
of his townsmen, and is a worthy member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, having held the various offices of 
Lodge No. 468 at Cheney's Orove. He gives 
close attention to his business, is prudent in the 
management of his affairs, and strictly honorable 
in his dealings, and is a man vvho enjoys to the full- 
est degree the confidence and respect of his friends. 

The farm estate of our subject comprises 1G7 
acres of finely cultivated land wilii a good resi- 
dence, barn and out-buildings, and in fact all the 
accessories of the skilled and intelligent agricultur- 
ist. Mr. Thompson since 1872 has been a member 
of the Republican County Central Committee, and 
has upheld the i)i-inci[)les of his [tarty to the best of 
his ability. Both he and the various members of 
his family are prominently connected with the 
Christian Church. 

As one of the leading representative men of the 
county we take pleasure in presenting the portrait 
of Mr. Thompson in this volume. 



ARVEY B. KARR, a resident of Dale Town- 
sliij), and the son of an honored pioneer of 
McLean County, seems to be in possession 
of the enterprise and energy which so char- 
acterized his ancestors in a remarkable manner, and 
is successfullj' engaged in farming pursuits and in 
the breeding of draft horses, cattle and hogs. He 
is a gentleman in the prime of life, and in the 
midst of his usefulness and activity, and presents 
the happ}- spectacle of an energetic, thorough-going 
business man, with encouraging i)rospects in view, 
and enjoying the confidence and esteem of his as- 
sociates and fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Karr is a native of this county, having been 
^' born in Randolph Township, Oct. 20, 184.3. His 




father, Thomas Jefferson Karr, was a native of 
Hamilton County, Ohio, born on the 10th of Feb- 
ruary, 1820, and his grandfather, Dr. Thomas Karr, 
was born in Bucks County, Pa., on the 23d of 
April, 1793. The father of the latter and the great- 
grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War and held a Captain's commis- 
sion. After the colonies had established their in- 
dependence Capt. Karr removed from his native 
State to Hamilton Count}', Ohio, in 1810, and was 
among the earliest pioneers of that region. He 
subsequently removed to tlie Territor}' of Illinois 
and spent the last 3-ears of his life in McLean 
County, dying in the town of Randolph, and his 
remains were interred in Heyworth. 

The grandfather of our subject was a youth of 
seventeen years when his parents removed to C)hio. 
He was married at North Bend, White Mater 
Township, Hamilton Count}', in that State. In 
183,5 he removed with his famil}' to Illinois, and 
settled in Randolph Township, this county, where 
he had previously purch.ased a tract of land. Uiion 
this he now built a log cabin, and removed into it 
with his family, occupying it for two years, after 
which he erected a comfortable frame house. He 
engaged industriously in the improvement and cul- 
tivation of his farm, was rewarded with abundant 
success, and lived to see the country well devel- 
oped. 

Thomas Jefferson Karr, the father of our subject, 
was the third child and eldest son of his parents. 
He came to McLean County with his father and 
mother, and made his home with them until he had 
'grown to manhood. He possessed a great amount 
of energy and ambition, and early in life com- 
menced to do business for himself. He engaged as a 
dealer in live stock, which he purchased in this sec- 
tion and sold in Milwaukee. He also purchased 
considerable timber land, and sold wood and lumber 
to the railroads. At the same time he engaged ex- 
tensively in farming and stock-raising, and met 
with success in the various depai'tments of his 
business. He w.as removed from the scenes of his 
earthly labors while in the prime of life, on the 
17th of February, 1.S60, his death being the result 
of a railioad accident. At the time of his death, 
the father of our subject was the owner of 800 



^m^ 

V 



-^•- 



J\J\J 



McLean county. 



671 



acres of land, fortj' of wliich he had entered from 
the Government, and for the greater part of the 
remainder he paid $30 and $50 an acre. 

He was married in December, 1843, to Miss 
Elizabeth Low, and soon after his marriage settled 
upon the farm which is now occupied by his 
widow, and is pleasantly located on section 13 of 
Dale Township. The parental household consisted 
of Ave children: Harvey B., of our sketch, was 
the eldest; Lizzie became the wife of Dr. Bradley, 
of Pekiu, 111.; Guy is manager of the homestead; 
Martha, who was born Dec. 9, 1853, died July 2, 
18oG; Dora, born April IG, 1857, m.arried A. J. 
Johnstone, of Dale Township, and of whom a 
sketch appears in another part of this work. 

Harvey B. Karr spent the greater part of his 
youthful days in attendance at the district schools 
in Dale Township. In 1858 he entered the Model 
Department of Normal University, and in 1860 at- 
tended the Wesleyan University of Bloomington, 
where he entered upon a scientific course, and re- 
mained at this institution for a period of three 
years. In the winter of the year last mentioned he 
went to Chicago, 111., and studied in the Business 
College of Bryant & Stratton, and thus fitted him- 
self for the later and practical duties of a business 
and farming life. After he had completed his stud- 
ies Mr. Karr returned to his fatlier's farm in Dale 
Township, where he remained until the death of 
the latter, and then administered upon the estate. 
When this had been settled he turned his attention 
to the buying of live-stock, which he shipped to 
Chicago and the Eastern markets, and was thus 
successfully engaged until 1870. He then located 
upon his present homestead, where he was princi- 
pally occupied in agricultural pursuits for four 
years following. In 1874 he again began his opera- 
tions as a stock-dealer, operating thus for two 
years, and then resumed farming. 

Mr. Karr was the first time married in 1870, to 
Miss Irene vShannon, a native of Newport, Ky. 
This lady only remained the companion of her hus- 
band four short years, dying on the 21st of No- 
vember, 1874. She became the mother of one 
child, a daughter, Theresa, who died at the age of 
seven years. The second wife of our subject was 
Miss Emily K. Jackson, to whom he was married on 



?: 



i 



the 17th of December, 1879. Mrs. Emily Karr is a 
native of Madison County, Ky., and the daughter 
of Henry L. and Margaret (Rice) Jackson. Of this 
union there have been born three children — Harvey 
L., Kitty and Thomas J. Mr. K. and his family 
occupy a handsome residence, which, within and 
without, is indicative of refined tastes and am- 
ple means. They are held in the highest respect 
in the community, and Mr. K. enjoys in a marked 
degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow- 
townsmen. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject, whose 
name was Nathan Low, was one of the earliest pio- 
neers of McLean County, having settled in Dale 
Township in 1829. He was born in Maryland on 
the Gth of January, 1791, and was the son of Na- 
than and Nancy (Wright) Low. In 1805 he emi- 
grated from his native State to Licking County, 
C)hio, and was there married, in 1814, to Miss 
Sarah Brooks. After this event he was occupied 
as a cattle dealer, purchasing stock in Ohio and 
driving it through over the mountains to Harris- 
burg, Pa. In June, 1821, he started w^th his fam- 
ily for an overland journey to Illinois, and arrived 
in McLean County in July following. His means 
at the time were limited, and his pioneer house or 
shanty, as it would now be called, contained but 
one room, was only 12x14 feet in dimensions, and 
became the home of ten persons. Mr. Low, how- 
ever, made the best of circumstances, was enter- 
prising and ambitious, and soon established a more 
comfortable home. His energy, however, out- 
weighed his physical strength, and his health was 
broken while he was comparatively a young man. 
He died in 1844; his widow survived him until 
1879, and departed this life in Dale Township. 

It is with pleasure that the publishers of this work 
present the portrait of Mr. Karr, as being that of a 
worthy and honored representative of Dale Town-, 
ship. 



\f7 AMES CORKY WILSON, one of the mem- 
bers of the firm of Wilson & Wilson, engaged 
in general merchandise business at Cooks - 
(^^ ville, is a native of Fayette County, Pa., 
and was born jMay 10, 1856. His parents were Will- 
iam and Elizabeth (Corry) Wilson, natives of 

oj U. 



I 



f. 



i 



-•►-■-^ 



672 



McLean county. 



the Keystone State, the father at present a resident 
of Towanda Township, and a sivetch of whom will be 
found elsewhere in this volume. The subject of this 
sketch was but four jcars of age when his parents 
removed from his native State to Illinois and lo- 
cated in Blooniington. He received a good educa- 
tion in the common schools, and remained under 
the home roof until the spring of 1879. Since that 
time he has been a resident of McLean County 
with the exception of three years spent in Colo- 
rado. He lived in Boulder, Col., three years, re- 
turning to McLean County in the fall of 1882. 
Soon afterward he formed a partnership with Ben- 
jamin L. Anderson, and they operated together un- 
der the firm name of Andei'son & Wilson, which 
lasted until November, 1886. Mr. Anderson then 
sold out his interest to James Corbett Wilson, and 
the firm is now known as Wilson & Wilson. The 
firm holds a good position among the other thriving 
business houses of Cooksville, both its members be- 
ing gentlemen of integrity, prompt to meet their 
obligations and valued members of society. 

Our subject was married, in Blue Mound Town- 
ship, June 21, 1883, to Miss Mattie V. Newton, 
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Routt) New- 
ton, the mother being a sister of ex-Gov. Routt, 
of Colorado. Mrs. Wilson was born in Blue 
Mound Township, Feb. 14, 1864, and of this union 
there was born one child, a daughter, Florence B. 
Mr. Wilson is a stanch supporter of the Republican 
party. 

/^^p:ORfiE A. ROSS, a well-to-do farmer of this 
11 (=) county, residing on section 2, township 21, 
^^ijj Funk's Grove Township, is a native of Sara- 
toga County, N. Y., and was born April 19, 1828. 
His father, John B. Ross, is a native of New Jersey, 
and the paternal grandfather of our subject was born 
in Scotland. The latter came to the United States 
prior to the Revolutionarj^ War. and was a soldier 
in the same on the side of the colonists, and spent 
the last years of his life in New Jersey. The father 
of our subject, early in life, learned the trade of a 
blacksmith in New Jersey, and after following the 
same in that State for a time removed to Schenec- 
tady, N. Y. He labored at his trade in the latter 



county for a few years and then went to Niagara 
Count}', same State, and settled in the town of 
Ro3'altou, where he still continued at blacksmith- 
ing, and where he made his home until his death, 
in July, 1883. The maiden name of his wife was 
Eliza Stewart, and she was born near Schenectady, 
N. Y., and departed this life in 1830. There were 
but two ciiildreu born of this union, our subject 
and his sister, Mary Elizabeth, who married Charles 
Jackson, and is living at Royalton, N. Y. 

George A. Ross was only a year and ten months 
old when his mother died, and was reared to man- 
hood under the care of a step-mother. At fourteen 
years of age he commenced working in his father's 
blacksmith-shop, attending school part of the time. 
He continued to work in the shop until he was 
twenty years old, when his father assisted him to 
start a shop of his own at Jeddo, Orleans Co., 
N. Y. This he conducted with partial success for 
fourteen mouths, when he sold it with the intention 
of going to California. His iriany relatives and 
friends, however, talked him out of the notion, and 
he came to Illinois instead. This was in the fall 
of 1 852, and on arrival in this State he first located 
at Decatur; remaining there during the winter he re- 
turned East, and then came back to Illinois. He was 
there employed on railroad work for a short time, 
and then became section foreman for the Illinois 
Central Railroad, and moved his residence to Hud- 
son, 111. We next hear of him at Heyworth, this 
count}^ where he was in the emploj'of the railroad 
company at that place until 1856. During that 
year he abandoned railroading, and for six years 
farmed on rented land. By this time he had econo- 
mized sufficiently to enable him to purchase a tract 
of land, which he did and began farming on his 
own property. He bought his present farm in the 
fall of 18G1. There was a small frame house on 
the place when he bought it, which in 1866 gave 
way to the substantial residence in which our sub- 
ject now resides. In 1876 he erected a commodious 
barn on his place. He has 251 acres of land in a 
bod.v and also nine acres of timber, and is meeting 
with success in the prosecution of his calling. 

Mr. Ross and Miss Ellen Jackson were married 
Nov. 27, 1853. She was born in Batavia, (4euesee 
Co.. N. Y., July 5, 1838. Her father, Charles 



4 






■u 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



673 



V 



Jackson, was a native of New York State, and her 
inotlier. Julia Phillo, was also born in that State. 
Charles Jackson was a carpenter by trade, and 
spent the latter j'ears of his life in Orleans County, 
N. Y., his demise occurring in 1874. His wife is 
still living, and resides in Orleans County, N. Y., 
with her brother. Mr. Ross cast his first presi- 
dential vote for Gen. Winfleld Scott, and has voted 
for the success of the Republican party ever since 
its birth. On the thirtieth anniversary of the wed- 
ding of Jlr. and Mrs. Ross they were agreeably sur- 
prised by their neighbors and friends, who took 
possession of their house and setting the table pre- 
pared a sumptuous repast. After the meal Mr. and 
Mrs. Ross were the recipients of a beautiful silver 
pitcher. They will hmg remember the pleasant 
countenances whom they met in their home on that 
occasion. 

-^^^.©^^^ 

<$^ IV-ILLIAM SHANNON, the only harness- 
\r\J// maker in the town of Heyworth, is located 
\^^ on West Main street where he has carried 
on his business since the spring of 1870. He has 
a permanent and finely established trade, and by 
his straightforward business methods has secured 
the respect and esteem of the community. He was 
formerly a resident of Bloomington, where he lo- 
cated in 184'J, and followed his trade for a period 
of twenty years. 

Mr. Shannon was born in Shelby County, Ky., 
Feb. 7. 1813. His father, Hugh Shannon, was a na- 
tive of Ireland and came to the United States when 
a young man and settled in Virginia. He was there 
married to Miss Sarah Kendall, whose father was a 
farmer, and who became a resident of Shelby 
County, Ky., which afterward remained the home 
of both our subject's parents during their life- 
time. At the time of tlieir decease both were well 
stricken in 3'ears, and had built up a good record 
by their honest lives and kindly deeds. Of their 
eleven children our subject was the third in order 
of birth. He grew to manhood in his native county, 
and there learned his trade under the instruction 
of Harris Hickman. After serving an apprentice- 
ship of three years he set out as "jour" and in due 
time took unto himself a partner and helpmeet in 
4* 



the person of Miss Nancy B. Ritchey, their union 
occurring on the 2d of April, 1835. 

Mrs. Shannon was born and reared in Scott 
Ck>unty, Ky., of parents who were born, reared and 
married in Virginia, her father being engaged in 
farming pursuits. Later they removed to Owen 
County, Ky., where the father died about 1836. 
The mother, who was formerly ^liss Catharine 
Bronson, after the death of her husband came to 
Illinois and died at the home of her grand-daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Sarah Chase, when seventy-seven years 
old. Mr. and Mrs. Shannon of this notice became 
the parents of seven children, of whom George F. 
and Mary C. are deceased. Those living are Sa- 
rah, Samuel R., John T., Irene and William B., 
all married and settled in comfortable homes. 

Mr. Shannon followed his trade in Owen County 
and Covington, Ky., for some time after his mar- 
riage. Thence he removed to Bloomington, 111., 
where he established a good business and was suc- 
cessful. In Heyworth he has been President of the 
Village Board, and is Democratic in politics. He 
is greatly interested in the cause of temperance, and 
of late years has identified himself with the Prohi- 
bition movement. All the family are members of 
the Baptist Church, and are recognized in this com- 
munity as law-abiding and useful citizens. 

« >i ■ » a<g»<HlMg"' *— S-* 

\f I OHN RYAN, a farmer by calling, and the 
owner of 163 acres of valuable land on sec- 
tion 1, Towanda Township, where he resides, 
is meeting with signal success in the con- 
ducting of his vocation. Mr. Ryan is the son of 
John and Margaret (Curboy) Ryan, natives of Ire- 
land. They had nine children and John was the 
second in order of birth. He was born on the 
Emerald Isle in 1824. When twenty -five years of 
age, in 1849, he emigrated to this country, and 
taking up his home in Kane County, 111., continued 
to reside there for two years. In 1851 he came to 
this county, and settling in Bloomington was there 
variously occupied until 1878. During that year 
he removed to Blue Mound Township, and subse- 
quently to Towanda Township, where he has made 
his home until the present time. 

While a resident of Bloomington, Mr. Ryan was a 
•►- 






1 



■*► 



t 



674 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



I 



portion of his time engaged as an employe of the C. & 
A. R.R. Since leaving- Bloom ington he has devoted 
his time exclusively to farming. He is now the owner 
of KJ.'i acres <if land, .nil of which is under an ad- 
vanced state of cultivation, and on which he has 
ereete<l good and substantial improvements. Mr. 
Ryan was married, in Bloomington, 111., June 9, 
1850, to Miss Julia, daughter of William and Mary 
(Fitzgerald) Dwyer, natives of Ireland. Her par- 
ents had eleven children, and Mrs. Ryan was the 
fifth in order of birth. She first saw the light in 
the Land of the Shamrock, INIarch 24, 1835. 

The union tif Mr. and Mrs. Ryan has been pro- 
ductive of the Ijirth of five children — Margaret, 
John, Edward, Matthew and Mary A. Margaret 
is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan, as well as their 
children, are members of the Catholic Church. In 
l)olitics he is a Democrat. Tlie mother of onr sub- 
ject departed this life in her native land, and the 
father died at Bloomington, this State. In addition 
to the fine farm which is the property of our sub- 
ject, he is also the owner of considerable city prop- 
erty in Bloomington. He is a self-made man, and 
what he has of this world's goods he has accumu- 
lated through his own energy and good judgment, 
and iiot as tlie recipient of any legacy whatsoever. 



"I^i-iOBERT CLARK. Among the farmers of 
lii^ Towanda Township possessing enterprise 
(^ \V and push, and a gentleman whose success is 
^©lattributable to his own energy and good 
judgment, we take pleasure in relating a few facts 
connected with the hi.story of Robert Claik. He is 
living on his fine farm on section 9, .and is meeting 
with success as a tiller of the soil. The parents of 
our subject were Robert and Jeannette (Paxton) 
Clark, of Irish and Scotch ancestry. The occupa- 
tion of the father was that of a farmer, and he was 
also a wagon-maker bj- trade. After his marriage 
to Miss Paxton he settled in Washington County, 
I'a., where they continued to reside until their de- 
mise. Eleven children, five sons and six daughters, 
were born of their union, our subject being the 
fourth in order of birth. 

Robert Clark was born in Washington County, 



-4^ 



Pa., Feb. 22, 1812. He lived with the old folk 
until twenty-four years old, when he started out to 
do for himself. His education was received in the 
common schools, and in early j'ears he studied civil 
engineering, which he m.astered, but which in after 
life he never followed. He also learned the trade 
of a wagon-maker under the instruction of his 
father, and on leaving the parental household he 
engaged in working for a brother-in-law in the 
same country, and was in his employ for seven and 
a half years, engaged the while in farming. He then 
went to Mercer County, Pa., and there purchased 
a farm of II. S acres, and for twent3'-one years lived 
upon the place and was occupied in its cultivation 
and improvement. 

Selling his farm in Mercer County, in the win- 
ter of 1805, our subject came to this county and 
purchased 160 :icres, located on sectitms 9 and I (J, 
Towanda Township. He settled on section 9, and 
has made that his home until the present time. By 
hard labor, economy, industry and good judgment 
he has succeeded in adding to his original purchase, 
and at the present time is the proprietor of 360 
acres of vahuible land. He has on his farm a fine 
set of buildings, including residence, barn, and 
other necessary out-buildings, and is recognized as 
one of the progressive farmers of McLean County. 

i\Ir. Clark was married in W^ashington County, 
Pa., May 28, 1844, to Margaret Mcllvain. She 
is a cousin of George Mcllvain, one of the Supreme 
Court Judges of Ohio. Her parents were Greer 
and Jane (Campbell) Mcllvain, both of Scotch an- 
cestry. They were born in Pennsylvania, married, 
and settled in Washington County, their native 
State, where the father engaged in farming .and 
where the mother died. He is yet living, and has 
attained the venerable age of ninety-four years. 
They had seven children, five daughters and two 
sons, and Mrs. Clai'k was the third daughter born 
to them. She first saw light in Washington Count}', 
Pa., April 19, 1823. Of her union with our sub- 
ject seven children have been born, three of whom 
are yet living. The deceased are Robert E., whose 
demise occurred when five years old; Maggie E., 
who departed this life when two and a half years 
of age; Martha J., who died in Washington 
County, Pa., at the residence of her grandfather, 

•►-:■ 



i 






-4»- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



■675 



while on a visit there, March 6, 1874, and Greer 
Mcllvaine, who died March 6, 1877, while in the 
twenty-seventh year of his life. The three living 
children are Andrew T., a carpenter by trade, and 
a resident of Manitou, Col.; Oren, living at Leoti, 
Kan., and Lizzie, at present in Colorado for lier 
health. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are both members of 
the Presbyterian Church, and in politics our sub- 
ject is Republican. 



-t^T- -iettjZi2/©-^* 



*®|,S<(7ff2r>\~ -vv,." 




■ 



S. MEARS, a worthy citizen and substan- 
tial farmer of Yates Township, is finely lo- 
cated on section 20, where he owns and 
operates a beautiful farm, and has built up 
for himself an enviable reputation as an honest man 
and a good citizen. Mr. Mears is a native of Scot- 
land, boru on the 3d of March. 1834, and the son of 
John and Mary (Dunn) Clears, who were natives 
of the same country as their son. In 1849 the par- 
ents and six children emigrated from their native 
land, and after a verj' tedious voyage in a sailing- 
vessel landed at New York City, and soon after- 
ward made their waj' to Syracuse, that State, near 
which city they settled. There the parents passed 
the remainder of their daj's; their six children — 
James, William, Thomas, D. S., Mary and Jlar- 
garet — are all living, some in the East and some in 
the West. 

The subject of this history was but a boy of 
fifteen 3'ears when he arrived with his jjarents' fam- 
ily in the United States. The latter were in very 
straightened circumstances, it having taken all their 
money to pay the expense of crossing the '• brin}' 
deep." It was thus necessary that each member of 
the family should take care of himself as far as pos- 
sible. Under these circumstances our subject 
bound himself out to a farmer, who gave him his 
board and clothes. He served this man faithfully 
for eighteen months, during which time he re- 
ceived h.arsh treatment, and finally ran away, start- 
ing westward, and not knowing where he was to 
land. He finally found himself in the city of Buf- 
falo, where he took passage on a boat for Cleve- 
land, Ohio, and in the latter State soon became em- 

4» 



ployed as a farm hand, in the harvest fields of 
Northern Ohio, receiving as compensation fifteen 
cents per day. From there he drifted into Indiana, 
where he worked by the month for farmers at $13 
and $14 until 1855. In that State he-was so greatly 
afflicted with fever and ague that his physician ad- 
vised him to change his location, which he did 
effectually, making his way to New Orleans. La., 
where he passed the winter of 1855-56. He then 
took passage up the Mississippi River to Alton, 111., 
whence he proceeded b}' rail to Chicago, and found 
work there in a brickyard. Elarlj' in July of the latter 
year he met a Will County farmer, who had gone 
into the city to celebrate the National holiday, and 
as the fanner wanted to hire a hand, our subject ac- 
companied him to his home near Joliet, and worked 
for him until the winter of 1858. 

During the latter year our subject came to McLean 
County, and after working one season near Bloom- 
ington, entered the employ of Nathaniel Suther- 
land, an extensive farmer near Towanda, with whom 
he remained three years. In the fall of 1861 he 
decided that henceforth in life he would be his own 
employer. He .accordingly rented land near Che- 
noa, which he operated until 1865, then purchased 
the northwest quarter of section 20, which forms 
his present farm. When he purchased this land it 
was raw prairie and rather wet. He has now 
brought the whole to a fine and fertile condition, 
having put in 750 rods of tile draining, w-hich has 
changed the low wet portions into productive fields. 
In due time he erected a good set of farm build- 
ings, and now has one of the most attr.active and 
valuable homesteads in Yates Township. He makes 
a specialty of grain raising. 

Mr. Mears vvas married in 1862, to Miss Anna M. 
Witherow, a native of Pennsylvania, born April 
29, 1839, and they have become the parents of 
eight children — Mary J., James, Walker, Joseph, 
Scott, Flora, Cora, and Robert, deceased. Our sub- 
ject and his family .are among the most highly es- 
teemed residents of their community, and the fam- 
ily mansion is the home of hospitality and good 
cheer. As a citizen Mr. Mears is one of that class 
possessing the peculiar characteristics of his vScot- 
tish ancestry, and his word is as good as his bond. 
Socially he is a Royal Arch Mason, being a mem- 



* 



t 



t 



676 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



^ 



ber of Chenoa Blue Lodge No. 292, anrl Cheuoa 
Chapter No. 143. Politically he casts his vote in 
support of the principles of the Democratic party. 



*^«^-'-i»»^« 



V?*«f-<j^»i5-- 







^Ij S. EDDY, Cashier of the People's Bank, 
lJI Bloomington, III., has been a resident of 
this State for a period of over thirty 3'ears, 
and most of the time since 1855, a resi- 
dent of that city. He was born in Scipio, Cajaiga 
Co., N. Y., Sept. 12, 1837, his parents being Rev. 
H. J. and Abigail (Bull) Eddj', also natives of the 
Empire State. The father of our subject was a 
Baptist clergyman. After a college education, in 
1836, he entered the ministr3' and presided over a 
parish until the outbreak of the late war, and then 
officiated as Chaplain in the army from 1861 to 
1864, being with the 33d Illinois Infantry. He 
came to Bloomington in 1855, and labored for the 
Baptist Church there a number of years, and in 
1867 removed to Belvidere, where he remained five 
years and afterward labored in Syracuse, N. Y., for 
six years. He then went to New York Citj^ where 
he has since resided, having retired from the min- 
istry some years since. The mother of our subject 
died in 1843, leaving her husband with three chil- 
dren : Jerome H., who is now in the newspaper 
business in New York Cit3'; A. S., and Herman J., 
engaged in the tobacco and cigar trade. 

A. S. ICddy remained at home until fourteen 
years old, and received his earl^- education in the 
public schools of New York City. At the age 
named he became employed as messenger boy in 
the Bank of North America, of New York City, and 
after remaining two years was Assistant Teller for 
the same length of time. In 1855 he came with 
his parents to Bloomington, and was soon after- 
ward engaged as a clerk in the McLean County 
Bank, where he remained until 1S59. He was ap- 
pointed Deputy Circuit Clerk under William Mc- 
CuUough, and tilled the duties of this otBce until 
1861. The war then coming on he enlisted in Co. 
K, 8th 111. Vol. Inf., the " Oglesby Regiment," at 
the thiee months' call. After this term of service 
had expired, he re-enlisted in the 4th New York 
Heavy Artillery, serving altogether from 1861 to 



1864. He was first made Orderly Sergeant, then 
First Lieutenant, and during the Wilderness cam- 
paign received the commission of Captain. 

Mr. Eddy retired from the army in 1864, and 
returning to Bloomington was united in marriage 
wjth Miss Emma, the daughter of Dr. C. and Har- 
riet H. (Richardson) Wakefield, of this conntj'. 
He was then employed as book-keeper for Dr. 
Wakefield, and after three years thus occupied be- 
came a member of the firm, where he remained six 
years. He then sold out his interest, and engaged 
in merchandising for eight years following. The 
next seven years lie was occupied as Teller in the 
Peoples' Bank, and since that time he has been 
Cashier, likewise a stockholder since 1878. 

Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have become the parents of 
five children — Emma A., Florence G., Adelbert C, 
Louis O. and Maxwell. Our subject in polities is 
independent. He at one time served as City 
Treasurer of Bloomington, and ranks among its 
most prominent and enterprising business men. 
He belongs to the Knights Templar and the G. A. 
R. The family residence at No. 406 East Wash- 
ington street, is replete with all the comforts and 
many of the luxuries of life, and Mr. Eddy with 
his family, enjoys the esteem and friendship of a 
large circle of acquaintances. 



■^ AMES S. VANSCOYOC, a gentleman in the 
prime of life and in the midst of his useful- 
ness, is one of the valued citizens of Che- 
(^/i ney's Grove Township, where he is pleasantlj' 
located on section 20, and prosperously engaged in 
.agricultural pursuits. He is a native of this county 
and was born in Padua Township, Dec. 28, 1834. 
Mr. Vanscoyoc is the son of James and Drusilla 
(Lewis) Vanscoyoc, the fofmer a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and the latter of Virginia. The father 
of our subject was born Feb. 20, 1798, followed 
farming the greater part of his life, and died in 
Cheney's Grove Township on the 22d of February, 
1877. The mother was born Feb. 7, 1801, and de- 
parted this life at the home of her husband, in the 
same township as her husband, Feb. 20, 1869. She 
was a lad}- greatly respected for her personal worth, 






-4« 








l■^.^>;;^'lfe■,;^ ^ y> .K,i^.^»;f5^.:-^.„r.^-^< *'^ 



^ ^f—*?*!-* ^ -" 



■^n -til ^i;=^rL«j^ 



Rtsidence ofJ.NV.MS Ginnis,Sec.I5., Lawndale Townshi p. 







Res, OF Mrs. Mary A. N esmith ^ Sec.2I., Lawn dale Township. 










^*^;;^*ii:^'''^ ;'*^^-«--<;:^'^-- -'-'^^^^ 



Res. OF Ira C . Pratt, Crops ey. III. 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



679 



I 

i 



and a member in good standing of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. The record of their seven chil- 
dren is as follows: Oliver H. P. was born April 17, 
1820, and married Miss Mary jSewconib; Isaac 
died in infancy ; Rebecca was born Feb. 7, 1825, 
and became the wife of Marks Banks; Rachel, born 
Aug. 29, 1828, married John Newcomb; Walter, 
born Sept. 10, 1831, married Miss Mary Banks; 
James S. of our sketch was the sixth child ; Hannah 
was born Feb. 12, 1840, and died when six yeais 
old. 

The subject of our sketch was reared to man- 
hood on his father's farm, and on the 7th of De- 
cember, 1854, was united in marriage with Miss 
Margaret P. Means, who was born on the farm 
where they now live, Oct. 13, 1835. She is the 
daughter of Robert and Sarah (Rumsey) Means, 
natives of Virginia, who removed to Kentucky in 
their 3'outh, and were there married. Mr. Means 
was a farmer by occupation, and came to this 
county in 1830, where he spent the remainder of 
his daj's. He was born in 1785, and departed this 
life Aug. 1, 1835.* Mrs. Means was born Nov. 10, 
1795, and survived her husband nearly forty years, 
dying March 1, 1875. She was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and became the 
mother of ten children, as follows: America P. was 
born in 1820, and died in 1885; Katurah; Jemima 
and John were twins; the latter died when twelve 
years old; James R. was born March 22, 1825. 
The balance were David D., Joseph K., Owen A., 
Elizabeth M. and Margaret P. 

Mr. and Mrs. Vanscoyoc became the patents of 
eight children: Theodore L., born Sept. 20, 1855, 
died Sept. 22, 1856; Almaretta was born Aug. 1, 
1857; Sarah H., Feb. 11, 1800; Mary D.,Nov. 18, 
1862; Harry A., born Sept. 30, 1865, and married 
Miss L. L. Hiatt; AValter M., born June 24, 1869; 
Charlie C, March 13, 1876; Guy P., March 16, 
1879. The homestead of our subject consists of 
265 acres of valuable land, and he has of late years 
been quite extensively engaged in the breeding of 
fine stock. He is independent in politics, and has 
held the various offices of his township, being a 
man of sound judgment, whose opinion is uniformly 
held in respect. He is prominentlj' connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has 

4* 



been Steward for a number of years, and has con- 
tributed liberally and cheerfully to its support. 
He has in all respects fulfilled his obligations as a 
good citizen, and is considered one of the impor- 
tant factors in the business and agricultural com- 
munity. 



/ 



(Dunk 



r/OSEPH P. JANES, living on section 14. 
Mone3' Creek Township, is a farmer by call- 
ing, and successful in the prosecution of his 
labors. John S. Janes and his wife, Sarah 
le) Janes, parents of oursubject, were natives 
of Virginia. They moved to F.ayette County, Ohio, 
after their marriage aud were there resident until 
the fall of 1851, when they came here and made 
their home in Money Creek Township. The father 
died in Indiana, Feb. 20, 1854, while there on 
business, and his remains were brought back and 
interred at Lexington, this county. His wife sur- 
vived him until Feb. 13, 1887. dying in Money 
Creek Township. They had eight children — Peter 
H., Martha, Laura, Jacinta, Joseph P., Elizabeth, 
Lorenaand Barbara E. 

Joseph P. Janes was born in Fayette County, 
Ohio, Oct. 28, 1844, and was seven years old when 
his parents came to this county, and has made 
Money Creek Township his home since that time. 
He knows no other calling than that of farming, 
having followed that vocation all his life, aud at 
present is the owner of 180 acres of valuable land, 
located as stated. Mr. Janes was married to Miss 
Jennie Arbogast, a native of Virginia, who departed 
this life in Money Creek Township, and Julj^ 8, 
1875, at Bloomington, our subject formed a second 
matrimonial alliance. Miss Charlotte Foster being 
the other contracting jjarty. She is the daughter 
of Harrison and Ann (Chance) Foster, the former a 
native of Kentucky. Her parents came to this 
county in 1851, and settled in Gridley Township, 
where they lived happily together as man and wife 
until 1872, the date of the demise of the mother. 
Seven children were born of their union, five 
daughters and two sons, and Mrs. Janes was the 
third in order of birth. She first saw light in 
Wapello County, Iowa, June 23, 1855, and her 
union with our subject has been blest by the birth 

«► 



'i 



t 



fiSO 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



of one child — Allie. Mr. Janes has held the office 
of School Director and Overseer of lligliways, and 
in politics is a stanch Republican. Mrs. Janes holds 
fellowship with the United Brethren Church. 






yrlLLlAM II. MACY, druggist at Towanda 
/ and also Justice of the Peace, is one of the 
^5^^ recognized business men of that place, pos- 
sessing the confidence and respect of his townsmen. 
William W. Macy, father of our subject, is a na- 
tive of Nantucliet. Mass., and Mariuin P. (Hough- 
ton) Macj', our subject's mother, was born in Lynn, 
Mass. From New Bedford, Mass., where they had 
settled after marriage, the parents of our subject 
removed to New York City, in which metropolis 
the father died in 1838. Soon after his demise the 
mother removed to Nantucket, Mass., where she 
died Jan. 2.5, 1839. Two children were born of 
tlieir union; one of these died in infancy, and our 
subject, the other, is the only one of the family 
living. 

William II. Macy was born in New Bedford, 
IMa.ss., Jan. "2.5. 1834. He lost his parents when 
quite young, and was brought up by relatives. He 
lived with Hezekiah Barnard, State Treasurer of 
Massachusetts, until he was fifteen years old, re- 
ceiving a good education in a Quaker school, and 
at this age was sent to West Town Boarding School, 
near Philadelphia, Pa., where he pursued his studies 
about two 3^ears. He then returned to IMassachu- 
setts, and after attending school for another year, 
went to Fall River, that State, where he served an 
ai)prenticesliip of sometliing over three years in 
learning the cabinet-maker's trade. 

In the spring of 1856, Mr. Macy came to this 
State and located at Loda, Iroquois County, and 
was there engaged at cai'penters' work for about 
two years. We next hear of him at Tremont, 
Tazewell Co., III., where he is working at his trade 
and where he continued to reside for about a year. 
Next he became a citizen of Fairbury, Livingston 
Co., 111., whence he removed to Pontiac, that 
count}-, and there lived until the breaking out of 
tiie late Civil War. In August, 18C1, he enlisted 
ill Co. K, 3d 111. Vol. Cav.. as a private, and served 

4 * 



for three 3'ears and one month. For nearly two 
and a half years he was detailed as Hospital Stew- 
ard. While near Memphis, Tenn., he came near 
being captured by Forrest's troops, but succeeded 
in making his escape. Receiving his discharge he 
went to Attica, Ind., and in June, 1865, came to 
Towanda, this county, where he bought out a small 
stock of drugs. He has continued to make that 
his home until the present writing, and during his 
residence there has I)een identified with every in- 
terest calculated to benefit the place, and has met 
with success in his business adventures. 

Mr. Macy was married at Fairbury, 111., Sept. 
22, 1803, to Miss Mary E. Walden, daughter of 
Theophilus and Nancy (Oppy) Walden, natives of 
Ohio. Tlie}' emigrated from their native State to 
Montgomery County, Ind., where he died. She 
afterward lived with her children, and died at the 
home of her daughter, Mrs. Macy, in Towanda, 
July 24, 1880. Mrs. Macy was the youngest of 
her parents' children, and was born in Montgomery 
County, Ind., Oct. 17, 1837. Her union with our 
subject has been blest by the birth of two children 
— Mary B. and William D. Mary is the wife of 
Dr. William C. Girtin, a resident of Towanda. 
Mr. Macy has held the office of School Trustee for 
about nineteen years, also Village Trustee and 
Justice of the Peace for several years, and is the 
present incumbent of the latter office. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics 
a Republican, having voted with that part}- since 
its formation. He and his wife, together with 
their two children, are membei's of the Baptist 
Church. 




ARTIN BATTERTON, one of the earliest 
settlers of McLean County, came here 
as early as January, 1834. The journey 
from his home in Madison County, Ky., 
was made on horseback. He rode up through the 
State of Indiana and then westward into Sanga- 
mon Count}', 111., afterward coming into McLean 
County and here joining his mother's brothers who 
had preceded him. He at once purchased a claim 
in Lawndale Township which he began to improve. 



♦r#^^ 



**%/ 




'^^^z^c^c ^ .>.^rt'c^^pi^ 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY 



683 



and has been a resident of this vicinity since that 
time, inalving' for himself a most honorable record 
as an honest and upright man and a useful member 
of the community. 

Mr. Batterton was born in Madison County, Ky., 
Sept. 29, 1807. His father, Abraham Batterton, of 
Virginia, was born in about 1775, and died in Ken- 
tucky in 1858, at the advanced age of eighty-three 
years. His grandfather, Henry Batterton, was of 
English birth and parentage and emigrated with his 
brother to America, but after their arrival became 
separated and the brotlier was lost to his relatives. 

Abraham Batterton was a soldier in the War of 
1812, having volunteered under Gen. Hopkins, and 
was sent to the frontier to look after the In- 
dians who were creating disturbances. When he 
went to Kentucky he was a young man still living 
with liis parents, and he was there married to Miss 
Susanna Hainlain, of Madison County. Her fa- 
ther was George Hainlain, who was of German an- 
eestiy. After marriage they settled on the home- 
stead of his father in Madison County, buying out 
the interest of tbe other heirs, and continued to re- 
side there the remainder of his life, dying in 1858. 
He left a wife and seven children, all of whom 
lived to mature years and all remained in Ken- 
tucky except one brother, Curtis, who settled in 
McLean County, 111., and of whom a sketch is 
given in this volume. 

Martin Batterton passed the days of his boyhood 
and j'outh in his native State, and received a com- 
mon-school education. He was a natural mechanic, 
and without serving an apprenticeship became car- 
penter, cooper and shoemaker, so that when he 
moved to McLean County he made his own boots 
and shoes, and after settling down upon liis home- 
stead saved many a dollar by his skill in the use of 
tools. 

After locating upon his claim as above stated 
Mr. Batterton, in October, 1836, was united in 
marriage with Miss America, the daughter of Sam- 
uel Tayloi', of Knox County, to which he liad re- 
moved from Boone County, Ky., in about 1835. 
Mr. Batterton, when he came to this county, had 
about $400 in cash and in due time he added to his 
landed possessions until he is now the owner of 280 
acres of choice land, finely improved and under a 



good state of cultivation. The farm residence is a 
shapely and substantial structure and the barn and 
out-buildings of first-class description. The home- 
stead invariably attracts the attention of the pass- 
ing traveler and marks one of the attractive spots 
of McLean County. 

Mr. and Mrs. B. became the parents of three 
children — Ira A., Mary E. and Zerilda. After the 
war Ira edited a paper at Vicksburg, Miss., and it 
was reported was accidentally shot, although there 
are grave doubts in regard to the matter; he was a 
stanch Union man and enlisted for a term of three 
years in Co. K, 8tli III. Vol. Inf., in which he served 
until being mustered out, in April, 1863, to taive 
the rank of Adjutant in another regiment. Owing 
to some misunderstanding, however, he found the 
place occupied by another man, and leturning to 
his regiment remained with his comrades, sharing 
their fortunes and the vicissitudes of war until 
after the siege and capture of Vicksburg. He after- 
ward remained in that city as a private citizen, and 
clerked in the office with which he subsequently be- 
came connected as editor. After the capture of 
the city by Union troops the Government took 
possession of the printing press and during the ex- 
citement of that occasion Ira Batterton was killed 
as above stated, in July, 1865, and his father re- 
moved his remains to this vicinity for burial. Mar^' 
H Batterton became the wife of Thomas B. Kilgore, 
a resident of Lawndale Townsiiip; Zerilda J. mar- 
ried A. J. Moon, of Lexington. 

Mrs. America T. Batterton departed this life in 
March, 1883, and since her death our subject has 
made his home part of the time on the farm and 
part of the time with his daughter. Mrs. Moon. 
He still looks after the affairs of the old homestead, 
although eighty years old. He enjoys remarkably 
good health and is active for one of his years. In 
earlier years he was quite prominent in the affairs 
of the township, and served as Assessor and Col- 
lector. He always took a deep interest in its pros- 
perity and welfare. He has been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for over forty years; 
his wife also belonged to that church, having made 
a profession of religion when a girl. In jjolitics 
Mr. B. is an ardent Republican. 

In the portrait of this venerable and revered 



n 



t 



-4^ 

6H4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



pioneer of McLean Cnunty, many of the old resi- 
dents with their children will recognize the featnres 
of one of those dauntless and courageous charac- 
ters who assisted to make permanent in this region 
the institntio:is which were inaugurated in this coun- 
try by the sturdy spirits of '76, whose children 
have just cause for revering their memory and 
their deeds, and helping to cherish and preserve the 
history of their lives. There si)rang upon the soil 
of Kentucky many of the resolute men, who in 
earl3' life looked toward the Northwestern Territory 
as a desirable field for their future operations and 
wiio, coming here, have played no unimiiortant part 
In its prosperity, both asagriculturistBand financiers. 
Among these Martin Batterton occupies a con- 
spicious and honorable position, and no better monu- 
ment t<) his virtues can be erected tlian the history 
of his life, although briefly given, which may be 
handed down to iiis children who will peruse it and 
in turn teach the lesson of his worth to their de- 
scendants. 

'JYJUDGE C. D. MYERS, who presides over 
the County Conrt at Blooraington, is filling 
tiie duties of his res|)onsible position intelli- 
gently and acceptably, and is one of the 
most highly esteemed citizens of JIcLean County. 
Judge Myers was born in Meigs County, Ohio, on 
the 7th of May, 1847. His parents were Benjamin 
an<l Serena (Elliott) M3'ers, natives resjjectively of 
\'irginia and Ohio. 

Benjamin Myers was an experienced and skill- 
ful builder, contractor and pattern-maker. lie em- 
igrated from his native State to Ohio when a 3'oung 
man, and was employed in the Pomeroy found- 
ries for many years, as designer and pattern-maker. 
He was stricken down in the prime of life and in 
tlie midst of his usefulness as a citizen and the 
father of a family, at the age of forty-three years. 
His wife, the mother of our subject, afterward re- 
moved to West Virginia, and is still living there. 
Their household included six children, two of whom 
are deceased: William P. is engaged as a whole- 
sale grocer at Cinciiniati, Ohio; Thornton B. is en- 
gaged in the loan and abstract business at Winfleld, 
Kan.; the next son living is the subject of our 



^i,-. 
i 



sketch; Serena E., Mrs. Holman, lives in Lorain 
County, Ohio. 

Judge Myers, from the time he was eight until 
sixteen years old, lived on the homestead in \'ir- 
ginia with his mother, and then returning to Pom- 
eroy, engaged first as ^ clerk in a dry-goods store, 
and then, during the progress of the late war, en- 
listed ill Co. B, 32d Ohio Vol. Inf., and served 
until the close. He participated with his comrades 
in the battle at Franklin, Tenn., and was taken 
prisoner at Rock Hill Station, Ky., during the trans- 
portation of troops and prisoners on the Louisville 
& Nashville Railroad. The bushwhackers had dis- 
placed the rails so that the train went down a steep 
embankment, where the Union soldiers were sur- 
rounded and captured. They were liberated, how- 
ever, the following day, but in the meantime their 
watches, money and valuables were carried off by 
the "chivalry." 

After his term of service had exjiired, our sub- 
ject returned to West Virginia, and for the follow- 
ing year worked on a farm near the little city of 
Fairmont. He then proceeded again to Ohio, 
where he entered the Normal National School at 
Lebanon, and after a six months' course in this in- 
stitution, returned to West Virginia, where, for 
two years following, he worked on a farm in sum- 
mer and taught school in winter. In 18G8 he re- 
sumed his studies in Ohio for another year, which 
were then once more interrupted, to resume in 1870, 
for two years, after which he graduated and en- 
tered the law department of Michigan University', 
from which institution he received his degree after 
a two years' course, in 1874. 

Thus armed with the requisite credentials. Judge 
Myers soon afterward came to Bloomington and 
commenced the practice of his profession. After 
a few months he associated himself in partnership 
with Albert Bushnell, and they operated together 
for three years. .Judge ISIyers then formed a part- 
nership with Isaac W. Stroud, which continued two 
years, and then Mr. S. retired on account of fail- 
ing health, and since that time he has pr.acticed 
alone. His talents and ability received early recog- 
nition in this county, and after filling other posi- 
tions of res|)onsibility and trust, he was elected 
Judge of the County Court, in 1886. He has been 



i 



-U 



t 



McLean county. 



685 u' 



\ 



Chairm.an of the Republican Central Committee 
for the last six years, and has lieen attorney for 
the Bloomington Building and Loan Association, 
and also one of its Directors and stockholders since 
its organization. He is a stockholder in the Third 
National Bank, Secretary and Treasurer of the 
Bloomington Iron-Piling Bridge Company, and 
Vice President of the Bloomington Law Library 
Association. Socially he is a member of the I. O. 
O. F., the G. A. R.,and is Grand Chancellor of the 
Knights of Pythias. 

The marriage of Judge Myers and Miss Dora 
Yeager took place in the spring of 1872, in Leba- 
non, Ohio. Mrs. Myers is the daughter of Benjar- 
min and Mary (Lucas) Yeager, who were both 
natives of Jackson, Ohio, and the latter is still liv- 
ing. The Judge and Mrs. M. occupj- a handsome 
residence at No. 603 Ta3'lor street, surrounded by 
the refinements of life, and enjoying the friendship 
and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. 
Judge Myers has attained to his present position 
among his fellow-citizens solely bj^ his own efforts 
and his resolution of character. He is essentially 
a self-made man, obtaining his education through 
his own earnest eftVirts and perseverance, and his 
property through his industry and good judgment 
in the place of capital and the disbursement of 
funds. He is noted for his kindness of heart, his 
simple and unostentatious habits, and the elevation 
of character which scorns an ignoble thought or 
cowardly action. 



/^APT. JOSEPH DENLSON, Treasurer of 
[if McLean Countj', and a resident of Bloom- 

^^^' ington, came with his parents from Penn- 
sj'lvania to the Prairie State in 1851. He was born 
in December, 11^32, in Baxter County, Pa., and is 
the son of Andrew and Susanna (Herr) Denison, 
also natives of the Keystone State. Andrew Deni- 
son was a farmer by occupation and after a resi- 
dence of two years in this State, in the meantime 
having been visited by a sad atHietion in the death 
of his wife, which occurred in 1853, he returned 
to Pennsylvania and lived there until 1.S57. He 
then came back to McLean County, 111., and en- 



gaged in farming near Bloomington, being thus 
occupied until his death, which occurred in 18G5. 
He belonged to the Dunkard Church. The parental 
household consisted of three children, two only of 
whom are living — Joseph and Noah W.. a resident 
of Freeport. 

The subject of this history remained with his 
parents on the farm, receiving careful home train- 
ing and a practical education, until sixteen years 
of age. He then engaged as clerk in a store of 
general merchandise for the four years following. 
After coming with his parents to Bloomington he 
engaged in the marble business for four years and 
then operated a grocery and bakery until 1857, 
when he resumed his former occupation of clerk, 
and thus labored until 1862. The late war being 
then in progress he enlisted as a Union soldier in 
Co. F, 94th 111. Vol. Inf., as First Lieutenant. After 
six months he received a Captain's commission, 
which he retained until the expiration of his term 
of service in 1865. Mr. Denison with his comrades 
participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., 
the sieges of Vicksburg, Ft. Morgan and Spanish 
Fort, and was in many other engagements and 
skirmishes, escaping without serious injury. After 
his honorable discharge from the army Capt. Deni- 
son returned to Bloomington Cit3' and subsequently 
engaged in the grocery trade at Lexington. In 
1868 he was appointed United States Storekeeper 
at Bloomington, and after six months was promoted 
United States Ganger at Bloomington and Pekin, 
and was thus occupied until the summer of 1870, 
when he was elected County Treasurer, holding the 
office four years. In 1876 he was re-elected, and 
has held the office continuously since that time. 

Capt. Joseph Denison and Miss Sarah J. Strain 
were united in marriage in 1854. Mrs. Denison is 
the daughter of Is.aac and M.ary Strain, natives of 
Ohio, and of her union with our subject there .are 
five children, .as follows: Herbert L. married Miss 
Florence Downey, of Bloomington, and they have 
two children — Edith and a babe unnamed ; Adella, 
residing in Bloomington, married Edward L. l>lair, 
and the3' have one child — Karl B. ; Josephine, 
Noah B. and Isaiic P. are with their p.-irents at 
home. Capt. Denison and his family occupj' a 
comfortable and attractive residence at No. 609 






'^ 



t. 

It 



■<^ 



_t 



686 



McLean county. 




West Washington street, and enjoy the friendship 
and society of a large circle of warm friends. Our 
subject is prominently connected with the Repub- 
lican party and socially belongs to the A. F. & A. 
M. and the G. A. R. He is in all respects a worthy 
and valued citizen, and l)oth socially and as a busi- 
ness man is a representative citizen of McLean 
County. 



^1 ATHEW G. HAUGHEY, an esteemed citi- 
zen of JIcLean, is at present engaged as a 
stock-dealer, and has been a resident of 
this vicinity since a child eight years of 
age, when he removed from his native State to this 
county. His birth occurred in ( Jreene County, Ohio, 
on the 8th of April, 1840. His father, Joseph 
Haughey, vvas born in the Old Dominion, where he 
was reared and grew to manhood. He was also 
married' in Virginia, his wife being Miss Esther 
White, a native of that State. Soon after marriage 
the young c(ju[)le removed to Ohio, settling in 
Greene County on a tract of timber land of 100 
acres, from wiiich Joseph Haughe^' improved a 
farm, which he occupied until 1848. He then sold 
out and started for the West, accompanied by his 
wife and nine children. The journey' was made 
overland and their outfit consisted of six horses, 
two wagons and a carriage. After about thirty 
da^'s' travel they landed in Logan County, 111., 
where the father of our subject rented land for 
two years following. 

In tlie meantime Mr. H. had entered 160 acres 
on sections 1 and 12 of what is now Mt. Hope 
Township, where he soon afterward built a house, 
into which he removed his family in the fall of 
1850. He remained there until a few years before 
his death, and spent his last days in McLean, re- 
tired from active labor. His death occurred in 
18GS), wlien he was flfty-niiie years of age; his 
widow still lives in McLean. The children now 
living are as follows: Henry is a resident of Ava, 
Douglas Co., Mo. ; Eliz.'ibctli became the wife of 
Lewis Harley, who is now deceased (see sketch) ; 
Lorenzo Dow lives in Arkansas; John, in Kansas; 
Mathew G., in McLean, and RLary E., Mrs. vSamuel 
vans, in Mt. Hope Township. 



f Be\ 

r 



The subject of this history was reared to farm- 
ing pursuits, and remained under the home roof 
until August, 1862. The Rebellion being then in 
progress he enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. A, 
117th 111. Vol. Lif., serving until March, 1863, when 
he was honorably discharged on account of disa- 
bility and returned home. As soon as his health 
would permit he resumed farming pursuits until 
1866. Then, coming to McLean, he began dealing 
in grain and stock and later purchased a one-half 
interest in a drug-store. He subsequently sold this 
and purchased an elevator, and continued operat- 
ing in grain until 1884, also in buying and shipping 
stock. 

Mr. Haughey vvas married in McLean County, 
111., in Septemlier, 1 872, to Miss Charlotte Snow, who 
was a native of Brookfield, Mass., and born Jan. 
14, 1847. Her parents were Daniel C. and Louisa 
D. (Rice) Snow, whose sketch appears in this work. 
Of this union there were born two children — Frank 
M. and Daniel Max. Mr. and Mrs. Haughey are 
greatly respected wherever known. Our subject is 
a member of the iMethodist Episcopal Church, and 
socially belongs to Harrison W. Wood Post, G. A. 
R. Mrs. Haughey is a member in good standing 
of the Congregational Church. 



>~'v/*- . -v4iiXJj2/®^^^ I 



|->*®fS'OT7>>>"'W~- 




ABJN A SACKETT. This highly respected 
citizen of Arrowsmith Township owns and 
occupies a flue homestead on section 17, 
consisting of 160 acres of highly improved 
land, with a handsome two-story dwelling, a good 
barn, and all necessary buildings adapted to the 
storing of grain and the shelter of stock. He has 
made the breeding of tlie latter a specialty, and in 
this, as well as in other farming operations, has 
met with remarkable success. 

Our subject was born in Delaware Country, Ohio, 
March 22, 1828, and is the son of Elijah G. and 
Malinda (Lee) Sackett, natives respectively of Ohio 
and New York. Elijah Sackett was born in 1804, 
and died July 5, 1880. He came to Illinois in 
1856, whence he removed to Iowa in 1875, and 
was engaged in farming pursuits all his life. He 
was a good man in every sense the term implies, 



I 



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» 



McLEAlSI COUNTY. 



687 



and with his wife was a consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our 
subject was born in 1804, and departed this life at 
her home in Adair County, Iowa, in 1 880. The 
children born to them were, Sabina, Nanct^- A., who 
died in childhood, Hiram H., Francis, Josephine, 
Maria, Lyman, Charles D., Martha, Sarah E., Cath- 
erine and Lydia. Charles D. during the late war 
served four years in the 3d Illinois Cavalrj'. 

Mr. Sackett came to this county in 1853, and 
was emploj'ed one year by David Lewis of Dale 
Township, for the sum of $150. He was variously 
occupied for about eighteen years afterward. His 
first purchase of land was 120 acres near Farmer 
City, which he finally sold and purchased a part of 
his present homestead. He is a thorough-going 
and enterprising business man, with decided opin- 
ions, and fearless in the expression of them, and 
glories in the fact that he is a '• true blue " Repub- 
lican, ready ui^on every occasion to defend the 
principles of his party, which he believes to be the 
best upon the face of the earth. 



,-s- 



#^ 



y; B. STOCKDALE, of the firm of Brown & 
Stoekdale, of Heyworth, this county, is, 
with his partner, carrj-ing on an extensive 
and lucrative trade in hardware, tinware, pumps, 
paints, oils, glass, etc. They also sell farming im- 
plements of all kinds. Mr. Stoekdale established 
the present business in 1874, with his partner, Mr. 
Mann, but after two years sold out to Mr. Maun. 
Our subject then started in for himself, in another 
location, and after two years took in his present 
partner, Mr. Brown, and they have operated to- 
gether successfully since that time. They carry a 
good stock and have among their customers the 
best people In this locality. 

The subject of this history was born in Washing- 
ton, Washington Co., Pa., near Monongahela City, 
on the river of the same name, Dec. 28, 1 847, and 
is the son of John and Margaret (Corry) Stock- 
dale, a sketch of whom ajipears in another part 
of this work. He is the eldest of the three chil- 
dren of his parents, all now living, viz., James C. 
I and Alice V., who still live with their parents. 




4 



Our subject was married near Heyworth, Jan. 30, 
1873, to Miss Anna B. Wakefield, whose father, 
William W., is a retired farmer and lives in the vil- 
lage. Mrs. S. was born near Ft. Wayne, Ind., 
Sept. 5, 1852, and was ten years of age when her 
father came to Randolph Township. She was 
reared by her parents, receiving a fair education, 
and remained with them until her marriage. Of 
her union with our subject there have been born 
three children — James E., Porter and Blanche. Mr. 
S. is Republican in politics and takes an active in- 
terest in upholding the principles of his party. He 
is also, with his wife, a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

ON. REUBEN M. BENJAMIN, the young- 
est son of Darius and Martha (Rogers) 
Benjamin, was boi'n at Chatham Center, 
Columbia Co., N. Y., June 29, 1833. His 
father was a private in the War of 1812, and his 
grandfather, Ebenezer Benjamin, was a Captain in 
the Revolutionary War. He is descended from 
English and Welsh ancestry, who in the colonial 
days lived in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Mr. 
Benjamin of this notice lived on a farm until he 
was fourteen years old and was prepared for col- 
lege at Kinderhook Academy, N. Y., whence he en- 
tered Amherst College, Mass., and was graduated 
in 1853, receiving the third honor of his class. He 
soou afterward became Principal of Hopkins Acad- 
emy at Hadley, near Amherst, and in 1854 entered 
the Law Department of Harvard University. In 
1855-56 he was tutor in Amherst College. In 
April of the year last named he came to Blooming- 
ton, 111., and in September following was licensed 
to practice law, his examination certificate being 
signed by Abraham Lincoln. 

Shortly after his admission to the bar Mr. Benja- 
min became a partner with Gen. A. Gridley and 
Col. J. H. Wickider, and remained with them as 
long as they continued to practice law. In 1 863 
he formed a partnership with Hon. Thomas F. Tip- 
ton, afterward Circuit Judge and Member of Con- 
gress, and since then, at different times, has been as- 
sociated with Hon. J. H. Rowell, Member of Con- 
gress, and Hon. Lawrence Weldon, Judge of the 
e^ 



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688 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



-m- 



Court of Claims at Washington. In 1869 Mr. Benja- 
min was chosen a member of the convention that 
framed the present constitution of the State. He 
served on the committees of Bill of Rights, Mu- 
nicipal Corporations, State Institutions and Sched- 
ule. He was one of the most active and efficient 
members of the convention, and during the session 
and after its close was the recipient of highly 
complimentary remarks by his co-laborers and by 
the pi-ess. 

Our subject was one of the counsel for the peo- 
ple in the celebrated Lexington case (C. & A. R. 
R. Co. vs. The people, 67 111. Rep.), a case involv- 
ing the question as to the right of railroad corpora- 
tions to charge more for a less than for a greatei' 
distance. He was subsequently employed as spe- 
cial counsel for the State Board of Railroad and 
Warehouse Commissioners, assisting also in the 
prosecution of the Warehouse case, Munn vs. 
The People, 01) 111. Rep. 80, which was taken to 
the Supreme Court of the United States, being 
there affirmed Mann ','*•. 111. 94 U. S. Rep., and 
became the leading case in the series familiarly 
known in 1876 as the "Granger cases." These 
cases established the constitutional power of the 
Legislature to regulate railroad and warehouse 
charges, and thereby protect the public against im- 
position. In the latter case, Ruggles vs. The peo- 
ple, 91 111. Rep., tlie Sujireme Court of this State 
declared broadly that tlie Legislature has the power 
to fix the maximum rates of charges by corpora- 
tions or individuals exercising a calling or business 
public in its character, or in which the public have 
a right to be protected against extortion or oppres- 
sion. In commenting on this case the Western 
Jurist says: "It is probable that the people of the 
State are indebted for the results of this agitation 
as given in the above decision to Hon. R. M. Ben- 
jamin, of Blooniington, in a greater degree than to 
any other single individual. As a member of the 
Constitutional Convention, he made the clearest 
and most convincing argument in favor of the 
right> of the people which was delivered in that 
body, and as special counsel for the people in the 
cases of the C. & A. R. R. Co. vs. The People, and 
Munn vs The People, has very materially contrib- 
uted in establishing the principle contended for by 



him before the convention and established in the 
above cases." 

In 1873 Mr. Benjamin was elected without op- 
position to the office of County Judge of McLean 
County. He was re-elected in 1877 and also in 
1 882. He soon won, and ever afterward retained 
the respect and confidence of the bar and of the 
people by his judicial aptitude, the soundness of 
his decisions and the quiet ease with which he dis- 
patched business. He preferred not to be a candi- 
date again for the office and accordingly retired 
from the bench at the close of his third term, in 
December, 1S86. Shortly afterward he resumed 
his law practice in partnership with Mr. .John J. 
Morrissey. Upon the organization of the Law 
Dep.irtment of the Illinois Wesleyan ["niversit^', 
in 1874, Judge Benjamin was appointed Dean of 
the Law Facultj' and still holds that position. In 
1879 he published a work entitled "Student's 
Guide to Elementary Law," which has proved 
of great assistance to those for whom it was ap- 
pointed. 

Judge Benjamin was married at Chatham, N. Y., 
Sept. 15, 1856, to Miss Laura E., daughter of 
David G. Woodin, who for many 3'ears was County 
Superintendent of Schools of Columbia County, N. 
Y. The family residence in Bloomington is finely 
located, and in all its appointments indicates the 
exercise of cultivated tastes and ample means. Its 
hospitable doors admit the best people of the city, 
whose society is enjoyed by our subject and his 
wife, who are greatly respected as cultured and 
useful members of society. 



^->J> ' j^- 




EV. JAMES SHAW, agent of the Preacher's 
Aid Societ}-, of Illinois, Conference Meth- 
odist E|>iscopal Church, is located at Bloom- 
<^inglon and performing his varied duties in 
a successful manner. He was born in Longford 
County, Ireland, near (ioldsmith's "Sweet Au- 
burn." His parents, James and Bedelia (Mcln- 
tyre) Shaw, were of Scotch descent. His brothers, 
Henry and Alexander Shaw, merchants, live in 
Montreal, Canada. William Shaw resides in Bloom- 
ington, 111., where also are his sisters, Mrs. William 



i 




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i 
■^ 



;^ 



>b 







> 




\ 
I 

^ 



M^ 



A 



McLean county. 



691 



Tanner and Mrs. John Dean. His youngest 
brother, the late Dr. S. M. Shaw, carried the colors 
of his regiment, 33d Illinois Volunteers, at the 
siege of Vicksburg, and as Lieutenant led his com- 
pany at the storming of Ft. Blakely in the late 
Civil War. 

The subject of this sketch while a student at the 
Wesleyan Seminary, Dublin, was called to take 
charge of a similar institution in the southwest of 
Ireland, from which he entered the Irish Wesleyan 
Conference. He followed his parents and their family 
to America in 1^54, and was received into the Illi- 
nois Conference in 1855; he has been stationed in 
the following places: Old Town, Bloomington, Pe- 
tersburg, Decatur (circuit), Clinton, Rushville, At- 
lanta, Tuscola, Urbana, Pana, Charleston, Farmer 
City, Rossville, Griggsville, Quincy and Beards- 
town. 

In the late war Mr. Shaw actively aided the 
Union cause, presenting flags and addressing Union 
soldiers, and during the Irish famine he was en- 
trusted with 130,000, American funds for the re- 
lief of the suffering. He was also entrusted with a 
large amount of American funds for the building 
and endowment of the Wesleyan Methodist Col- 
leges in Belfast and Dublin, Ireland. He has en- 
tered the field of literature, publishing works on 
America, Romanism, and Temperance, that have 
had an extensive sale. 

Mr. Shaw was married in 1857 to Miss Mary B. 
Coley, eldest daughter of the late Edward Coley, 
Esq., of Lucan, Ireland. Of the three children 
that came to brighten their home, two died in in- 
fancy, and one is yet living, James Henry Shaw, a 
graduate of the Illinois Wesle^'an University, and 
now editor of the Bloomington Lancet. 



i 



•ji] SRAEL D. JANES, a wealthy and prosperous 
I farmer of Danvers Township, has one of the 
/li finest homesteads in this section, consisting of 
310 acres, finely cultivated and tilled, furnished with 
a handsome and substantial set of frame buildings, 
and stocked with good grades of domestic animals. 
He first opened his eyes to the light among the 
New England hills, March 8, 1812, being born in 
Lebanon, New London Co., Conn., and is the son 



of Ezra and Mary (Haynes) Janes. His father was 
born in Brimfield, Mass., in 1782, and the mother 
on Long Island, just two weeks after her husband. 
Ezra Janes was a cooper by trade, and after his 
marriage, which occurred in 1810, he removed to 
Connecticut, where he rented a farm, and for four- 
teen years following was engaged in cultivating it. 
He then went to the State of New York and pur- 
chased 100 acres of choice land, in Genesee Coun- 
ty, where he remained until his death, which oc- 
curred March 7, 1869. The mother had died five 
years previously, in 1864. Their family included 
five children, three sons and two daughters, of 
whom Israel of our sketch was the eldest born; 
Ryland married MissSalina Loomis; Ezra S. mar- 
ried Miss Margaret Kinnej' ; Elizabeth became the 
wife of Leman Bishop; Mary died when about 
twelve years old. The parents were both members 
of the Baptist Church, and politically Ezra Janes 
was formerly a Whig, but later identified himself 
with the Republican party. 

The Janes family trace their ancestors back to 
the twelfth century in England where they wefe, 
even at that early period, closely connected with 
the history and government of the Kingdom, and 
in all measures for the public good their influence 
was potential, as the following will indicate. The 
writer was shown an engraving of a coat of arms 
presented to the Janes family, and inscribed as 
follows: "Janes family coat of arms, given to 
Guido de Janes by Henry 11, King of England, for 
distinguished military prowess and leading in three 
successful expeditions to the. Holy Land, A. D. 
1200." The first representative of the Janes fam- 
ilj' in America was William Janes, who, in company 
with Davenport and Eaton, established the colony 
of Connecticut. They came over a short time 
after the Massachusetts Colony, with which they 
were not fully satisfied, and went from there to 
Connecticut. The father of our subject served in 
the War of 1812. The family was noted for its en- 
terprise and intelligence, and for the excellent in- 
fluence its various members exerted in whatever 
community they chanced to reside. 

Israel B. Janes remained under the parental roof 
until he had attained his majority, in the meantime 
receiving a good common-school education. Like 



t 

692 



.t 



-p^m^^ 



McLEAN COtJKTY. 



all the young men of that period who were physi- 
cally able, he was obliged to do military dnty, and 
be enrolled in the State militia. On the first day 
of his attendance he was elected into the list of 
non-commissioned officers, and the third year re- 
ceived from Gov. jMarcey, of New York, the com- 
mission of Captain, which he held until coming 
West. When about twenty-one years old he com- 
menced learning the trade of a carpenter and cabi- 
net-maker. He was a natural mechanic, and be- 
came ver}' skillful in the use of tools. To this he 
added the study of architecture, in which he also 
became skilled, being possessed of a correct eye, in 
regard to symmetry of proportion. In 1838 he 
emigrated to Illinois and purchased eighty-eight 
acres of land in Danvers Township. This he soon 
doubled, and afterward added to until he became 
the owner of 1,000 acres. He disposed of a part of 
this, but kept t\)r liis homestead the 313 acres al- 
ready mentioned. He was chief builder, architect 
and carpenter of his present residence, superintend- 
ing it from the first, and doing much other work 
with his own hands. He hauled the logs which he 
sawed into lumber, and his taste and skill are ap- 
parent in the whole. 

The wife of our subject was the daughter of 
Elizur and Olive M. (I)owd) Hinsdale, who were 
natives of Connecticut, whence they removed 
to New York State in 182:^. Mr. H. was a skillful 
ax manufacturer, which business he fcdlowed all his 
life. He died in the latter-named State in 1871; 
the mother survived her husl)and only a short time. 
The children were Morris, Mary, Olive M. and 
Charlotte M., by the first wife; and by the second 
and third wives there were Harriett, Caroline, 
Eliza, William, Anna and Jane; one died in in- 
fancy unnamed. 

Mrs. Olive M. Janes departed this life .Ian. 31, 
1883. She was a faithful and affectionate wife, and 
a sincere and earnest Christian, devoted to Church 
work and to the cause of temper.ince. She pre- 
sented to the society in this place a fine organ, and 
otherwise contributed liberally and cheerfully to 
th(^ support of the Church and Sunda^'-school. She 
was also greatlj' interested in the Missionar3' and 
Bible Societies, to which she gave much of her 
time and means. Her name is held in tender re- 



membrance bj' her family and a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances. 

Mr. Janes has been a prominent and useful mem- 
ber of the community since coming here. He is a 
straight Republican in politics, has held the office 
of School Director for a number of years, and or- 
ganized the first .Sunday-school in McLean County, 
which is still in operation. He was Superintendent 
of this school for a period of ten years, and fulfilled 
his duties in a manner reflecting great credit upon 
himself and those by whom he was retained in 
the office. He built at his own expense a hand- 
some little chapel an annex to the church, "24x32 
feet, furnished it with chairs, a handsome chande- 
lier, etc. This, when completed, he gave to the so- 
ciety. On account of the pro-slavery sentiments of 
the pastor, Mr. Janes, with his wife and others, left 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, by letter, 
and in 1S(J1 organized the Congregational Church 
of Danvers. 

Mr. Janes has been a man of benevolent and 
philanthropic impulses, and among other good 
works is pledged to the Trustees of the Danvers Li- 
brary Association for $1,000, to be kept as a per- 
manent loanable fund, the 3'early interest of which 
is to be used in keeping up the Library. A part of 
the sum is already in the hands of said Trustees, 
and the bal;ince will be paid over as soon as the 
preliminaries can be arranged. It is also the inten- 
tion of ]Mr. Janes to place in the Library, from his 
own inivate collection of books, over 100 selected 
volumes, wiiich include the productions of some of 
the best minds of the .age in this and other coun- 
tries. An accompanying page is embellished with 
lithogi'aphic portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Janes. 



^YI OHN T. TANNER, an extensive dealer in 
grain, lumber, tile, coal, live stock, etc., is 
one of the pioneers of McLean County, and 
a resident of Anchor. He was born in 
Tazewell County, this State, May 24, 1837. His 
father, Joseph Tanner, was born in Tennessee, but 
in early life came with his parents to Illinois. They 
settled in Tazewell C'ount>- in about 1821), being 
among tlie early pioneers of that region. Joseph 



-•►■-^« 



4 



i 



h 



McLEAN COUNTS. 



i 



693 



T 



Tanner took up a tract of land and engaged in 
farming and there spent the remainder of his days, 
dying in about 1839. The mother of our subject 
before her marriage was Miss Jane Brown, also a 
native of Tennessee. By lier marriage with Joseph 
Tanner she became the mother of two children, 
John T., and another son, who died when young. 
The mother, after becoming a widow, married Elijah 
Smith, and her later home was near Danvers, this 
county. 

The subject of our sketch was a small boy when 
the family came to Tazewell County. He received 
his early education in the district schools and 
remained an inmate of his mother's house until he 
attained to years of manhood, although at different 
times he was engaged as a farm laborer in that 
vicinity. When twenty years old he started out 
for himself, beginning by farming on rented land, 
he having previously paid his stepfather for the 
privilege of leaving home and becoming his own 
master. The land which he cultivated belonged to 
J. C. Chrisom and this he operated for several years, 
then purchased a tract of timber Land in the edge 
of Woodford County, a part of which he cleared 
and upon which he resided for three years. At the 
end of that time, in March, 1869, he returned to 
McLean County and purchased IGO acres on section 
8, in Anchor Township, which he cultivated until 
March, 188G, and in the meantime he worked a 
wonderful change upon it from its original con- 
dition, and erected a handsome and substantial 
set of frame buildings. He then removed to An- 
chor Station, where he had previously established 
a store of general merchandise. This business in- 
creased to such an extent that he judged it best to 
give it his entire attention. Accordingly, renting 
his farm, he moved into town and in due time ex- 
tended his operations so as to include the com- 
modities in which he deals at present. He is finely 
adapted to his present employment, of which he is 
making a success and which j'ields him annually a 
handsome income. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in this 
county in March, 1859, the lady of his choice being 
Miss Sarah C, the daughter of Absalom and Mary 
Bailey. Mrs. T. was born in Indiana, and by her 
union with our subject became the mother of ten 



children, three of whom died young. Of the seven 
living the record is as follows: Eliza became the 
wife of O. T. Larson and lives in Anchor Town- 
ship; James is a resident of Cropsy Township; 
Lucy married Charles Hudson of Anchor Town- 
ship; Mary, Walter, Dora and Lois are at home 
with their parents. 

Mr. Tanner politically is independent. He cast 
his first ballot with the Republican party, with 
which he affiliated until during the late war, and 
since the close of that conflict, has voted for the 
men he esteemed best qualified for office, regard- 
less of party. He is well read and informed and 
served as Justice of the Peace eleven years, besides 
holding many of the local offices of his township. 
He has been connected with the Christian Church 
for thirty-five years, being one of its most earnest 
supporters and contributing cheerfully and liberally 
of his means to its maintenance and welfare. He is 
a member in good standing of the Masonic fra- 
ternity and belongs to Colfax Lodge No. 61, also 
Martin Lodge No. 652, I. O. O. F. 



^\ IIARLES LAMP, of the firm of E. H. Rood 
(if & Co., proprietors of the Bloom ington ele- 

^^7 vator, has been a i-esident of this city for 
many years, and is a fine representative of the 
reliable and substantial German nationality. He 
was born near Kiel, Germany, an important port 
on the Baltic Sea, the date thereof being April 1, 
1834. His parents, Henry and Silke (Wiese) 
Lamp, had a family of eight children. Our subject 
commenced attending school at an earlj^ age and 
continued until sixteen years old. After that he 
was variously engaged for three years, when he set 
sail for the United States, landing at New York 
City, whence he came to Bloomington in June, 
1853. Here he first engaged in assisting to con- 
struct the road bed of the Illinois Central Railroad 
at the wages of $1.25 per day. After the road was 
completed, he became a baggageman at Winona, 
111., and continued in the employ of the company 
until 1857. He then engaged in farming until the 
outbreak of the late war. 

In July, 1862, Mr. Lamp enlisted as a Union 






t 



I 



694 



McLEAisr COUNTY. 



-i 



soldier in Co. I, 104th 111. Vol. Inf., serving until 
the close of the war in the 14th Army Corps, under 
Gen. Thomas. He participated with his comrades 
in tlie battles of Chickamaugua, Lookout Mountain, 
Mission Ridge, and marched with Sherman in the 
Atlanta campaign, which lasted 125 days, and after- 
ward tc) the sea under Gen. Sherman. Soon after 
entering the service he was captured with the 
whole brigade by Morgan's Raiders, and held as a 
prisoner several daj^s, being then exchanged. He 
served through the war without receiving a scratch 
and was honorably discharged in June, 1 8(i5. He 
then returned to Bloomington and engaged with 
the commission firm of Ludington & Rood, with 
whom he remained through its various changes 
until he became a partner, and is engaged with 
them successfully and extensively as a grain dealer, 
their elevator being located on the Indiana, Bloom- 
ington & Western Railroad. 

Mr. Lamp was married in 1855, to Miss Eliza 
Rice of Bloomington, and they have eight children, 
four sons and four daughters. Mr. Lamp is a 
straightforward and thorough-going business man, 
highly esteemed among his friends and fellow- 
citizens, and belongs to the I. O. 0. F., Uhland 
Lodge No. 305, also to G. A. R., Post No. 146. 



ENJAMIN STRKTCH. As a representative 
of the agricultural class of McLean County 
([*g)jii who have made that vocation a success in 
life, by energetic effort, economy and good 
judgment, we take pleasure in mentioning the 
name of the subject of this notice. He has a fine 
farm on section 5, Towanda Townshij), on which he 
resides, and where he is engaged in the prosecution 
of his labors, and in which he is meeting with sig- 
nal success. The father of our subject was Jesse, 
and the mother Elizabeth (^'and^)lall) Stretch, both 
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The 
father was a carpenter by trade, and w.as chieflj' en- 
gaged in working at the same during his life. After 
his marriage he settled in Pennsylvania, whence he 
removed to Ohio .and lived in the neighborhood of 
Dayton until the fall <^f 1 ^^30. During th.at year 
he came to this county overland, accompanied by 




his wife and nine children, and settled in what is 
now known as Money Creek Township. There the 
old folk lived and labored, vvith but one interest in 
common, until their death. They had a large family, 
fourteen children, who lived to attain the age of 
man and womanhood, eight of them being daugh- 
ters and six of them sons. The father was born 
Feb. 15, 1795, and died Dec. 29, 1852. His wife 
was born March G, 1790, and departed this life May 
9, 1SG8. The}' were among the earliest settlers in 
McLean County, and passed through all tiie trials 
incident to a settlement in a new country. 

Benjamin Stretch was the thirteenth in order of 
birch of his parents' children, and first saw light in 
Money Creek Township, this county, Nov. 28, 
1830. His school privileges were exceedingly lim- 
ited, and the knowledge he possesses has been ac- 
quired through years of constant observation, read- 
ing and practice. He lived with the old folk until 
twenty-one years of age, and thus far in life his 
years have been devoted mostly to ;igricultural 
pursuits. For two or three years our subject w.as, 
in company with Cornelius Gatliff and E. M. B. 
Stretch, under the firm name of Stretch & Gatliff, 
in mercantile Inisiness at Towanda. After leaving 
the parental household our subject farmed on 
rented land for two years, when he was enabled to 
purch.ase eighty acres in Money Creek Township. 
On this tract he settled and continued at farm la- 
bor for several years, when he removed to Lexing- 
ton, 111., and there engaged in the livery business, 
and was thus employed for about four ye.ars. Dis- 
posing of his business at Lexington he returned 
to his farm and tliere resided until 1801. During 
that ye.ar he removed to Towanda Township and 
located where he is at present residing. He is the 
owner of 540 acres of valuable land, on which he 
has good inipi'ovenients. He also handles stock 
quite extensivcl}', and as a farmer and stock-raiser 
stands among the foremost of the county. 

Mr. Stretch was married in Money Creek Town- 
ship, Jan. 16, 1851, to Miss Maranda Kerr, daugh- 
ter of Peter and Jane (Filphot) Kerr, natives of 
Tennessee. Her parents settled in their native 
State after their marriage, and there lived until 
1848, when they emigrated to Macoupin County, 
this State, and thence to this county and settled in 



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M CLEAN COUNTY. 



697 



^ 



Money Creek Township. There the father en- 
gaged in farming. He was born Sept. 29, 1807, 
and died at the residence of our subject Feb. 23, 
1861. His wife was born Feb. 15, 1808, and de- 
parted this life Jan. 19, 1864. They had ten children, 
two sons and eight daughters, and Mrs. Stretch of 
this notice was the second in order of birth. She 
first saw light in Overton County, Tenn., Oct. 21, 
1832, and her union with our subject has been 
l)lest by the birth of three children living— Ethan M. 
B., Isabella A. and Winfrod .1. P. Ethan married Miss 
Eilla Rogers, and b}^ her had one child, named 
Harry L. Ethan was a physician by profession 
and practiced at Shirley, 111., for some three years, 
when his health failed him and he was compelled 
to give up his practice and return to the farm in 
Money Creek Township, where he died Oct. 13, 
1881. Isabella A. Stretch was united in marriage 
with Cornelius Gatliff, and the^' are living in To- 
wanda Township. Winfrod J. P. was married to 
Miss Stella McMullon, and thej' are also living in 
Towanda Township. Our subject and wife have 
also 1>uried two children, who died in infancy, and 
also a daughter, Edith. Mr. Stretch has held the 
office of Road Commissioner for several terms. 
His wife is a member of the Christian Church, and 
in politics he is a stanch Republican. 

■S] OHN H. C'LIFT, a prominent and prosper- 
ous farmer of Yates Township, owns and 
occupies a fine homestead on section 27, 
^^ / and is a good representative of the enter- 
prise, intelligence and industry of this section of 
the Prairie State. He was born in Poughkeepsie, 
N. Y., April 15, 1843, being the son of Henry and 
Harriett (Latham) Clift, natives of England, and 
who emigrated to the United States in 1842 and 
settled in New York, which remained their home 
until 1853. They then disposed of their interests 
in the Empire State and starting for the farther 
West, came into Illinois and located on a farm in 
Marshall County. There, by the exercise of indus- 
try and good management, the father i)f our sub- 
ject accumulated sufficient of this world's goods to 



enable him and his excellent companion to pass 
their later years in peace and comfort, retired from 
active labor. They removed from the farm into 
the city of Henry, where they are now residing and 
enjoying the association of a large circle of friends 
and acquaintances. The parental famil}' included 
five children, of whom John II. is the eldest. 

The subject of this history was ten years of age 
when his parents removed with their familj' from 
New York to Illinois. He received careful home 
training, a good common-school education, and as- 
sisted his father in tilling the soil. He remained 
under the home roof, in Marshall County, until the 
spring of 1869, and then, desirous of establishing a 
homestead of his own, came to this county and set- 
tled upon a part of the farm which he now owns. 
His first purchase consisted of eighty acres of raw 
prairie, which amount he subsequently doubled, so 
that now he is the owner of a quarter section which 
he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Upon 
the farm which he has thus opened and improved 
he erected a .-hapely and substantial residence, a 
good barn and all other necessary out-buildings. 
The farm is well stocked with good grades of the 
domestic animals and the machinery and implements 
for carrying on agriculture are of the latest im- 
proved pattern. Mr. Clift is a thorough-going 
business man, prompt in the fulfillment of his obli- 
gations and ever ready to assist in every worthy 
public enterprise. Politically he is a stanch sup- 
porter of the Republican party but has steadily de- 
clined to become an office-seeker. He belongs to 
the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Fairbury 
Lodge No. 351. 

Probably the most important event in the life of 
John H. Clift occurred on the 26th of November, 
1868, when he was united in marriage with Miss 
Ar.abella, daughter of John T. and Ann Smith. 
Mrs. Clift is a native of Illinois and was born in 
Peoria County, March 27, 1849. Her parents now 
reside in the little city of Henry, 111., and the fa- 
ther is numbered among the substantial men of 
Marshall County. Of this genial union there are 
three interesting daughters: Grace, born Aug. 23, 
1870; Jennie, Jan. 11, 1879, and Edna, Feb. 22, 
1881. Mr. and Mrs. Clift are devoted members of 
the Evangelical Methodist Church, to the support 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



of which they contribute liberally and cheerfully, 
and are among the first to encourage works of charity 
and benevolence. They are numbered among the 
useful members of the community and in their daily 
lives present examples worthy "of imitation. 

Vf/OHN N. WHEELER represents the oldest 
family' now residing in Belleflower Town- 
ship. He was born in Kalamazoo County, 
^^/i Mich., Sept. 9, 1853, and is the son of 
George W. Wheeler, who was born in Connecticut, 
near the city of Hartford. William Wheeler, the 
grandfather of our subject, who followed shoe- 
making and farming combined, spent the last years 
of his life near Hartford, and was a gentleman 
highly respected in liis community for his upright 
character and straightforward business transactions. 
George W. Wheeler, the father of our subject, in- 
herited the business capacities of his father, and at 
the early age of ten years went out from under the 
home roof, ambitious to do for himself. He car- 
ried witli him a pack containing light dry-goods 
and Yankee notions, which he peddled through the 
country, following this occupation successfullj- for 
a number of years. George W. Wheeler was the 
seventh of seven sons who were born to his par- 
ents. When he had become tired of peddling, he 
went into Kentucky and engaged in a plow shop, 
and thence, after a few years, journeyed to Michi- 
gan. He there purchased a tract of timber land, a 
part of which he cleared, and on which he erected 
a set of farm buildings. After providing a com- 
fortable home for hi.s bride he returned to Ken- 
tucky and was united in marriage with Miss Helen 
M. Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania. The young 
couple immediately started to their new home and 
were residents of Michigan until 18,56. Thence 
they removed to Illinois, and after two years spent 
in Bureau Count}-, came, in 1858, to McLean 
County. Mr. Wheeler had purchased 320 acres of 
wild land in Belletlower'J'ownsliip, which comprised 
the southwest quarter of section ■2.'5, and for a part 
of which he paid $3 per acre, and for the balance 
l3'ing on sections 23 and 24, he paid !i!2.50 per acre. 
He drew lumber from Ludlow, twenty-four miles 



distant, to erect a house, first, however, building a 
small stable, which the family occupied before the 
house was completed. He imi)roved a large part 
of his land, and lived to see the country, where the 
deer and wolves roamed wild when he first came to 
it, develop into prosperous farms. For some years 
there was no school accessible, and Mr. Wheeler 
employed a tutor for his children at his own house, 
believing a good education to be the best legacy 
he could leave them. After a well-spent life, he 
looked his last upon the scenes of earth, Oct. 26, 
1877. Mrs. W. survived her husband until June 
28, 1882. The parental family included ten chil- 
dren, nine now living, as follows: Amina, the 
widow of J. H. Dean, is a resident of Belleflower; 
AUie M. became the wife of F. M. Doxsee, and 
lives at Bloomington; .John N. of our sketch was 
the third child ; Thomas M. lives in Belleflower 
Township; Alida V., the wife of W. Q. Garst, and 
Nettie I., the wife of D. F. Sill, live in Belleflower; 
George W. lives in Belleflower Township; Frank 
W. is pursuing his studies in Wesleyan University, 
at Bloomington, and Nellie is a student of the High 
School in tliat city. 

The subject of this history was the eldest son of 
his pari-nts, and received his early education at 
home, as stated. He afterward attended a district 
school and completed his studies in Wesleyan Uni- 
versity. When nineteen years of age he com- 
menced teaching, and was thus eniplo^'ed during 
the winters for three years following, working on 
the farm during the summer season. In 1876 he 
went to Chicago and was employed on a street-car 
as conductor. He afterward entered the employ of 
J. V. Farwell & Co., as department salesman. In the 
fall of that year his father died, and our subject, 
resigning his position, returned home and took 
charge of the farm for one year. The following 
year he operated on rented land, and then pur- 
chased the lumber-yard in Belleflower, conducting 
I this for nine months, then selling out at the expira- 
I tion of that time and purch.'ising a one-half inter- 
est in a dry-goods store. He was engaged in mer- 
chandising one and one-half years, then sold his 
interest in the business, and purch.ased a farm of 
eight}' acres on section 22, Belleflower Township. 
I This he sold in 1883, and then purchased the farm 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



699 



he now owns and occupies. This comprises 1 GO 
acres of good land, all enclosed and in a good state 
of cultivation. The farm dwelling is a shapely and 
substantial structure, and the barns and out-build- 
ings in all respects fulfill the requirements of the 
modern and progressive farmer. 

The marriage of John N. Wheeler and Miss Jen- 
nie Conrad was celel)rated at her home in West 
Township, on the 4th of JIarch, 1870. Mrs. W. is 
a native of Marion County, Iowa, being the daugh- 
ter of AVilliam Conrad, a native of Ohio, who was 
the son of Adam Conrad, born in Maryland. The 
latter removed from his native State to Ohio, thence 
to Indiana, and afterward to this county, where he 
spent the remainder of his life. The father of Mrs. 
W. was married in Indiana, and after his removal 
from that State, settled in Marion County, Iowa, 
where he remained until about ISGO. He now lives 
In Washington County, Kan. Mr. and Mr. Wheeler 
have two children, — Delia Grade and George W. 
Our subject is Republican in politics, and a gentle- 
man always interested in the progress of education 
and everything that pertains to the vvelfare of his 
adopted State. 

-^^ •.o*o..fc2S><vfg»o*o V^ 

<(f]OHN STOCKDALE, a well-known citizen of 
Randolph Township, owns and occupies a 
valuable homestead located on section 32. 
(^J / It comprises 150 acres of land and he has 
occupied it since 185C. In addition to other natural 
advantages possessed by this beautiful country-seat, 
there is a spring of mineral water, besides a creek 
which provides an unfailing supply for the farm 
stock and other needful purposes. The family resi- 
dence and the buildings adjoining are tasteful 
structures. 

John Stockdale is the eldest son of William and 
Jane (McNown) Stockdale, who came from County 
Down, Ireland, having been married there before 
their emigration to this country. Thej' were of 
pure Irish ancestry and parentage. The parents of 
our subject, immediately after their marriage, which 
occurred in 1810, started for the New World. 
They located in Allegheny County, Pa., on a farm 
of 120 acres, which remained their home for a 



•►-■-♦^ 



pei-iod of sixteen years. They then sold out and 
removed into Washington County, just across the 
river from their old home. The father here pur- 
chased 226 acres upon which they remained the 
balance of their lives, the mother dying in 1833, 
when forty years of age, and the father in 1851, 
aged fifty-eight years. Their family consisted of 
ten children, five sons and five daughters, two of 
the younger sons being deceased. The others are 
all married and comfortably established in homes 
of their own. 

The grandfather of our subject, John Stockdale, 
Sr., was also a native of County Down, Ireland, 
where he spent his entire life, engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits. His wife was a Miss Philps, a native 
of his own country, and they reared a family of 
three sons and two daughters. Of these the father 
of our subject was the youngest son. While 3-et a 
j'oung man and when crossing the English Channel, 
he was pressed into the British service and com- 
pelled to follow the fortunes of a soldier for two 
years, although they were usually held for seven. 
He possessed a good education and obtained his 
release through his own efforts, and assisted by 
friends. He soon afterward came to America and 
became prominent in the political affairs of his 
adopted State. He was identified with the Whig 
party and was a man whose opinions were greatly 
respected, both u|K)n political and general matters. 

The subject of this iiistory was reared in Wash- 
ington County, Pa., and at an early age labored 
hard around the homestead and in the grain fields 
of his father. The harvest was then gathered by 
the sickle and later with the cradle, the convenient 
machinery of to-day being unknown, and the la- 
bors of tlie farmer were arduous and almost endless. 
Our subject lived at home until his marriage, which 
occurred on the same farm where he was born, but 
in a house which was erected later. The maiden 
of his choice was Miss Margaret Corry, and their 
wedding took place Feb. 26, 1847. Mrs. S. was 
born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in October, about 1820, 
her parents being James and Isabell (Stockdale) 
Corry, who were also born, reared and married in 
County Down, Ii-eland. They also soon afterward 
came to this country and located in Pittsburgh, 
her father being connected with the iron works of 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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that city. He afterward purchased the first tract 
of land upon which a farm was opened up in Al- 
legheny County, this being owned by William 
Stoekdale, the father of our subject. There he es- 
tablished a comfortable home and there the mother 
died while yet in the prime of life, leaving her 
husband with eleven children to mourn their irrep- 
arable loss. The wife of our subject was the eld- 
est daughter but one of these and only two be- 
sides herself are living. The father came to Iowa 
in 1862, and died in Van Bureu County, that State, 
in 1879, having reached the advanced age of ninety- 
six years. His father before him, Frank Corry, 
lived and died in Ireland, and was one hundred and 
one years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stoekdale of this sketch became 
the parents of three children: William B., a hard- 
ware merchant of Heyworth, married Miss Anna 
Wakefield; James C. is manager of the home farm, 
and Alice B. also lives with her parents. Mr. and 
Mrs. .S. soon after their marriage located upon the 
farm in Pennsylvania, and in about 1855 came to 
.Sangamon County, III., where the3' purchased a farm 
and after living upon it a few months became 
homesick and selling out went back to that State. 
The year following they tried coming West again, 
and after coming to this State and county resolved 
to endure a little homesickness and have succeeded 
admirably. They, with their son AVilliam B. and 
their tiaughter Alice, are worthy members of the 
Presbj'terian Church, rolitically Mr. Stoekdale is 
a Republican and a citizen who has gained the es- 
teem of his neighbors. The grandparents on the 
maternal side were John and Miss (Hunter) Mc- 
Nown and the names of the grandparents of Mrs. 
Stoekdale of our sketch were William and Miss 
(Hastings) Stoekdale. 

"ifj AMES KIMLEK. 'l"he name of this honored 
pioneer, who is now a resident of McLean, 
is familiar throughout the greater part of this 
(^^^ county as being a synonym of goodness, 
perseverance and integrity, and it is with jjleasure 
that we present his portrait in this volume. He 
came to this section when the countrv was wild 



and uncultivated, and in common with the early 
settlers of that period, experienced the trials and 
privations incident to life in a new country. 
With them he bravely and cheerfully labored, and 
with them will leave his footprints where genera- 
tions shall follovv with far less toil and many more 
of the comforts and luxuries of life. 

The subject of this history was born in Loudoun 
County, Va.. Aug. 16, 1811. His father, Moses 
Kimler, was a native of the same State, and' his 
grandfather, John Kimler, a native of Germany, 
emigrated to America after his marriage and settled 
in Virginia, where all his children were born. He 
was a blacksmith by occupation and followed his 
trade in Loudoun County the greater part of his 
life. The family consisted of eight sons and two 
daughters, as follows: Moses, the father of our 
subject, was the eldest born ; Evan died in Fulton 
County, 111.; Daniel spent his last years in Missouri; 
John died in Bloomington, 111.; Benjamin died in 
Fulton County', 111., and Israel in Tazewell County ; 
Bailey and Caleb both died in Bloomington Town- 
ship, this count3- ; Hannah, the wife of Alexander 
Montgomer3-, died in Indiana; Eliza married .Sam- 
uel Schooley, and died in !)e Witt County, 111. 

Moses Kimler, the father of our subject, learned 
the blacksmilirs trade from his father and worked 
at it in his native county until about 1815. A few- 
years after his marriage he removed to Kcntuck3' 
by means of a large wagon and five horses. He 
took with him his wife and three children, and 
they were accompanied by his brother John, and 
another family. At Wheeling, they loaded their 
effects and their families onto a flatboat and went 
down the Ohio River to Maysville. Mr. K. was 
out of money and stopped two weeks to earn 
enough to take himself and family into Bourbon 
County. After arriving there he followed his trade 
until 1824. He then determined to seek a home in 
Indiana, and started overland with a pair of horses 
and a wagon, our subject being one of the members 
of the family. They visited tlie present site of In- 
dianapolis, which WHS then a very small village of 
a few log cabins, in one of which was kept a hotel. 
Mr. K. then looked around tor a location and con- 
cluded to settle near Crawfordsville, Montgomery 
Co., Ind. He purchased eighty acres of timber 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



703 



land and built a hewed-log house near the road 
which led from Crawfordsville to Indianapolis. 
This structure was considered quite an imposing 
one for those days, having four rooms, two on the 
ground floor and two " upstairs." Into this, when 
finished, he removed his family .'ind opened a 
hotel. In the meantime he also worked at his 
trade, and remained a resident of the Hoosier State 
until 1834. He then came to this county and 
settled in the grove about one mile south of the 
present site of Le Roy. There John W. Baddeley 
had laid out a town, and Mr. K. purchased a lot 
and put up a log house and a blacksmith-shop. The 
village, however, did not flourish, and after Le Roy 
was started he removed there, and established the 
first blacksmith-shop in the town. He continued 
here at his trade as long as able to work, but re- 
tired from active labor in 1 847 ; his death occurred 
in 1850. 

The mother of our subject, who before her mar- 
riage was Miss Mary Akers, was^born in Virginia, of 
Welsh descent, and by her marriage with Moses 
Kimler became the mother of ten children, the 
record of whom is as follows: John died in Indiana 
in 1821); Richard died in Marion County, Iowa; 
James, our subject, was the third child; Mary A. 
died in Virginia when a young child ; Robert died 
in McLean County, 111. ; Elizabeth became the wife 
of Thomas Buckles, and lives in Empire Town- 
ship, this county ; William died at Le Roy ; Jeffer- 
son served as a Union soldier in the 94th Illinois 
Infantry and died in the service at Springfield, 
Mo., in 1862; Benjamin lives in Missouri, and 
Franklin in Farmer City, 111. 

James Kimler was but four years of age when 
his parents removed from Virginia to Kentucky, 
and fourteen when they went to Indiana. He re- 
mained with his parents until 1832, in which year 
he attained his majority, then came to this county, 
and worked for his uncle, John Kimler, for tlie two 
years following. In 1834 he went to Milwaukee, 
Wis., in company with three Orendorff brothers. 
They had one horse among them and " rode and 
tied," that is, one of the party would ride ahead 
and at some convenient place would tie the horse 
and walk along, and when the others caught up 
with the horse, another would do the same. The 



northern part of the State was thinly settled at 
that time and houses were frequently twenty-five 
to thirty miles apart. Milwaukee then had but 
tliree stores and Indians were a very common 
sight. Alfred Orendorff had been there before and 
made a claim, upon which he built a log cabin on 
land now included within the city limits of Mil- 
waukee. There the party kept bachelors' hall. The 
land had not then come into market but settlers 
were rapidlj- arriving and making claims, and our 
subject was employed by them to show land and 
build cabins, and he made and purchased claims to 
a tract now included in the city limits of Mil- 
waukee. In the fall of 1836 Mr. Kimler returned 
to Le Roy and spent the winter, and the spring- 
following commenced to purchase cattle and drive 
them to the Milwaukee market, in which business 
he made money, and which he followed for two or 
three year.s. In 1 839 the land came into market, 
and in company with Benjamin Cox, our subject 
entered about 800 acres, now also included in the 
city. They soon afterward divided the land and Mr. 
K. remained upon and improved a part of his pos- 
sessions. The following year he returned to Le 
Roy and purchased land adjoining the town on the 
Northwest, where he engagea in farming until 
1846, then partially abandoned agriculture and 
engaged in mercantile business, which he carried 
on for about five j'ears. He then sold his interests 
in merchandise and returned to farming, which he 
continued until 1883. He then sold his farm and 
removed into Le Roy, where he entered an elevator 
and engaged in the grain trade. Two years later 
the elevator was destroyed by fire, and since that 
time Mr. Kimler has not been engaged in any 
active business, having accumulated a handsome 
competency for himself and famil}'. 

The marriage of .James Kimler and Miss Cas- 
sandraXlearwaters took place Jan. 28, 1838. Mrs. 
K. was born in Putnam County-, Ind., and is the 
daughter of Reuben and Jane (Miller) Clearwatcrs, 
•who were natives respectively of North Canjlina 
and Pennsylvania. Of this union have been born 
six children: Mary J., the wife of Lewis Stout, 
lives at Le Roy; Harriett B., Mrs. James L. Silvers, 
lives in Fairmount; Martha and her husband, 
Joseph Neal, live in Farmer City; Cassandra be- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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came the wife of Preston Bishop, of West Town- 
ship; Elizabeth, Mrs. John Love, .ilso lives in that 
township; Lina became the wife of L. H. Dela- 
plaiii, of Uush County, Kan. 

Our subject and his wife united with the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church in 1840, of which he has been 
Trustee, Steward and Class-Leader almost since the 
beginning. lie cast his first presidential vote for 
Andrew Jackson and his second for Gen. Harrison. 
He voted with the Whigs until the abandonment 
of the old party in 1856, and then identified him- 
self with the new Republican party. Mr. Kimler 
has taken deep interest in the success of the tem- 
perance movement and h.as now arrayed himself in 
the cause of prohibition. He has in all respects 
fulfilled the obligations of a good citizen, and has 
his reward in the profound respect and esteem of 
all who know him. 



:~*^ 




RANCIS M. HALL, a skillful farmer and 
breeder of 8hort-horn cattle, is located on 
section 24, Danvers Township, where for 
many years he has carried on the different depart- 
ments of his calling with success. Mr. Hall was 
born in Todd County, Ky., March 2.5, 1833, and 
is the son of Young and Rachel F. (H.ay) Hall, also 
natives of the Blue Grass .State. They came to Illi- 
nois and located in McLean County in the spring 
of 183,5, since which time they have been residents 
here. Their family included nine children, as fol- 
lows: Ileury P.; Francis M. ; John R., who lives in 
Iowa; Young, who died in Kans.as ten years ago; 
Isaac is a resident of McLean County ; George, now 
in Iowa; James, in Chicago; and Susan and Mary 
both died at the age of three years. The mother 
of our subject died in this county in October, 1883, 
Mr. Hall is still living at the venerable age of 
eighty years. 

P\-ancis M. Hall remained under the parental 
roof until he had reached years of m.aturity, and 
was then united in marriage with Jliss .Tane E. 
Barnard, on the 19th of August, 1855, the cere- 
mony being performed by Elder G. W. Manear, of 
the Christian Church. Mrs. Hall was born in Mc- 
Lean County, June 22, 1838. Her parents, James O. 



r 



and Lydia (.Swallow) Barnard, were natives of North 
Carolina and Ohio respectively. James O. Barnard 
removed from his native State Jto Illinois in March, 
1828, and located in Dry Grove Township upon a 
small tract of land, where he remained until his 
death, which occurred in 1873. The mother died 
in 1847. Their children were Nancy A., now Mrs. 
.John A. Artis, and the wife of our subject. The chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Hall are: James F., who mai"- 
ried Miss Furnian, and is residing in Dry Grove; 
L3'dia R., now Mrs. Bennett Suavely, residing near 
Kearney, Neb,; Willie died in infancy; Young M. 
married Miss M.ary Lamb, and is living near Kear- 
ney, Neb. ; George E. died when one year old ; Jes- 
sie died in infancy; Ellen died at the age of two 
and one-half years; P>a J., the youngest of the 
family, w.as born Sept. 21, 1877, and is residing at 
home. 

Mr. Hall came to Dry Grove Township with his 
parents in August, 1835, and remained there until 
the fall of 1858, when he settled at his present 
home in Danvers Township, which is only about a 
mile and a half from his first. In 1874 he began 
the breeding of Shorn-horn cattle, and in 1885 
went to Kentucky and purchased twenty-two head 
of choice families, including the Oxford, Bar- 
rington and others obtained from Col. .Sims, of 
Paris, Ky. Besides two males he has twenty cows 
from different families, and among his transactions 
since that time one public sale of eighteen calves 
six months old jielded him an average of $50 per 
head. 

The farm of Mr. Hall embraces 570 .acres of 
finely improved land. In the spring of 1882 he 
erected a handsome residence, 34x53 feet in area, 
with two stories and basement, containing twelve 
rooms. It is situated upon a rise of ground and 
commands a fine view of the surrounding country 
for many miles each way. His barns, outhouses 
and other .accommodations for stock iire all first 
class, .and his business is conducted in that s^'stem- 
atic manner which is the sure forerunner of success. 

Mr. Hall has been quite a traveler, visiting the 
principal cities of the United States. He was at 
the Centeinii.al in 187G,has traveled from Washing- 
ton City to ,San Francisco, and visited the World's 
Fair at New Orleans in 1885. Our subject is the 



H 



t 



•►^■^^^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



705 



only representative of the Knights Templar in this 
township. He is an active and earnest member of 
the Masonic fraternity, with which he became iden- 
tified in 1874, first in Allin Lodge No. 685; \^e is a 
Eoyal Arch Mason of Chapter No. 26, at Bloom- 
iugton, 111., and also belongs to DeMolay Com- 
mander3- No. 24, K. T. Accompanied b}' his wife 
he attended the Triennial Conclave at Chicago in 
1880. Three years later they went to California, 
and in 1886 to St. Louis to attend the twenty-third 
conclave. Mr. Hall has been Master in the Blue 
Lodge in Dan vers for one year. He was a charter 
member in Danvers Lodge No. 742, and has given 
much time as well as means in assisting to main- 
tain the principles of the order, of which he is a 
great admirer. 

In politics Mr. Hall is a Douglas Democrat. He 
has been connected with the Christian Church for 
the last thirty-five years, Mrs. H. also being a 
member of the same. Our subject is in all respects 
a worthy representative of the enterprise, industry 
and intelligence of this county, and presents a fine 
example of the valued citizen and worthy member 
of society. In the galaxj' of portraits of the lead- 
ing men of the county given in this volume may 
very properly be found that of Mr. Hall. 




mOMAS H. BOUNDS, a highly respected 
farmer of Gridley Township, of which he 
became a resident in 1857, is the owner of 
160 acres of good land, and in a comfortable home- 
stead, enjoys the reward of earlier toil and industry. 
His parents were Henry and Hannah (Rhoads) 
Bounds, the father a native of Maryland, and the 
mother of Pennsylvania. After their marriage the 
parents settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, whence 
they afterward removed to Licking County, same 
State, where the mother died in 1842. Henry 
Bounds afterward removed to Michigan, in 1875. 
and died in 1880. 

Our subject was the fifth of a family of seven chil- 
dren. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, Aug. 
6, 1834, was reared to farming pursuits, and re- 
mained in his native State until he was twentj'- 
tbree years old. He then came to this State and 



county, settling in Gridley Township, where he has 
since resided. Here he was married, on the 27th of 
May, 1860, to Miss Mary Messer, who was born in 
Gridley Township, Oct. 8, 1841. She was a daugh- 
ter of J. B. and Susan (Estey) Messer, who are 
mentioned in the sketch of J. P. Messer, whose 
biography will be found in another part of this 
work, J. P. Messer being a brother of Mrs. Bounds. 
Our subject and his wife became the parents of live 
children, of whom the record is as follows : Maria 
E., the eldest, died when three years old: Henry 
E. married Miss Mary Brj'ant, and lives in Gridley 
Township; Thomas died when quite young; Will- 
iam A. and Margaret E. are at home. 

Mr. Bounds has held the office of School Direc- 
tor and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
Both he and his wife are connected with the Chris- 
tian Church, and politically our subject is a stanch 
supporter of the Democratic party. 



R. HENRY PARKHURST, a highly es- 
teemed resident of the village of Danvers, 
this county, is a skillful physician and also 
a dealer in drugs and medicines, having 
his store and office at the corner of Broadway and 
Exchange streets. Dr. Parkhurst was born in 
Sharon, Vt.', Feb. 20, 1823, and is the son of Klisha 
and Hannah (Huntington) Parkhurst. Both par- 
ents were natives of Connecticut, and both came to 
Vermont in their childhood. They were married 
in the Green Mountain State, where the father died 
in 1840, and the mother some years later upon the 
farm which constituted their homestead. Of the 
nine children born to them, the record is as fol- 
lows: Harriet, Lydia and a babe unnamed died in 
infanc}' ; Hiram, Hannah, Sarah, Phineas, Harvey 
and Araunah lived to reach their majority, and 
three are now living. The Parkhurst family are of 
English origin, .as also were the Huntingtons, and 
both families were remarkable as being long-lived 
and possessing those principles which constituted 
them useful and honored citizens. 

Henry Parkhurst was reared upon his father's 
farm, receiving his primary education in the com- 
mon schools. He was seventeen years of age when 




y 



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-•► 



ii 706 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



V 



his father died. He afterward attended the Orange 
County tii'ammar School and a select school, and 
commenced the stndy of medicine with Davis & 
Jones, in Manchester, IS'. H. After closely apply- 
ing himself for two years he attended Berkshire 
Medical College one term, the Medical College at 
Woodstock, Vt., for one term, and afterward en- 
tered Buffalo University, from which he graduated 
on the 26th of February, 18.51. That same year 
young Parkhurst put out his shingle in Prairieville, 
Mich., where he followed the practice of his chosen 
profession successfully for three years. He then 
came to J)nnvers, this county, in 18,i4, and has 
continued since that time engaged in his practice 
and the trade in drugs. That same .year, on the 1st 
of January, he was married to Miss Catharine 
L. Skillman, who was born in New Jersey in 1832, 
and came to Illinois several years before her mar- 
riage. The}' became the parents of three children, 
all now deceased : Mary F. died at the age of four 
years; Katie, when an infant, and Julia at the age 
of twent3'-two. 

Dr. Parkhurst owns the building in which he has 
his store, and resides with his family in a handsome 
residence located on Exchange street. He is a 
member in good standing of the Congregational 
Church, of which he has been a Trustee for a num- 
ber of years. Politically he is a stanch supporter 
of the Republican party. He belongs to Dauvers 
Lodge No. 742, A. F. & A. M., and has held 
various offices in connection therewith. He identi- 
fied himself with the Masons over thirty years ago. 
The grandfather of our subject was an Army Sur- 
geon in the Revolutionary War, and died of the 
yellow fever, the place of his burial being unknown. 

-^ ^^ ^ 



"¥/OHN LA MONT, a retired farmer, is now a 
resident of Le Roy, and situated in a pleas- 
ant and comfortable home where he is living 
in the enjoyment of n competenc}', .accumu- 
lated through his own industry and perseverance. 
Mr. Lamont was born in Scotland, Feb. 14, 1809, 
and is the son of Peter and Martha (LaFevre) La- 
mont, the father a native of Argyleshire and the 
mother of France. Our subject was but an infant 

4' 



when his parents took him to England, and he there 
grew to manhood, in the city of Liindon. He w.as 
trained in e.arl}' life to habits of industry', and when 
very young began to learn the trade of bricklay- 
ing and plastering, which he followed in London 
until 1850. Then, resolving to emigr.ite to Amer- 
ica, he set sail on the 8th of June, that year, and 
landed in New York Cit}' on the 31st of July fol- 
lowing. He was accompanied by his wife and 
child, and proceeded diiectly to Buffalo, N. Y., 
via the Hudson River to AUeghau}', and complet- 
ing the remainder of his journey by the Erie Canal. 
He followed his trade in Buffalo for a few months, 
then proceeded to Indiana, first stopping at Cov- 
ington, Ky., and thence proceeding to Perrysville, 
Ind., where he remained until January, 1852. He 
then started overland for Illinois, with a team of 
horses and wagon which he had hired for the pur- 
pose. Upon arriving in Le Roy, this county, he 
rented a small house about one mile south of the 
town. His worldly possessions consisted of a scanty 
supply of household goods, and $2.50 in cash. He 
had, however, a good stock of courage and deter- 
mination, and immediately set about procuring em- 
ployment. His intelligent face and pleasing man- 
ner at once secured him friends, and he was sel- 
dom idle, being willing to employ his hands at 
whatever he could find to do. In the winter sea- 
son he occupied himself with odd jobs and when 
spring opened worked at his tr.ade when opportu- 
nitj' offered, and one winter was employed on ^ 
farm at fifty cents per day, which at that time was 
considered good wages. He was prudent and eco- 
nomical, and saved his money, and in due time was 
enabled to purchase seven and one-half acres of 
land, for which he paid $65. Upon this he built a 
log house, and worked at his trade and cultivated 
his land, putting in all his time to good account. 
He was prospered in his labors and in due time 
added to his landed possessions until he is now the 
owner of 100 acres, under a good state of cultiva- 
tion, and supplied with all necessary and conve- 
nient farm buildings. This he leases to a tenant 
who operates it, and which yields to its proprietor 
a handsome income. 

Jlr. Lamont was married in the city of London, 
in 1846, to Miss Sarah Durham, who was born iu 



^ 



^i^^ 



-•» ■ <• 



McLEAlV COUNTY. 



707 



Aylesbury, Buokinghanishire, England, and was the 
daughter of Charles and Pattie (Wrighton) Dur- 
ham, natives of the same country. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lariiont became the parents of one child, a son 
named Peter James. He was born in England, Oct. 
28, 1848, and is now a resident of Le Roy, follow- 
ing the trade of a brickla3'er and plasterer. He 
married Miss Hester Atherton, a native of Ohio, 
and they have five children — Sarah E., Francis P., 
Victoria A., Clara E. and Blanche D. 

Mrs. Lament has in her possession a Bible which 
was printed in London in 1637, which was the prop- 
erty of her great-great-grandfather. It is bound 
in leather with brass corners, and formerly had 
clasps which are now gone. She also has a Bible 
that was given her at thirteen j'^ears of age in a 
Sunday-school at Aylesburj-, through the liberality 
of Lord Wharton. 



RANCIS A. RAWLINGS, of Belleflower 




-f' 



born near Petersburg, Menard County, Dec. 
14, 1849. His father, John E. Rawlings, was born 
in Fleming County, Ky., Oct. 18, 1810, and w.as 
the son of Thomas Rawlings, a native of Loudoun 
County, Va., and the son of Presley Rawlings. The 
latter was born in England, whence he emigrated 
to America when a young man, accompanied b^' his 
brother Moses. They located in Virginia and 
afterward served as soldiers in the Revolutionary 
War, fighting in the interests of the colonies. Moses 
was never heard from after the war was over. 
Presley Rawlings settled in Kentucky, being among 
the earliest pioneers of the Blue Grass State. He 
purchased a tract of timber land and opened up a 
farm, where he spent the remainder of his days. 
His son, Thomas, the grandfather of our subject, 
and the eldest of seven children, after attaining to 
manhood, married Miss Mary Triby, who was born 
in Virginia but of Kentucky parentage. She in- 
herited a tract of land adjoining her father's home- 
stead, together with four slaves, and lived there 
with her husband the remainder of her life. They 
became the parents of nine children, of whom John, 
the father of our subject, was the youngest. At 



that time there were no free schools and the educa- 
tion of John E. Rawlings was obtained on the sub- 
scription plan. The temple of learning was a rude 
structure built of logs, into which light was admit- 
ted through panes of greased paper. 

John E. Rawlings assisted his father in establish- 
ing a homestead in the wilderness and cultivating the 
soil, remaining under the home roof until twenty- 
two years old. He then farmed in partnership with 
his l)rother-in-law for two years, when he was 
married and operated on rented land until 1837. In 
March of that year he made the journey to Illinois, 
via the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, land- 
ing at Beardstown. He first proceeded to that part 
of Sangamon County included in Menard County, 
and purchased a farm three miles above Petersburg, 
on the Sangamon River. This he occu|)ied until 
18.50, then removed to Waverly, Morgan Co., 111., 
where he opened a store of general merchandise. 
Two years later, on account of cholera, he sold out 
and returned to his farm in Menard County. From 
there he removed to Sweet Water, after selling 
his farm, and operated upon rented land until 18.')'.). 
That year he came to this comity and purchased a 
farm in Mt. Hope Township, which he occupied un- 
til 18(32, then removed to tiie town of McLean and 
began to deal in grain and agricultural implements. 
He was thus occupied until 1873, when he purchased 
and removed to the homestead which he now owns 
and occupies. 

Mr. Rawlings was married on the IGth of Janu- 
ar}', 1834, to Miss Polly Scott, a native of Tennes- 
see, born May 31, 1812, and the daughter of John 
and Jane (Campbell) Scott. This lady died at the 
home of her husband in Belleflower Township, on 
the 19th of January, 1878. Mr. Rawlings was mar- 
ried the second time, Sept. 22, 1881, to Mrs. Re- 
becca (Day) Robbins, who was born near Spring- 
field, 111., March 20, 1820. Her father, Benjamin 
S. Day, was a native of Virginia, and removed to 
Kentucky when a j'oung' man, where he married, and 
came to Illinois in 1818, the 3'earin which the Ter- 
ritory was transferred into a State. Mr. Day was 
among the earliest settlers of Sangamon County, 
His daughter, Rebecca, remained under the par- 
ental roof until her first marriage in March, 1836, 
to Daniel Robbins. He was County Judge of De 



H 






A 



70^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Witt Count}' eight years and Postmaster of Clinton 
twelve years. He departed this life in De Witt 
County in about 1871. The children of Mr. Raw- 
lings are recorded as follows: Austin is engaged in 
mercantile business at Kumber, this count}'; Min- 
nie became the wife of R. W. Robinson of De Witt 
County ; John F. lives in Farmer City, 111. Mrs. 
R. b)' her first marriage became the mother of five 
children; a son, Francis K., who is a resident of 
Wellington, Kan., is the only one living. 

Francis A. Rawtings was but ten years old when 
he came to McLean County with his parents, and 
h.is been a resident here since that time. He re- 
ceived a good education, and in 1S70 came to his 
father's farm in Belletiower Township, which he has 
occupied since that time. He makes his home with 



his parents. 



H>-^=t^H^^><^i<f-<3- 



This highly respected old 
gentleman, who has been a resident of the 



IF^EES GADDIS, 

(lisWi Prairie .State for a period of over forty 



^@) years, is widely and favorably known 
throughout Tazewell County. He is at present a 
resident of Martin Township, this count}', and al- 
though only having located here since 1S85, has 
fully established himself in the confidence and es- 
teem of its best citizens, to wliora his form on the 
streets has become a familiar figure, regarded with 
peculiar affection. Mr. Gaddis is a native of 
Greene County, Oiiio, born near Xenia, on the 26th 
of September, 1807. His grandfather, Rees Gad- 
dis, Sr., was a Captain in the Revolutionary War. 
His father, .lolm (iaddis, was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania and removed to the IJuckeye State with his 
parents when a small lad. The father of our sub- 
ject, after reaching years of manhood, was mar- 
ried to Miss Abigail, the daughter of John Sea- 
man. They settled in (ireene County, Ohio, and 
were there occupie<I in fanning pursuits for a brief 
time only, the death of John Gaddis occurring 
when the subject of this history was an infant 
but six weeks old. Rees Gaddis, Jr., was the 
.second child of his parents, and remained with his 
mother until arriving at manhood. After the 
death of her husband Mrs. Gaddis and her two 
children went to live witii her father in Hamilton 



i 



County, Ohio, whose home was on the banks of the 
Ohio River. This kindly old gentleman, John Sea- 
man by name, was a native of Virginia, and is sup- 
posed to have been of Welsh descent. He * i-e- 
moved from his native State to Ohio as early as 
1800, settling in Hamilton County, and was among 
its earliest pioneers and lived there the remainder 
of his days. On the Gaddis side, the grandfather 
of our subject removed from Pennsylvania to 
Campbell County, Ky., at an early period in the 
history of that State, after serving as a Captain in 
the Revolutionary War. 

Young Gaddis remained an inmate of his grand- 
father's house until he reached mature years. 
When twenty-seven years of age he and his mother 
went back to Greene County, Ohio, where they re- 
mained until the spring of 1848. They then came 
to Illinois, settling on a farm near Tremont, in 
Tazewell County, which remained the home of the 
mother until her death, which occurred at the ad- 
vanced age of ninety-two years. In 1851 Mr. 
Gaddis w.as united in marriage with Miss Martha 
Ann, daughter of John Bennett, Esq., of Tazewell 
County, to which he had removed from Clinton 
County, Ohio. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
G. settled on a farm in Tazewell County which had 
become the property of Mr. (Jaddis in 1848. His 
original purchase was 12.5 acres, to which he subse- 
quently added until he became the owner of 300 
acres, a p:irt of which was valuable timber. He 
made a siiecialty of hogs and cattle, in the feed- 
ing and sale of which he realized a handsome sum 
of money. 

Mr. (iaddis remained on his farm in Tazewell 
County until the spring of 1885, and then sold out 
and removed to his present homestead in McLean 
County, on section 16, which he has occupied since 
that time. This consists of 320 acres of choice 
land in a good state of cultivation, on which he has 
erected a handsome and substantial set of farm 
buildings, and in all respects has converted it into 
one of the handsomest homesteads in this county. 
Our subject is miw in the eightieth year of his age, 
and is still hale and hearty, in possession of those 
faculties which have made such a success of his life 
and earned for him the admiration and respect of 
his fellow-citizens. In early life he was a Jeffer- 



I 



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t 



-4^ 



McLean county. 



soriian Demociat, but after the abandonment of the 
old Whig party by the organization of the Re- 
publican party, he cordially endorsed the princi- 
ples of the latter. He is a strong advocate of tem- 
perance and expects to see the cause succeed 
through the Republican party. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gaddis, five in 
number, included four sons and one daughter, of 
whom John is deceased; William is a resident of 
Martin Township; Alpheus is married and at 
home; James is single and at home; Sarali is thii 
wife of A. M. Hicks of Tazewell County, and is 
the eldest of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Gaddes, 
together with all their children, are members of the 
Christian Church. 



709 ♦ 




JONES. One of the most 
prominent farmers and stock-raisers in Mc- 
Lean County is the gentleman whose name 
heads this notice. He is the owner of G36 acres of 
productive and valuable land, is extensively en- 
gaged in stock-raising, and is pleasantly located on 
his fine farm on section 15, Towahda Township. 
The parents of Mr. Jones were Abraham R. and 
Matilda (Noel) Jones, the former a native of Cay- 
uga County, York State, and the latter of Ken- 
tucky. He was of Welch origin, and she of Ger- 
man ancestry. The father's boyhood years were 
passed in the State of New York, and in 180S he 
came to Champaign County, Ohio, with his par- 
ents, whence he accompanied them to Clarke Coun- 
ty, same State, where he lived until he came to 
this county. 

Matilda Noel was born in 1795. Her parents 
soon after her birth removed to Maryland, where, 
after a residence of seven years, they sold their in- 
terests there and removed to Clarke County, Ohio. 
It was there that she liecame acquainted with the 
father of our subject; there they were married, 
and there lived until coming to this county, in 
185G. In the spring of that year they made the 
journey overland to this county, and settled on 
section 10, Towanda Township, where the father 
continued to follow the vocation of his life, that of 
farming, until his death, which occurred Feb. 11, 



i 



1865. After his death, his good wife took up her 
residence in the village of I'owanda, and there died 
March 7, 1880. 

They had a family of ten children, viz: John, 
Levi, William AV'., Eliza A., Cyrus, Abraham R., 
Jr., Nelson, Phebe, James and Francis M. John 
died in Clarice County, Ohio, aged about thirty-eight 
years; Levi was a farmer of Clarke County; Will- 
iam W. resides in Towanda, as liliewise does Eliza 
A. ; Cyrus is a capitalist, and a resident of Cali- 
fornia; Abraham R., Jr., departed this life at To- 
wanda, April 7, 1878; Nelson is a farmer on sec- 
tion IG, Towanda Township; Phebe is the wife of 
Martin Arthur, and they reside in Towanda Town- 
ship; James died in Clarke County, Ohio, when 
three years old, and Francis M. is our subject. 

Francis M. Jones was born in Clarke Countj-, 
Ohio, March 8, 1833, where his early life was spent. 
He was reared on his father's farm, and received 
his education in the common schools. He also at- 
tended two terms at Wittenburg College, Spring- 
field, Ohio. Thus far in life his years have been 
devoted to agricultural pursuits. Living in Clarke 
County, Ohio, until 1851, he came to this county 
on horseback, but remained only a short time when 
he returned to his home in Ohio. In the summer 
of 1852, he made anotlier trip to this county, and 
entered a claim to eighty acres of land on section 
11, Towanda Township, and also traded a three- 
year-olil horse for another eighty acres, adjoining 
his claim, and which was entered b^' his brother. 
After entering his land he again returned to his 
old home in Ohio, and in the spring of 1853 he 
came l)ack to this county, and' during the summer 
of that year was engaged in herding cattle. Dur- 
ing the fall of that year he assisted in driving a 
drove of cattle to Chicago, and then went back to 
Ohio, and remained there until the fall of 1855. 
He then went to New Orleans, and from there to 
Texas, ostensibly for the purpose of looking at the 
country, and was absent until the spring of 1856. 
During the summer of tliat year he returned to this 
county, and broke prairie in Towanda Township, 
and in the fall of the same year formed a partner- 
ship with his father, for the purpose of farming 
and stock-raising, and which relation continued 
until the death of the latter, in 1805. 
■► 









A^ 



710 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Mr. Jones made his settlement in Towanda 
Township in 1856, and has since made that his 
lioiue. Bj- labor and economy, together with good 
judgment, he has added to his landed interests, and 
is now the owner of 6 30 acres of valuable and pro- 
ductive land, on whieii he has a fine set of farm 
l)nildings. He keeps about ten head of horses and 
150 head of cattle on his place, and fattens about 
fiftj' head of hogs for the market annually. 

Our subject was married near Clinton, De Witt 
Co., 111., Jan. 2.S, 1858, the ceremony being per- 
formed by Judge J. J. McGraw, to Miss Ann M. 
Hampleman, daughter of Daniel H. and Sarah 
(Fletcher) Hanipleinan. Her father was born in 
Clarke County, Ohio, and she in Greene County, 
that State. There they passed their early life, and 
there at Xenia they were married, and soon after- 
ward removed to Perry County, 111., whence they 
returned to Clarke County, Ohio, and in the fall 
of 1851 emigrated to Montgomery County, Ind. 
Two years later they came to De Witt County, 
this State, and settled near Clinton, where the 
father engaged in farming. The mother departed 
this life Nov. 13, 18(57. The father is yet living, 
and engaged in his chosen calling in De Witt 
County. The}' had a family of nine children: Ann 
M., wife of our subject; Willis, Emily, Persy L., 
Marion, Albert, George and Elizabeth. Willis 
died in infancy; Emily became the wife of John 
White, and departed this life in De Witt County, 
111., March 25, 1865; Persy L. was united in mar- 
riage with Charles Davis, and died at Le Roy, this 
county, Oct. 14, 1876; ftlarion died in De Witt 
County, March 19, 1868; Albert departed this life 
in De Witt County, Aug. 10, 1880, while in the 
twenty-ninth year of his age; (ieorge died Oct. 27, 
1854, when (jne year old; Elizaljetli is the wife of 
J. H. Abbott, and they are living in Towanda 
Township. 

Mrs. Jones, of this sketch, was burn in Clarke 
Count}'. Ohio,' Oct. 18, 1839. She lived at home 
until her marriage with our subject, and by him 
has liecome the niotlier of seven children — Price 
N., Edwin E., Lola, Maurice E., Cyrus G., Stella 
and Max. Price N. was born in Towanda Town- 
ship, Oct. 28, 1858; he married Miss Emma Rari- 
don, and they are living in Towanda Township; 



Edwin E. was born in Towanda Township, Aug. 
18, 1860; he married Miss Josie Shaw, and is en- 
gaged in farming in Towanda Township; Lola was 
born July 28, 1862, and departed this life Dec. 6, 
1866; Maurice E. was born Oct. 9, 1864; Cyrus 
G. first saw light July 31, 1869; Stella was born 
April 28, 1872, and Max, June 2, 1875, the latter 
dying Oct. 22, 1876. 

Mr. Jones has never been an aspirant for office. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding 
fellowship with Lodge No. 542, of Towanda. and 
has presided over that body for seven j'ears, as 
Worshipful Master. In politics our subject votes 
for the success of the Republican party. His farm 
is one of the best in McLean County, and during 
the dry season is made productive by Money Creek 
running through it from southeast to northwest. 
During the drought of 1886, our subject was en- 
abled to raise a good crop upon his place, while 
others, not having the advantages of location that 
he has, suffered considerabl}-. The value of his 
farm is greatly increased by four artesian wells 
which he has on the place, and from which are ex- 
tended two-inch pipes over different parts of the 
farm, which are constantly filled with flowing water 
running into tanks for stock purposes. 

^ ^^ ^ 



■4a- 



"(i| AMES DODGE, one of the leading hardware 
I merchants of Normal, has been a resident of 
tlie Prairie State since 1878, and established 
his present business three years later. He 
carries the largest stock of hardware in Normal and 
is a straiglitforward business man and citizen in 
every sense which the term implies. Mr. Dodge 
was born in Chaulaucpia County, N. Y., June 1, 
1834, his parents being William and Mary Ann 
(Kelley) Dodge. William Dodge was born and 
reared in the Empire State, and the mother of our 
subject was of Irish birth and parentage. Their 
household circle consisted of two children — An- 
gelinc, the wife of M. M. Zeigler, of Lancaster, 
Wis., and our subject. 

James Dodge w.'is fully orpliaued when an infant, 
by the death of botii parents. He was then re- 
ceived into the family of his grandfather, John 
^ 



i 



i 





\ 



^ 





, .^""' 




u 



4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






?i 



Kelley, and remained with liini until fourteen years 
of age, during whieli time, in 1850, the faoiily re- 
moved to Grant County, Wis. Here our subject 
commenced to learn the trade of a brickmason and 
plasterer, followed this for two years, and then 
tooiv up the tinner's trade with his brother-in-law, 
and was afterward associated in business with him 
until 1857. He then removed to Plattsville, Wis., 
where he engaged in business for himself, remain- 
ing there until 1878. That year he came to Illi- 
nois, stopped first four months at Belleflower, 
then six mouths in Bloomington, whence he came 
to Normal and engaged with George Champion 
until 1881. He then established his present busi- 
ness which he has operated successfully since that 
time. 

Mr. Dodge was married, Dec. IG, 1858, to Miss 
Elizabeth Murphy, a native of Lawrence County, 
111., and the daughter of William V. and Elizabeth 
Murphy. Of this union there .ire three children 
living — Mary Ann, the wife of Lee Stewart, of 
Bloomington; Abner M., and James E. Mrs. Eliz- 
abeth Dodge departed this life on the 26tb of 
March, 1882, and Mr. Dodge was again married, 
Oct. 16, 1884, to Mrs. Elizabeth A. Witham, of 
Normal. In politics our subject is a stanch Demo- 
crat, religiously a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially belongs 
to the I. O. O. F. A view of Mr. Dodge's business 
house is shown on another page of this work. 




REDERICK P. PEASE, formerly a minister 
of the United Brethren Church, is now en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits on the home- 
stead of his father-in-law, on section 31 , in White Oak 
Township. Mr. Pease is a native of the Prairie State, 
having been born in Pike County In 1849. His par- 
ents were Alonzo and Maria (Wilson) Pease, natives 
respectively of New York and Ohio. Alonzo Pease 
was born in 1818, and removed from his native 
State to Illinois about 1840. He rented land for 
four years, and then purchased eighty acres, upon 
which he located and spent the remainder of his 
days, his death occurring in the spring of 1872. 



Mrs. Maria Pease was born in 1809, and died at the 
home of her husband in Pike County in 1862. The 
parental family included three children: William 
P., who married for his first wife Miss Mary S. 
Good, now deceased ; his second wife was Miss 
Nancy C. Bucy ; Zachariah A., who married Miss 
Rexville White, and Frederick P. of our sketch 
was the youngest. The father was Republican in 
politics and a member in good standing of the 
United Brethren Church. 

Tlie subject of this history was reared on his fa- 
ther's farm and received his primary education in 
the public schools. When twenty years of age he 
entered Westfield College, in Clarke County, 111., 
where he took a scientific course and graduated 
five years afterward. He was then married, Nov. 
6, 187C, to Rozina Wintz, and commenced his la- 
bors as a minister and devoted his time irregularly, 
with his customary zeal, in his Master's cause for 
several 3'ears. He was very successful as a pastor, 
and especially efficient in revivals. He pursued his 
pious labors at Canton, 111., Farmer City and Say- 
brook, three years, and preached at different times 
after coming into White Oak Township. During 
one series of meetings under his ministration 150 
persons were gathered into the fold. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of Peter 
and Catherine (Fry) Wintz, the father a native of 
Virginia, and the mother of Ohio. Peter Wintz, one 
of the most highly respected citizens of the county, 
and whose portrait will be found on an accompany- 
ing page, was born in Loudoun County, Va., Sept. 
5, 1825, and is the son of Henry and Sarah (Fry) 
Wintz, who were both of German descent. The 
mother was born in Virginia. When Peter W. 
was four years of age his parents removed from the 
Old Dominion, first to Warren County and from 
there to Preble Count3', Ohio, and in the district 
schools of the latter their son Peter was educated. 
He remained there until his marriage with Miss 
Catherine, daughter of Jonas Frj', their wedding 
occurring April 8, 1852. 

Shortly after his marriage Mr. W. started with 
his bride for Illinois. A year later he settled on 
the homestead where he still resides. This is one 
of the finest in White Oak Township, comprising a 
handsome residence in the midst of beautiful 



n 



t 



■^— 



714 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



grounds, and in ;ill respects indicating the culti- 
vated tastes of its proprietor. Mr. and Mrs. Wintz 
became the parents of three children, two of whom 
are now living: Hozina, Mrs. Pease, and Moses, 
who married Miss Ida Robison, and is located near 
Wichita, Kan. Silas E. died when six years of 
age. Mrs. Catherine Wintz passed to the other 
life in 1885. 

The children of iSIr. and Mrs. Pease, five in num- 
ber, are as follows: William Henry, Thomas Shep- 
ley, Ida Belle, Nellie Pearl and George Elmer. 
All are living: Mr. Pease is greatly interested in 
the success of the temperance movement and has 
identified himself politically with the Prohiliition- 
ists. He is still in the prime of life, and undoubt- 
edly has many years in which to exert his influence 
on the side of truth, temperance and justice. Nature 
endowed him with rare gifts, among which is intel- 
lectual ability of a high order, logical, discriminat- 
ing and comprehensive. He is a close reasoner, an 
impressive, and occasionally an eloquent speaker, 
and wields great force on the side of right and in 
the cause of temperance. 



>v?»i^- 



5^!!^- 



>«5tf^ 




OBERT IHGGIN.S, a highly respected far- 
mer of Mt. Hope Township, is pleasantly 
located on section 7, where he owns and 
) occupies a good farm and is engaged in the 
peaceful pursuit of farming. As a representa- 
tive agriculturist of this splendid agricultural 
country, as well as a worthy and esteemed citizen, 
the publishers present the portrait of Mr. Higgins 
in this volume. 

Mr. Higgins is a native of the Buckeye State, 
having been born in Licking County, Ohio, on the 
2Ktli of J)ecend)cr, 1821. He is descended from 
excellent Irish ancestr}', his father, James Higgins, 
having been born in the city of Belfast and his 
grandfather was also a native of the Emerald Isle. 
The latter was a successful linen draper in the citj' 
of Belfast, where he spent the last yeai's- of his life. 
In that city James Higgins, the father of our sub- 



e^-B-^*- 



ject, was reared and received his early education 
in the public schools. Being the fourth son in 
order of birth, as the elder son would inherit the 
property, James Higgins early learned that he 
would have to depend upttn his own resources for 
his living. At the age of eighteen years, not being 
satisfied with the condition of his prosi)ects in his 
native country, he determined to emigrate to Ameri- 
ca. He possessed some means and after arriving 
here did not for some time engage in any particu- 
lar calling. He went into AVestmoreland County, 
Pa., and in due time took unto himself a wife in 
the person of Miss Mary McClelland, a native of 
said county and of German ancestry. Soon after 
marriage they proceeded to Ohio and located upon 
a farm in Licking County, which they rented from 
its owner, Dr. Taylor, and upon which they re- 
mained until the spring of 182.5. They then re- 
moved to Perry County, same State, where James 
Higgins purchased IGO acres of timber land, put 
up a log cabin and commenced clearing a farm 
from the wilderness. In due time their humble 
dwelling was rephiced by a commodious stone 
house and Mr. II. also erected a substantial hewed- 
log barn. They established a comfortable home 
there, upon which they remained the balance of 
their lives, the mother resting from her labors in 
1848, and the father, surviving her for a period of 
fourteen years, folded his hands for his final rest in 
1802. They were both devoted members of the 
Lutheran Church and highly esteemed in the com- 
munity where they had for so many years made 
their home and illustrated in their lives the princi- 
ples of honor, honestj' and kindness. 

The (larental household of our subject consisted 
of ten children, nine of whom grew to become 
men and women. To each of his children James 
Higgins gave the advantages of a good education 
and those who wished availed themselves of a col- 
lege course. Most of the boys became professional 
men, and Robert of his own choice became a far- 
mer. 

The subject of this history was the ninth child 
of his parents' family'. He was reared on the farm, 
attended the district schools and assisted his father 
in his agricultural operations until iiis marriage. 
Tile father then built another house on the home 



V 



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McLean COtlNTY. 



71S 



t- 



farm where our subject aud his wife tooli up their 
abode and managed the operations of the farm 
until 1855. They then came to Illinois and rented 
a farm in Mt. Hope Township for two years. In 
the spring of 1858 Robert Higgins moved to the 
Darnell Farm and occupied it for the following 
ten years, aud in the meantime also purchased the 
farm which he now owns aud occupies. When it 
came into his possession there was upon it a frame 
house 14x20 feet in dimensions and sixty-flve acres 
of land were broken. There had also been planted 
a few fruit trees and the laud was partially fenced. 
In tlie spring of 18G8 the old frame house was re- 
placed by the present comfortable family residence, 
and the farm of Mr. Higgins, which com()rises 100 
acres, is now all under an excellent state of culti- 
vation. He has a good barn and all other necessary 
out-buildings and is now enjoying the fruits of 
early toil and economy. 

Mr. Higgins was married, April 4, 1847, while in 
Perry County, Ohio, to Miss Jane Allen, daughter 
of Oliver and Mary Allen, natives of Rhode Isl- 
and. Of this union there were born four children, 
of whom three only are living: Clarence Elmer, 
who is a native of Perry County, Ohio, now lives in 
Stanford, this count.y; James lives in Okley, Kan. ; 
Laura J. married John E. Jones, and they live in 
Nuckolls County, Neb. The mother of these chil- 
dren departed this life Dec. 0, 1850. 

Mr. Higgins was the second time married, in 
1858, to Mrs. Sarepta (Brookes) Darnall. Mrs. 
Higgins was a native of Kentucky and was first 
married to Nicholas Darnall. Of her marriage with 
our subject there was born one child, Emma B., 
who became the wife of David Ste[)hey and lives 
in Nuckolls County, Neb. Mrs. Sarepta Higgins 
died in September, 1872, and Mr. Higgins was mar- 
ried the third time on the 9th of October, 1873, to 
Miss Samantha Cla3^ton. This lady is a native of 
Perry Count3', Ohio, and the daughter of Thomas 
and Catharine Clayton. Of this union there have 
been born three children — Edgar H., Minnie E. 
and Lucy May. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. In earlier years 
and during the existence of the Whig party, Mr. 
H. affiliated with that political organization, but 
since the abandonment of the old party by the 



formation of the Republican party he has cordially 
indorsed the principles of the latter and with it 
uniformly casts his vote. 



1/.. 



-4-. 




'1; 



UCIUS ROGERS. Among the fine farms in 
Arrowsmith Township which attract the 
attention of the passing traveler, is that of 
the subject of this sketch, which consists of 120 
acres of finely cultivated land, and is at present de- 
voted largely to the breeding of high grades of 
Short-horn cattle. In addition to other modern 
improvements, Mr. Rogers has a handsome and 
substantial dwelling, with a good barn and fences, 
and the estate in all respects indicates the intelli- 
gence and industry of its proprietor. He has been 
a resident of the Prairie State since April, 1800, 
landing first in Bloomington, where he worked 
three months and spent the following four months 
teaching in Du Page County. He had received an 
excellent education, and took a course of one year 
at Oberlin College, Ohio. 

Lucius Rogers was born in Washtenaw County, 
Mich., Oct. 22, 1840, and is the son of Thomas H. 
and Louisa (Tuley) Rogers, the latter a native of 
Phelps Tp., Wayne Co., N. Y. Thomas II. Rogers 
was born at Saratoga Springs, Aug. 15, 1802, and re- 
moved to Michigan in 1832, settling in Ann Arbor, 
where he died in 1853 or 1854. When a j'oung 
man he learned the cai'penter's trade, at which he 
became very skillful, one of his specialties being 
the manufacture of grain cradles in the early times 
of that county. He became connected with the 
Masons while in his native State, and lived up to 
the principles of that fraternity until the day of his 
death. He was a man of much force of character 
and prominent in the affairs of his township, where 
he held the various offices. His wife, Louisa, was 
born in 1810, and died in Michigan in 1845. Of 
their five children the record is as follows: Darius 
died when twenty-one years of age ; Annie, who 
became the wife of Calvin Colburn, died in 1877; 
Lucius of our sketch was the third child; Oliver 
enlisted m the Union arm}', becoming a member of 
the 12th Indiana Infantr}', and died of fever in 
1803; Martha died in childhood. The mother of 



^ 



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■•►-li,-^ 



?ie 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



our subject died when he was a little lad five years 
old. He remained with his father until reaching 
manhood, and chose for his wife Miss Eunice Free- 
man, to whom he was married Dec. 5, 1866. Mrs. 
R. is a native of this county, born June 20,1 844, and 
is the daughter of Caleb and Martha (Barnard) 
Freeman, natives of Ohio. Caleb Freeman, who 
was born in 1814, still survives, and is a farmer bj' 
occupation. His wife, Martha, was born Feb. 14, 
1819, and departed this life at the home of her 
husband, Ma_v 11, 1884. Their eight children were 
Rebecca B.. Samuel B., Eunice, Metory, Clinton 
D., Leveu E. ; Elizabeth H., who died when eleven 
years of age, and Abraham L. 

The eight children of our subject and his wife 
are Martha E., Annie L., Oliver, Abigail, Elton B. 
and Ellis J. [twins], Arthur A. and Davis. Soon 
after the outl)reak of the late Civil War, Mr. Rogers, 
laying aside his personal and private interests, prof- 
fered his services as a soldier of the Union, becom- 
ing a member of Co. B, 33d HI. Vol. Inf., under 
Col. Hovey, and afterward under Col. Lippincott 
and Capt. IMorgan, in August, 1861. At the ex- 
piration of his term of enlistment he veteranized, 
in January, 1864, in the same company and regi- 
ment. Their first duties lay in Missouri, where 
they were detailed to guard bridges on the Iron 
Mountain Raih'oad. Thence they proceeded to Ar- 
kansas, participated in the fight at Cache Creek, 
July 7, 1862, and afterward with hard marching 
and scant rations reached Helena, Ark., in July, 
where they spent three months at Old Town Land- 
ing. In October following they returned North, 
spending the winter with the command of Gen. 
Davidson, in Missouri. In the spring they joined 
Grant's army, and our subject, with his comrades, 
participated in the battle of Ft. Gibson, skirmished 
around Edwards' Station on the Black River, and 
were present at the siege of Vicksburg, and the bat- 
tle of Jackson, Miss. Thence they proceeded to 
New Orleans, accompanied the expedition up the 
Hatchie River, and returned to New Orleans in 
November, 1863. They then took boats for Indian- 
ola, after which thej' were detailed for special dutj- 
until about the time the term for which our sub- 
I ject had first enlisted, had expired. After a short 
time spent with friends at Bloomington, Mr. Rog- 



V 



ers rejoined his comrades in 1864, and in the spring 
of 186.5 was present at the siege and capture of 
Mobile and Spanish Fort. Returning to Camp 
Butler, 111., he received both his pay and an hon- 
orable discharge. During the summer of 1865 he 
was detailed for dut}' at the Freednien's Bureau. 
Mr. Rogers recalls his war experience with melan- 
choly interest, his comrades now being scattered 
from Maine to Oregon. 

He has been a member of the G. A. R. since its 
organization in this locality, and politically is a 
fervent Republican. He has been Justice of the 
Peace of Arrowsmith Township for the last four 
j'ears, during which time there have never been 
any appeals from his decisions. As a business man 
and citizen he is held in the highest respect, and 
constitutes one of the finest representatives of the 
solid and reliable elements of this section. 

^^ EORGE W. RIGGS, a retired farmer and 
III (=^ now a successful merchant of Saybrook. this 
^^41 conntj', has been a resident of the Prairie 
State for fifty-seven years. During this length of 
time he has been an interested witness of the re- 
markable changes which have occurred throughout 
the great West. He commenced life in a humble 
manner, but by the exercise of his native industry 
and more than ordinary business ability, is now 
in the enjoyment of a competencj'. He also long 
years ago established himself in the confidence of 
his friends and fellow-citizens and has built up for 
himself a good record as an honest man and valu- 
able member of the community. 

Mr. Riggs is a native of Kentucky', and was born 
in Fleming County, Dec. 11, 1827. He is the son 
of William M. and Nancy (Pitts) Riggs, the for- 
mer a native of Maryland and the latter of Ken- 
tucky. William M. Riggs was of English descent 
and was born Sept. 7, 1803. He received a com- 
mon-school education, was reared to farming pur- 
suits and from early 3'outh was of a serious and 
religious turn of mind. He was a Methodist 
exhorter for a number of years, and after coming 
to this coimty, in 1830, founded the IVIethodist 
Episcopal Church in Chene3''s Grove and officiated 



i 






=L. 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



717 



as an exhorter here over fifty years. He was married, 
Dec. 28, 1826, to Miss Nancy Pitts, wlio was born 
in 1 806, and they became the parents of six chil- 
dren, all living witli the exception of one, who died 
in 1884, when forty-six years of age. Those snrviv- 
ing' are, George W.; Henry M., a resident of Ore- 
gon; Margaret P., Mrs. P. Lewis of this township; 
AVilliam H., living in Saybrook; Mary J., Mrs. 
Hall, of Texas, and Samuel R. William M. Riggs 
survived the death of his wife six years, and passed 
to his long home on .Jan. 28, 1887. 

George W. Riggs came with his parents to Illi- 
nois in 1830, when a child three years of age. He 
attended the district school and worked with his 
father on the farm until he was twenty-two years 
old. He was then united in marriage with Miss 
Minerva \V. Lewis, Oct. 11, 1849. Mrs. R. was 
born in Kentucky, Dec. 28, 1827, and was the 
daughter of William D. and Nancy (Pitts) Lewis, 
both natives of the Blue Grass State. Her father 
was born in 1801 and died Oct. 14, 1872. He 
was a farmer by occupation and with his wife, in 
early life became connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Mrs. Nancy P. Lewis was born 
Jan. 30, 1806, .and died Dec. 19, 1866. Their 
family consisted of eleven children, of whom the 
record is as follows: Martin M., who was born 
Aug. 8, 1826, died when one year old; Minerva 
W., Mrs. Riggs, was the eldest daughter; Lucinda 
was born Aug. 18, 1829, and became the wife of 
Reuben Coonrod; Louisa E. was born June 6, 1831 ; 
Mary A., in 1833; James A., in 1835; John, June 
8, 1837; Nancy C, Oct. 5, 1840; Allen H., July 
12, 1843; William R., Dec. 23, 1845; Margaret, 
April 14, 1849. 

Mr. and Mrs. Riggs became the parents of eleven 
children, as follows : Olive J. was born Sept. 11, 
1850; Nancy H., Dec. 1, 1851; William A., born 
Sept. 21, 1853, died June 27, 1855, from a rattle- 
snake bite; John W., born Jan. 26, 1855; Melville 
L., Dec. 17, 1856 ; Charles B., July 29, 1 859 ; Martin 
Luther, Nov. 13, 1861; Mary L., Nov. 6, 1863; 
Ella C, born Jan. 18, 1866, died November 27 of 
that year; Eva M. was born May 24, 1868, and R. 
Bell, July 24. 1870. These children are all married 
and settled in comfortable homes of their own ex- 
cept R. Bell, and our subject and his wife are quite 
4* 



proud of the fact that they have eight grand- 
children. 

In 1881 Mr. Riggs retired from the labors of 
the farm and became a resident of Saybrook. With 
the assistance of his sons he is carrying on a profit- 
able trade in dry-goods and clothing, the firm be- 
ing familiarly known as G. W. Riggs & Sons. Hav- 
ing been one of the earliest pioneers of Cheney's 
Grove Township, he is accorded that peculiar 
veneration and respect which are tacitly given to 
those who first ventured into the Western wilds 
and marked out a path for a later civilization. 
Since arriving at manhood he has been intimately 
identified with the agricultural and business inter- 
ests of McLean County, has been active in the 
support of schools and churches, and interested in 
whatever enterprise was set on foot to advance the 
intellectual and moral well-being of the locality. 
Both he and his wife for many years have been 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Riggs has been an active Sunday-school worker 
and served in his church as Trustee, Steward and 
Class-Leader for many years. He has been a stanch 
Republican since the organization of the party and 
although never an office-seeker, has served as Road 
Commissioner and occupied other important posi- 
tions in the affairs of his township. 




EORGE R. BODGER, son of John and 
Hannah (Ratliffe) Bodger, is one of the 
most highly' esteemed residents of Gridley 
Township. He comes of excellent English ancestry 
and emigrated to this country in the fall of 1851, 
with his parents, who, after landing upon American 
shores proceeded directly westward to this State 
and settled near Washington, Tazewell County. 
They remained there until 1855, then came to this 
county and located in Gridley Township, where the 
mother died in December, 1867. The father still 
survives and lives in Gridley Township. Their 
eight children comprise five boys and three girls, 
the subject of this sketch being next to the eldest. 
George R. Bodger was born in England, Feb. 
20, 1837, and was about fourteen years old when 
his parents came to the United States. He was 



I 



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t 



t 



718 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he h;is been 
engaged thus far in life. During the thirty- j'ears 
which he has been a resident of this section he has 
built up a record of an honest and industrious 
citizen, always willing to contribute his full share 
toward the development of his adopted countr3'. 

The subject of our sketch was married in Taze- 
well County, III., Feb. 20, 1872, to Miss Sarah, 
the daughter of William and Celia (Ricketts) 
Holmes. The parents of Mrs. S. were natives respect- 
ively of Kentucky and Indiana, whence they re- 
moved to Illinois and located in Tazewell County, 
where the father departed this life Nov. 8, 1873. 
The mother afterward removed to Washington 
County, Neb., where her death occurred July 11, 
1884. Of their eight children, Mrs. B. was the 
fourth in order of birth. She was born in Woodford 
County, 111., Jan. 15, 1842. Our subject and his 
wife had only one child, who died in infancy. Mr. 
B. has served as School I)irecti)r of his township 
and in politics is a stanch adherent of the Demo- 
cratic party. 



••o«o.@^><^..o4o <,— 

■^ ACOB J. HAM, a wealthy and inrtuential 
farmer of Hudson Township, owns and occu- 
pies a beautiful country seat located on sec- 
^^J tion 33, and which forms one of the most 
attractive spots in the landscape of McLean County. 
Mr. Ham settled where he now lives in 1862, and 
has been of material assistance in the development 
and advancement of the industrial and agricultural 
interests of this section. The subject of this his- 
tory is a native of Columbia County, N. Y., and 
was born in Kinderhook on the 28th of February, 
1820. His parents, Jacob C. and Catharine (Poch- 
man) llam, were also natives of the Empire State, 
and the familj' circle included eleven children, of 
whom our subject was the fourth in order of birth. 
His ancestors were from Holland and several gen- 
erations ago settled in Pennsylvania and subse- 
quently moved to New York State. 

Jacob J. Ham was reared on his father's farm 

ork State and pursued his primary studies 

common schools. This was supplemented 

ittendance for a short time at college, and b6- 



Jacob . 

Iin New Y 
in the co 
by attend 
4' 



ing a studious and ambitions bo.y he thus obtained 
sufficient education to enable him to adopt the pro- 
fession of a teacher. In this he became quite suc- 
cessful and followed it for about fifteen j'ears, the 
last six of these being spent in Padua Township. 

Mr. Ham came t(j Illinois in October, IHoi;, lo- 
cating at once ill jNIcLean County, and in 18f)2 he 
purchased IGO acres of land, upon which he settled 
and which constitutes a part of his present farm. 
The land was not much improved when he took 
possession of it, but by persevering industry he has 
made it one of the finest farms in that section of 
the State. He added to his real estate as time 
passed on and is now the owner of a half section, 
one-quarter lieing located on section 28 and the 
other on section 33, and it is all under a good state 
of improvement. In 1873 he erected his present 
handsome and commodious farm dwelling, which 
is built of brick, two stories in height, and cost over 
$8,000. It is in all lespects one of the best farm 
residences in the county and his barns and other 
out-buildings correspond with the balance of the 
improvements. The premises at all points indicate 
the existence of cultivated tastes and ample means. 
His costly farming implements are of the most im- 
proved pattern and everything is in keeping with the 
appliances of a first-class agriculturist. Mr. Ham 
of late has been giving much attention to stock- 
raising, dealing in high grade cattle, and at present 
feeds and sells large numbers of live stock of all 
kinds annually. 

In early life our subject was a Democrat, but 
when the rebels fired upon Ft. Sumter he at once 
identified himself with the Republicans and became 
an ardent supporter of the Union. Since 1880 he 
has identified himself with the Prohibitionists, hav- 
ing been a strong temperance man all through life, 
and believing that in this manner he could more 
substantially cast his influence against the use and 
manufacture of spirituous liquors. He has been a 
man of strong and decided views, fearless in his 
expression of opinion, and bound to cast his influ- 
ence toward the cause which he believed to be 
right, whatever might be the consequences. He has 
been an incumbent of the various offices of his 
township, although he would much prefer to give 
his entire attention to his own business matters. 



* 



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t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



719 



At the age of eighteen years Mr. Ham identified 
himself with the German Reform Church, but in 
18G1, after coming ^Vest, he united with the 
Baptists. 

Tlie niarriage of our subject with Miss Elsie M. 
Warner tooli place July 21, 1859. Mrs. Ham was 
born in Chenango County, N. Y., came West alone 
after becoming a young lady, and engaged as a 
teacher in McLean County until her marri.age. Of 
this union there have been born five children, two 
of whom died in infancy; Henry Orlo spends his 
winters in Florida, where he owns an orange grove, 
and comes North during the summer to the home 
of his parents. He was married, April 7, 1887, to 
Ida J. Tilghman, daughter of Rev. N. J. Tilghman, 
their marriage taking place in Francis, Fla. Nettie, 
the wife of .James T. Gildersleeve, resides in 
Hudson Township; they have one child, Elsie M. 
Eddie is at home with his parents. 

Mr. Ham has been most essentially the architect 
of his own fortune, assisted by his estimable and 
energetic wife. He started out in life without 
financial assistance, but by persevering industry 
and tlie aid of superior business qualifications he 
has made of life a fine success and is now enjo3ing 
the reward of a competency and the profound re- 
spect of all who know him. A view of Mr. Ham's 
residence and surroundings is given in this work. 



. — €-*^- 



-fe 






GEORGE B. WHEELER, editor and propri- 
etor of the Daily Leader, of Bloomington, 
is a native of Kennebunkport, York Co., 
Me., and was born Aug. 1, 1853, being the son of 
John A. and Louisa M. (Bourne) Wheeler, natives 
of the same State. Of their three children onl_y 
two are living, George B., our subject, and his 
brother, Frank K. John Wheeler engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits through life, and was Postmaster 
from 1869 until his death. Both parents were 
members of the Methodist P^piscopal Church, and 
the mother was especially devoted to Christian and 
charitable duties. The latter is still living at her 
old home in Maine. 

The subject of this biography received a good 

common-school education, and afterward gradu- 

-^•- 



ated fi-om the preparatory college course of the 
Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill. He en- 
tered Bowdoin College at Brunswick and graduated 
with honors in tlie class of 1874. After leaving 
college he taught school one year, and then entered 
the office of the Portland Advertiser, to learn the 
printer's trade. In 1870, he purchased the Merri- 
■inac Journal, at Franklin, N. H., which he con- 
ducted for two years, in partnership with his bro- 
ther, Frank K. During his residence at Franklin, 
he was a member of the Board of Education and 
Chairman of the Republican Central Committee. 
He came to Bloomington, 111., in June. 1880, and 
in company with his brother-in-law, Maj. W. F. 
Crawford, purchased a one-half interest in the daily 
and weekly Leader, and in 1886, they purchased 
the balance. Mr. Wheeler at once assumed the 
editorial management of the paper, which position 
he has since held, and has distinguished himself as 
an able journalist and excellent business man. In 
1882, on account of the appointment of his part- 
ner, Mr. Crawford, to a Government office, Mr. 
Wheeler became business manager of the establish- 
ment, and in his varied duties has met with remark- 
able success. 

The Leader [weekl}'] of Bloomington, was estab- 
lished in November, 18G8, by John S. Seibird and 
O. Waters, withElias Smith as editor. On the 22d 
of February, 1870, the Daily Leader was started, 
with A. F. Diggs as editor. Subsequently a stock 
company was organized to conduct the paper. 
Later on, O. Waters and J. W. Nichols became the 
proprietors. In 1875, M. F. Leland purchased the 
plant, .and Mr. Nichols continued as editor. In 
1880, Messrs. G. B. W^heeler and W. F. Crawford, 
of Maine, purchased a half interest, and assumed 
the control of the Leader, Mr. Wheeler taking the 
editorial, and Mr. Crawford the financial manage- 
ment. In August, 1886, this firm purchased the 
entire interest in the paper, and have since owned 
it. Mr. Crawford, however, retired from the man- 
agement to take charge of his bank in Cameron, 
Tex. The Leader is an eight-column folio paper, 
neatly and attr.actively gotten up, and is, and al- 
ways has been, a stalwart Republican journal. The 
weekly Leader is a ten-column folio. This journal 
has a large circulation, is devoted to the interests 



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7-20 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




of its patrons and the principles of the Republican 
party, of which it is an able advocate. It is bright 
and newsy, and is one of the prominent and influ- 
ential journals of the State. 

The circulation of the Blooniington Leader is 
steadily increasing, and its prosperity and influence 
aregreatlj' due to the shrewd business tact and jour- 
nalistic ability of its present editor and business 
manager. 

Mr. Wheeler was married in 1880, to Miss Laura 
E. Crawford, of Brunswick, Me., a charming lady 
socially, and a noted elocutionist. Of this mar- 
riage there has been born one child, a daughter, 
Helen Louise. 






J|OHN M. DARN ALL, is an honored resident 
of McLean County, and one of the oldest 
I settlers of Mt. Hoi)e Township. During his 
i long residence in this locality, Mr. Darnall 
has built for himself a reputation .as an honest man 
and a good citizen, and is a gentleman who has 
materiall}' assisted in the development of this sec- 
tion of the Prairie St.ate. 

Mr. Darnall is a native of McLean County, and 
first opened his e3'es to the light in Lawndale 
Township on the 30th of September, 1833. His 
father, Nicholas Darnall, was a native of Kentucky, 
and was born in Booneville, in about 1808. The 
parents of the latter were early settlers of the Blue 
Grass State, and their son Nicholas was but six 
j'ears old when they died. He then went to live 
with a married sister, Mrs. John Henline, of Ken- 
tuckj', and remained with her until he was old 
enough to learn the trade of a blacksmith. He 
was still serving his apprenticeship when, in 1828, 
his brother-in-law, Mr. Henline, came to Illinois, 
and Nicholas Darnall came with him. The journey 
was made overland, with six horses and a wagon. 
Mr. Henline started with his family and the first 
day met with an accident, and was then obliged to 
employ' his brother-in-law, the father of our sub- 
ject, to drive the team through. The western por- 

i,^ 



tion of McLean was then a, part of Tazewell Coun- 
ty, and Mr. Henline settled in Lawndale Township. 
iSIr. D. lived witii him until 1832, in the meantime 
having entered a claim, and made all the improve- 
ments he could upon the land. He then settled on 
his place, which he occupied for the following two 
years. Then, in the spring of 1834, he sold out, 
and moved into what is now Allin Township. In 
the meantime, having been married, with his wife 
he took up his abode with his father-in-law, with 
whom he lived until the following December. He 
had also purchased a tract of unimproved land of 
the latter, which was located on section 6 of what 
is now Mt. Hope Township. There he erected a 
log cabin, built a small shop, and carried on farm- 
ing and blacksmithing together. They lived in 
the log cabin until the winter of 1842-43, when Mr. 
Darnall built a frame house, which he occupied 
with his family until the cl<jse of his life, in April, 
1 848. 

The father of our sul)ject was united in marriage 
with Miss Sare|)ta Brooks, who was the daughter of 
Miles and Lucy Brooks, and was born in Hart 
County, Ky. Her parents removed to McLean 
County, 111., at an earl}^ period in the history of 
this section, and were among the first settlers of 
Brooks' Grove. 

The household circle of the parents of our sub- 
ject, was completed by the birth of eight children, 
of whom five are still living, namely : John M., 
wiio is the subject of our sketch, was the eldest; 
William lives .it Stanford, this county; Henry is a 
resident of Mt. Hope Township; Rachel married 
Alfred Bozarth, of the same township; Elvira be- 
came the wife of B. N. Ewing, and lives in Taze- 
well Count}', 111. 

The subject of our sketch, and the first born of 
his parents, entered life in the humble log cabin 
into which they removed soon after their marriage. 
He was but a little over a year old when they re- 
moved from Lawndale to Mt. Hope Towuship, and 
h.as been a resident of the latter township since that 
time. He is, in point of settlement, the oldest res- 
ident of the township, and is held in that peculiar 
veneration and respect which is tacitly accorded 
the old settlers, whose numbers are rapidl}' grow- 
ing less. He attended the subscription schools be- 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



723 



i 



fore free schools were instituted, anrl as soon as 
large enough began to assist his parents around the 
homestead. His father died when he was fourteen 
years of age, and being the eldest the care of the 
family devolved upon him. He remained at home 
until 18G1, and then built a house on the farm 
which he now owns and occupies. He enlisted, 
May 2, 18(U, in Co. D, 145th 111. Vol. Inf., and was 
mustered in at Camp Butler, Springfield, with the 
rank of Corporal. The regiment was ordered to 
Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and thence to Rolla, 
Mo., doing guard duty. Part of the regiment, 
with which was Mr. Darnall, was transferred to 
Alton, 111., where they guarded prisoners at the 
old penitentiary. On the expiration of his hun- 
dred daj's' service he was mustered out at Camp 
Butler, returned to his home in this county, and 
continued his farming operations. 

After his return from the service of his countr}', 
he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Zol- 
lers, the wedding taking place Jan. 3, 186.5. Mrs. 
Darnall was born in Waynesville, De Witt County, 
and by her union with our subject became the 
mother of six children, viz : Lee, Charlie and Clar- 
ence II., and three who died in infancy unnamed. 

Mr. Darnall has been engaged in farming pur- 
suits during the greater part of his life, and has 
also given much attention to the breeding of fine 
stock. He is now engaged to a considerable ex- 
tent in feeding and shipping the latter, and from 
his operations in this direction enjoys a fine income. 
In 1882 he erected the present commodious family 
residence, and but ten years prior had put up a 
large and convenient barn. The farm estate in- 
cludes 243 acres, a part of which lies in Allin 
Township, and is all in a good state of cultivation. 
He has all the conveniences for carrying on ao-ri- 
eulture in a first-class manner, and in ever3' respect 
is a straightforward business man, meeting his obli- 
gations promptly and doing by his neighbors as he 
would wish to be done by. In politics he is a Re- 
publican and has been since the organization of the 
party. Prior to that time he was a Whig. For 
the last sixteen years he has served as a School 
Director. 

A fine lithographic view of the splendid home- 
stead of Mr. Darnall is shown in this work. 
-^« 




^**t. R. SAMUEL G. WOODMANCY, an en- 
terprising ^and successful farmer of ISIt. 
Hope Township, owns and occupies a fine 
homestead on section 17, and is a splendid 
representative of the enterprising and intelligent 
farmer. The homestead presents one of the pret- 
tiest spots in the landscape of McLean County and 
is equipped in every respect with all the appliances 
for carrying on agriculture in a first-class manner, 
and is highly indicative of the abode of refinement 
and culture in no ordinary degree. The proprietor 
of this fine farm estate may justly be proud of what 
his genius, his talents and industry have accom- 
plished in this direction alone, and it is with pleas- 
ure that we embellish this volume with a view of it, 
with others of the fine residences and farms for 
which McLean County is especially noted. 

The subject of this biography is a native of New 
England, having been born in Warren, Rhode Isl- 
and, on the 22d of June, 1823. His father, George 
Woodmancy, was born in Swansea, Mass., March 17, 
1782, his mother, May 30, 1784, and his grand- 
father, Reuben Woodmancy, is sui)posed to have 
been a native of England and of English ancestr}'. 
He was a farmer by occupation, came to this coun- 
try in early manhood, and spent the last years of his 
life in the town where his son, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born. His death took place June 13, 1797. 
The father, at the age of fourteen years, was appren- 
ticed to a shoem.aker at Warren, R. I. It was stipu- 
lated that he should serve seven years. During 
this period times were hard and business dull and 
his employer allowed him to make two trips at sea. 
When he became twenty years of age he purchased 
his time and opened a shop for himself. He was a 
good workman, had plenty to do, and in the course 
of time was enabled to purchase a lot and build a 
house. He there followed his trade until one year 
before his death, which occurred April 10, 1852. 
In early manhood, Dec. 11, 1802, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Rebecca Goff, a native of War- 
ren, R. I., and she departed this life Feb. 13, 1829. 
After the death of his first wife George Wood- 
mancy was the second time married, this time to 
Mrs. Martha (Ingraham) Goff. Their marriage took 
place July 28, 1829. By the first marriage there 
were born seven children, five of whom grew to be- 
•► 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



come men and women, and of the second marriage 
there was born one child only — Martha Williams. 
Samuel G. Woodmancy was the youngest child of 
the first marriage of his father. He remained un- 
der the parental roof and attended the public 
schools until fourteen j^ears of age, when he learned 
to make cigars and thereby earned money enough 
to acquire some leisure to educate himself. He 
was a bright and studious youth, fond of his books 
and ambitious to excell. After two years he was 
taken ill, and in the following two j-ears nearly all 
of his money went to pay the doctor, who did him 
but little good. During his illness, whenever able 
to read, he em|)loycd his time in the perusal of in- 
structive hooks, in the meantime reading with much 
interest a medical work of Dr. Buchannan of En- 
gland. As medicine had not succeeded in his own 
case he left off taking it, and began a course of 
treatment in accordance with Dr. Bucliauuan's 
theory, and speedil}' effected a cure. He then made 
a study of magnetic treatment and became a suc- 
cessful practitioner. Although he did not put him- 
self forward as an M. D., he was frequently called 
upon by his friends, whom he treated successfully, 
almost without exception. He was greatly in- 
terested in this branch of science and continued to 
investigate disease, its cause and cure, and finally 
used hygienic treatment, utilizing Nature's remedies 
— light, heat, water and electricity. During this 
time he made his home alternately in Warren and 
I'rovidcnce, R. I., and in Fall River, Mass., working 
at his trade and pr.acticing medicine. 

In September, IsfiS, ]Mr. Woodmancy resolved 
to seek the Western countrj'. and accordingly jour- 
neyed to the l^rairic State. His friend, Mr. J. A. 
Pitts, had locateil in Mt. Hope Townshi)), McLean 
County', and with him he spent the wintei-. In the 
meantime he purchased 240 acres of wild land on 
.sections 1 (! ami 17 of Mt. Hope Townshi]), which 
is now included in the present homestead. He was 
still inimarried, and whil(> carrying on the imjjrove- 
menl of his new farm he became an inmate of the 
family of Nathaniel Kwings, where he remained for 
a time and afterward kept "bachelor's hall" until 
lis marriage. This latter event transpired, in 
April, 18oG, the maiden of his choice being Miss 
Caroline Trott, a New England lady, who was born 



J his 
Api 

I' 



in the town of Hallowell, Me., and the daughter of 
Capt. Isaac Trott, who followed the sea for a num- 
ber of years, engaged in merchant service. He re- 
moved to Illinois in 1855, and died at the home of 
his son in Nebraska on the 14th of August, 1886. 
He was married in earlj' life to Miss Jane .Smith, who 
died in Bath, Me. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Woodmancy there 
have been born four children: W.alter was born 
in Mt. Hope Township, where he h.as always 
lived, and was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Johnson, a native of Wisconsin; Ai)|)hia E., the 
wife of Larken T. MuUins, is .also a resident of 
Mt. IIoi)e. The son and son-iii-law assist in car- 
rying on the home farm of Mr. Woodmancy; Ella 
J. and Alice M. died while young. 

Mr. Woodmancy has been a Republican since 
1800, when he voted for Abraham Lincoln. He is 
a gentleman of more than ordinary ability, an ex- 
tensive reader, a deep thinker, and keenly observant 
of what is going on around him in the world. He 
is one of those who, when attempting anything, 
seldom abandons it, and whatever he does is done 
well. He is skillful .as a farmer, is straightforward 
and methodical in his business transactions, and as 
a citizen is held in the highest respect by all who 
know him. 

IDWARD WASHBURN, junior member of 
the enterprising young firm of Smith & 
^) Washburn, has been in business as a mem- 
ber of said firm since April 7, 1883. He was born 
in Bridge water, Plymouth Co., Mass., Dec. 11, 
1847. .and is the son of Rotheus and Mary (Hay- 
ward) Washburn, also n.atives of New England. 
The father of our subject was a skillful mechanic, 
and remaine<l in his native State nearly all his life. 
The parental household included five children, of 
whom onl}' two arc living: William IL, a resident 
of Tremont, Tazewell Co., 111., and Edward, the 
subject of this sketch. 

Edward Washburn resided in his native State 
until fifteen years of age, and then accomi)anied 
his brother, William H., to Illinois. They located 
in Tazewell County, .and in 18(54, during the prog- 
ress of the late war, our subject enlisted as a sol- 






t 



M^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



725 iv 



t 



dier of the Union in Co. A. lOSth III. Vol. Inf., in 
which he served until the close of the war. Hav- 
ing enlisted late in the conflict, he was present at 
only one regular engagement, this being the battle 
of Spanish Fort, at Mobile. Ala. After retiring from 
the army he returned to Tazewell County, where 
he i-ented land and engaged in farming until 1871. 
He then purchased 160 acres of land in Vermilion 
County, this State, which he operated until 1883, 
then sold out and removed to Cropsey, this county, 
where he engaged in his present business. 

Our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Caroline G. Sniffln in 1871. Mrs. Washburn was 
born in Tazewell County, and was the daughter of 
Nathaniel and Elizabeth Sniffln. Of the union of 
our subject there have been born two children, a 
son, who died in infancy, and George A. They 
occupy a pleasant and comfortable home, and en- 
joy the acquaintance of the best people in the town. 
Mr. Washburn is Republican in politics, and socially 
belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the (i. A. R. 

■^/OHN LIVINGSTON, a pioneer .settler of 
Padua Township, became a resident of this 
locality in December, 1847. During a pe- 
(^// riod of over fortj' years he has devoted his 
time and attention to agricultur.il pursuits, in which 
he has been more than ordinarily successful. His 
farm estate consists of 180 acres of valuable land 
on sections "28 and 33, the family residence being 
on the former. This, with all its surroundings, in- 
dicate the exercise of a fine taste and ample means. 
Everything about the premises is kept in first- 
class order. The stock of the farm is in good con- 
dition and well cared for, and the agricultural im- 
plements are of the latest and most approved pat- 
tern. Mr. Livingston, years .ago was acknowl- 
edged one of the leading and progressive farmers 
of this section, and takes genuine pride in his work 
and the growth and prosperity of his county and 
township. 

John Livingston was born in Dearborn County, 
Ind., Feb. 8, 1814. He is the son of Adam D. 
and Patsey (Livingston) Livingston, natives of 
Virginia, the father being reared in Kentucky. He 



served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and after 
his retirement from the army, carried on his farm 
in Dearborn County, Ind., until the death of the 
mother of our subject, which occurred when the 
latter was but two years of age. Adam Livingston 
w.as a second time married, to Miss Betsey Dur- 
ham, who was born and reared in Delaware. He 
removed to Illinois from Dearborn County, Ind.. 
in 1840, and to various i)laees afterw.Trd, finally lo- 
cating in Waynesville, De Witt County, where lie 
died at the advanced .age of eighty-four and one- 
lialf years. The second wife died in Missouri. 

The subject of this history w.as the younger of 
his mother's two children. His only sister died in 
this townshii) in 1842, having been married to 
Phillip Miller, by whom she became the mother of 
three children. The early life of John Livingston 
w.as spent in Dearborn County, Ind., where he 
worked with his father untd his marriage. This 
event occurred on the 11th of M.arch, 1844, the 
lady of his choice being Miss Cornelia Thomas, 
who was born in Orange County, N. C, in 1825. 
Her parents rennived from her native .State when 
she was but a child, and located in Dearborn 
County. Ind., where they p.assed the remainder of 
their lives. Mrs. Livingston was the fourtli daugh- 
ter of six children, and remained with her parents 
until her marriage. Her father, Richard Thomas, 
was a native of Orange County, N. C, where he 
was reared, and was married to Bliss Margaret 
Rouey, a native of the .same county and State. 

Mr. and Mrs. Livingston became the parents of 
one child, who died in infanc}'. They are both 
worthy members of the Baptist Church, and our 
subject politically casts his vote with the Repub- 
lican party. 

Adolphus Dimmick, Hrst husband of the aunt of 
our subject, Mrs. Esther (Livingston) Dimmick, 
was born in Tolland County, Conn., Jan. 13, 171)1, 
and in 1816 came AVest to Ripley County, Ind. 
He was married on the 9th of October, 1832, to 
Miss Esther Livingston, and in November of that 
same year started for Illinois, making the journey 
overland with oxen and one horse, drawing a 
wagon. They landed in Old Town Township, this 
county, Nov. 25, 1832. Their house, built of logs, 
was one of the first in that locality. The fireplace 



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726 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



was fashioned out of pounded clay, the chimney 
of sticks and mud, the floor was of puncheon, and 
the window-panes were of greased paper. The 
land upon which they located did not come into 
maiket until four years afterward, and it is unnec- 
essary to say it w.as in its original condition, peo- 
pled generously with wild animals and birds, which 
were the oidy companions of the two who had 
started out in life together, resolved to brave its 
misfortunes and share its prosperity. Mr. Dim- 
mick was cut down in the prime of life, drying on 
Christmas Day in 1845. The household circle had 
been blest by the birth of three children, all of 
whom are now deceased. In earlier years the fa- 
ther had been a teacher in both Ohio and this State. 
His widow afterward married Stephen Ireland, who 
died in the house which is now occupied bj' our 
subject, in the s|)ring of 1851, the homestead hav- 
ing been owned by her. Mrs. Ireland departed 
this life July 28, 1879, after which her farm fell to 
her nephew, .John Livingston, of our sketch. Mrs. 
Ireland was an excellent Christian lady, greatly 
beloved by all who knew her, for her kindness of 
heart and rare vvomanly virtues. 



--^♦^•►^ys^ 



«tf5«t-«<^«tf-» 




ON. P^RANK Y. HAMILTON was elected 
to theCieneral Assembly of Illinois in 188G, 
on the Republican ticket, and is considered 

'Mj one of the representative citizens of McLean 
County. Although his residence in Bloomington 
has not been of many years' duration he has 
fully established himself in the cuntidence of the 
people of this vicinity and his genius and talent 
arc fully recognized by those most competent to 
judge of merit and ability. 

Mr. Hamilton is a native of Richwood, Union 
Co., Ohio, and was born Dec. 27, 1852. He is the 
son of Samuel and Nancy (JIcMorris) Hamilton, 
natives respect! vol}' of Pennsylvania and \'irginia, 
who after their marriage, settled fust in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, whence they removed to Licking 
and then to Union Count}', the father being en- 
gaged in farming pursuits. The father purchased 
forty .acres of heavy timber land i)i tiie latter 
county and built a log house, two stories high. 



doing all the work himself. He occupied this with 
his family until his land was cleared and under a 
good state of cultivation. 

The grandfather of our subject, AVilliam Hamil- 
ton, was a local Protestant Methodist pre.acher and 
one of the founders of that denomination in Ohio. 
He acconi])anied his son Samuel upon the journey 
to Ohio and pnrch.ased 1,000 acres of land, which 
w.as partial!}' cleared, and which he occupieil until 
his death in 1865, after having arrived at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-three 3'ears. Samuel Hamil- 
ton finally sold his farm in Ohio and emigrated to 
Illinois overland with his family, in 1854. They 
settled in Marshall County upon a farm of 180 
acres, and the father afterward purcluased twenty 
acres of timber. He followed farming and stock- 
raising for some years and here the mother died in 
1811(1. The year following the death of his wife 
Samuel Hamilton sold out and removed to \Venona, 
Marshall Count}', in this State, and is now living on 
a small faini there. He is a man of decided views, 
is Republican in politics, and a member in good 
standing of the Protestant Methodist Chureii. 

The [larents of Frank Hamilton had a family of 
nine children, one of whom, .John M., became 
Governor of Illinois, and six are now living. The 
suliject of this biography remained on the farm 
with his |iaronts until seventeen years of .age and 
received a fair education in the schools of Wenona. 
He then attended Wesley.an University at Bloom- 
ington for one year and subsequently eng.aged in 
teacliing near AVenona. In the fall of 1871, he 
took a course in Adrian College, Indiana, from 
which he graduated in 1874. The money necessary 
for carrying on his studies w.as furnished by his 
uncle. AVilliam M. Hamilton, which w.as paid back 
by oin- subject after he commenced teaching. He 
was married in August, 1875, to Miss Emma Cone, 
of Fulton County, Ohio, and they have become the 
parents of two children: Ethel R., born in 1882, 
.and Clair O., in 1885. 

Soon after his inarri.age Mr. Hamilton became 
Princii)al of the graded school .at Sheridan, La 
Salle County, 111., in which ISIrs. Hamilton was as- 
sistant, and where they remained for the following 
six years. In 1881 they removed to Bloomington 
where our subject commenced the study of law with 



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McLean county. 



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the firm of Rowell & Hamilton, and was admitted 
to practice two years later. He continued in 
Bloom ington, meeting with success, and in 1886 was 
elected to the Legislature, having received the 
nomination after a spirited contest, over the former 
representative, Hon. I. H. Pil<e. He is also attor- 
ney for the I. B. & W. R. R. and general attorney 
for tlie Security Live Stocic Insurance Companj' of 
Bloomington. Besides his residence at No. 701 East 
Douglas street, he owns a farm in Nebraska. Mr. 
and Mrs. H. are members of the Second Presbyterian 
Church, of which our subject has been Superin- 
tendent of the Sabbath-school since 1883. He is 
identified with the Republican party, and belongs 
to the Masonic fraternity as a member of Bloom- 
ington Lodge No. 4.3, and Royal Arcanum Council 
in this city. So far he has made for himself a good 
record and there is a prospect for him of better 
things to come. 



\i^ — ,/'RANK KRAF"T. Germany has contributed 
— ^i her quota, not only to the upbuilding of Mc- 
\ Lean Count}', but a goodl}' portion of the 
United States, and within the boundary lines of this 
county we find a large number of that class of citi- 
zens. Prominent among this number is the gentle- 
man of whom we write, and who is pleasantly lo- 
cated on his fine and productive farm on section 
17, Towanda Township. Mr. Kraft is a son of Jo- 
seph and Mary A. Kraft, natives of Germany, in 
which country they both died. 

Our subject was the oldest son of his parents' 
children, and was born in Baden, Germany, June 
7,1829. He lived in the " F.aderland " until the 
fall of 185.5, when he emigrated to the United 
States. When sixteen j'ears old our subject learned 
the trade of soap-making, and followed that occu- 
pation until he came to this country', with the ex- 
ception of the time he was compelled to serve in 
the army. The laws of his native country required 
him to serve six years in the army, but two years 
before the expiration of his time he, desiring to 
emigrate to the United States, hired a substitute to 
take his place for the unexpired time, paying there- 
for the sum of $200. 



ifor 



On arriving in the United States our subject first 
located near Dayton, Ohio, where he lived about 
one year, working out by the month on a farm. 
In the fall of 1850 he came to McLean County and 
worked at farming by the month until his marriage. 
He then rented a farm, and for four years continued 
to cultivate rented land. At the expiration of this 
time he had accumulated enough to enable him to 
purchase eighty acres in Towanda Township, and 
which w.as located on section 17. On this tract he 
settled, and has there lived until the present time. 
By strict economy and energy he has been enabled 
to add to his original purchase, and is now the 
owner of 320 acres of good and valuable land, on 
wiiich he has the best of improvements, and where 
he is meeting with more than ordinary success. 

Jlr. Kraft was married at Bloomington, 111., 
March 13, 1859, to Paulina Fiebig, daughter of 
Gotlieb and Banety Fiebig, natives of Germany, 
and in which country they both died. Mrs. Kraft 
was born March 25, 1836, in Germany, and came 
to this country- when twenty years of age. The re- 
sult of her union with our subject has been two 
children : Oscar W. and Lewis H. ; the former mar- 
ried Miss Alice Phillipps, and they are living in 
Towanda Township; Lewis H. resides at home, and 
assists his father in the cultivation of the farm. 
Mr. Kraft has been School Director, and in politics 
is Republican. A fine lithographic view of the 
handsome residence of Mr. Kraft is shown on an- 
other page of lliis work. 



E 



LIJAH SMITH, of Belleflower Township, 
owns and occupies a comfortable homestead 
on section 1. He is a native of the Prairie 
State, born June 29, 1840, and the youngest child 
of William and Sarah (C'line) Smith. (See sketch 
of E. R. Smith.) Elijah Smith was reared upon his 
father's farm and took advantage of the opportuni- 
ties afforded to secure an education in the district 
schools, where he applied himself industriously and 
acquired a fund of useful information. He made 
his home with his parents some time after reaching 
manhood, and later operated on rented land which 
belonged to his father. In 1865 he purchased a 



i 



'i 



t 



728 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






tract of timber land six or seven miles west of 
Bushnell, \ipon which he worked for three years 
following and then coming to McLean County pur- 
chased eighty acres of wild prairie on section 1, 
Belleflower Township. In addition to this he rented 
an eighty-acre tract of which he afterward broke 
forty acres, and in 1873 built a part of the house 
which he now occupies. All of his land is im- 
proved and he has a good set of frame buildings. 

The first marriage of our subject occurred Oct. 
26, 1803, the maiden of his choice being Miss 
Rachel A. Wright, who died in September, 1861), 
aged twenty-five years. His second wife was Miss 
Maggie Carey, to whom he was married Sept. 7, 
1873. l?y the first marriage there were three chil- 
dren, two now living — Mary A. and Weslej- W. 
Of the second marriage there were born, Lena, 
Oradell, Florence and Carl L. 

Mrs. Smith is a member of the Christian Church 
and our subject belongs to Mansfield Lodge No. 
773, A. F. it A. M. He is Democratic in politics 
and in all respects a worthy and useful citizen. 
'J'he father of Mrs. Maggie Smith, the wife of our 
subject, was Dawson Carey, a native of Ohio, 
whence he removed to Illinois in about 1840, and 
located in Scott County, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his life. Her mother, formerly Miss 
Mary Six, who was also born in Ohio, is now living 
in Scott County. 



ylLLIAM THOMPSON, a farmer and stock - 
raiser of R.andolph Township, owns one of 
the finest farm homesteads in McLean 
Count}'. It comprises 392 acres, and occupies a 
part of sections 11, 12, 14 and 22, the residence 
being on section 11. The family history of our 
subject is as follows: His father, (Jeorge K. 
Thompson, was one of the older sons of William 
Thompson, Sr., and the father of the latter was a 
citizen of Virginia. The family is supposed to 
have come from Scottish ancestry. The great- 
grandfather of our subject and his sons were well- 
to-do farmers and slave-holders, who had been 
taught to believe in the rectitude of the peculiar 
nstitution. The grandfather lived arid died in 



y inst 

r 



Monroe County, W. Va., having been a poor man, 
but an honest, law-abiding citizen. His wife was 
formerly Miss Klizabeth King, also a native of 
West Virginia, who spent her entire life in her na- 
tive State. Of their six children, George K., the 
father of our subject, was the eldest son and third 
child. His boyhood and youth were spent upon his 
father's farm, and after reaching years of manhood 
he was united in marriage with Miss Anstis CoUison, 
who was born and reared in Greenbrier County, 
W. Va., where her marriage took place. After the 
birth of a son, whom they named Franklin, they 
came to Butler County, Ohio, being among the 
earliest settlers of that regi(ni, making their home 
in the timber. In the fall of 1831, the little family 
having in the meantime been increased in size by 
the birth of our subject and Mary O., the parents 
with their three young children left Ohio and came 
to Illinois, making their first settlement in Peoria 
Countj-. The following year, after the Inrtli of a 
daughter, Elizalieth, they came to Randolph Town- 
ship and settled near a grove of the same name, and 
on the farm which is now owned b}' our subject, 
William Thompson. They arrived here on the iith 
of July, and on the 27th of August they met with a 
sore atlliction in the death of the husband and 
father, leaving the mother with four small children 
dependent upon her. Of these all are now living, 
married, and comfortably settled in homes of their 
own. 

The mother of our subject remained a widow for 
two and one-half years, and then became the wife 
of Matiiew Coverdale. The mother and stepfather 
are both living, and make their home wiiii our sub- 
ject. The former, who is now seventy-seven years 
of age, received a severe fall two years ago, which 
has rendered her a cripple since that time. Mr. Cov- 
erdale is a native of New Jersey, whence he removed 
to Ohio and from thereto Illinois, having also lived 
for some years in the State of Indiana. 

William Thompson was only about two and one- 
half years old when his father died. He afterward 
made his home with his mother and stepfatiier until 
he attained his majority. He then engaged in 
farming on his own .account, and three j-ears later 
w.as married, in Randolph Township, to Miss Cas- 
sandra French, who was born at Athens, Belmont 



^ 






McLean county. 




■I- 



Co., Ohio, M.arch 16, 1836. She came with her par- 
ents to Illinois in her girlhood, and remained with 
them in this township until her marriage. A few 
weeks after this event the father sickened and died, 
the mother having died when Cassandra was five 
years old. Of this marriage of our subject there 
were born two children : Oliver C. married Miss Mary 
Gard, and they live in Ida County, Iowa; he has 
been County Surveyor sever.il terms and is now a 
land agent. Minerva became the wife of Henry 
Talbert, and they reside on a farm in Morrison 
County, Kan. Mrs. Cassandra Thompson departed 
this life at the home of her husband in Story Coun- 
ty, Iowa, in 1856. 

Ml'. Thompson was the second time married, in 
Boone County, Iowa, March 4, 1858, to Miss Mary 
M. Jones. This lady is a native of W.ayne County, 
Ohio, born Aug. 31, 1835. Her parents were 
Thomas and Jane (Culbertson) Jones, natives re- 
spectively of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties, 
Pa. The father was ijf ^Velsh descent and reared 
in Pennsylvania, and the mother was of Irish an- 
cestry. The}' were married in Wayne County, 
Ohio, where they lived for many years and reared 
their family. In 1855 they emigrated to Story 
County. Iowa, where the parents passed the re- 
mainder of their days, the father living to the ripe 
old .age of eighty-two years, and the mother dying 
when fifty -six. Mrs. Thompson w.as the first daugh- 
ter and fourth child of the family, and was twenty 
years old when her parents removed to Iowa. By 
her marriage with our subject she has become the 
mother of nine children, two now deceased. The 
record is as follows: Anstis married William II. 
Stewart, a farmer of Randolph Township; Mary J. 
became the wife of J. C. Wakefield, .and they live 
on a farm near Hey worth; Martha E., Mrs. James 
L. Pumphrey, lives in Bloomington City, and her 
husband is now a student at Wesleyan University; 
George K. is attending the Evergreen City Busi- 
ness College; Daniel W., Ed.. Edith iind Nellie .are 
living with their parents at home. 

Mrs. Thompson is a member in good standing of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically our 
subject is a Democrat. He has served two terms 
as a Justice of the Peace, one in Iowa, and for one 
terra has been Clerk of the Circuit Court in Iowa. 
4* 



After coming West Mr. Thompson resided in 
Story County, Iowa, for a period of fifteen years, 
during wliich time his first wife died, and he was 
the second time married. He returned to his present 
home in 1866, whicli place has since been his perma- 
nent abode. 



\ip^^ M. EMERSON, one of the jn'ominent citi- 
iIp^^ zens of Bloomington Township, is oceupy- 
/i^s ing a pleasant and comfortable homestead 

on section 6, where he is engaged in the nursery 
business, and is surrounded by all the comforts of 
life. He is also interested in a coal mine, but 
wliich is not operated at the present time. Mr. Em- 
erson came to McLean County a poor man, in 
1851, and his present possessions are the result of 
his own industry and energy. He was born in 
Cl.ark County, Ky., Sept. 30, 1819, being the 
youngest son and sixth child of William and Polly 
(Tuggle) Emerson, natives of Virginia. William 
Emerson w.as born Aug. 11, 1787, and when a j'ouiig 
man removed to Kentucky, where he w.as married, 
in CLark County. The mother was born April 25, 
1790. After their marriage the p.arents located on a 
farm in Clark County, Ky., where the father was 
killed by a colored man in his employ. The mother 
afterward married a brother of her first husband, 
and of this union there were born five children. 
The second husband died in about 1865; the 
mother survived him several years, and remained 
in Clark County until her death, in the eightieth 
year of her age. 

Young Emerson lived with his mother .ind step- 
father most of the time until his marriage, which 
took place in Clark County, Ky., July 21, 1810, 
the maiden of his choice being Miss Elizabeth M. 
Bybee, a native of Clark County, Ky., her parents 
also being born in that State. Two years after their 
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Emerson removed to Mis- 
souri and located on a farm in Jackson County, 
on the old Santa Fe road, near Independence. 
After three years they returned to Kentucky, 
where they remained until 1851, living in Clark 
County on a farm, and then, in company with three 
other families, came to the Pr.airie State and all lo- 



~t- 



t 



t 



•►-■-^^ 



-•►-■-4« 



it 



?30 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



cated near Bloomingtoii City. All started out with 
little raean.s and all have been prospered. The pres- 
ent home of our subject and his wife is the same 
upon which they located on first coming here. He 
is now the owner of 100 acres of land which is un- 
derlaid with three veins of a good quality of coal. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Emerson died at the home of her 
husband in Bloomington Township, on the 4th of 
June, 1S74. She was essentially a good woman in 
all that the term implies, and was held in the high- 
est esteem bj' her husband and a large circle of ac- 
quaintances. Of this marriage there were born two 
children, who lived only a short time. 

Mr. Emerson was married the second time, at Gib- 
son City, 111., to Miss Eliza D. McFarland, who was 
born and reared upon a farm in Stark County, Ohio. 
Her mother died when she was but two weeks old. 
She was, before her marriage, ]\Iiss Eliza Davis. 
The father, Abel McFarland, departed this life 
when his daughter, Mrs. E., was only eleven years 
of age. A year afterward she went to Missouri with 
her elder sister, Sarah, who w.as a teacher, and thej' 
lived at Paris, Monroe County, for two years. 
Then both went to Kentucky and located in Chris- 
tian County, where Mrs. Emerson grew to woman- 
hood and received a common-school education. In 
1874 she came to Illinois and located in Ford 
County, where she was mairied to our subject Feb. 
10, 187.5. Of this union there were born six chil- 
dren, of whom one, an infant, is deceased. The 
living are Minerva B., Clara, Oracie, Mary W. and 
¥. M., all at home. The family are members in 
good standing of the Christian Church, and our 
subject, formerly a Democrat, is now an earnest 
supporter of the Prohil>ition party. 



-^'w —^jzfi^/s^g" 



^>*'^^^^/^T?T?f»^^■ ./\/v^ 



"^( OHN PROTHERO. A large proportion of 
those who first ventured into tiie Western 
country, having the courage to stake their 
all on the untried |)rairie or in tiie virgin 
forest, were natives of anotlier continent. They 
crossed many miles of tx'ean before reaching the 
land whicli they believed would, [by the exer- 
cise of well directed efforts, yield tlieni a home, and 
^ r in return for their tireless industrj', a competency. 



Among these, who is also numbered with the hon- 
ored pioneers of 1838, is the subject of our sketch, a 
retired farmer now living in ease and comfort in 
the village of Saj'brook. His birth took place in 
the southern part of Wales on the 4th of August, 
1814. 

When a lad of fourteen years, Mr. Prothero came 
to America with his parents, who settled in Can.ada. 
The only education he ever received was during 
the few years' schooling he had in his native coun- 
try. He lived with his parents in the Dominion un- 
til 1838, then started Westward with his brother-in- 
law, Lawton Case, and a neighbor, Thomas Newland. 
After arriving in this State he worlved at carpenter- 
ing which he had previously learned. He took up 
his abode in Cheney's Grove, and in 1842 was uni- 
ted in marriage with Miss Catharine Cheney. Mrs. 
Prothero was born May 30, 182.5, and was the 
daughter of Jonathan and Katie (Owens) Cheney, 
both natives of Virginia and of Welsh descent, and 
highly esteemed people. Of this marriage there 
were born five children, but tlie household was 
left desolate by the loss of all. They were born 
as follows: Elliott L., Aug. 25, 1848; Francis 
M., Sept. 24, 1850; Margaret, Aug. 2, 1858; David 
A., March 17, 1861; Charlie A., May 30, 1803. 
Mrs. Catharine (Cheney) Prothero departed this 
life on the 9th of May, 1869. She was a highly es- 
teemed Christian lady and a devoted member of 
the United Brethren Church. 

The second wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married on the 23d of March, 1871, was Miss Laura 
Case, who was born in Portage County, Ohio, in 
1832, and came to Illinois in 1857. Mrs. P. is 
finely educated and taught school for several 3'ears 
in Ohio, and later, in this county, and also in Mc- 
Donough County, and met with unqualified suc- 
cess, being admiralily adapted by disposition and 
intellect for this calling. Jlr. and Mrs. P. for some 
years after their marriage lived on the farm of our 
subject in Ciieney's Grove Township, and thence, in 
1873, removed to .Saybrook. Their home is supjilied 
witli all the comforts and conveniences of modern 
life, and Mr. Prothero, surrounded by the friends 
which lie lias made by his honorable and upright 
course, is passing a happy and contented old age. 
He is a prominent member of the United Brethren 



i 





%,rf>i* •" 



sR 






■^^ 



McLean county. 



733 






Church, of which he has served as Steward and 
Trustee for several years. He was Justice of the 
Peace in Cheney's Grove Township for eight years, 
in which ofHce he served with remarkal)le success 
and good judgment, never having one of his decis- 
ions reversed by a higher court. Politically he lias 
been a Republican, but recently became greatly in- 
terested in the movements and success of the Pro- 
hibitionists, believing that the issues put forward 
by that part}' are paramount to all others in which 
the American people are now interested and with 
which they must deal. Besides his finely cultiva- 
ted farm of eighty acres in Cheney's G-i-ove Town- 
ship, he has several improved lots within the limits 
of Saybrook, and a snug little sum at interest. 

In the portrait of Mr. Prothero, as shown on 
another page, are delineated the features of a gen- 
tleman whom to know has invariably been to honor, 
and who, after reaching more than threescore years 
and ten, can look back upon a career in which there 
has been little to regret, and whose impulses and 
desires have enabled him to act upon the higher 
plane, illustrating fully the character of an honest 
man and a good citizen, performing well his part in 
life, and at its close will receive, and not alone from 
his fellow-citizens, the i)laudit of '-well done." 



, .^-^i^ ^ 



V 



Sf OHN M. STIPP. Supervisor of Arrowsmith 
Township, and whose portrait is given on an 
accompanying page, is one of the most enter- 
prising farmers of the county. His home- 
stead is pleasantly located on section 19 of the 
township named. Tlie father of our subject, Henry 
Stipp, was a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, 
where he was born Nov. 2, 1808. While still a boy 
he removed with his parents, John and Catherine 
Stipp, to Indiana, settling in Vigo County, twelve 
miles north of Terre Haute, which was then an 
embryo village. In that locality our subject was 
reared to manhood, receiving careful parental train- 
ins and a sood education in the common schools. 
He was united in marriage with Miss Martha Medd- 
le}', wh(i was born near Terre Haute. After mar- 
riage the young people went to housekeeping, and 
our subject continued his farm operations in con- 



nection with lumbering on the river until 1852. 
They then crossed over into Illinois and became 
residents of this count}', locating first upon a tract 
of land in Padua Township. Five years later Mr. 
Stipp disposed of his property there and purchased 
eighty acres on section 7, in Arrowsmith Township, 
which he improved and cultivated, adding to it as 
time i)rogressed and his means accumulated. His 
first wife had died in Indiana in 184-1, leaving one 
son, John M., the subject of this history. Henry 
Stipp was subsequently married to Miss Cynthia 
Ann Meddley, a cousin of his former companion. 
The father died upon the homestead which he had 
established in Arrowsmith Township in about 1873. 
His widow is still living, residing on the old home- 
stead. Of the two marriages of Henry Stipp there 
were born five sons and five daughters, seven of 
whom are now living. 

The subject of this sketch was born In Vigo 
County, Ind., Nov. 3, 1842, and came to Illinois 
in 1852 with the family when a boy of ten years 
old. He has since that time been a resident of this 
county. He was reared to farming pursuits and his 
e.arly education was necessarily quite limited, as 
the public schools of those early days were few and 
far between and not conducted in accordance with 
the splendid system of to-day. About the time 
young Stipp was nineteen years of age the outbreak 
of the Rebellion necessitated a call for volunteers 
to assist in the preservation of the Union. With 
many others he cheerfully responded to the first 
call, and became a member of Co. K, 8th 111. Vol. 
Inf., and was mustered in in April, 18(;i. This was 
the first company to leave Bloomington, and among 
the very first to rush to the defense of the flag that 
had but a few days before fallen from the ramports 
of Sumter. After serving his term of three mouths 
Mr. Stipp re-enlisted and was transferred to Co. A. 
1st 111. Vol. Cav. Their regiment was soon after- 
ward disbanded by general orders and our subject 
once more returned home, but not to stay. There 
being no immediate prospect of a termination of 
the ditliculties between the North and the South, 
he again proffered his services as a soldier and was 
mustered into service as a member of Co. F, 94th 
111. Vol. Inf., and served until July 22, 18G5. This 
time it was no child's play and Mr. Stijip entered 



4 



u 



734 



I 



McLean county. 



( 



into active service, participating in all the battles 
and skirmishes of his regiment, inchicling the siege 
and capture of Vicksburg, and Yazoo City, Miss., 
the capture of Brownsville and Ft. Morgan, Ala., 
in which he officiated as color-bearer. Amid the 
scenes of danger and death he escaped compara- 
tivly nr.harmed, and was promoted Sergeant and 
after the war was commissioned Lieutenant by Gov. 
Oglesby, of Illinois. Gen. McNulty in presenting 
him the con) mission wrote him a lengthy letter, 
'enumerating man}' .^ctsof bravery and mentioning 
his meritoricnis conduct upon the field upon all oc- 
casions. 

His regiment, of which he was a prominent mem- 
ber, as the history of the late civil strife will al- 
ways show, saw much hard and dangerous service. 
We cannot in this brief sketch rehearse the daring 
deeds of its men — their loyal sacritiecs and her()ic 
achievements — liut all the experiences of w.ar were 
theirs. Could tliey be told the}' would speak of 
early reverses, sad disappointments, gloomy fore- 
bodings for the future, of sickness in camp and 
hospital; fearful suspense; of midnight marches, of 
deadly ambuscades, of labor intrenches and dreary 
and enforced idleness in camp; of escapes, of 
wounds, of imprisonment in fnul dens, on the dea<l 
line, and of death — of all the horrors of fratricidal 
war. But they would speak too of privations 
willingly endured, dangers voluntaril}' incurred, 
ceaseless labor gladly undergone, risks gladlj' and 
daringly assumed, and death most chivalrously en- 
countered ; of dashing assaults, of well contested 
fields, of the enemy's retreat and of countless vic- 
tories. They would speak of disaster, but also of 
success; of doubt, but yet of undying hope; of 
transient defeats, but still of linal and enduring 
victory. 

After receiving his honorable discharge from the 
army Mr. Slipp returned to this county and resumed 
his farming operations in Arrowsmith Township. 
In l.SUS he sold out and went to Kansas, remaining 
there, hovvever, only one season. He then returned 
to JMcLean County and purchased eighty acres of 
his present farm. To tiiis he added from time to 
time until he is now the owner of 200 acres, all 
finely improved and valuable. In 18S5 he erected 
a commodious and handsome farm residence, which, 



with its beautiful surroundings, forms one of the 
most attractive spots in the landscape of this sec- 
tion. In addition to general .agriculture he is quite 
extensively interested in stock-raising and among 
his herds are to be found some very fine animals. 

The mari'iage of our subject occurred on the 4th 
of March, KSGG, the lady of his choice being Miss 
Ellen, daughter of James and Margaret Wirt. Mrs. 
S. was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 31, 
1844. The result of this union has been five chil- 
dren — Mnniie, Florence, Clayborn H., J. W. and 
Nellie. 

Mr. Stipp, politically, is an earnest Republican, 
and is now serving his third term in his present of- 
fice, that of Supervisor. He is a gentlemen of 
sound judgment and good business qualifications, 
and is gre.atly respected bj' all who have the honor 
of his acquaintance. He is a member in good 
standing of the A. F. & A. M., being coiniected 
with Arrowsmith Lodge No. 737. 

ICHOLAS MAI RER, of D.anvers Town- 
ship, has been a resident of this State since 
1843, and two years later located in McLean 
County, where he has continued to make his 
home until the present. His iiomestead is located 
on section 10, J)anvers Township, where he is en- 
aaoed in eeneral farming, and living the life of an 
upright and conscientious citizen. 

The subject of our sketch was born near the 
River Rhine, Germany, in 1822, and is the son of 
Nicholas and Mar}' (Korb) Maurer, natives of the 
same country, where they were reared and married 
in 1819. Nicholas Maurer, Sr., and his wife were 
the parents of four children — Christian, Catherine, 
Nicholas of our sketch, and Joseph. They were 
members of the Mennonitc Church, and died about 
183o. They were most worthy and excellent peo- 
ple, and greatly respected by all who knew them. 

Mr. Maurer, of this history, remained with his 
parents until twenty-one 3'ears of age, .and then set 
sail for liie New World, landing in New Orleans, 
whence he soon afterward went to Butler County, 
Ohio, where he engaged as a farm laborer for three 
iind one-half years. In 1843 he came to Woodford 




i' 



■^^ 



1 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



735 



County, this State, and purchased 600 acres of land. 
After a two j'ears' residence in that county he re- 
moved to McLean County, and in 1863, was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Kohler. Mr. Maurer had pre- 
viously married a Miss Bochler, by whom he had 
one child, Catharine. He became prosperous in 
his business and fiirming transactions, and added 
240 acres to his tirst purchase, so that he now has 
a large bodj' of finely improved land under a good 
state of cultivation. The family residence is a 
substantial and convenient structure, and the farm 
is supplied with a good barn and all necessary out- 
buildings. 

Our subject and his wife are members of the 
Mennonite Church. The family of our subject in- 
cluded six children — Catharine, Samuel, Joseph 
and r^ydia; Johnnie and Mary, two of these, died 
in infancy. 

Mr. Maurer is the possessor of 320 acres of fine 
land in McLean County, and in politics he is inde- 
pendent. A view of Mr. Maurer's residence and 
surroundings is given on another page of this work. 



JAMES S. 
State, hai 
ship ove 
near Cra 



\y) AMES S. COON, a pioneer of the Prairie 
has been a resident of Gridley Town- 
k-er forty-five years. He was born 
>awfordsville, Ind., March 21, 182.'), 
being the son of Adam and Eleanor (Dick.ason) 
Coon, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia re- 
spectively. They removed in early youth to Ohio, 
where they were married, in Fayette County, in 
about 1811. Subsequently they came to Indiana, 
settling near what is now Crawfordsville, Mont- 
gomery County, where they lived until July, 1837, 
then coming to this State and county, settled first 
near Towanda, whence the^' afterward removed to 
Money Creek Township, and in the spring of 1841 
to Gridley Township. Here they spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. Of their nine children, 
seven lived to mature years, these being Isaiah, 
Jonathan, Ruth, Michael, James S., Nancy J. and 
Margaret. Elbei't and Henry died when quite 
young. 

James S. Coon was but twelve years old when 
he came to this county. He remained under the 



home roof until he was twenty-five years of age, 
when he was married, and settled in Gridley Town- 
ship and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he 
has followed all his life. His farm consists of 180 
acres of improved land, upon which he has erected 
a good set of frame buildings and has all the ap- 
pliances of a progressive modern farmer. 

He was married in Gridlej' Township, Feli. 14, 
1850, to Miss Maria, daughter of Joseph and Mary 
(Wilcox) Young, who were natives of Ohio. They 
were reared and married in th.at State, and settled 
first in Fayette County, whence they removed to 
this State in the fall of 1832, and took up their 
abode in Money Creek Township, this county, 
where they passed the remainder of their lives. 
The father died in 1833. The mother afterward 
married John Thomas, by whom she had four chil- 
dren. Her death occurred in about 1847. Other 
first marriage there were born three children. JNIrs. 
Coon was born in Fayette Count}', Ohio, May 22, 
1831. 

Our subject and his wife became the parents of 
three children : Ambrose W. married Miss Cath- 
erine Sheppard, and they had four children, only 
one of whom survives, a daughter, Delia M., and 
the wife died in Gridley Township, June 7, 1884; 
Sarah E. is the wife of Wesley Lower}', and resides 
in Colorado, and she has four children — Isaac I., 
Mary M., Carrie E. and Ambrose W. ; Frank died 
in infancj'. Mr. and Mrs. C. are devoted members 
of the Church of Christ. 

Mr. and Mrs. Coon are known all over this sec- 
tion of the country as " Uncle Jim " and "Aunt 
Maria." Mrs. C. is a very expert carpet-weaver, 
in which she has been occupied for many years, 
and during that time has rolled up 1,000 yards a 
year, which present as handsome workmanship 
as is ordinarily found. Mr. Coon, during his 
earlier years was very fond of hunting, and in 
company with his brother, Michael, slaughtered 
scores of deer, wolves and various other kinds of 
game. They caught, one winter, eighteen wolves 
in stgel traps, but finally abandoned the trap and 
pursued the wily rascals with greyhounds, after the 
country became so thickly settled that the game 
was nearly all captured or driven away. Being 
among the early settlers of the Prairie State, they 



r 



-1^1 



t 



-i^ 



t 



736 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



were obliged to eiuliiro iiiueh privation and incon- 
venience, but the_y possessed tliat brave and cour- 
ageous spirit for wliich the pioneers have ever been 
distinguished, and were ready for any emergency 
that might arise. For some years they were far 
from either market or mill, and even when the 
roads were good it toolv one week to make the trip 
to Chicago. Our subject and his wife have watched 
with unabated interest the progress and prosperity 
of this great Commonwealth, and have contributed 
their full share toward the industrial and agricult- 
ural interests of McLean County. 

In politics our suljject is a stanch Republican, 
and uniformly casts his vote in support of the prin- 
ciples of his party. 

UII. BOIES, deceased, one of the most 
prominent .and influential citizens of Orid- 
'^f^ ley, was largely engaged as a grain and 
stock dealer, and by his enterprise and aetivit}^ for 
many years assisted greatly in the prosperit}- of the 
business interests of this section. INIr. Boies was a 
native of Livingston County, N. Y., boi'n in the 
town of Moscow, Jan. 22, 1833. He was the son 
of James C. and Caroline (Severance) Boies, na- 
tives respectively of Canada and Vermont. After 
marri.age the parents of our subject settled in Liv- 
ingston County, N. Y., and there the mother died, 
in about 183.'). James Boise then came to Illinois 
and made his home in Gridley, this county, until 
his death, which occurred in January, 188(;, There 
were only two children — Wilber H. and George. 
The latter was formerly a conductor on the T. P. 
& W. R. R. for twenty-one years, but is now en- 
gaged in the real-estate business in Kansas City. 

W. H. Boise received a good common-school 
education and remained a resident of his native 
county until 18o(;, five years of that time being 
employed as clerk in a store. In the year named, 
he came to Illinois, and made his home in El Paso 
for about six years, where he was engaged m the 
purchase and sale of grain. From there he went 
to Watseka, where he was connected with the freight 
office for a short time, and in the spring of 1862 
came to (iridley and took charge of the station of 



the T. P. <fe W. R. R. as their agent, a position 
which he occupied fourteen years; in the meantime 
he was also engaged in the buying and shipping of 
grain. After retiring from the employ of this road 
he devoted his entire attention to his grain and 
stock operations, to which he added that of farm- 
ing. He purchased a tract of land which he success- 
fullj' operated, and at the time of his death was the 
owner of 400 acres in Gridley Townshii). The 
elevator there, which has a capacity of about 
30,000 busliels, was projected and built by him, in 
addition to a warehouse with a capacity of 80,000. 

Wilber II. Boise was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary A. Taylor, in Perry, Wyoming Co., N. 
Y., Nov. 18, 1857. Mrs. B. was born in Wyoming 
County, Sept. 12, 1837, and by her union with 
our subject became the mother of four cliildren — 
George \'., Nettie W., Charles C. and Wilber IL, Jr. 

In 1884, Mr. Boise, who had been in partnership 
with R. Beese. purchased the interest of his partner 
and afterward carried on his business .alone. He 
was a member of the Republican party, greatly in- 
terested in the success of the temperance move- 
ment, and served as a member of the Milage Board 
for several years. Socially he was connected with 
El Paso Lodge, No. 246, A. F. & A. M., also be- 
longed to CtBur de Leon Commandery at El Paso, 
and the Royal Arch Chapter. 



eW. LANDER, proprietor of the livery and 
sale stables at Nos. 203, 205 and 207 North 
street, Bloomington, is a native of Ken- 
tuck}^ and was born April 4, 1828. He is the son 
of Samuel and Sallie (Haggard) Lander, natives of 
the same State as their son. The father of our 
subject in 1835 came to Illinois with his family, 
and entered a tract of Government laud in Bloom- 
ington Township. He subsequently purchased two 
improved farms, and at one time was the owner 
of 2,000 acres in this county. He afterward dis- 
posed of the most of his property in this State, 
and went to Dcnison. Tex., where he now lives 
retired from .active labor; the mother died in 
Bloomington in 1844. Their four children were 
John D., of Kans.as; C. W. of our sketch; Richard 



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I 



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" " ►^ ■ 1 ^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



737 



M., of Bloomingtoii, and Mrs. Z. A. York, of this 
count}'. Samuel Lander was a prominent man in 
the community in which he lived, Democratic in 
politics, and a member of the Constitutional Con- 
vention which met at Springfield in 1846. He was 
connected with the Baptist Churcli for a period of 
flft^'-five years, fifty years of tliis time serving as 
Deacon. He became interested in city property, 
was the stanch and liberal supporter of school and 
church institutions, and activelj' interested in all 
matters pertaining- to the moral and intellectual 
welfare of his county and State. 

The subject of this history' was reared on his fa- 
ther's farm and received a piactical education. 
After leaving home he came to Bloomington and 
engaged in teaming, also in buying and selling 
horses until 1857. He then became proprietor of 
an omnibus line, which he continued to operate un- 
til the breaking out of tlie war. Enlisting in Co. E, 
94th 111. Vol. Inf., he served two months as Regi- 
mental Wagon-master, when he was detailed as Di- 
vision Wagon-master and remained in this depart- 
ment of the service until March, 1864. Subse- 
quently he was appointed (Quartermaster Agent and 
had full control of the teams of ten regiments. He 
went from Missouri to Vicksburg, then down the 
river to Morgan's Bend ; from tliere to New Or- 
leans, thence to Brownsville, Tex., and then re- 
turning to Louisiana soil halted at Baton Rouge. 
After being mustered out at Brownsville, in 1864, 
he returned to Bloomington, and in 1865 engaged 
in the wood and coal business until the spring of 
1866. He was then elected City Marshal and after 
serving twenty months resigned and resumed the 
wood and coal business, following this for three 
years thereafter, and also running a dray line un- 
til 1872. He then established his present business, 
which he has successfully followed since. His 
stock comprises from fifteen to twenty fine horses 
and some of the most tasteful turnouts in the city. 
A ripe experience has rendered him an expert in 
the business, and his courteous and obliging man- 
ner has gained him hosts of friends. 

Mr. Lander was married on the 31st of Decem- 
ber, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Wallace, the daughter 
of William and Elizabeth (Adolph) Wallace, of 
Philadelphia, Pa., and they became the parents of 
-4« — 



two children; Frank, wlio has been engaged in the 
livery business at Normal since 1884, and Ida, at 
home. Mrs. Lander departed this life on the 'Jth 
of January, 1862, at her husband's home in Bloom- 
ington. She was a lady greatly esteemed by all 
who knew her, and a consistent member of the 
First Baptist Cluirch. 

The present wife of our suljject is Miss Letitia 
Garrittson, to whom he was married Nov. 10, 1884. 
Mrs. Lauder was born in Indiana but reared in 
Bloomington, .and by her union with our subject 
has become the mother of one child — Louise. Mr. 
Lander is held in that peculiar respect which is 
tacitly accorded the early pioneers, who by their 
industry and perseverance paved the way for a 
later and more perfect civilization. He has ma- 
terially assisted in the development and growth 
of this locality by contributing his full share to its 
business interests, and of his means to whatever 
had for its object the advancement and prosperity 
of his communit3'. He is a man of sound judgment 
and one whose opinions are uniformly respected. 
Politically he is a stanch adherent of the Repub- 
lican party, has been an Odd Fellow for the last 
thirty-five years and is a member in good standing 
of the G. A. R. 






VINSLOW J. BARNES, a highly respected 
and prosiierons farmer of Mt. Hope Town- 
ship, is pleasantly located on section 36, 
and is in possession of one of the finest homesteads 
in this region, a view of which is shown on another 
page. He came to Illinois in 1.S56, and has been a 
resident of this township since 1863, taking posses- 
sion of his present farm four 3'ears later. Besides 
general farming he is also engaged in dairying, and 
has a tine herd of Jersey cows. He sells his butter 
in Bloomington and St. Louis. Mr. Barnes was 
born in West Broi,)kfield, Worcester Co., Mass., 
Dec. 27, 1837, being the son of Jonas Barnes, who 
was born in Hampshire County, the same State, 
June 3, 1802. 'His grandfather, Zebulou Barnes, 
was a farmer by occupation, and spent the last years 
of his life in West Brookfleld, Mass. 

Jonas Barnes removed from Hampshire to Frank- 



i 



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738 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



>► ■ <• 



lin County when a young man, and was there mar- 
ried to Miss Miranda Ried, who was a native of 
Charleniont, that county. They afterward removed 
to West Brookfield, where the father purchased a 
farm. He was a wheelwrijiht by trade, and pursued 
this in connection witli liis farming operations. He 
died in West Broolvfield on tlie 1st of .Inne, 1844. 
The mother now lives with her daughter, Mrs. 
Frank Shacklej-. The parental family' included three 
sons and three daughters, all living, as follows: 
Electa lives with her sister, Mrs. Snow; Charles E. 
is in Pratt Count}', Kan. ; Harriet W., the widovv 
of Charles H. Snow, resides in Mt. Hope Township; 
Albert H. is in Oxford, Sumner Co., Kan; Eliza- 
beth R., Mrs. Frank Shackley, is in Hartford, 
Conn., and t)ur subject. 

Winslow J. Barnes was tlu^ fourth child and sec- 
ond son of his parents, and w.is but seven j^ears old 
when his father died. The latter was in debt for 
the farm which he occupied, but Mrs. Barnes 
proved an excellent manager, keeping her family 
together, paying the debt and purchasing additional 
land. The children all lived at home until the}' 
were able to care for themselves. When our sub- 
ject was thirteen years old he went to Charleniont 
and lived with an uncle t\v(^ years, and then became 
an apprentice to learn the cai'penter's trade. He 
followed this in Worcester until 1856, and in that 
year emigrated to Illinois, locating in Kane Coun- 
ty, and followed his trade tliere until 1863, when 
he came to McLean and pursued the same until he 
took possession of his present farm, in 1867. This 
had no buildings when he purciiased it, and he has 
industriously employed his time in making im- 
prf>vements and cultivating his land. He now has 
a hands(jme and sulisiantial frame dwelling, a good 
barn and all neces.sary out-buildings. The farm is 
just outside the corjioration of McLean and in- 
cludes ninety acres, which are increasing in value 
each year as the growth of the town advances. 

Mr. Barnes was married in January, 1867, to 
Miss Carrie Rice, who was born in Dayton, N. Y., 
and was the daughter of Hart and Eliza Rice. In 
1881, on account of the failing health of his wife, 
Mr. Barnes went to California and spent nearly two 
years at San Rafael, and Santa Clara. Mrs. B. died 
in the latter place, in.Iune, 1881. Our subject was 



the second time married, in April, 1883, to Miss 
Mary Sands, w1k> was born in Owen County. Ind., 
and is the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Fulk- 
erson) Sands, natives respectively of North'Carolina 
and Virginia. Mr. Barnes is Republican in politics; 
he holds fellowship witli the Congregational Church, 
He has alwa3's taken an active part in all matters 
pertaining to the good of the township, and at pres- 
ent is serving his second term as Highwa}' Com- 
missioner of Mt. Hope Township. His wife is a 
meml)er in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 



WILLIAM ARNOLD, who is identified with 
the business interests of Chenoa, is at pres- 
ent carrying on a livery stable, .and is ad- 
ministering to the comfort of the public with profit 
to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He 
is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born Nov. 3, 18.53. 
His father, .lohn C. Arnold, was born in Germany, 
and was married in his native country to Miss 
Caroline Tredbaugh. The}' emigrated to America 
in Jul}', 18o3, and locating near Cincinnati, Ohio, 
lived there four years. In the winter of 1857 they 
came to Illinois, spent one year at Bloomington, 
then removed upon a farm two miles south of the 
city, where they remained six years. Subsequently 
they took up their abode two miles north of Nor- 
mal, where they lived for four years and thence re- 
moved to a farm in Y'ates Township, where the fa- 
ther of our subject, engaged in agriculture until his 
death, which took place July 13, 1881. The 
mother died Oct. 23, 1876. The household circle 
included nine children, six of whom lived until 
after the death of the parents; John F. subse- 
quently died in Kansas when in his twenty-seventh 
year; Mary B. died in Ohio in 1884; George J. is 
a resident of Yates Township: Maggie M. became 
the wife of Anthony Thayers, a farmer of Yates 
Tonnshiii; Williiim of our sketch was the next in 
order of birth; Minnie and Oscar reside on the old 
homestead in Yates Township. 

The subject of this history was but four years of 
age when he came to this county with his parents. 
He was educated in the common schools and re- 
mained on the farm until his marriage, and then 



^^ m^4^ 



i 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



739 



began farming on his own account. Mr. Arnold 
was married, Sept. 2, 18.S0, to Miss Mary E., young- 
est daugliter of David Vance, of Chenoa. The 
yonng couple settled on a farm aliout three miles 
south of the town of Chenoa, where they lived un- 
til 188C, then removed to the village of the same 
name. Mr. A., however, still retains possession of 
his farm, which constitutes a most admirable aux- 
iliary to his present business. It consists of 160 
acres and is located on section 20. It is now op- 
erated by a tenant. The livery establishment of 
Mr. Arnold includes a goodlj' number of horses 
and the best description of vehicles. 

Our subject and his wife have become the par- 
ents of one child, a son, Harry W. Mr. A. is a 
Republican in politics, and in December, 1886, 
was appointed Deputy .Sheriff under V. E. IIowcll. 

-^ ^#" "-^ 




F. IIARWOOD. The subject of the follow- 
ing sketch is one of the most highly re- 
spected and honored citizens of Blooming- 
ton. To rare executive ability and business tact 
he adds great kindness of heart, and universal sym- 
pathj- with the adversities and misfortunes of life, 
which he strives to alleviate whenever he has 
opportunity. In short, the general verdict as ap- 
plied to Mr. Harwood, is " Well done, good and 
faithful " citizen. Our subject is a member of the 
firm of Harwood <fe Sons, lumber merchnnts, deal- 
ing extensively in sash, doors, blinds, coal, etc., 
the business of which Arm is located at No. 901 East 
Grove street. Mr. Harwood is a native of Orleans 
Count}', N. Y., and was born in 1838. He is the 
sou of Chauncej' and Lovisa (Bogue) Harwood, 
natives of Vermont. 

Chauncey Harwood removed from his native 
State to New York before his marriage, traveling 
on foot from Chittenden, Vt., to where the citj- of 
Rochester, N. Y., now stands, much of his road 
lying through the heavy timber. After reaching 
his destination, he purchased 100 .acres of land 
upon the present site of the city of Rochester, 
and erected a woolen-mill just below the falls of 
the Genesee River. After this was completed 
and equipped he superintended its operation until 



his health failed, when he abandoned it. He then 
went to Orleans County, that State, where he pur- 
chased 146 acres of timber land, erected another 
wooleu factory and built up a business which ex- 
tended from Rochester to Niagara Falls, people 
coming from all directions on horseback with 
bundles <^)f wool to be carded. He cleared his 
timbered tract and out of the wilderness opened np 
a valuable farm. After retiring from active busi- 
ness he removed to the village of Holley, where the 
mother died in 1838, and her husband three years 
later. Of their family of nine children, six are 
now living, as follows: Jeffrey resides near Kala- 
mazoo, Mich. ; Dwight and Dan B. are in Bloom- 
ington; Hiland II. is in Clinton, 111.; the next is 
our subject; Augusta, Mrs. B. F. Hoops, lives in 
Bloomington. Chauncy Harwood was a man of 
great energy and perseverance and took a deep in- 
terest in -the chief events of the day, although he 
steadily declined to become an office-holder. He 
was a stanch adherent of the old Whig party and 
the friend of every measure calculated to benefit 
his fellow-men. To each of his children he gave a 
fine education, which he esteemed better than 
money to fit them for the various duties and emer- 
o-encies of life. Both parents were connected with 
the Presbyterian Church, in which the father of our 
subject was Deacon and one of the chief pillars. 

T. F. Harwood came to Bloomington, 111., when 
a young man twenty years of age. In 1858 he 
established himself in the hardwai'e business on 
Center street, in which he was occupied until 1870, 
and then sold out to his brothers and engaged in 
his present business. He has prospered in his un- 
dertaking, his firm being now the most extensive 
operators in this department of trade in Bloom- 
ington. 

The marriage of o\ir subject and Miss Blarietta 
Keys took place in Bloomington in 1862, at the 
home of the bride's parents. Mrs. H. is a native 
of Orleans County, N. Y., and the daughter of H. 
N. Keys, formerly of Connecticut. By her union 
with our subject she has become the mother of 
three children — Willis S., in the lumber business 
with his father, and Clara and Harry B., at home. 
Their handsome and hospitable home is at No. 410 
East Douglas street, where they enjoy the society 



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4 



i 



t 



740 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



and esteem of hosts uf friends, Besides this prop- 
erty Mr. Ilarwood is a stockholder and Vice- 
President of tlie gas works and also lias an interest 
in the Walton Plow Works and the Third National 
Rank. lie owns several tenement honses in the 
eity which yield him a fair income and has a valu- 
able store building on Frtmt street. Me has also 
operated in western lands some in Kan.sas, and is 
also connected with a syndicate in Arkansas. In 
politics our subject belongs to the ReiHil)lican 
party ; he served one term as Alderman of the First 
Ward, and to whatever position he has been called 
h.as ac(putted liitnself in a creditable and praise- 
worth}' manner. JMr. Ilarwood may be classed as 
a good citizen in every sense that the term implies, 
and few name him but In praise. 



^le^-" 



<^ l*}TLLIAM J. MURPHY, who is comfortably 
\/iJ/ s'tuated on section 31, AlJin Township, is 
W^ !' native of this county, having been born 
in Mt. IIiii>c Township, Aug. 8,1838. His parents 
were Samuel and Nancy ((ioodwin) Murphy, na- 
tives of \'irginia, the father born in 1799, and the 
mother in 180,i. The parents of each removed to 
Ohio, where the young people were married in 
Muskingum County, near Zanesville, in 1829. 
They came directly to Illinois, where Samuel Mur- 
pii3' purchased in this county 214 acres of land on 
which he located, and carried on its improvement 
and cultivation until 1857. He then removed to 
Caldwell County, Mv., and settled there upon a 
tract of land which he occupied until his death in 
186G. The mother died ten years later in 1876. 
Of their children the record is as follows: Wil- 
liam J. of our sketch w.as the eldest born ; Eliza 
.1. became the wife of George M. Stubblelield, of 
Mt. Hope Township; George W. and John T., 
twins, are now deceased; the former lived to man- 
hood and married Miss Mary Williams, of Missouri; 
James M. is a resident of BI on tana; Harrison died 
when nearly four years of age; Isaac married Miss 
Alice Gildersleeve, and is now deceased; Samuel 
married Mrs. Emma Bozarth ; Mary became the 
wife of E. Jones; Jeremiah served as a Union sol- 

4' 



dier in the late war. and died in the army ; Charles, 
the youngest, is now a resident of Kansas. 

Mr. Murphy received a fair education in the 
common schools, and remained under the p.irental 
roof until he had attained his majority. In 1853 
he was married to Miss Frances Stubblelield, daugh- 
ter of Robert Stubblefield, and then purchased IGO 
acres of land, which he improved and cultivated, 
and to whirl) he subsequently addecl until he is now 
the owner of 1,000 acres. The family residence is 
a handsome and commodious brick structure 37x63 
feet in area, and two stories in height. This was 
erected in 187.j. The barns and out-buildings in 
all respects correspond to the requirements of a 
first-class agriculturist. In addition to general 
farming, Mr. Muri)hy is extcnsivel}' engaged as a 
stock-dealer, in which he has had an experience of 
twenty-five years. Besides being a genial and val- 
ued citizen, he has been active in every enterprise 
calculated to forw.ard its development and advance- 
ment, and has fulfilled all the obligations incident 
to his position as a gentleman of means and influ- 
ence. He has been a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternit}' for the last ten years, holding the office of 
Tyler. 

The wife of our subject was the daughter of 
Robert and Dorothy Stubblefield, natives respect 
ively of Virginia and Kentuckj". They were mar- 
ried in 182"2, near Columbus, Fayette Co., Ohio, 
and came to the Prairie State in 1824, locating 
ui)on a farm in McLean Count3', which remained 
their home iintil their decease, that of the father 
occurring in 1870, and the mother in 1879. The 
household circle included thirteen children, four 
by the first wife of Mr. Stubblefield, and nine by 
the last. These were, Absalom, Nancy, John, Mary, 
Adam, George M., Jessie, Frances, Edward, Isaac, 
Eva, William and Charles W. Mrs. Murphy is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our 
subject is a straightforward Re[)ublican in politics, 
and cast his first presidential vote for John C. F^ree- 
mont. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Murjihy there were 
born seven children : Lizzie D. married William T. 
Jeffrey; George T. married Miss Jennie Hirony- 
mus; James married Miss .Sadie Camp, and resides 
in Hittle Township, Tazewell County; Charles was 



L. 



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'i 



-4^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



743 



the fourth child ; Mary B. became the wife of Elmer 
Ewing; Frank and Peter are single and reside at 
home. 

Mr. Murphy has been one of the most industri- 
ous and enterprising citizens of this locality, and a 
progressive farmer in every sense of the word. He 
constructed the kiln upon his farm in which was 
manufactured the brick for his family residence, 
which cost about $10,000, and is about one of the 
finest structures of its kind in the county. 

A view of the residence and surroundings is 
shown on another page of this work. 



\lr~* SAU GROVES, a highly respected resident 
of Mt. Hope Township, is a native of Wash- 
gton County, Ind., and vvas born Nov. 7, 
1818. His father, Peter Groves, was of German 
birth and parentage and was left an orphan at an 
early age. When twelve years of age he accom- 
panied his two older brothers to America, and they 
located in .South Carolina, where 3'oung Peter com- 
menced the battle of life, working by the day and 
month at whatever his hands could find to do. 
After a few years he went into North Carolina, and 
afterward, when a young man, to Kentucky, where 
he married, and thence, with his bride, removed to 
the Territory of Indi.ina and was one of the pio- 
neers of Washington County. There he purchased 
a tract of timber land, built a log house, and com- 
menced to open up a farm. In 1833 be sold out 
and removed to Clinton County, where he improved 
another farm which was originally part timber and 
part prairie. Upon his arrival there, Indians were 
still numerous and white men few. After five years 
he removed overland to Western Missouri, the jour- 
ney being made with ox-teams. He was accom- 
panied b}' his wife and five children, and thej' car- 
ried their household goods and cooking utensils, 
and lived after the manner of the early emigrants. 
He tlien located in Livingston County, upon a tract 
of wild land eight miles from any settlement, and 
followed the same routine which he had experi- 
enced in Washington and Clinton Counties, Ind. 
Upon this latter farm he lived until 1846, and then, 
selling out, removed to the eastern part of Missouri, 

-^ , 



where he spent the remainder of his days. After 
the death of Peter Groves, his widow, with her 
two sons, one daughter and a granddaughter, 
started across the plains to Oregon. One son, 
Elijah, and the granddaughter were the only ones 
who lived to reach their destination. The re- 
mainder died and were buried on the plains. 

The mother of our subject, before her marriage, 
was Miss Nancy Humphreys, and she was a native 
of Germany. She became the mother of twelve 
children, of whom Esau of this sketch is the only 
one known to be living. He spent the first fifteen 
years of his life in his native county and accom- 
panied his parents in their subsequent removals. 
In July, 1840, he came into McLean County, poor 
in pocket and without friends and acquaintances. 
He employed himself at whatever his hands could 
find to do, and by a straightforward and honest life 
soon found friends and became prosperous in his 
labors and undertakings. The farm which he now 
owns and occupies and wliich he (obtained by his 
own industry was entered for him at the land sales 
at Springfield in June, 1852, and he took posses- 
sion of it in August of the same 3'ear. The first 
improvement was a small frame building in which 
the family lived for a few years. In 1875 he 
erected his present comfortable and convenient 
dwelling, and now lias the entire quarter section 
under a good state of cultivation, with a good barn 
and all necessary out-buildings. Mr. and Mrs. G. 
together own '240 acres, all improved and valuable. 

Mr. Groves was married in this county, Feb. 8, 
1848, to Miss Mary Stubblefield. Mrs. G. is a na- 
tive of Fayette County, Ohio, born Dec. 24, 1818, 
and is the second daughter of Robert and Sarah 
(Funk) Stubblefield. (See sketch of John Stubble- 
field). They have one child only, a daughter, Sarah 
Frances, wlio is now the wife of John Reidle, and 
lives on the old homestead. Our subjSct and his 
wife became connected with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church in their youth, with which faith they 
still hold fellowship, and by their upright lives have 
adorned their profession and secured the esteem 
and confidence of a large circle of friends. 

A lithographic view of the handsome farm resi- 
dence of Mr. Groves is to be found on another 
page of this work. 



>-0-4» 



4 



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744 



w 



MoLEAN COUNTY. 



1 \ 



^^:EORGE W. BRICKNER, juiiior member of 
||/ j-^ the firm of Seibi-i-ns &■ Urickner, merchants 
^^j( of ftridley, is, willi his partner, engaged in 
ii good trade, carrying a stock of general merchan- 
dise suited to the wants of tlie lionseliold and farm. 
Mr. Brickner is still a young man. liaving entered 
upon tiis linsiness career in 1,S.S4. Ills parents were 
Charles ami Elizabeth ( Wert/.bnrger) Brickner, na- 
tives of Germany, who emigrated to America in 
1852, and settling in Hilton, Tazewell County, this 
State, engaged in merchandising, and there the fa- 
ther died, in J.auuary. l.S,s;i. The mother died in 
Hilton in l.S7;i. Of their tin-ee children, (ieorgc 
W. is the eldest. The others were Chai'les and 
Elizabeth. 

Tlie subject of tliis liistory received a common- 
school education, and while yet a l)oy commenced 
to assist his fatiier in the store. His present busi- 
ness was established in i.'ss4, al wliicli time he 
formed a i)artnership witii Walter H. Siebei-ns, and 
they liave operated togetiier since tliat time. 

Mr. Brickner was married. Nov. (), 1S,S4, toMiss 
Mary R. Sieberns, who was born in Woodford 
County, 111., Sept. 22, ISGd, and is the daughter of 
n. E. ;nid Caroline (Nicrgarth) Sieberns. [See 
sketch of .1. \V. II. Siel)erns.] Mrs. Brickner re- 
mained with her parents until her marriage, receiv- 
ing careful home Ir.-iiiiing ;uid a, good common- 
school education. Our siiliject and his wife occupy 
a pleasant and comfortable home, and enjoy the 
society of tiie best people in (iridley. Mr. Brick- 
ner is liepuliiic^an in politics, and in all respects is 
a valued citizen and worthy member of the com- 
munity. 



iy/._ . ENRV V. KK'KEI), whu lias lieen a resident 
ofOridlej' 'J'owusliii), since the spring of 
1S.')(), first made his advent into this county 
on horseback, in wliich m.anner lie had trav- 
eled from the plac(^ of liis birtii, in E;iyettc County, 
Ra. Me is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth 
(Eleniing) Ereed. iia(.i\cs >>( Berks and Ka3'ette 
Counties, I'a., respective!}', in wliicii State they 
were married and settled in the first-named count}', 
where they spent the remainder of their lives. 
Al)raham Ereed was a farmer l)y occniiation, and 




•►■-4*- 



i 



the p.arental household included eight children, 
three sons a.iid five daugliters, of wlmin our subject 
was the sevenlli. His liirth occm-red du the .'id of 
March, 1.S27. He was reared to fanning pursuits 
and remained under the home roof until he attained 
his majority, in the meantime having received a 
more tlian ordinarily good common-school educa- 
tion. He tiien began teaching school, which occupa- 
tion he followed thirteen j'ears in his native county, 
and for two yeais after coming to Gridley Town- 
ship. 

Mr. Freed left liis native county in the spring 
of 1850 in the manner wo have described, and was 
twenty-one days making the tri|). He brought 
with him four lirood mares, and first jjiircliased 
eighty aci'es of land on section Ki in (iridley 
Township. Epou this he located and commenced 
its improvemeni and cultivation, and in due time 
purch.ased another eighty acres, so that he now has a 
fine homestead including a quarter section of land, 
which is all under a good state of cultivation. He 
has a. shapely and substantial farm dwelling, a good 
barn, •■ill necessary outhouses and the latest im- 
proved farm machinery. Everything is kept in 
good repair .'iiid his stock and crops indicate the 
supervision of an intelligent and progressive agri- 
culturist. 

Mr. Freed was first married, in his n.ative county, 
to Mi.ss Mary Lobinger, a native of Penn.sylvania. 
They had one child, a daughter, Mary E., who is 
now the wife of William Bailey, and resides in 
Kansas. Mrs. F. departed this life in Faj'ette 
County. Pa. Feb. 8, 1<S52. After coming West 
Mr. Freed was again married, in (iridley Town- 
ship, Sept. 29, 1857, to Miss Amanda Gilmore, a 
native of this county. Her parents were James 
and Mary (Bradley) (Jilinore, natives of Ohio. 
Their ten children included five sony and five 
daugliters, of whom Mrs. F. was the seventh child. 
She was born Feb. 8, 1841. 

Mr. and Mrs. Freed became the parents of nine 
children, four boys and five girls; James A., Lulu 
B., Mary Iv. Jennie N., Orville G.. Sarah M., 
Henry S., Charles E. and Josie A. James A. mar- 
ried Miss Ida Barnes, and resides in Washburn, III.; 
Mary E. is the wife of Arthur Kent, of Livingston 
County; Henry S. died in infancy: the others are 

.^ 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




745 



at home with their parents. Mr. F. served as 
Treasurer of (Jridley Township for ten years and 
also held the ofHces of Supervisor and School Di- 
rector. He is Democratic in politics, and belongs 
to the Congregational Church. Mrs. Freed is a 
member of the Christian Church. 



§M^^ 



VILLIAM HOTSENPILLER. The subject 
of the following biography, one of the 
worthiest farmer residents of Chenoa 
Township, is a native of Shenandoah County, Va., 
and was born Feb. -'S, 1838. His father, Jacob 
Hotsenpiller, a native of the same county, in early 
manhood married Miss Eliza Ramey, also a na- 
tive of the Old Dominion. The grandfather of 
our subject, Abraham Hotsenpiller, was of German 
parentage and descent, and after coming to this 
country served as a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War, and died in Pennsylvania. His scjn Jacob 
left his native State with his family in about 187;). 
He is still living and makes his home with his chil- 
dren in this county. The mother of our subject 
died Sept. 26, 1883, in Pettis County, Mo. The 
parental household Included seven children, six sons 
and one daughter, of whom our subject was the 
eldest. His boyhood and youth were passed in his 
native State and after reaching his twenty-first year 
he started out for himself, coming to Illinois and 
locating in this county in 1860. He was a resident 
of Lexington two years and while living there was 
engaged in farming. 

April 4, 1861, Mr. Hotsenpiller was married to 
Miss Frances Durham, born in Virginia, and who 
was the daughter of (leorge Durham, who spent 
the greatest part of his life in the Old Dominion 
and died there in 1844. After their marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. H. located on a rented farm south of 
Lexington, where the}' remained four years and 
then took possession of tiieir present homestead on 
section 33, Chenoa Township. The farm consists 
of eighty acres of valuable land, and with the ex- 
ception of the dwelling, Mr. H. has effected all the 
improvements on the place. The farm is all en- 
closed with good fences and is stocked with good 
grades of domestic animals. The household circle 



11-^ 



was completed by the birth of eight children: 
Virginia is the wife of Charles Dawson, who lives in 
Chenoa Township; Mary E., Annie G., William M., 
Charles E.. James M. and Bessie E. are at home 
with their pai'ents; Lulu B. died in infancj'. 

Mr. and Mrs. H. are members in good standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. .Hnd, with all 
their children, attend services at t)livet Chapel. 
Mr. H. is Superintendent of the Sunday-school and 
has been a cheerful and liberal supporter of the So- 
ciety. He is Republican in politics, served as 
School Director twelve years, and has been Ro.ad 
Coiiunissioner of the township since 1885. 




^ AIMUEL Y. EWING, an energetic and en- 
teriirising farmer of Mt. Hope Township, 
is the son of Nathaniel Ewing, of Butler 
County, Ky., and was born in the same 
county as' his father, Aug. 25, 1845. His grand- 
father, James Ewing, was a native of ^'irginia, who 
emigrated to Kentucky, becoming a pioneer settler 
of the State. He purchased a trtict of timber land 
in what is nov,' known as Butler County, cleared a 
farm from the wilderness, and remained upon it 
the balance of his life. Here his son Nathaniel, the 
father of our subject, was reared to manhood, and 
was married to Miss Nancy Young, of Logan 
County. Nathaniel Ewing was possessed of excel- 
lent abilities, and had acquired a good education, 
mainly through his own efforts and love of learnino-. 
He becamea civil engineer,and learned the artof sur- 
veying from his brother, who surveyed tlie greater 
part of Arkansas for the Government. Nathaniel 
Ewing became an extensive landholder in Logan and 
Butler Counties, and after the death of his father 
purchased the old homestead, which he occupied 
until 1853, and then sold it in order to come to Mc- 
Lean County, III. His household circle now com- 
prised his wife and seven children, and they made 
the journey to the Prairie State overland with 
horses and wagons, the household goods being- 
shipped via the rivers to Pekin. Previous to their 
final removal Mr. Ewing had visited the State of 
Illinois and entered 120 acres .if land on section 
17, of Mt. Hope Township. The family arrived in 



n 



t 



746 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



May anrl established themselves in the household 
of J. II. Young until Mr. Pawing could build a 
house on his land. For this he was obliged to haul 
lunibei- from Pekin. Upon the completion of the 
dwelling they moved into it and made themselves 
as comfortable as possible, and in due time a straw 
shed was added. Mr. Ewing afterward purchased 
eighty acres more, and at the time vf his death, in 
January, 1876, had brought the whole to a good 
state of cultivation. His widow is still living upon 
the homestead which her husband had provided for 
his family. 

The seven children who constituted the parental 
household of our subject are recorded as follows : 
John, now deceased, served as a soldier of the 
Union in the 145th Illinois Infantry, and died in 
the service at KoUa, Mo.; William W., after serv- 
ing through the war in the 2d Illinois Cavalry, be- 
came a resident of Mt. Hope Township; Samuel 
Y., our subject, was next in order of birth; Bev- 
erly N. lives in Tazewell County; Jane became 
the wife of James Palmer, a farmer of Mt. Hope 
Township; JMary married Walter Trott, of Lincoln, 
Neb.; Lizzie, Mrs. Calvin W. Craiu, is a resident 
of Saline County, Neb. 

.Samuel Y. Ewing was a lad of eight years when 
his parents became residents of McLean County. 
He attended school during his youthful days, and 
assisted his parents in the lighter duties around the 
homestead. He also continued to reside under the 
parental roof until his mai-riage with Miss Cathar- 
ine E. Wright, which occurred Sept. 1, 1875. Mrs. 
Ewing is a native of Addison County, Vt., and the 
daughter of William F. and Electa (Whitwood) 
AVright, natives of A'ermont and Massachusetts re- 
spectively. Her father was born in Addison 
County, Vt., in January, 1817, and was the son of 
Moses Wright, of the same county. He was reared 
in his native county, received his primary educa- 
tion in the district schools, and later attended Mid- 
dleburj' Academy. After his mai-riage he located 
on his father's homestead, and lived there until 
185(), when he removed to Berlin, Wis., and after 
a residence there of one year, returned south to 
Illinois, and purchased a farm in Mt. Hope Town- 
.sliip, McLean County, on section 20. He here en- 
gaged in farming pursuits, and being a gentleman 
4* 



of good education, also engaged successfully in 
teaching school. This latter lie followed for many 
years, and departed this life in April, 1880. His 
wife, the mother of Mrs. Ewing, had preceded him 
but a few nntnths to the better land, her death oc- 
curring in December, 1884. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ewing have become the parents of 
two children — Katie S. and Nathaniel P. They 
occupy one of the finest homesteads in McLean 
County, and Mr. Ewing is one of the largest landed 
proprietors of this section of the Prairie State, his 
possessions aggregating about 1,000 acres, all of 
which is improved and under a good state of culti- 
vation. He is widely' and favorably known as a 
man of rare business talent, straightforward and 
ujiright in his transactions, and is one of the most 
valued citizens of the Prairie State. The home of 
Mr. Ewing is shown on another page of this work. 

<| IMLLIAM R. FARR, the son of Reason S. 
\rJ// and Elizabeth (Bi'oadwater) Farr, is a 
^^ highly respected resident of Gridley Town- 
ship, where he settled on section 26, in 1881. He 
has been a resident of this county since a youth of 
seventeen years, and during a period of over a 
quarter of a century has proved himself a valuable 
member of the community, always interested in 
its welfare and progress. 

The parents of our subject were both natives of 
Fairfax County, Va., where they were reared, mar- 
ried and lived until 185G. They then emigrated 
to Missouri, and remained in that State until near 
the close of the late war. Recrossing the Missis- 
sippi and coming into Illinois they located in Che- 
noa Township, this count}', where the mother died 
Jan. 18, 1871. The father departed this life June 
9, 1887, in McLean, 111. He was a farmer by oc- 
cupation. The six children of the parental family 
were all boys, the subject of our sketch being the 
third in order of birth. 

William H. Farr was born in ^^'est Virginia, 
while his parents were on a visit to that State, Jan. 
23, 1844. He left home when about eleven years 
old, and two 3'ears later went to California, and 
worked in the mines and at whatever else he could 



■ ^_ W ^' 



t 



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►Hl-^ 



McLean COtrNTY. 



747 



find to do. He remained on the Pacific slope until 
he was past seventeen years old, then came East as 
far as Illinois, and commenced working out by the 
month in this county. He was thus occupied two 
years, and then engaged in farming for himself. 
With the exception of one year spent in Living- 
ston County, 111., he has been a resident of this 
county since that time. 

When Mr. Farr came to this county he was com- 
paratively without funds and almost a total stran- 
ger. He was possessed, however, of willing hands 
and a good stock of resolution, and his present 
beautiful homestead of 280 acres gives ample evi- 
dence of the courage and industry with which he 
has labored and saved. 

He was married early in life in this county to 
Miss Martha E. Gallehugh, who was born in Madi- 
son County, Va., Jan. 31, 1845. Their wedding 
took place in 1864. Her parents died when she 
was quite j'oung, and but little is known concern- 
ing them. Of her union with our subject there 
have been born seven children, of whom Elizabeth 
and Richard are deceased. Those surviving are 
John W., Catharine, Jessie M., Narrissa D. and 
Albert R. The faithful and affectionate wife and 
devoted mother departed this life in Gridley Town- 
ship, Nov. 8, 1886. She was a lady of many wor- 
thy and amiable qualities and was greatly beloved 
bj' her family and a large circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances. 

Mr. Farr, since becoming a resident of this coun- 
ty, has taken a genuine interest in watching its 
growth and prosperity, and has in no small degree 
contributed to the success of its agricultural and 
industrial interests. He was elected Highway 
Commissioner in the spring of 1885, and politically 
is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. 



T 



y ALTER H. SIEBERNS is Postmaster at 
Gridley, and senior member of the firm of 
Sieberns & Brickner of that place, and in 
addition to his official duties is, with his partner, 
carrying on a good trade in general merchandise. 
The subject of this history is a descendant of sub- 
stantial German ancestry, being the son of Henry E. 
< ■ 



and Caroline (Niergarth) Sieberns, who were born in 
Germany and emigrated to America in 1854. They 
located in Canada, whence, after a residence of 
seven years, they came westward to Illinois, set- 
tling in Woodford County. There the father en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits until 1863, when he 
came to Gridley and engaged in trade until 1873. 
He then removed to Peoria, continuing however, 
his business in Gridley until the fall of 1884, when 
he disposed of his business to his son and son-in-law 
and is now living retired from active labor. The 
* nine children included in the parental family were 
named as follows; Etta and Anna (twins), Mary R., 
Walter H., Minnie C, John R., Otto, Carl and 
Lizzie. 

Walter H. Sieberns was born in Woodford 
County, this State, Aug. ID, 1862. He received a 
common-school education and assisted in his fa- 
ther's store until the fall of 1884, when, in com- 
pany with George W. Brickner, he succeeded his 
father in the business at Gridley, where he has 
since continued. Mr. Sieberns was appointed Post- 
master in December, 1 885. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in Grove- 
land, 111., Sept. 7, 1886, the lady of his choice be- 
ing Miss Carrie Freidenger, who was born in 
Groveland, July 3, 18G2, being the daughter of 
John and Mary (Sandmeyer) Freidenger. Mr. and 
Mrs. S. are members in good standing of the Con- 
gregational Church and politically our subject is 
strongly Democratic. 



~^*y •.o4.o.-^C)^v><v®-o*o *^-- 

"JllOHN B0D(;ER, who is a highly respected 
member of a family well known throughout 
this section, and who is now a resident of 
Gridley Township, was born in Lincolnshire, 
England, July 1, 1842. His parents were John 
and Hannah (Ratliffe) Bodger. For jjarental his- 
tor}' see sketch of George Bodger on ani>ther page. 
Our subject came to America with his |)arents when 
a lad nine years of age, and received a good com- 
mon-school education, in the meantime being 
reared to farming pursuits and instilled in those 
principles which have made of him an honest man 
and a good citizen. 



i 



t 



t 



-•►-■i-4* 



748 



McLEAK COUNTY. 



With the exoeptioii of eight years spent in Wood- 
ford Connt^', Mr. l>odj)er lias been a resident of 
Cridley Townsiiip since tlie spring of 1855. He 
is the owner <if K',;! acres of line farming land upon 
which he has placed good improvements, including 
a substantial set of farm buildings and all the nec- 
essaries required liy a lirst-class agriculturist. 

After Mr. Rodger had acquired a good start in 
life and felt that the measure was justifiable and 
right, he took unto himself a companion and help- 
meet in the person of Miss Sarah ,1. Wright, to 
whom he was married in ISloomington, III., Nov. ' 
17, 1S(M. Mrs. IJ. is the (huighter of William and 
Martha (Boldridge) Wright, natives of Ohio, whence 
they removed to this county in about ISU), after a 
residence in Indiana of several yeai's. They first 
settled in ^Vhite Oak Township, where they re- 
mained until 18(35, and after that removed to 
Chatswortli, 111., where they passed the remainder 
of their days, the mother dying Aug. 20, 188-1, and 
the father Sept. 10, liS.SC. Their nine children in- 
cluded four sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. 
B. was the fifth child. She was born in Clinton 
County, Ind., Feb. 13, ISlo, and has become the 
mother of five children, of whom Mary L. and 
Sjiencer are deceased. Those surviving are France 
v., Raymond W. and Alice F. „ 

Mr. Bodger, politically, is connected with the 
Democratic party, and socially is a member of El 
Paso Lodge No. 24(5, A. F. cVr A. M. 



#"#► 



e 



HRISTIAN .1. W. McNEMAR is one of the 



-;;- 
i 



ship, and thoroughly un<lerstands the voca- 
ti(Hi which he follows. He has a fine farm on sec- 
tion 4, and is meeting w'ith far more than ordinary 
success in the prosecution of his calling. Mr. Mc- 
Nemar is a sun of Fli:is and Catherine (Ililkey) 
McNenuir, the former a native of Grant County, 
W. \'a., of Irish-lMiglish ancestry and the latter of 
German descent. After thcii- marriage the_y settled 
in (irant County, ^V. \'a., where the father was 
engage<l in farming and various other occupations 
and where they lived until their death. He was 
born in 1800, nnd died in 1851, and she was born 



about 1803, and died in 1857. They had eight 
children, named, Barbaia, Amelia, Martha, Joseph 
W., Lorena, Christian J. W., William B. F. and 
Jacob P. R. 

Mr. McNemar of this notice was born in Grant 
County, W. A'a., May 12, I83G, and was reared to 
manhood in his native county, engaged the while 
in labor on the farm. The free school system was not 
at that time in vogue in his State, and consequently 
his school privileges were linuted. He nevertheless 
is not devoid of education, having during the 
years of his life improved opportunities he had, and 
has added to his funi] of knowledge obtained from 
books, that of a practical education. In the fall 
of 1857 he came to this county, reaching Lexington 
October 4 of that year. He has been a resident of 
iMcLean County' since that time and during these 
thirty years has devoted his time exclusively to 
agricultural pursuits. When he first came to the 
comity ho worked out by the month and continued 
to labor in that way during 1858-59-00. He then 
rented land in Clienoa Township, which he worked 
for one year and then worked for his father-in-law 
three years. After this he bought eighty acres of 
section 22, Gridley Township, on which he lived 
until the spring of 1809, when he sold his farm and 
going to jMoney Creek Township, bought the old 
homestead formerly owned by his father-in-iaw. 
Mr. McNemar is now the owner of 338 acres, all of 
which is im|)roved. 

Our subject was married in Monej' Creek Town- 
ship, Sept. 12, 1801, to 3Iiss Mary E. Pirtle, 
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (]\IcNaught) 
Pirtle. The father was born in Kentucky and the 
mother in Indiana. After their marriage they lived 
in Indiana until 1849. In the spring of that year 
they came to McLean County and taking up their 
residence in Money Creek Township, lived there un- 
til their death. His demise took place Dec. 14, 1805, 
and hers .Ian. 25, 1885. They had seven children — 
Ezra, Harriett, John, James, Sarah, Mary E. and 
T'homas. Mary E., wife of our subject, was born 
in Owen Comity, Ind., .Ian. 30, 1845, and was but 
four years of age when her parents came to this 
count3'. By her union with our subject ten chil- 
dren have been born — Osceula, Estella, Harriett A., 
Ida E. married Oriii Simpson, Feb. 17, 1887, and 



■■•¥^m^4» 



i 



■J- 



u. 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



749 



they live in Woodfiird County, 111. : Noah 1!., .Tohn 
T., Eva ()., Christian E., .James A. and Cleveland. 
Estella is the wife of Anderson Tatton and they 
live in Gridley Township; .John T. died when foni- 
years old. Mr. McNeniar has held the ollice of 
Township Assessor for one term and in politics is a 
Democrat. He and his wife are members of the 
Christian Church. 

■^ l^'ILLIAM BAJ>LlNf;EK. The farming com- 
\rJ// munity of Chenoa Township entertains a 
W^ liigh respect for the firm of Brum and IJal- 
linger, who are carrying on a successful business as 
dealers in agricultural implements and seeds, and 
who from their courteous treatment of their custo- 
mers, and their straightforward business transac- 
tions, have fully established themselves in the con- 
fidence of their fellow-citizens. The business was 
established in I8.S0, and their operations extend 
throughout this and adjoining counties. Mr. I!, 
was born in fSpringI)oro, Warren Co., Ohio, Sui)t. 
■2'2, 1835. His fatlier, .Tacolj Ballinger, was a na,- 
tive of New Jersey, and carried on the trade of a 
carriage manufacturer during the latter years of his 
life, in Spriaglioro, Ohio, where he died in about 
1836. He vvas married in early manhood to Miss 
Elizabeth Kestler, also a native of New Jersey, and 
the young people soon afterward moved from their 
native State to Ohio. They became the parents of 
four children, of whom our subject was the young- 
est. 

William Ballinger spent his childhood and youth 
upon the farm, and received the advantages of a 
common-school education in his native town. In 
March, 1853, he started for Illinois, and made his 
first location in this .State on a farm in Peoria 
County. When twenty years of age, in 1855, be 
was married to Miss Maria Rnnyan, of Peoria 
County, 111., and the daughter of Conrad Runyan, 
Esq. In March, 185'.), Mr. Ballinger came to this 
county" and settled on a farm in Chenoa Township, 
about four miles west of the village. He made sev- 
eral removals afterward, locating each time in the 
vicinity of Chenoa. The farm which he now owns is 
situated on sections 4 and 1), and contains 460 acres, 



under a good state of cultivation, and comprising 
some of the nio.st valuable land in this section. His 
farm experiences enabled him to determine what 
was most needed by the progressive agriculturist, 
and in 1883 he opened up his jireseut establish- 
mennt. while for some time afterward he still o))- 
erated the farm. In 1887 he rented the latter, .and 
is now turning his entire attention to his mercan- 
tile business. The firm carries a full line of everj'- 
thing pertaining to the farm, including wagons, 
buggies and carriages. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Ballinger are the parents of seven 
children, five sons and two daughters, namely: 
Charles W., Elizabeth C, Edward J., Perry W., 
George H., Minnie M. and Orville I). Since com- 
ing to this locality Mr. Ballinger has thoroughly 
identified himself with its moral and educational 
interests, and lias served eighteen years as School 
Director, and is nvw Koad Commissioner. His 
career h.as been a striking illustration of what may- 
be accomplished by steady perseverance and in- 
dustry. When he first made his advent into Peo- 
ria County his earthly possessions consisted of an old 
rifle and thirty-seven cents in money. He has been 
content to labor and wait, and is now enjoying the 
rich reward of his early toil and forced econoni}'. 
He is descended from substantial German ancestry, 
and has inherited from his forefathers their sturdy 
resolution and the spirit that knows nt) such word as 
fail. In politics he is a stanch Republican. 

¥pSBENP:ZER D. CHURCHILL. The firm of 
l-<, Churchill & Sous, of whom the subject of 
jV^^ this history is the senior member, was estab- 
lished in Chenoa in 1866, and is widely and favora- 
bly known throughout this county for its straight- 
forward business methods and its importance as a 
representative of the business interests of McLean 
County. Mr. Churchill was born in Sherburne, 
Chenango Ca, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1822. His father, 
Ebenezer D. Churchill, Sr., was a native of Salis- 
bury, Conn., where he carried on mercantile pur- 
suits the greater part of his life. He died, however, 
I while comparatively a young man, when our sub- 



k 



i 



t 



•^^m-4^ 



750 



I 



McLean county. 



ject was but six weeks old. The mother, who be- 
fore her marriage was Miss Sabrina Tapper, was also 
a native of Connecticut and of Irish ancestry. The 
Churchills were pure English blood, and the first 
representatives of the famil}' in tiiis country set- 
tled in New England in the color.ial days. The 
parents of our subject soon after theic marriage re- 
moved to New York State, where the father died. 
The mother subsequently removed from Sherburne 
to Eultou, N. Y., where she passed the remainder 
of her days. After the death of Mr. Churchill she 
was married to William Finch. 

Ebeuezer 1). Churchill, Jr., was the only child of 
the first marriage. He was reared comparatively 
among strangers, being thrown upon his own re- 
sources shortly after the death of his father. He 
was a bright boy, however, and managed to obtain 
a fair education. When eighteen years of age he 
learned the glover's trade, which lie followed several 
years in New York. He subsequently went to 
Canada and engaged in the purchase and sale of 
lumber, and while in the Dominion was united in 
marriage with Miss Hannah L. Atkins, of Buffalo, 
N. Y. Soon afterward the young couple removed 
to Madison, Wis., where they lived five years. He 
then built a flouriug-mill at Westport, Wis., where 
he operated until the spring of 186(), thenoe re- 
moved to Chenoa, this State, and after engaging in 
the lumber business several years established his 
present trade in grain, which he has followed since 
that time. He built one elevator and purchased 
another, the former on the line of the T. P. & W. 
R. R., and the other on the C. <fe A. R. R. He also 
has a good elevator in the town of Meadows, four 
miles west of Chenoa, tjjjiis county. The firm is 
thus possessed of the best of shipping facilities. 
Chenoa at one time was one of the best shipping 
points on the road and the efforts of Mr. Churchill 
contributed largely to its reputation in this direc- 
tion. His two sons. Charles and Delos, are engaged 
in the Chenoa office with their father. 

Our subject and his wife became the parents of 
four children — Anna E., Charles P., E. D. and 
Frank L. Mr. Churchill has served as Alderman, 
and in other respects has been prominently identi- 
fied with tlie interests of the thriving little town. 
As one of the pioneers of its Ixisiness interests he 



is widely and favorably known and appreciated at 
his true worth. 

Charles F. Churchill, the eldest son of Ebenezer 
D. and Hannah L. Churchill, was born in Vienna, 
Canada West, Nov. 29, l.s.52. His education, be- 
gun in the common school, was continued at Nor- 
mal University, Bloomington, 111., where he applied 
himself closely to his studies for one year. He then 
attended Monmouth College, in Warren County, 
this State, two years, following which lie liecame 
associated with his father in the lumber trade at 
Chenoa. He is a young man of much energy and 
ambition, and has served two years as City Clerk 
of Chenoa. He was Supervisor of the township 
from 1881 to 1883. He was married on the 19th 
of October, 1870, to Jliss Lora, daughter of Dr. C. 
S. Elder, of Chenoa. Of this union there were born 
four children — Lena, Ilattie J., Guy F. and Edgar 
D. The latter died in infancy. Mr. Churchill is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs 
to Lodge No. 292, also Chenoa Chapter No. 143. 
In politics he is a Democrat. 



-f3= 



T~-T 



=Y=r^ 



ICHARD ROWELL, deceased, formerly an 
honored resident of Dale Township, took 
Iki \\\ possession of his homestead there in the 
1;^ spring of 1853. He became a resident of 
the Prairie State fifteen years previously, and with 
his brother, B. F. Rowcll, commenced farming out 
on the prairie at the head branch of Rock Creek, a 
mile and one-half from the timber. The climate 
in winter at that time was very severe and these 
courageous and determined men went by the name 
of the " fool Yankees." They lived thus until 
1848, at first with unentered land on both sides of 
them, and even in 1850 a portion of- it had not yet 
been laid claim to. Three 3'ears later Mr. Rowell 
sold out his interest in this land, crossed the Mis- 
sissippi, and began investigating the eastern portion 
of Iowa. Notwithstanding he had a pleasant jour- 
ney and enjoyed it very much, he saw no land 
equal to that in McLean County, so he returned 
and purchased of Samuel Barker, of Twin Grove, 
the land which constituted his permanent homestead 



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I 



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u 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



753 



and which he occupied from that time until his de- 
cease. 

The subject of this histoiy was born May 20, 
1814, in Littleton, Grafton Co., N. H.. and was the 
son of Jonathan and Sarah (Hoslviu) Rowell, who 
were both of Puritan stocli. His grandfather, Dan- 
iel Rowell, was a soldier of the Revolution and 
present in the series of battles which terminated in 
the surrender of Gen. Burgo3'ne. Richard Rowell 
lived until twenty-two years old among the hills 
of his native county within sight of Mt. Washing- 
ton. The schools in that vicinity afforded facilities 
for a good education, which young Rowell was per- 
mitted to obtain and which lie supplemented by at- 
tendance at a grammar school in Concord, Vt. 
When eighteen years old he engaged as a teacher. 
In May, 1830, after reaching his majority, he de- 
termined to visit the western country and if possi- 
ble engage as a teacher there. He had no friends 
or acquaintances in the region which he purposed 
visiting, but his stock of resolution and enterprise 
served him in good stead and he started out with 
hope and courage. The method of traveling was 
by stage, horse railroad and canal, bj' steam and 
on foot, and the route was very nearly that now 
traversed by the Miciiigan Central Railroad. At 
Ann Arbor there was then no prospect of a village, 
and the great Univei'sity which has now made it 
famous probably had not been thought of. After 
reaching Chicago Mr. Rowell engaged as a carpen- 
ter. The Pottawattomies were then receiving their 
last annuity and aliout 2,000 were collected in the 
city. They soon left, however, and never returned. 

In October of the same year, young Rowell 
started out again, proceeding to La Salle by stage. 
The " stage " was a wagon which the passengers 
were often obliged to get out of and lift fi'om the 
mud. There were no houses where the thriving 
city of La Salle now stands unless there might have 
been a few concealed by the bank of the river. 
After leaving the stage he embarked on the steamer 
" Frontier," which was fully in keeping with the 
other methods of transportation in those days. 
After reaching Peoria and linding little prospect for 
employment as a teacher, he crossed the Illinois, 
and reaching Stout's Grove, was engaged to teach 
the school in that locality for the winter following. 



One of the exciting events of that term was the 
"raising" of the first store building in Dan vers 
(then Concord), and Mr. Rowell dismissed his school 
for three days to assist in the proceedings; the 
building still stands. The young pioneer was em- 
ployed in teaching until commencing operations 
with his brother, as we have stated. 

The marriage of Richard Rowell and Miss Nancy 
Barnard took place Dec. 15, 1853, and they be- 
came the parents of three children — Lois, Emma 
and Clark. Mr. Rowell was of fine physique, fully 
six feet in height, and his average weight about 
180 pounds. His form indicated strength and ac- 
tivity; his head was well proportioned, and his 
eyes bright and expressive. He was polite and 
obliging in his manner and a man of decided views, 
fearless in the expression of his sentiments, while 
at the same time he was careful not to give offence. 
He was always interested in public improvements 
.and encouraged every measure calculated to in- 
crease the prosperity of his adopted county. He 
was Supervisor of Dale Township for about nine 
years and one of tlie Commissioners at the time of 
the building of the court-house. It is hardly 
necessary to sa.y that he possessed the entire confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, who at the 
time of his decease manifested their sentiments by 
the unusuall}' large attendance at his funeral and 
the expressions of regret on every side that a good 
man had ceased from his labors whose place it 
would be most difficult to supply. 

The accompanying portrait of Mr. Rowell in 
connection with this brief sketch will serve as a 
means of perpetuating the memory of one who at 
all times cast his influence on the side of truth and 
justice. 



eALEB JOHNSON, well known as a prosper- 
ous farmer and land -owner of McLean 
County, and whose portrait is shown on an 
accompanying page, is the proprietor of 406 acres 
in Danvers Township, .all improved and under a 
good state of cultivation. While in the prime of 
life he was industriously eng.aged in all the duties 
appertaining to the farm, being especially noted as 
a breeder of fine stock, in which he gained quite a 



■^ W i <• 



I 



I 



■•►^l 



754 



McLean county. 



4 



reputation. He is now retired from active labor 
and resides in Stanford, enjoying the competency 
which he acquired by years of active industry and 
the exercise of good judgment. 

Mr. Johnson is a native of Monroe County, 
W. Va., born March 22, 1813. His school advant- 
ages were limited to a few months, and the tem- 
ple of learning was a log cabin constructed after 
the most primitive fashion. After reaching man- 
hood be was married to Miss Louisa J. Beard, on 
the 27th of June, 1839. Mrs. J. was a native of 
the same county as her husband, and was born Dec. 
11, 1813. After the birth of six children, Caleb 
Johnson, accompanied by his family, with his 
household goods, and an outfit of eight horses and 
four wagous, started for the prairies of Illinois. 
His destination was Danvers Township, McLean 
County, where the year previous he had purchased 
.5G0 acres of land, consisting of both prairie and 
timber. They commenced their journey on the 
IGth day of September, and reached the new farm 
October 13 following. 

Mr. Johnson at once set about the improvement 
and cultivation of his land, and in due time estab- 
lished one of the most comfortable homesteads in 
the West. He has become noted throughout this 
section for his industry and enterprise, and forms 
an important factor in the agricultural interests of 
McLean County. His upright course in life, his 
promptness in meetuig his obligations, and his ex- 
cellent personal qualities, have caused him to be 
regarded with universal respect. He is Democratic 
in politics, and has assisted by his means and influ- 
ence in most of the enterprises which have brought 
this county to its present condition as one of the 
most prosperous sections in the Prairie State. 

To Mr. and iSIrs. Caleb Johnson there were born 
six children, of whom the record is as follows: 
Ward ]'., born June 8, 1810, married Miss Eliza- 
beth Deal, and was a resident of Danvers Town- 
ship ; tlicy are botli now deceased ; Madora E., 
born Marcii 1, 1843, became the wife of George W. 
Holland, and lives in Missouri; Sarah R., born April 
11, 1845, married Miles Brooks, Esq., of Stanford, 
111.; J. Wallace was born Aug. 23, 1847, married 
Miss Lois RoweLl, and is a resident of Danvers 
Township; John A., born March 18, 1851, married 



Miss Julia Lehman, and lives in New Mexico; 
Louise S., now Mrs. Frank P. Browning, of Mis- 
souri, was born March 7, 1855. These children 
are all respected members of society, and have in- 
herited in a marlied degree the excellent qualities 
of both parents. 



JAMES W. JOHNSON, one of the most ex- 
tensive farmers and stock-raisers of McLean 
County', has been a resident of the Prairie 
State since 1850, at that time locating on 
the farm which he now owns and occupies and which 
is situated on section 34, Danvers Township. His 
homestead embraces 720 acres of valuable land, 
which is liberally stocked with 100 head of fine 
cattle, 20 head of horses and a flock of South Down 
sheep. The residence is a handsome and commodi- 
ous structure, and the large, well-built barn, with its 
adjacent out-buildings, is such as in every resj^ect 
meets the requirements of a first-class agriculturist. 
The whole constitutes one of the finest estates in 
this section of Illinois, and is viewed b}' tlie pass- 
ing traveler with unmixed admiration. 

The subject of thi* biography is a native of Mon- 
roe Count}', W. Va., his birth occurring Aug. 27, 
1847. His parents, Caleb and Louisa (Beard) 
Johnson, also natives of the Old Dominion, removed 
in early life to Illinois and are now residents of 
Stanford, this county. The father is one of the 
most respected citizens in that locality, a member 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and promi- 
nent in all g(jod works and ever}' enterprise calcu- 
lated to beuelit his community, socially, morally and 
intclloctuall}'. The parental household included six 
children, of whom the record is as follows: Pem- 
broke married Miss Elizabeth Deal, and both are 
novv deceased; Edmonia, Mrs. George Holland, is 
a resident of Henry County, Mo. ; Rebecca married 
Miles Brooks and lives in Stanford, this county; 
John A. married Miss Lehman and lives in New 
Mexico ; Louise, now Mrs. Franlv Browning, is a resi- 
dent of Appleton, St. Clair Co., Mo. These chil- 
dren received a good education, which in connec- 
tion with their natural talents constitutes them a 
. — •► 



I 



■♦- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



755 



family group of which the parents may well lie 
proud. 

The lady who presides over the home of our sul)- 
ject and who in her girlhood was Miss Lois Rowell, 
became the sharer of his fortunes on the 7th of Feb- 
ruary, 1878. Mrs. Johnson is a native of this 
county, and was born Nov. 16, 1854, to Richard 
and Nancy (Barnard) Rowell, natives respectively 
of Grafton County, N. II., and Montgomery Coun- 
ty, Ohio. Richard Rowell, who was one of the 
honored pioneers of McLean County, was born 
May 20, 1814, and after building up a good record 
as a husband, father, friend and citizen, departed 
this life at his home in Dale Township, on the 16th 
of October, 1881. He was a gentleman of good 
education and followed the joint occupation of 
school teacher and carpenter in his early days, lint 
during his later life tiu'ned his attention principally 
to farming. lie was remarkably successful as an 
agriculturist, .accumulated a fine property, and at- 
tained an enviable reputation as one of the most skill- 
ful farmers ."-nd stock-raisers in the county. The 
mother of Mrs. Johnson was born Oct. 28, 1824, 
became the wife of Richard Rowell, Dec. 15, 1853, 
and to the household thus established there came 
three children, namely, Lois, now the wife of our 
subject; Emma, who died Nov. 11, 1885, and Clark, 
who died in 1862, when but two years of age. The 
mother is still living, and resides on the old home- 
stead in Dale Township. As a lady having lived 
worthily and performed all the duties of life with 
cheerfulness and courage, setting a good examjile 
before her family and neighbois, Mrs. Rowell is 
held in the highest respect by all who know her. 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have an interesting familj' 
of three bright children, namely. Homer, born Nov. 
13, 1878; Roy, April 11, 1884, and May, Sept. 
24, 1885. Mr. Johnson has become promi- 
nently identified with the affairs of this section 
since becoming a resident here, and has materially 
aided in the advancement of its agricultural and 
business interests. Everything which he undertakes 
must be well done and complete in all its details. 
He will put up with no half measures, either in his 
business affairs or on the farm. The fences and 
machinery are kept in the best of repair and he has 
no patience with idleness or shiftlessness. He takes 



a genuine interest in the prosperity and advance- 
ment of his comnuinit3-, and is the encourager of 
every enterprise calculated to effect these ends. 
The evidences of his labor will remain years hence, 
whether he retires earl}' or late from the scenes of 
his activity. He is recognized as a man of undoubt- 
ed integrity, capable of forming his own opinions 
and resolutely adhering to them, and in both social 
and private life is a g<jod neighbor, a kind husband 
and father, and [)ossesses that to which he is most 
justly entitled, the esteem and confidence of his 
neighbors and friends. Politically, he affiliates 
with the Democratic party, and has served as School 
Director in his district. 

In this work will be found finely executed litho- 
graphic portraits of Caleb Johnson, the father of 
our sulijeet, and Richard Rowell, the father of Mrs. 
Johnson, together with a bird's-eye view of the 
homestead of James W. Johnson. 



t* 



'^'^^^'HOIMAS TYSON. The gentleman whose 
name heads this biography owns and occu- 
pies a fine homestead in Mt. Hope Town- 
ship, on section 22. He is comfortalily situated, 
and in possession of all the comforts of life and 
many of its luxuries. The worldly goods of which 
he is possessed have been accumulated solely by 
the exercise of his own industrj', as he never re- 
ceived any legacy to assist him on the high road to 
prosperity. He has been a resident of the Prairie 
.State for a jjeriod of thirty-six years, and during 
that time has established for himself a reputation 
as a thoroughly honest man and a good citizen. 

The subject of this history is a native of Lock- 
port, Niagara Co., N. Y., and was born on the 13th 
of August, 1836. He is the youngest son of Will- 
iam and jNIary J. Tyson, and was only two years 
old when deprived of a father's care bj' death. He 
remained with his mother until he was ten 3'ears 
old, and then commenced in earnest the struggle of 
life. His first regular employment was in a cooper 
shop, and the following year he went to live with 
an old English farmer of Niagara County, with 
whom he remained one year, and was then em- 
ployed by a (Quaker in the same neighborhood, 



'^^ 



f 



-.1 



75G 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



with whom he remained a little over a year there- 
after. The first year he received *t per month, 
and the second, ^6. He was thonghtfnl beyond his 
years, and resolved to better his condition if possi- 
ble, and pave the way to become a man among 
men. 

In 1<S.')0 Thomas Tyson determined to emigi-ate 
West, and accordingly, in company with his mother 
and stepfather, set his face toward the prairies of 
Illinois. They first went to Tazewell County and 
located in Delav.an, and there our subject was em- 
ployed by Allen Perrin, to work u|)on a farm at §10 
a month. While with Mr. Perrin he used to get 
up at 4 o'clock in the morning' and milk six or 
eight cows, tiien accompany his employer ten miles 
to the timber, and they split 100 rails before night. 
Wolves were plenty then in that section, and often 
followed the twaui after they had left their work to 
go home at night. These duties were alternated 
with an occasional trip to Pekin, eighteen miles dis- 
tant, where he hauled the produce of the farm and 
disposed of it in exchange for a moderate amount 
of cash or the necessaries required for use around 
the homestead and in the household. 

Young Tyson subsequently I'eturned tohis moth- 
er's home, where he remained for one year, and 
then went back to Mr. Perrin. He was faithful and 
industrious, and could always find plenty of work 
althougii the w.ages were small. He lived econom- 
ically, however, and saved every penny that he 
could, and in the course of a few years found him- 
self possessed of sufficient means to engage in farm- 
ing on his own account. He purchased eighty 
acres of wild land in Tazewell County, and in com- 
pany with ills l)rotiicr William, improved and culti- 
vated the land, keeping " bacli(^!or's hall," and as 
time passed nn i)urch.asc(l additional acres. 

The brotiiers worked togt^tiicr in harmony, im- 
proving and cultivating their laml, having now a 
quarter section beside the first i)nrchase, and in 
18.");") added .'liO .acres to the area which the}' al- 
ready held, the latter being located on section 22, 
Mt. Hope Township, which constitutes the present 
homestead of our subject. John and AVilliam Ty- 
son farmed together for several years, and then di- 
vided their possessions, since which time Mr. T. has 
^ ^ farmed successfully and independently alone. The 



home estate now consists of 201 .acres, finely culti- 
vated and improved, with a commodious and com- 
fortable farm residence, and all necessary out- 
buildings for the shelter of stock and the storing of 
grain. He has valuable farm imi)leincnts and ma- 
chiner}^, and carries on his agricultural operations 
after the most modern and improved methods. 

The subject of our sketch was united in tnarriage 
with Miss Mary J. Bell, at the home of the bride's 
parents, on the 15th of May, 1855. Mrs. Tyson is^ 
the daughter of James and Susan (Allgood) Bell, 
and was orphaned by the death of biitli i)arents 
when a young child. She was reared by her grand- 
parents until thirteen years of age, and w.as then 
received into the home of her aunt, Mary Holmes, 
of Delavan. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Tyson 
there have been born five children, .as follows: 
Fannie G. married Martin Altberry, of Logan 
Count}', III.; Amanda Ellen became the wife of 
Charles Tallon, and lives in Mt. Hope Township; 
Thomas 11., Charles R. and Albert are at home with 
their i)arents. Mr. Tyson is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and uniformly votes in the interests of the prin- 
ciples of this party. A fine lithographic view of the 
residence and out-buildings of Mr. Tyson is shown 
elsewhere in this work. 

eYRUS H. BENSON, a prominent farmer of 
Lawndale Township, is the son of James 
Benson, of Kentuck}', who in early man- 
hood married Miss Ann Hinshaw, of Tennessee. 
They were married in Blooming Grove, and then 
permanently located in White Oak Township, this 
county, being among its earliest settlers. The fa- 
ther of our subject was a farmer by occupation, 
which calling he pursued in Bloomington Township 
until 1830, then removed to White Oak Township, 
where he resided until his death, which occurred 
Sept. 8, 1 883. The mother had jjassed to the land 
of the hereafter in August, 18C8. Of their four- 
teen children twelve lived to mature years and 
two died in infancy. The latter were Maria C. and 
George W., the first of whom was fatally injured 
by falling into a tub of scalding water when two 
years old, and George was drowned at the same 



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4 



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t 



1 

I 



<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



757 i i 



age. The others were William, Elizabeth D., Nancy, 
Cyrus II., Sarah J., Jesse M., Susannah H., James 
E., John F.. Emily W., Edward C. and Horace M. 
John F. died in his eighteenth year. 

The subject of this sketch was born in White 
Oak Township, McLean County, Sept. IG, 1835. 
He was reared to farming pursuits, his primary 
studies in the meantime being carried on in the 
common schools. When twenty-one years of age 
he entered college at Eureka, 111., where he studied 
three years, and in September, 1 8G0, entered the 
junior class of Bethany College, W. Va., and there- 
after took a course at Antioch College, Ohio. 
There he passed his examination in September, 
18G1, and entered the senior class of the college. 
The outbreak of the Rebellion, however, h.aving 
necessitated a call for more troops he laid aside his 
personal interests and wishes and enlisted as a sol- 
dier in the Union cause. During his college course 
he h.ad been under the guidance of such men as 
Elder Campbell, who was President of Bethany, 
and Dr. Hill, President of Antioch, and who after- 
ward held the s.ame office in Harvard University, 
at Cambridge, Mass. 

Young Benson was mustered into the Union 
service Sept. IG, 18Gl,onhis twenty-sixth birthday, 
asamember of Co. G, 17th 111. A'ol. Inf., with which 
he served three years. He enlisted as a private and 
was soon promoted Corporal. At the battle of 
Shiloh he was wounded in the back while on the 
retreat. He was not disabled, however, but kept 
up with his regiment. He participated with his 
comrades in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, the 
siege and capture of Vicksburg and many other 
minor engagements and skirmishes. The Last year 
he was on detached service, having charge of the 
United States Sanitary Commission at Vicksburg. 
At the close of the war he received an honorable 
discharge, being mastered out at Cairo, 111., whence 
he returned home to this count3'. He afterward 
engaged in teaching school and farming alternately, 
his home having always been in McLean Count}'. 

The marriage of Cyrus II. Benson and Miss 
Lucy A. Rowell was celebrated in A\'hite Oak 
Township, June 8, 18G4. Of this union there were 
born two children — Edward M., now a student at 
Champaign University, and Lucy A., engaged in 



teaching. The mother of these children departed 
this life in White Oak Township, May 23. 1867. 
The second marriage of Mr. Benson also took place 
in White Oak Township, March IG, 1871, when he 
was united to Miss Mary E. Denman, who was born 
in that township in 1845. Their six children were 
named as follows : Arthur D., May, James R., Roy 
II., Lloyd C. and Dot. Lloyd died when nine 
months old. 

Sir. Benson was a resident of White Oak Town- 
ship until the spring of 18G7, when he purchased 
eighty acres of land on section 22, Lawndale Town- 
ship, where he has since lived. He has now IGO 
acres finely improved, with a good residence and 
barn, and all the- other conveniences required by 
the modern and progressive farmer. His property 
and stock are well cared for and in first-class condi- 
tion. Mr. Benson is more than ordinarily intelli- 
gent and keeps himself well posted upon current 
events. He is highly esteemed by his fellow-citi- 
zens, who have conferred upon him the offices of 
Supervisor, Assessor and other important trusts. 
Politically he is a stanch Republican. He has been 
C(,)nnected with the Christian Church since 1857, 
and Mrs. Benson is a member and regular attend- 
ant of the Methodist Church. Socially our sub- 
ject belongs to the G.A. R. 



^, 



^(Q)^ 



El* 



,^^ HARLIiS M. HELLER, residing on section 
[if^' 9, Towanda Township, where he has 120 
^>i^' acres of valuable and productive land, 
together with good and substantial improve- 
ments, is the son of Elias and Eliza (Braunsetter) 
Heller, natives of Pennsylvania. After their mar- 
riage the parents removed to Ohio, and settled in 
Clarke County, near Springfield. The father was 
a blacksmith by occupation, and followed his trade 
in Ohio, together with farming, until 1852, when, 
with his family, he moved to Delaware County, 
Ind., and settled on a farm near Yorktowu. Liv- 
ing there for about two years engaged the while in 
farming, he then returned to Clarke County, and 
in 185G came here and made settlement in Towan- 
da Township. In the spring of 1884 the old folk 
moved to Towanda Village, where they are at pres- 



* 



2 



758 



L. 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



V 



eiit residing in retirement, having acquired a suffi- 
ciency tu enable them to pass the sunset of life in 
peace and quiet. Tliey have eight children, four 
sons and four daughters, and Charles M. is the 
third in order of birth. He first saw light in Clarke 
County, Ohio, Oct. 2, 1839, and received his edu- 
cation in the common schools, in the meantime as- 
sisting his father in the blacksmith-shop. Charles 
M. lived with his parents until he was about twenty- 
one years of age, when he bought a farm in To- 
wanda Township, the same being that on which he 
now lives, and since that time has been continu- 
ously occupied witli its improvement. 

Mr. Heller was married, Nov. 28, 1861, in To- 
wanda Township, to Miss Angeline, daughter of 
Richard and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Fling, natives 
of Virginia. They came to McLean County, from 
Columbus, Ohio, in 1 836, and settling in Towanda 
Township they there lived and labored until their 
death. They became the parents of four children, 
and Mrs. Heller was the third in order of birth. 
She first saw light in McLean County, 111., March 
3, 1841, and of her union with our subject ten 
children have been born — Fannie M., Minnie A., 
Charles T., Clara A., Nettie G., Edward E., Delia 
L., Ethel C, Lelia M. and Imogene. Fannie is the 
wife of B. W. Stover, and they are living in Mono}- 
Creek Township. Mr. Heller has held the office of 
School Director for several .years. His good wife 
is a member of the Metliodist Episcopal Church, 
and in politics he is a Jackson Ian Democrat. 

(O.SEPH E. SPRINGER, a prominent citizen 
and farmer of Stanford, and at present serv- 
ing his second term as Justice of the Peace, 
is a native of fair France, being born in the 
Province of Lorraine, Dec. 24, 1824. His parents 
were Christian and Magdalena (Kngel) Springer, 
natives of the same Province, the father born Sept. 
15, 1792, and the mother Feb. 2, 1796. Christian 
Springer was engaged in milling and farming com- 
bined, in his own country, and was there married 
in 1823. In 1830 he set sail with his family for 
the United States, and they landed in New Orleans 
on the 12th of June. Thence they immediately 




proceeded to Butler County, Ohio, where the father 
of our subject purchased 206 acres of land, where 
he resided for sixteen years. In 1854 he came into 
McLean County and purchased two houses and 
lots in Danvers, which he occupied with his family 
for two years and then removed to the farm. 
Both parents lived with their sons until they de- 
parted this life. The mother died on the 30th of 
September, 1,S7(), .and the father, Oct. 3, 1!S79. Of 
their ten children the record is as follows: Joseph 
E. of our sketch was the eldest born; Catherine 
died in infancy; Peter D. married Miss Eliza 
Brenaman; Christian W. married Miss Elizabeth S. 
Stalter; Magdalena became the wife of Nicholas 
Risser; John married Miss Susan Sherbine; Kate 
became the wife of Peter Schertz; Andrew J. mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Schlabach; Marj^ became Mrs. 
Daniel Habecker; George died in infancy. Both 
parents were members of the Mennonite Church. 

Joseph E. Springer remained under the parental 
roof until he had attained his majority, in the mean- 
time receiving a common-school education. He was 
married, July 21, 1852, to Miss Catherine Kinzin- 
ger, but the young wife lived only about eight 
months, dying on the 4th of April, 1853. Mr. 
Springer was the second time married, Nov. 11, 
1869, to Miss Kate Reser. This l.idy is the daugh- 
ter of Nicholas and Magdalena (Kemp) Reser, who 
were natives of the same Province as our subject, 
and emigrated from France to the United States in 
1858. They located first in Woodford County, 
111., whence they removed five years afterward to 
Tazewell County, and in 1871 came to McLean 
County, where the mother died Feb. 18, 1884; the 
father is still living, and is now a resident of Stan- 
ford, this county. Their family consisted of eiglit 
children, three sons and five daughters^Andrew, 
Joseph, Mary, Ann, Peter, Kate, Maggie and Vic- 
toria. The^- also were members of the Mennonite'" 
Church. To our subject and his present wife there 
were l)orn seven oliildren — Amelia M., Victoria 1\L, 
Louisa M., one who died in infancy uimamed, Lil- 
lie M., Frank A. and Orion D. 

Ml'. S. was on the ocean sixty-two days when com- 
ing to this country. Since becoming a resident of 
this county he has identified himself with its inter- 
ests, and has proved a worth}' addition to the com- 




u 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



759 




munity. In politics he is strongly Democratic, and 
has held the office of Supervisor in Allin Township 
for three years. 

Mr. and Mrs. S. arc members of the Mennonite 
Church. 



iICHARD BREESE, a prominent and wealthy 
citizen of Gridley, came to this section in 
1857, and by his energj' and enterprise es- 
^'^ tablished himself in a short time as one of 
its most progressive and valuable pioneers. He is 
descended from substantial English ancestry, his 
parents having been John and Ann (Gunton) 
Breese, who were born in Huntingdonshire, En- 
gland, where they married and settled, and where 
their children were born, and there the old folk 
passed their lives. Of the household circle, which 
included four sons and three daughters, the subject 
of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth. 

Richard Breese was born in Cambridgeshire, pju- 
gland, Aug. 20, 1824. His father died when he was 
but seven years old, and he was then obliged to 
look out for himself. This, however, was a good 
school, teaching him self-reliance, and doubtless 
contributed greatly to bring about his later suc- 
cess. He commenced by working on a farm, and 
continued in his native England until he w.as twen- 
ty-eight 3ears of age. In the meantime he had 
been married, and at the age mentioned started 
with his wife and child for the United States. They 
landed in New York City, and thence soon pro- 
ceeded to Butler County, Ohio. There our subject 
worked out by the month, farming, for two years, 
and until the fall of 1854. He then rented land 
until the spring of 1857, and at this time decided 
to try his fortunes in the farther West. After 
completing his preparations he came into Illinois 
and settled first in ^Valdo Township, Livingston 
County, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and 
entering upon its cultivation continued to live 
there until the spring of 18G9. 

In the spring of 1869 Mr. Breese came to this 
county and settled in Gridley, having the fall pre- 
vious formed a partnership w-itli W. H. Boise, foi' 
the purpose of dealing in grain and live stock. 
They operated together until the spring of 1884, 
4 * . ' 



under the style of Boise & Breese. Our subject 
then disposed of his interest in the business and 
having accumulated a fine property has since that 
time retired from active labor. He is the owner 
of 360 acres of land in Livingston County which 
is finely improved, and 240 acres in Gridley Town- 
ship, this county. He also has a pleasant family 
residence in the town of Gridley. 

Mr. Breese was married in England in 1846, to 
Miss Mary Miller, who was also a native of Cam- 
bridgeshire. Of this union there were born two 
children — Eliza and Richard. The latter died in 
infancy. Eliza became the wife of Christian Neu- 
hauser, residing in Gridley, and the mother of 
eleven children, and departed this life April 14, 
1879. Her surviving children were Sarah, Katie, 
Lucy L., Minerva, Williametta and Mary A.; five 
are deceased. The first wife of our subject died in 
England in the fall of 1849, and he was again 
united in marriage in his native county, to Mrs. 
Sarah (Flanders) Harvey, daughter of James and 
Catherine (Gunton) Flanders, who were natives of 
Huntingdonshire, England, where they spent their 
lives. Her first husband was Richardson Harvey, 
who died in 1851. Of the parents' marriage there 
were born thirteen children, seven daughters and 
sis sons, of whom Mrs. B. was the eldest but one. 
Her birth occurred in Huntingdonshire, Oct. 30, 
1829. Of the present marriage of our subject 
there have been no children. Mrs. Breese is a 
member in good standing of the Congregational 
Church, and politically iNIr. B. is a stanch Repub- 
lican. He has been School Director, Township 
Trustee and a member of the Village Board. 



~w/v.-vt<Lei2/®^@^' 



@J,g!/ZIOT»v.'wx/^ 




fflOMAS FREED. The history of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who is one of the promi- 
nent and prosperous farmers of Gridley 
Township, may be briefly summed as follows: He 
is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Fleming) 
Freed, being the sixth of a family of eight children. 
Thomas Freed was born in Fayette County, Pa., 
July 11, 1825, and was reared on his father's farm 
in his native county, remaining under the parental 



* ^m <• 



t 



760 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



roof until seventeen years of age. He then started 
out for himself, working b}' the month on a farm 
for one jear, and was then apprenticed to learn the 
blacksmith's trade. He served three years at this, 
but preferring farming, directed his attention aft- 
erward principally to agricultural pursuits. 

In August, 1853, Mr. Freed of this notice left 
his native State, and coming to McLean County, 
111., looked over the land, but finally located in 
Adams County, where he remained until the fol- 
lowing spring. He then returned to this section, 
and was employed by the month for two j'eai's fol- 
lowing, on a farm near Bloomington. In the spring 
of 1856 he located in (Jridley Townshii), which has 
since been his home. 

Mr. Freed, beginning life at the ftiot of ladder, 
has proved a fair illustration of what may Ije ac- 
complished b^y perseverance and industry. He came 
here with nothing but his strong hands and will- 
ing disposition to labor, but is now the owner of 
100 acres of valuable land, whicii constitutes one of 
the finest homesteads in his township. He has a 
handsome and substantial farm residence, a good 
barn, and all other necessary conveniences for the 
storing of grain and the siielter of stock. He has 
been upright in his business transactions, prompt to 
meet his obligations, and in all respects has distin- 
guished himself as a valuable member of the com- 
munity. 

The marriage of onr subject took place in Grid- 
ley To wnshi|) on the ()th of May, 1858, when he 
was united with Miss Mary K., the daughter of 
William and Susannah (Blake) Nichols, wlio were 
natives respectively of Kentucky and Ohio. After 
marriage Miss Nichols' parents came to Illinois and 
located in this county, which remained their home 
the balance of their lives. The father was acci- 
dentally killed at a house-raising in Selma, Lexing- 
ton Township, and the mother died upon the home- 
stead, in 1849. Mrs. Freed was the elder of their 
two cliildren. She was born in Lexington Town- 
ship, this county, Nov. 17, Lsyj, and by her union 
with our subject there liave been born eiglit chil- 
dren: Sarah L., now the wife of Frank Stoufer, 
and a resident of Gridley Townsiiip; William A., 
Hoke. L. D., Frank II., (icorge \V., Leander C, 
Lula A. and John E. William A. married Miss 

<■ — 



Emma F. Phinney, and resides in Gridley Town- 
ship. 

Mr. Freed, who is a Democrat in politics, has 
never been an ofhee seeker, but by the persuasion 
of friends has served the people of his township in 
minor official positions, whicii he has filled with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. 
Both our subject and his wife are worthy members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support 
of which they have contributed as they could of 
their means. 



^■^- 



^ MLLIAM LINDEN, a substantial German 
\/\/i/ f*''"""?'' '-''^ Chenoa Township, first oi)ened 
V^\B iiis eyes to the light in tlie little Kingdom 
of Prussia, on the 16th of JMarch, 1834. He is 
the son of Jolin M. and Agues Linden, who lived 
in a modest w.ay upon a small farm, spending their 
entire lives in their native countrj-. Our subject 
was jilaced in school at an early age, where he re- 
mained until thirteen years old and then went to 
work on a farm and was thus occupied until his 
twenty-second 3'ear. He then decided to seek his 
fortunes in the New World and accordingly started 
for the United States, landing first in New York 
City. From there, after a short stay, he proceeded 
to Chicago, 111., where for the following summer 
he was employed in a lumber-3ard. In the fall of 
the same year he came to Bloomington and during 
the winter following was engaged in chopping cord 
wood. In the spring of the next year he made ar- 
rangements to become an employe of Daniel 
Muntze, with whom he remained for four years. 
At the ex|)iration of this time, in 1861, he was 
united in marriage witii Miss Susanna Knipple, 
daughter of John Knipple, Es(j. 

After marriage the young people settled on the 
farm of John (iiilespie, which Mr. Linden rented 
for one year. He continued to farm on rented land 
for eight years following, part of the time on his 
father-in-law's place, and then purchased eighty 
acres on section 35, in Chenoa Township, which is 
now his homestead, and is well stocked with hogs, 
horses and cattle. He also has eighty acres on sec- 
tion 34. Of late years ilr. L. has been interested 



-► ■ <• 



t. 



■^^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



761 



in the breeding of Norman horses, in whicli he has 
been quite successful. 

The f.imily of our subject and his wife consists 
of four sons and one duugliter, nanielj', Jacob, John, 
William, Frank and Elizabetli. The residence is 
pleasantl}' located and the faniiiy enjoy the friend- 
ship and esteem of the best citizens nf this vicinity 
Mr. Linden has served as Rond Commissioner and 
held the office of Path Master. He is essentiall3' a 
self-made man and an illustration of what may be 
accomplished from a small beginning. When he 
landed in New York Cit.y he had but twenty cents 
in his pocket and came a stranger to a strange land. 
He has climbed up stoi) by ste|), slowly but surely, 
to a good position in the community, and by his 
industry and perseverance has accumulated a com- 
petency. He has met with reverses, besides having 
lost several hundred dollars by the failure of the 
Chenoa Bank. He is a member in good standing 
of the Catholic Church, and fully deserves to be 
classed among the honest men and good citizens of 
McLean Count}'. 




R8. CAROLINE CHENEY, widow of Hon. 
W. H. Cheney, and a resident of .Say- 
brook, 111., is the daughter of Demas .and 
Mary A. (Yonker) Brown, n.itives respect- 
ively of New York and Pennsylvania, and was born 
in Medina County, Ohio, April 2, 1848. Demas 
Brown w.as born Jan. 8, 1 802, and depai-ted this life 
at his home in Portage, Ohio, Sept. 21, 18G11. He 
w!is the son of William and Parmelia (Henshaw) 
Brown, both of English ancestry. He was reared 
to farming pursuits, was in all respects an excellent 
man and a good citizen, and with his wife was a 
member of the Christian Chinch. The mother of 
Mrs. Cheney was born Dec. 7. 1817. and still sur- 
vives, making her home with her son, in Gibson, 
111. The parental household included thirteen chil- 
dren, of whom eleven .are still living, are mar- 
ried and reside in different States of the Union. 

Mrs. Cheney remained an iinnate of her father's 
house, where she received careful training and a 
good education. At the age of sixteen, she came 
to Illinois and resided with her sister, and taught 



school for eight years. On the 28th of May, 1873, 
she was united in marriage with Hon. W. H. Che- 
ney, who w.as born Feb. I'J, 1822, near Mechanics- 
burg, Ohio. He came to this State in 182.5, and 
settled in the grove which now bears the family 
name. Mr. Cheney was first married to Miss Mary 
J. Orendorff, Nov. 10, 1842, and they became the 
parents of nine children, of whom the record is as 
follows: Lavina became the wife of W. H. Beck- 
with and lives in Saybrook; Ja}' died in infancy, 
Jan. 10, 1847; Kate married Dr. H. A. Winter; 
Charlie married Miss Lizzie Pugsley, and lives in 
Kans.as; Emma died April 18, 1877, and Willie, 
Aug. 1, 185'J; Harry married Miss Ada Youle, and 
resides on tlie homestead farm; Mary B., the wife 
of George W. Woodbury, lives in Huron, Dak.; 
Minnie E. received a fine musical education at 
Oberlin, Ohio, and Bloomington, 111., and lives with 
Mrs. Cheney. :\Irs. Mary J. Cheney, the mother 
of these children, died at the home of her husband 
in Cheney's Grove, Aug. 7, 1868; she was a lady 
of refinement .and lovable disposition. 

Of the marriage of W. H. and Mrs. Caroline 
Cheney, there were born three children, as follows : 
George W., Oct. 31, 1874; Nellie B., born May 31, 
1876, died in September, 188,5; Wilbur II. was 
born Feb. 28, 1878. Mr. Cheney died Aug. 24, 
1878, a few months after the birth of his youngest 
son. His name is familiar throughout McLean 
County, as having been a man of great force of 
character, and nniro liian ordinarj' business ability. 
He was Republican in politics, and took an active 
part in political affairs. At the time of his death 
he owned 1,000 acres of land, all in one body, 
which he h.ad brought to a fine state of cultivation, 
and which he embellisiied with a handsome resi- 
dence, and all other appliances of a first-class and 
progressive modern farmer. 

Mr. Cheney possessed the rare faculty of being 
able to adapt himself to places and circumstances, 
and while greatly interested in the progress of 
political affairs, gave due attention to his business 
and household. In 1867 he was elected to suc- 
ceed Hon. Isaac Funk in the State Senate, and se- 
cured the charter of the L. B. & M., but now the 
L., E. & W. R. R., and to him wfis accorded the 
honor of first breaking the soil to lay the track of 



•^m^4^ 



V 



i 



f 



7G2 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






that railroad. He was identified for many years 
with the business and agi'ioultural interests of this 
section, and in every condition in life performed 
whatever he undertook conscientiously and as be- 
came a man having at heart the best interests of 
county and town. 

Mrs. Cheney is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and a lady universally respected for 
her amiability and kindness of heart, especially to 
the need}'. These rare traits she doubtless inher- 
ited from the best of fathers, who was noted for 
his charities and substantial aid tn the afflicted and 
distressed. 

T/ P. STUBBLEFl ELD. proprietor of one of 
the best livery and sale staliles in the cit}' 
of Bloomington, is also engaged in the 
/ breeding of fine horses, chief among which 
are the Norman and Clydesdale, and exhibits some 
of the finest specimens of these animals to be found 
in ^McLean County. 

Our subject is a native of this county, and was 
born in Funk's Grove, Feb. is, 1)S4.5. His parents 
were Absalom and Eliza (Pearsons) Stnbblefleld, 
natives of Ohio. His grandfather, Robert Stubble- 
field was of English ancestry and parentage, and 
was l}orn in Halifax, \ a., Nov. 23, 1793. He mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Funk, Apiil 11, 1814. Both families 
were iH'oniinent in the early daj's in that section, 
and the grandfather of our subject, at the age of 
nineteen years, engaged as a soldier in the War of 
1812. After his discharge frdm the army he locat- 
ed in Ohio, and was there married. In 1821 he 
came to Funk's (irove, this county, located upon a 
farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits thereafter 
for over lifty years, his death occurring June 8, 
1870. His eldest son, Absalom, the father of our 
subject, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Nov. 27, 
If-il'). He removed to Illinois with his father, and 
at the age of ten 3'ears began business on his own 
account by buying calves and raising them, then 
selling, and later splitting rails. After he had 
earned ^,i<) he entered f<jrty acres of land in Funk's 
drove Township, and from this beginning he be- 
came one of the most extensive land-holders of 
iMcLean County. By his first marriage there were 

4» 



born five children, the subject of <iur sketch being 
the thii'd in order of birth. 

J. P. Stubblefleld remained under th(! jiarental 
roof until he was twent3'-three 3'ears of age, his 
younger days being spent upon the farm and herd- 
ing cattle on the prairie. After leaving home he 
located in Dale Township on a farm of 240 acres, 
and since that time h.as been extensively engaged 
in the breeding of fine stock, principally horses, 
the Norman and Cl^'desd.ale. He lived on his farm 
until 1884, and then removing to Bloomington, es- 
talilished his liverj' and sale stable, which contains 
some of the finest horses and eijuipages to be found 
in this section. Mr. S. still retains possession of 
his farm, where he employs from two to six men, 
and has thirty head of fine horses, high grades and 
full bloods. 

Mr. Stubblefleld, in 1807, was united in marri.age 
with Miss Naomi C. Thomas, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and the daughter of Joseph and Annie 
(Moore) Thomas, who were born in Pennsylvania 
and .Alaryland, respectively, They removed to 
Ohio in 1 862, and eng.aged in farming in Adams 
County, and there the mother died in 1885. The 
father is still living on the homestead. The house- 
hold circle included thirteen children, of whom 
Mrs. Stubblefleld is the eighth in order of birth. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stublilefield have become the par- 
ents of one child, a daughter, Clara E., who was 
))orn in 18G'.). .She is now an accomplished j'oung 
lady, having received a literary and musical edu- 
cation. Their handsome residence is located at 
No. MO,'* South Center street, and both within and 
without is indicative of cultivated tastes and ample 
means. 

For many years Mr. Stubblefleld h.as been prom- 
inently identified with the interests of this localitj', 
and whenever opportunity afforded has done what 
he could toward the advancement of its educational 
and industrial interests. For fourteen years he has 
been School Director, and has also served .as Sec- 
retary and Treasurer of the Board. In politics he 
is a stanch Republican. He identified himself with 
the Methodist Church when eighteen years old, 
and continued with this denomination until 187(). 
Mrs. S. first became a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, but united with the Christian 



V 






-•► 



,t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



763 a 



Church when in lier eighteenth j'ear. They now 
behjng to the United Brethren, of which their 
daughter lias been a member since a child of nine 
years old, and is still an earnest worker in the 
church and Sabbath-school. The family name of 
our subject is widely and favorably known in this 
section, and needs no comment from us as to its 
excellence and worth. Mr. S. has always taken a 
great interest in church matters and, although liv- 
ing in Bloomington, still holds the office of Steward 
in the United Brethren Church of Dale Township, 
and has been a delegate to the annual conference 
every j'ear since his uniting with the church. 



i 






^'fOIIN L. TYNER, Si;., who is pleasantly lo- 
cated in Mt. Hope Township, occupies a 
comfortable home on section 4, and is suc- 
cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
He is a native of the Prairie State, having first opened 
his ej'es to the light in Clay County on the 29th of 
February, 1820. The father of our subject, James 
Tyner, was a native of West Virginia, and liis 
grandfather, Samuel Tyner, was of German birth 
and parentage, possessing all the brave and generous 
qualities of the warm-hearted German race. Samuel 
Tyner emigrated from his native land when a young 
man, making his first settlement in West Virginia, 
whence he removed to Indiana, where he spent the 
remainder of his days. His son James grew to man- 
hood in his native county and then set out to seek 
his fortunes in the western country. After reach- 
ing Indiana, he located for a time in Posej^ County, 
where he made the acquaintance of Miss Eliza Gra- 
ham, and they were united in marri.age. The 
mother of our subject was a native of Maryland, 
and after their marriage, in about 1812, they re- 
moved to the Territory of Illinois and settled in 
Clay CountJ^ Here, James Tyner entered a claim, 
and when the land came into market he secured 
his title. He improved and cultivated his posses- 
sions, opened up a fine farm and occupied it until 
his death, which occurred in 1828. Soon after this 
event his widow, with her four children, returned 
to her old home in Posey County, Ind.. and lived 
with her mother and stepfather until she was mar- 



ried again. She kept her children together until 
they were able to earn their own living, carefully 
trained them to principles of honor and honesty, 
and gave them all the advantages possible for ed- 
ucation. 

When the subject of our sketch had arrived at 
the age of fourteen years, he was separated fi'om 
his mother and went to live with his older brother, 
abl.acksmith by trade. He remained with him two 
or three years, assisting in the shop and around 
the home and then, going to Albion, 111., entered 
the employ of a physician, working for his board 
and clothes. After one year thus occupied he re- 
turned to the home of his grandfather in Indiana 
and subsequently became an inmate of his uncle's 
home, where he remained until he had attained to 
years of manhood. 

At the age of twenty-two years, John L. Tyner 
was united in marriage with Miss Jane Hindman, a 
native of South Carolina, their wedding taking 
place on Oct. 21, 1842. This lady became the 
mother of nine children, and departed this life in 
Allin Township, this county, Nov. 8, ISO.'). After 
his marriage ]\Ir. Tyner located upon a trad of 
rented land in Posey County, Ind., which he 
occupied for a few years and then removed uiion 
a tract of forty acres which had been given iiim by 
his grandfather and where he made his home until 
1855. He then sold out and came to Illinois, locat- 
ing at once in McLean County. He cultivated 
rented laud for a few years and then purchased six- 
ty acres in Mt. Hope Township, on section 4, and 
lived upon this until 1865, when he sold it and 
purchased the farm which he now owns and oc- 
cupies. It comprises 82^ acres in Mt. Hope, and 
40 in Allin Township, and is supplied with a good 
residence and all needful out-buildings for tlie stor- 
ing of grain and the shelter of stock. 

The children of the first marriage of Mr. Tyner 
were named as follows: William L., Thomas H., 
Joseph, John L., Orpah Jones, James A., Emma 
Staley, Rosetta Baldwin, and Cora. The second 
marriage of our subject was with Miss Anna Cox, 
a native of Posey County, Ind. and took place 
Sept. 6, 18GC. Of this union there have been born 
two children — Franklin E. and Charles A. Thomas 
H. Tyner served in the late war, escaped without 



<^ 



••► 



I 



t 



\_ 



764 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



serious iujiiiy, and now lives in Arkansas City, 
Cowley Co., Kan. 

Mr. and Mrs. Tyner are connected witli IbeC-uni- 
berland rresbyterian Cluirch, and in polities Mr. T. 
is an uncompromising Democrat. lie is a straight- 
forward and intelligent business man, a skillful and 
enterprising farmer, and highly esteemed in the 
community of which he has been a resident for so 
many years. 

The father of Mrs. Anna (Cox) Tyner, James 
Cox by name, was a native of Kentuckj' and her 
grandfather, Jesse Cox, was born in North Carolina 
and removed to Kentucky at an early jieriod in the 
history of that State. In 1812 he removed to the 
Territory of Indi.ana, and was one of the pioneer 
settlers of Posey Count}'. There he cleareil a farm, 
established a permanent home and spent the remain- 
der of his days, dying in Robinson Township. 
His son James, the father of Mrs. T. of our sketch, 
spent the last ye.ars of his life on his father's farm. 
In early manhood he was united in marriage with 
Miss Fannie G waltney. She was born in Kentuckj', 
and when a child three 3rears of age removed to 
Posey County, Ind., with her father, John G. Gwalt- 
ney, where she remained until her marriage with 
James Cox. 



^^NDREW T. MITCHELL, a highly re- 
(@/-J I spected member of the family of this name, 
/// l!) who are well and favorablj^ known in this 
^/ vicinit}', owns and occupies a comfortable 

homestead on section 22, Dale Township, and is 
engaged in general farming. Our subject is a na- 
tive of the Prairie State, having been born in the 
town of Paris, Edgar County, on the 17th of Oc- 
tober, 1840. He was but an infant when he came 
to McLean Count}' with his parents, and received 
his earl}' education in the pioneer school, which 
was conducted in a log cabin. When not in school 
he assisted his parents in the duties around the 
homestead, and after becoming of age, was asso- 
ciated with his brother, John J., in the manage- 
ment of the home farm. He was thus occupied 
until llSHO, when he removed to tiie homestead 
which he now owns and occupies, it being located 



•^m-4^ 



on a part of sections 14, 15, 22 and 2.3. He erected 
the present family residence, and in addition to 
general agriculture is also giving much attention 
to stock-raising. 

The marriage of Andrew T. Mitchell and Miss 
Louisa Baird took place in October, 1867. Mrs. 
Mitchell is a native of Springfield, Clarke Co., 
Ohio, and the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca 
(Fisher) Baird, natives of Virginia and Kentucky. 
Of her union with our subject there have been 
born two children — Mary L. and Alice N. Their 
home, a view of which is presented in this work, is 
pleasantly located, and they are surrounded by all 
the comforts of life. Mrs. Mitchell is connected 
with the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. 
Mitchell is strongly Republican. 



.-^^isiatir®-^^ 



4,@^^@/sr^^r>^^ -wv^ 



\Y? OSEPH 11. ABBOTT, owner of a line farm 
of 160 acres on section 9, Towanda Town- 
ship, is meeting with success in the prosecu- 
tion of his vocation. He is the son of Abi- 
jah and Eleanor (Weakley) Abbott, natives of Cul- 
peper County, Va. Abijah Abbott was born June 
17, 1806, and his wife, June 3, 1807. They were 
both reared and educated in Culpeper County, 
and there married April 9, 1829. In 1831 they 
removed to Newark Township, Licking Co., Ohio, 
where they lived until 1852, when they came 
to this county and settling in Towanda Township, 
the father labored at his calling until his death, 
which event occurred Nov. 22, 1885. His wife 
survives him and is living in Towanda Township, 
making her home with her son Joseph. Four sons 
and four daughters were born of their union, of 
which number our subject was the youngest. 

Joseph H. Abbott was l)orn in Licking County, 
Ohio, Aug. 10, 1849, and was but three 3'ears old 
when his parents came to this county, and having 
lived here ever since, m.ay be said to have been 
identified with the advancement of the county 
thus far in life. Mr. Abbott's education was re- 
ceived in the common schools of this county, and 
he has known no other occupation than that of a 
tiller of the soil. He is at present the owner of 
160 acres of valuable and productive land, on 



*■ 



-► ■ <• 



I* 



McLean county. 



765 1: 



which he has good and substantial buildings, and 
is meeting with signal success in the conducting of 
his farm. 

Mr. Abbott was married to Miss Sarah E. Ham- 
pieman Dec. 23, 1875. She is the daughter of 
Daniel and Sarah (Fletcher) Hamjjleman, natives 
of Ohio, and was reared to wom.inhood in the vi- 
cinity of Clinton, De Witt Co., 111. [For sketch 
of her parents see si<etch of F. M. Jones.] The 
parents removed from Ohio to this State, and set- 
tled near Clinton, where the mother died. The 
father survives and resides near Clinton and is a 
farmer by calling. Nine children were born of 
their union, five sons .and four daughters, and Mrs. 
Abbott is the youngest. She was born near Clin- 
ton, De Witt Co., 111., Sept. 16, 1853, and by her 
union with our subject has become tiie niothei' of 
three children — .Tohn W., Albert D. and Charles P. 
In politics Mr. Abbott is a Democrat. 



H>--^«:3»>-C^^->^5,f-<J- 



F 



ELISHA B. STEERE, one of the leading re- 
tail boot-and-shoe merchants of Blooining- 
ton, has been a resident of the Prairie State 
since 1861, and ranks among the leading business 
men of this county. He is a native of Rhode Isl- 
and, and was born on a farm near Dorr's Battle- 
Ground, Sept. 12, 1822. His father, Rufus Steere, 
a tanner and currier by trade, was also born in 
Rhode Island, and became a prominent boot-and- 
shoe dealer in Laurens, Otsego Co., N. Y., where 
he also engagi^d in the manufacture of harness. 
The gi-andfather of. our subject, Robert Steere, was 
one of the early settlers of Rhode Island, where he 
became a well-to-do farmer, and represented his 
county in the State Legislature. His son Rufus 
after reaching manhood, was united in marriage 
with Miss Eliza A. Brown, a native of Kcntuckj', 
who removed to Rhode Island in her youth. They 
became the parents of seven children, four sons and 
three daughters, one of whom died when young; 
the others living to mature years, married and have 
families of their own. Of these the record is as 
follows: Klsther L. became the wife of E. S. 
Brown, deceased, and is now a resident of Chicago; 
Elisha B., of our sketch, was the second child; 

4* 



Adaline married E. F. Foot, of Hamilton, Madison 
Co., N. Y. ; Abigail became the wife of David 
Whii)ple, of New York City; Robert is a resident 
of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Henry C. resides in Bloom- 
iugton. 111., and Thomas A. died when quite young. 

The subject of this history p.assed his childhood 
and youth in his native State, and first began busi- 
ness on his own account as clerk in a dry-goods 
store, being thus occupied until twenty years of 
age. He was then taken into partnership with his 
employer, W. C. Field, and they operated together 
fiir five years following. Then Mr. Steere sold his 
interest to his partner, and purchasing another 
stock of similar goods, established himself in 
business in Laurens, Otsego Co., N. Y. In the 
meantime his father was taken ill and died, and 
Elisha B. was called home to look after the estate. 
Ho remained there a period of four years, during 
wiiicli time he became Postmaster of Laurens, 
served as .Justice of the Peace, and carried on the 
manufacture of boots and shoes, in which his father 
had been engaged. To this he also added coop- 
erage, and turned out large numbers of butter fir- 
kins. He also manufactured steel hammers, and 
carried on these various interests until 1801, when 
he closed uj) everything and started for the West. 

Coming into Illinois our subject located in 
Bloomington, where he engaged in the dry-goods 
trade five years, then sold out and went into the 
jewelry business, which he followed for a like 
period. After this lie took up the manufacture of 
metallic caskets, and after two years purchased an 
interest in some coal lands at Rich Hill, Bates Co., 
Mo., which he operated five days, then leased on a 
royalt}', and was coiniected with this enteri>rise for 
five days following, then disposed of his interests 
in tiiat quarter. He was one of the princi|)al par- 
ties concerned in the hoisting of coal at what w.as 
known as tlie North Shaft of the Bloomington 
Coal Mining Compan\% and was afterward con- 
nected with the Bloomington Chair Manuf.actory, 
whicli was subsequently merged into the Walton 
Flour Works, and of which he was one of the 
original stockholders. He also became a stockholder 
in the People's Bank. 

As is clearly indicated by the foregoino- Mr. 
Steere became prominently known in this locality 




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766 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



n 



as a man of great energy and good business talent. 
In 1 870 he was elected Mayor, and re-elected in 1879. 
He also served as Alderman four years, represent- 
ing the First Ward. It w.as through his persever- 
ance tliat tlie present water system was established 
and kept in operation, and he has been concerned 
in almost every enterprise calculated to benefit the 
city since coming here. 

The subject of our sketch was married, in 1844, 
to iMiss Frances A. Bean, of Laurens, N. Y., where 
she was born, ])eiiig the daughter of Erastns Bean, 
Esq., a prominent niereliant of Otsego County. Of 
the union of our sul)j('ct and wife there were born 
five children, as follows: Charles F. is deceased ; 
Clara Itecame the wife of J. P. McLean; Ella G. 
married .1. 1*. Smitli, of I>Iooniiugtou ; .Tames died 
several years ago; JNIary died wlien quite young. 
The only two now living are Mrs. McLean and 
Mrs. Smith. Mr. .Steere in earlier days was an old- 
lini' Wliig jioliticallj', but since tlie abandonment of 
tliat party has cheerfully atHliated with the Re- 
publicans. He is a member in good standing of the 
Masonic fraternity, and belongs to I'.loomington 
Lodge No. 43. 

^^EORdE P. BROWN, well known as one of 
III (— ^ the progressive farmers of Gridley Town- 
^^^ ship, owns a good farm on section 2G, and 
as a useful member of the community is contribu- 
ting his full share toward its advancement and pros- 
perity. Our subject conies of a good family, l)e- 
ing the son of Robert and Permelia (White) 
Brown, the father a native of the Blue Grass State, 
where it is supposed the mother was also born. 
Afier marriage the piu-ents settled in Franklin 
County, Ky., where tiie motlier died in 1832, of 
cholera, and whence the father subsequently re- 
moved to Morgan County-, 111. He followed black- 
smithing and farming in tliat county until 1846, 
when he came to this county and settled in Money 
Creek Township, where he died in 187'J. 

Robert Brown was twice married. After the 
death of the mother of c>ur subject he was married 
in Frankfort, Ky., to Mi.ss Sheridan McGiniiis, the 
date lieing 1834. She died in Money Creek Town- 



ship, in 1 875. Of the first marriage there were 
born five children, three sons and two daugh- 
ters. Our subject was the fourth in order of birth, 
and first opened his eyes to tlie light in Frankfort, 
Ky., Feb. 10, 1830. He was only two years old 
when his mother died, and two years later his 
father removed to Morgan County, 111., where they 
remained until the son was sixteen. They then 
came into this county, settling in Money Creek 
Township. 

The subject of this history received but a limited 
education, but as good probably as those d.ays af- 
forded. He w.as, however, an energetic lad, and 
when twent\'-one years old started in business for 
himself, running a sawmill in Lexington, with the 
assistance of his partner, I. S. Mahoii. This, the 
first sawmill of Lexington, our sulijeet operated un- 
til 1801*, and in connection with it also had one in 
Money Creek Township. At the date named he 
aI)andoued milling and took up farming, which he 
has since followed with highl}' gratifying results. 
His snug farm, altliough not very large, consisting 
of eight}' acres, is well improved, with a good resi-' 
dence and all necessary out-buildings. 

Mr. Brown was married in Lexington Township, 
June 22, 1854, to Miss Elsie J., daughter of John 
and Elsie (Kirkendall) Haner, who were natives of 
Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. They came 
to Illinois from Fayette County. Ohio, and settled 
in Lexington Township, this count}", in the fall 
of 1828, where they passed the remainder of 
their lives. The father died Nov. 20, 1852, and 
the mother Nov. 14, 1878. Their eight children 
included four boys and four girls, of whom Mrs. 
Brown was the fifth child. She was Ijorn in Lex- 
ington Township, Jan. 4, 1832. Of her union with 
our subject there have been born five children — 
John W., Charles P., Edward C, Delia J. and Sarah 
A. John married INIiss Annette Janes, and they 
live in Normal; they have one child, a son, Clar- 
ence H. 

Mr. Brown has taken a genuine interest in 
the affairs of his coiiuuunity, and has been promi- 
nent in its councils, having held the oflices of Road 
Commissioner, .Justice of the I'eace, and other jjo- 
sitions of trust. He is a member in good standing 
of the Presbyterian Church at Lexington, and his 



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McLean county. 



767 



wife is connected with the United Brethren Church. 
Politicallj^ Mr. Brown is an earnest supjiorter of 
the Republican part3\ 




Apri 



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AMILTON SPENCER, one of tlie oldest 
and most reliable attorneys of Bloomington, 
now retired from practice, is a native of 
Madison County, N. Y., and vvas born 
18, 1815. His father, .Tosliua A. Spencer, 
also counselor at law, stood in the front ranlis of 
his profession in the Empire State, and was a de- 
scendant of Samuel Spencer, who emigrated from 
Sheffield, England, at an early day in the history of 
this country, and landed in Salem, Mass., in July, 
1633, and who soon afterw.ird settled in Salisbury, 
Conn. There he spent the balance of his days, and 
there liis descendants for several generations con- 
tinued to reside. .Joshua A. Spencer, the father of 
our subject, was born in Great Barrington, Mass., 
whence he removed to New York when a young 
man, and there married Miss Clarissa, daughter of 
Jacob Phelps, who died in early life. 

Hamilton Speucer was born in Madison County, 
N. Y., and when a child removed with his father 
to Utica, that State, in which place he grew to man- 
hood. He pursued his primary studies in the com- 
mon schools, and later entered the Methodist 
Seminary at Cazenovia, N. Y., where he fitted him- 
self for college, and supplemented this course by 
attendance at Utica Academy. He entered Ham- 
ilton College in 1830, from which he gradu.ated 
four years later, and soon afterward engaged in the 
study of law in the office of his father, with whom 
he formed a partnership on the day he was twenty- 
one years of age, in 1836, although not admitted 
to tlic bar until the following year. He continued 
with his father and Senator Francis Kernan for a 
period of twelve years, and then on account of 
failing health withdrew to engage in more active 
pursuits than his office duties permitted. He sub- 
sequently became Director of the American Ex- 
press Company, and in June, 1854, came to Illinois 
as Vice President and General Manager of what is 
now the Chicago & Alton Railroad, with which he 
continued until the change brought about by the 



foreclosure of a mortgage, which placed it in the 
hands of other parlies. He then resumed the prac- 
tice of his profession, which he has continued until 
recently. 

Mr. Spencer was married at Sackett's Harbor, 
N. Y., in 1840, to Miss Mary F., daughter of Elisha 
Camp, who was born in Sackett's Harbor, June i), 
1819. Of tills union there were six children, four 
soys and two daughters, the record of whom is as 
follows : James D. is deceased ; Catharine became 
the wife of James S. Ewing, of Bloomington; Cla- 
rissa married John C. Scoville of Chicago; Hamilton 
is deceased; Henry Dwight is an attorney at 
Bloomington, and .John Seymour a resident of 
Texas. The sul)ject of our sketch for many years 
occupied a position at the head of the Bloomington 
bar, and altliough now retired from active practice, 
is often consulted upon important cases and intri- 
cate points of law. Mr. Spencer was originally a 
Whig, but on the dissolution of that party became 
a Democrat. He and his wife are both members of 
the Presbyterian Church. 

GEORGE COONEY. The stock-raising far- 
mers of Chenoa Township constitute an im- 
portant element in its business interests, and 
among these the subject of the following sketch 
occupies a prominent position. He is pleasantly 
located on section 33, where he has eighty acres of 
finely improved land, with a good residence, barn and 
out-buildiugs. These improvements he has effected 
by his own enterprise. The land is well drained 
by 750 rods of tile and there is not an acre of waste 
land in the vvhole estate. The greater part of the 
stock consists of good cattle. He is eminently skill- 
ful a? a farmer and business man, and is highly res- 
pected for his integrity, his promptness in meeting 
his obligations, and his worth as a Citizen and law- 
abiding member of the community. 

Mr. Cooney was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., 
near Eld wards' Furnace, on the 16th of October, 
1840. His father, Henry Cooney, was born in Ship- 
pensburg, Pa., in August, 1812. His grandfather, 
Peter Cooney, was of German parentage and ances- 
try. The mother of our subject before her mar- 



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768 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



riage was Miss Elizabeth Clemens, also a native of 
Huntingdon C(<nnty, and of German descent, her 
father being George Clemens. Henry Cooney re- 
moved with his family to Fulton County, 111., in 
the spring of 18.")G, wliere they continued to reside 
until after the close of the war. In \W,S they re- 
moved til McLean County, 111., and after a resi- 
dence here of five years returned to Fulton Coun- 
ty, where the father of our subject still reside^. 
The mother died in 1875. The five children of the 
l)arental family included three sons and two daugh- 
ters, of whom one is deceased. 

George Cooney was sixteen years old when his 
parents liecame residents of Fulton County, 111., 
where he received the greater part of his education. 
His father followed the trade of a blacksmith and 
young George assisted him in the shop until the 
outbreak of the Civil War. He then enlisted in Co. 
II, •28th 111. Vol. Inf., and served three years as a 
Union soldier. In the meantime he took part in tiie 
battles of Ft. Henry, Shilob, the siege of Corinth, and 
the eng.ageuient at Hatches' River. At the latter 
place he was shot iu the head by ;i minie ball, car- 
ried to the rear aud supposed to be dead. The Ijall, 
hovever, did not penetrate the skull, but entered 
the scalp at the forehead, circled the skull about 
three iuchcs and passed off. After returning to con- 
sciousness he was sent to the hospital at Bolivar, 
Tenn., where he remained thirty d.-iys and then 
joined his regiment, ready for duty. He was after- 
ward at the siege of \'icksburg and at the battle of 
Jackson, Miss. At the latter place he was captured 
by the reliels and taken to Belle Island, where he 
spent three months as a, prisoner. From there he was 
sent to St. Louis, Mo., and after lieing exchanged 
joined his regiment at Natchez, Miss., aud served 
out the term of his enlistment, being mustered out 
on the 18th of September, 1864, at Springfield, 111., 
when he returned to Fulton County, 111., where he 
was occupied in farming. .Soon after his return 
from the army lie was united iu miirriagi! with Miss 
Martha Hannuni of Fulton County, but wliose na- 
tive place was 'I'erre Haute, Ind. 

After liis marriiige Mr. Cooney aud his young 

wife located on a rented farm in Fulton County, 

111., where tlu>y remained four j'ears. In 1868 the^' 

■^ ' came to this county, locating first in Blue Mound 

»► i 4* 



Township, where they lived for about thirteen years. 
Their next residence was in the village of Lexing- 
ton, and in 1881 Mr. Cooney purchased his present 
f.arm in Chenoa Township. The children of this 
marriage are Henry G., Mary E. and Carrie L. 
Mr. and Mrs. C. and one daughter are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, attending Olivet 
Chapel in Chenoa Township. Politically Mr. C. is a 
stanch Republican. 



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\f OHN L. SHORTIIOSE, prominently and 
favorably known in Dry (irove Township 
as a skillful agriculturist and successful 
(^^// l)reeder of fine horses and cattle, is pleas- 
antly located on section .">0. Here he possesses a 
valuable farm estate, and for his diligence and en- 
terprise lias lieen richly rewarded. 

The sul)ject of our history is a native of Stafford- 
sliire, England, and was born .lune 2.5, 1827. He 
is the son of Tiujmas aud Eliza (Hartshorn) Short- 
hose, who were of pure English ancestrj- and born 
in Derbysliire, England. Thomas Shorthose w.as 
born in 17'.I7, and died in 1847; the motiier was 
born in about 171*7, and survived her husband six- 
teen years, dyiug in 18G:i. They became the par- 
ents of seven children, as follows: Sarah, who 
was the eldest of tiie family ; Bessie, who married 
William Henderson, and both are now deceased; 
Thomas II. married Miss Rosanna Frazier; Eliza 
is deceased ; Herbert married Miss Harriet Llewel- 
lyn ; William T. is married iind is living alter- 
nately in Paris aud Loudon; our subject was the 
youngest of tlie family. 

John L. Slioithose, in coin[)an3' with two broth- 
ers, emigrateil from England to the United States 
in 184'J, landing in New York City. They at once 
proceeded to Zanesville, Ohio, where our subject 
remained for two years, then came to McLean 
County, 111., and engaged in the milling business 
in Uanvers. In 185.3 lie secured possession of the 
farm whicii he now occupies, which consists of 480 
acres, comprising a tract of the most valuable land 
in McLean County. Two years Later he turned 
his attention to the raising of line stock, in which 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



771 



he has become more than ordinarily skillful and 
unusually successful. One Short-horn steer, which 
he raised from a calf until it was four years old, he 
sold to John B. Sherman, of Chicago, for $250. 
The animal weighed 2,400 pounds, was a model of 
symmetry and beauty, and the quality of his flesh 
denoted his excellent style of keeping. The herd 
of Mr. Shorthose usuall}^ averages about sixty 
head. His stables contain fine specimens of the 
Bright and Costillo breeds, descendants of Old 
Volunteer, owned by Alden Goldsmith, of New 
York, and have made excellent records. Mr. S. 
has one imported English draft horse, Sampson of 
Flawborough, seven years old and weighs 1,850 
pounds. lie is also breeding eighteen mares, and 
during 1886 raised thirteen colts. His swine is of 
the Poland-China l)reed. In addition to his home 
farm and his stock, Mr. S. is also the owner of a 
half section of land within five miles of Welling- 
ton, Kan. 

The subject of this histor}' was married to Miss 
Elinore Frazier, in Ohio, on the 12th of October, 
1851. Mrs. S. was born in Belmont County, Ohio, 
on the 16th of October, 18;31, and is the daughter 
of Andrew and Emily (McCoy) Frazier, both na- 
tives of Virginia. Andrew Frazier was born in 
1804, and late in life removed to Missouri, where 
he died in 1880. His wife Emily was born in 1808, 
removed to Missouri with her husband, and died 
there the year following his decease. She was a 
member of the old-school Presbyterian Church. 
The parental family consisted of thirteen children, 
seven of whom are still living. The record is as 
follows: Jane, Rosanna, Elinore and Hanua are 
married and established in comfortable homes; 
Samuel died when seven j^ears of age; then fol- 
lowed Martha A., AVilliam, John A. and Robinson, 
the latter of whom died in 1862; P'rancis is de- 
ceased; next was another son, also named Samuel; 
Maggie and Emma are deceased ; four boys of the 
family served as soldiers in the Union army in 
Ohio regiments. 

To John L. and Mrs. Shorthose there were born 
eight children, five sons and three daughters, as 
follows: Alice, Mrs. J. M. Dickinson, who was 
born June 3, 1852; Andrew R., born May 15, 1854, 
married Miss Zerelda Munsell; Joanna was born 



Oct. 21, 1856, and was first married to Thomas 
Sheridan, who was accidentally killed in Danvers; 
her second husband is John T. Gilbert; John Lloyd 
was born July 3, 1859, and was drowned in the 
Mackinaw River, this county, in 1876; Thomas H. 
was born May 16, 1861; Isabella, born May 11, 
1863, died in 1883; Frank E. was born March 29, 
1865, and William T., July 29, 1867. 

Mr. Shorthose obtained a fair education during 
his boyhood and youth, and since a resident of this 
county has been prominently identified with its 
growth and welfare. He has held the office of 
School Director for thirteen years, has been High- 
way Commissioner and intrusted with various 
other important positions by his townsmen. He iS 
strongly Republican in polities, and a member in 
good standing of the Congregational Church of 
Danvers. 

A portrait of Mr. Shorthose is shown on another 
page of this volume. 




.HOMAS H. SHORTHOSE. Many of the 
most thrifty and intelligent agriculturists of 
this section of Illinois were born and reared 
on the other side of the Atlantic, and to England 
especially is McLean County indebted for some of 
her most enterprising and prosperous citizens. 
Prominent among these is Thomas H. Shorthose, of 
Danvers Township, and of whom a portrait is given 
in conjunction with this brief outline of his life. 
His fine homestead is situated on section 21. 

Mr. Shorthose was born in Derbyshire, England, 
on the loth of October, 1818, and is the son of 
Thomas and Eliza (Hartshorn) Shorthose, natives 
of the same shire, where the father was born in 
1797, and died in 1847, when fift}' years of age. 
The mother of our subject was born about the year 
1797, and died in England in 18G3, sixteen years 
after her husband's death. Both were members of 
the Episcopal Church, and occupied a high position 
in their community. The parental household con- 
sisted of seven children : Sarah ; Bessie became the 
wife of William Henderson ; Thomas H., our sub- 
ject; Eliza died at the age of twelve; Herbert, 
William T. and John L. 



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4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



The subject of our sketch emigrated from his na- 
tive England to America in 1849, in company with 
two brothers, first stopping at Zanesville, Ohio. 
There Thomas H. worked out by the month for one 
year and then rented a tract of land, which he cul- 
tivated for the following two seasons. On the 12th 
of April, 1 853, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Rosanna Frazer, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, who was 
born ill that State Sept. 29, 1828. That same year 
they came to Illinois and located o\\ a part of the 
farm which he now owns and occupies. His first 
purchase consisted of 124 acres, to which he has 
added until he is now the owner of 450 acres, all 
finely improved and under a good state of cultiva- 
tion. In the course of time the little household 
was enlarged by the birth of three girls and one 
boy, namely: Annie E., who died in 1875 at the 
age of twenty-one; Betsey J., who died in 1878, 
when a maiden of seventeen; William married 
Laura Bunn, and assists his father in carrj'ing on 
the home farm; and Emily F., living at home. The 
mother of these children died in this county on 
the Gth of October, 1«75. 

On the 17th of November, 1880, Mr. Shorthose 
for his second wife married Miss Luzenia Paul 
who was born in Montgomery Count}', Pa., June 
17, 1847. Her parents were Morgan E. and Re- 
becca (Nichols) Paul, natives of the Keystone 
State. The mother was born in 1812, and the fa. 
ther some years later. Of this marriage of our 
subject there is one child, a daughter, Rebecca P. 
who was born Feb. 21, 1884. Mr. Shorthose, in 
company with his son William, is giving much at- 
tention to the breeding of fine stock, making a spe- 
cialty of high-grade Short-horn and -Jersey cattle 
and Ilambletonian horses. 

William Shorthose was born in^Danvers Town- 
ship, Feb. 24, 1857, and possesses the energy and 
enterprise of his father in a marked degree. He 
remained on the homestead until he attained to 
years of manhood and was then, Nov. 15, 1879, 
married to Miss Laura E. Buun. The ceremony was 
performed by Rev. Smith, of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, of Denver, Col., the wedding taking 
place in that city. The acquaintance of the young 
lad}' was formed while William was upon a visit to 
' that State with the hope of improving his health. 



The visit had the desired effect upon his health as 
well as proving a blessing in a social way. After 
their marriage the young couple came to Illi- 
nois and remained for about eight months, when 
they returned to Colorado and lived for six years. 
To William S. and his wife there were born four 
children, only one of whom is living — Charles R., 
who was born Jan. 26, 1886. Clifford. Howard 
and a babe are deceased. Mrs. Laura .Shorthose 
was born in Macomb, 111. She is a lady highly re- 
spected in the communit}', and a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. William Shorthose is Republican 
in politics, and a straightforward, thorough-going 
young business man, destined to make his mark in 
the business element of this section. 

Thomas H. Shorthose has held the various offices 
of his township, is Republican in politics, and 
prominently cc)nnected with the Congrgational 
Church at Danvers. In this congregation he has 
been Trustee for a number of years, and h.as con- 
tributed liberally and cheerfully of his means for 
its maintenance and progress. He has in all re- 
spects fulfilled the obligations of a good citizen, 
and is (jne of the important factors of the .agricult- 
ural and business elements of his community. His 
present possessions are the result of his own indus- 
try and enterprise, and he is now enjoying the 
well-earned reward wliieh is s(» pre-eminently his 
due. 

yF. BISHOP, an old settler of this county, 
having made it his home for upward of fifty 
years, is residing on section 31, Money 
Creek Township. He is the son of William ti.and 
Rebecca (Briggs) Bishop, the former of Scotch and 
the latter of English ancestr}'. The parents were 
married and settled in M.idison County, Ala., thence 
emigrated to Wayne Count}', Ind. The father early 
in life was apprenticed to learn the cabinet-maker's 
trade, and worked at the same for seven years. 
While living in the South he spent much of his 
time in making cotton-gins, which at that time were 
in great demand in the Southern States. He was 
strongly imbued with Southern principles, but not 
being satisfied with bringing up his family in the 
locality where slavery existed, he came North and 
■» 



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McLean county. 



773 



1 



settled as stated, in Indiana. On locating in that 
State he purchased fortj' acres of land, but de- 
pended mainly' on his children to cultivate and im- 
prove it, while he labored at his trade and in work- 
ing at wood-work. He went to Indiana in 1823, 
and about 1829 removed to Carroll County, that 
State, where he purchased a large tract of land, 
which his boys took charge of, and he still contin- 
ued to work at his trade. The famil}^ continued to 
reside in Carroll County until the spring of 1836, 
when they came to this county, and the father pur- 
chased 450 acres of land in Money Creek Town- 
ship, and the following spring he located upon it 
with his family. He there lived and continued to 
labor at his trade, together with farming, until his 
death, in April, 1861. His good wife crossed the 
river to meet him on the other shore twent3' years 
later, in 1881. 

Ten children were born to our subject's parents 
who lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. 
The record is as follows : Walker H. is a farmer in 
Washington Territory; Anderson S. died in Ver- 
milion County, 111., in June, 1883; Harriett became 
the wife of Isaac Wilson, and departed this life in 
Missouri, in 1879; William R. is working in a 
woolen-mill at Portland, Ore.; Thornton is a lum- 
berman in the woods of Minnesota; James is a 
farmer of Washington County, Iowa; Sanders is a 
farmer, and living in Iowa; Pleasant W. follows 
farming as a calling, and is also a preacher of the 
Word, his home being located in Money Creek 
Township; Mary is the wife of George Buckles, 
and they are residents of this county, and W. F. 

The subject of this notice was born in Madison 
County, Ala., Jan. 15, 1817. He accompanied his 
parents to Wayne County, Ind., when about six 
j^ears old, and made that his home until the family 
came to McLean County, in the fall of 1836, when 
he came with them. His educational advantages 
were very limited, but he has acquired a fund of 
practical information by constant observation, and 
reading as opportunity would permit, is well posted 
upon the various issues of the day, and has a good 
knowledge of the vocation which he follows for a 
livelihood. Early in November, 1835, having re- 
ceived a horse and saddle, from his father, and a 

God bless you, my boy," he took to the saddle 



t- 



and left Carroll County, Ind.. and went south of 
that point about sixty miles. He had no means, 
but his object was to obtain an education, and in 
order to pay his tuition he worked two weeks husk- 
ing corn, for which he received twelve shining half 
dollars. Proceeding to Covington, Ind., he entered a 
select school, paying 13 a quarter tuition, and $1.25 
per week for board, and to finish paying his ex- 
penses he cut wood at thirty-one cents a cord. In 
two weeks he was taken sick with the measles, and 
confined to his bed for another two weeks. He at- 
tended school for about five weeks, when he re- 
turned to his father's home in Indiana, and then 
came with them, as stated, to this county. He has 
followed agricultural pursuits and brick-making all 
his life. He made his first kiln of brick in this 
count}', in 1837, in partnership with his brother 
Anderson. 

Mr. Bishop is the present owner of sixty acres of 
valuable land, on which he has good improvements. 
For a year and a half he was a resident of the vil- 
lage of Towanda, and was the first agent of the 
C. & A. R. R. at that place. He also engaged in 
the buying and shipping of grain at Towanda, in 
connection with a gentleman by the name of T. J. 
Laney. He was likewise connected with a grocery 
store while there, and was Assistant Postmaster. 
Mr. Bishop was married in Livingston County, 111., 
Aug. 10, 1837, to Miss Prudence Barrickman, 
daughter of Daniel and Mary (Pedinger) Barrick- 
man, natives of Maryland. Her parents came from 
Brown County, Ohio, to this State and settled in 
Livingston County, where her father followed farm- 
ing until his death, in 1864. His good wife died 
two years later, in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Barrick- 
man were the parents of eight children, all of whom 
lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. 
The names are as follows : James, Prudence, Daniel, 
Benjamin, Jacob, Harriett, Upton and Mary A. Mrs. 
Bishop was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Feb. 1, 
1819. She was fourteen years of age when she 
came with her parents to this State, and by her 
union with our subject has become the mother of 
three children — Francis A., Mary A. and Daniel 
J. Francis A. was united in marriage with Esther 
A. Dodson, and they are living in Money Creek 
Township; Mary A. is the wife of Samuel Cary, 



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•►-■-♦' 



7?4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



and they are living in this county; Daniel J. and 
Miss Lizzie McMillan were united in marriage, and 
he is a farmer of Money Creek Township. Mr. 
Bishop has held tlie office of School Treasurer in 
his township for fifteen years. He was the first 
School Treasurer in the township. In politics he 
is a stanch Republican. Religiously he and his wife 
hold fellowship with the Methodist P^piscopal 
Chiuch. Mr. Bishop is a liberal-minded gentle- 
man, his generosity extending almost to a fault, and 
loved and respected ))y all who know him. Years 
ago he divided his large estate among his children, 
and is at present passing the sunset of life in peace 
and quiet, with no dark spots upon his past record 
to trouble his conscience. In the spring of 1864 
Mr. Bishop enlisted in Co. E, 133d 111. Vol. Inf., 
for 100 days. The regiment was stationed at Rock 
Island, but was not called into active service. 
Daniel J. Bishop, our subject's youngest child, was 
also a soldier in the Late war, having joined Co. D, 
94th 111. Vol. Inf., and served his country' faithfully 
and well for three years, returning from the field of 
conflict unharmed. 

ENRY TATTON, an industrious farmer of 
Dry Grove Township, has been a resident 
of Illinois since 1854, and is living the life 
of a peaceful and law-abiding citizen on 
his comfortable homestead, situated on section I, 
Dry Grove Township. Mr. Patton was born in 
Somerset County, Pa., near Salisbui-y, on the 9th 
of May, 1820. He is the son of Robert and Eve 
(Glotfclty) Patton, natives of Pennsylvania. The 
father was a farmer and shoemaker combined, and 
lived to the age of seventy-five years, dying in Elk 
Creek Township, Somerset Co., Pa. The mother 
died at the age of sixty-two years at the same 
place. The parental household consisted of three 
sons and eight daughters, viz., Henry, Elizabeth, 
Mathew, Mary Ann, Harriett, Sallie, William, 
Lydia, Charlotte, Louisa and Amanda. The par- 
ents were members of the (icrman Reform Church 
and the father in politics was a Republican. 

Henry Patton remained a resident of his native 
State until his marriage, which occurred Feb. 5, 




1844. His bride was Miss Annie E. Kinsinger, 
who was of German birth and p.arentage and emi- 
gr.ited to America in 1842. After a brief time 
spent in Baltimore, she located in Pennsylvania. 
Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. P. located 
in Mar^'Iand, where they remained for a period of 
nine years. They then returned to Pennsylvania, 
to the old homestead, where they spent one year 
and then, in 1853, Mr. Patton came to Illinois to 
look over the countrj'. He was well pleased with 
the prospects in the Prairie State, and the following 
year removed his family, locating in Woodford 
County. For two years he farmed upon rented land 
and then came to McLean County, which has since 
been liis home. 

In 18()4 Mr. Patton purchased 322 acres on sec- 
tion 1, of wild prairie land, and at once entered 
upon its improvement and cultivation. He now 
has a h.andsome and commodious dwelling, two 
stories in height, with an area of 18x30 feet. It is 
tastefully finished and furnished and the grounds 
around it are ornamented with shrubbery and 
shade trees. In addition to this is a fine barn 
with basement, 5Gx40 feet in area, and all desirable 
out-buildings. His stock and farm machinery are 
of lirst-class description. 

To Blr. and Mrs. Patton tliere have been born 
the following children : Robert, who married Miss 
Mary Eggelton and lives near Lexington, this 
county; .Jacob, who married Miss Elizabeth Eyer 
and is located in Dry Grove Township; PMw.ard 
married Miss Sophronia Eyer, tlie sister of his 
brother's wife ; Catherine became the wife of Peter 
Welfly ; Dennis married Miss Sarah Dougherty and 
lives in Lexington Township; Thaddeus married 
Miss Emma Tatlinger; Martha became the wife of 
William Foster, and died ]\Iarch 17, 1882; Sarah 
J. became tlie wife of Norman Kinsinger; Josiah 
W. is unmarried ; Barbara E. died Nov. 20,1874. 
The family is connected with the German Reform 
Church. 

AVhen Mr. Patton purchased his present home- 
stead the country around was but thinl}' settled, 
but with true pioneer spirit he labored industriously 
and courageously and set an example which others 
profited by in the establishment of homes, the cul- 
tivation of the soil and the developme.nt of the 



T 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



775 




country. He has, in all respects, been one of the 
valued citizens of his township and has contributed 
his full share toward its inosperity and atlvance- 
ment. In politics he is a Republican as are his 
sons. A view of the handsome home place of Mr. 
Patton is shown elsewhere in this work. 



^ACHARIAH ARNOLD. The subject of 
this history has been a resident of McLean 
County since 1854, and during a period of 
over thirty years has firmly established himself as a 
substantial citizen and useful member of the com- 
munity. He owns and occupies a fine homestead 
in Blue Mound Township, consisting of 200 acres 
of improved land, with one of the finest dwellings 
in this section, and a good barn and all other out- 
buildings to correspond. Everything about the 
premises is kept in good repair and the stock and 
farming implements are of first-class description. 
Mr. Arnold, b^' his industry and enterprise, has 
contributed his full share toward the progress and 
welfare of his township and occupies his rightful 
position as one of its leading and most highly re- 
spected citizens. 

Our subject is a native of Hampshire Count}', 
W. Va., and was born Nov. 7, 1827. He is the son 
of Joseph and Elizabeth (Sloan) Arnold, natives 
of the same locality, where they settled after their 
marriage and where the father oi)erated on rented 
land for several years. He then removed with his 
family to Ohio, but they only lived there eighteen 
months, being seized with home-sickness, and re- 
turned to their native county, where they passed 
the remainder of their days. Their six children 
were, Zachariah, Thomas, Richard, George, Ann 
and Peter. Our subject, who was the eldest, was 
reared to farming pursuits and remained under the 
parental roof until he was twenty-seven years old. 
He then started for the prairies of Illinois, and 
coming into this county kept "bachelor's hall" with 
his brother Thomas, for three years following. He 
then purchased a part of his present homestead on 
section 35, and made preparations for a permanent 
stay. 

Mr. Arnold was married in Padua Township, 
-^m 



this county, Feb. 3, 1863, to Miss Matilda H., 
daughter of John N. and Sarah (Wampler) Dun- 
ning, who were natives respectively of North Caro- 
lina and Virginia. After marriage they located in 
Monroe County, Ind., whence in about 1851, they 
came to this county, and settling in Padua Town- 
ship, there passed the remainder of their lives. 
Their eight children included two sons and six 
daughters, of whom Mrs. Arnold was the youngest. 
She was born in Monroe County, Ind., May 27, 
1841, and by her union with our subject has become 
the mother of three children — Rosa B., Sarah E. 
and Ida M. Sarah E. is the wife of Rudolph W. 
Kreitzer and resides in Padua Township. Mr. Ar- 
nold is Democratic in politics and has held some of 
the minor offices of his township. Religiously he 
is connected with the Dunkards, and Mrs. A. is a 
member of the Christian Church. 



-€^? 



^- 



^7 OHN W. ARNOLD. The name of this gentle- 
man is widelj' and favorably known through- 
out the greater part of McLean County as 
(^/z one who has thoroughly identified himself 
with its interests, and has assisted materially in 
bringing the county to its present prosperous con- 
dition. He came to this vicinity over thirty years 
ago and by his energy, industry and honesty in his 
business transactions has fully established himself 
in the confidence and esteem of both the business 
and social community. He is at present one of 
the most prominent bankers of McLean County, 
and has all his life been more or less interested in 
agricultural pursuits. Upon his fine farm, which is 
located in Martin Township, he carries on the 
breeding of Norman and Clydesdale horses, and 
exhibits some of the finest animals in this section 
of country. His farm estate is in all respects a 
model of thrift, neatness and convenience, and 
supplied with all the improvements required by the 
intelligent and progressive farmer. 

Mr. Arnold was born in Culpeper Count}', Va., 
Feb. 10, 1828, and is descended from excellent 
German ancestry. His gi-andfather, Humphrey Ar- 
nold, settled at an early day in the Old Dominion, 
and there married and raised a family, among them 
•►- 



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776 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






being a son, Martin, wlio was the fatlier of our 
subject. Martin Arnold grew to manhood in his 
native State and was there married to Miss Patsey 
Maddox, also a native of the Old Dominion, and 
daughter of Bennett Maddox. This family removed 
to Ohio at an early day, as did also the Arnolds, 
and settled first in Muskingum County and after- 
ward in Licking County. INIartin Arnold remained 
there until the fall of I8,").'3, then came to Illinois 
and located in White Oak Grove, Tazewell County, 
and about twenty years later moved to AVoodford 
County, this State, and departed this lite at Eu- 
reka, in 1872. The wife and mother survived un- 
til 1886, dying in the seventy-seventh year of her 
age. They were the parents of fifteen children, 
seven sons and eight daughters, of wlium eleven 
are still living and .Tolm W. is the eldest of the 
family. 

The subject of our sketch remained a resident of 
Licking County, Ohio, until he was twenty-two 
years of age. He then came West to Illinois and 
this county, locating in White Oak Grove, where he 
at first engaged in a >awniill and subsequently in 
farming pursuits. Even at that earlj' age he began 
to deal in horses, of which he was always very 
fond, and seemed to have a natural understanding 
of their habits and re(iuircnients, and consequently 
was successful in this branch of business. After 
having laid the ft>undations for a future home and 
competency, he was united in marriage, in 1852, 
with Miss Mary M. Benson of White Oak Grove. 
Mrs. Arnold was born in White Oak Grove in 
1833, and reared and educated there. Thej' con- 
tinued their residence in Wliite Oak Grove for 
seventeen years following, where Mr. Arnold first 
established his reputation as a stock-breeder. At 
the expiration of this time he purchased 820 acres 
of unimproved prairie on the Mackinaw River, in 
Lawndale Township, where he opened up a farm. 
He resided there with his famil}' three years, then 
removed to Eureka fov the purpose of giving his 
children the advantages of schooling. After this 
was accomplished they returned to the farm, upon 
which they remained until their removal to Colfax, 
in 1882. Here Mr. Arnold, in company with his 
son .lohii P., established a private bank under tlie 
firm style of John W. Arnold & Co., which they 

4' 



have carried on successfully since that time. The 
stables of Mr. Arnold contain several fine imported 
Norman horses. He commenced importing some 
twelve years ago and no man in the Prairie State 
takes more pride in developing the fine points of 
the noblest of animals than he. 

Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold there 
were born five children : John P. is Cashier in the 
bank at Colfax; James R. deals in lumber in Col- 
fax; Sarah F. became the wife of A. H. Eyman, 
and resides in Macon County, 111.; Olive I), and 
Lou E. died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. A. are 
members of the Christian Church, of which our sub- 
ject has been Deacon for manj' years. 

The parents of Mrs. John W. Arnold were John 
and Penara (Henshaw) Benson. The Henshaw 
family was origin.all^y from Tennessee and the Ben- 
sons from Kentucky. John Benson emigrated from 
the latter State to Indiana and thence to McLean 
Count}', 111., in the year 1829, being one of the 
earliest pioneers of this region. He settled in the 
timber in Bloomington Township, south of what is 
now the present flourishing city. Seven 3'ears later 
he removed to Wliite O.ak Grove, and in 1873 to 
Eureka, where he died in the seventieth year of his 
age. The wife and mother is still living and is 
now ill her seventieth year. The grandfather of 
Mrs. Arnold, John Benson, .Sr., spent his last days 
at White Oak Grove and was a remarkable example 
of good liealtli and strength. He had never been 
sick until his last illness and retained his mental 
faculties until the end. He was nearly ninety-six 
years old at the time of his death. 

■.o^o.-(^<Vg)..o*o A,.*- 

<^OHN MORROW, a prominent resident of 
Chenoa Township, is at present engaged as 
a dealer in agricultural implements at Che- 
noa. He is a native of the Prairie State, 
and was born in Peoria Count\% Oct. .'>, 1836. His 
father, Thomas Morrow, removed from Indiana to 
Illinois in 1832. The Morrow family were of ex- 
cellent Scottish ancestry who, after coming to the 
United States located in the South, the grandfather 
uf our subject settling in North Carolina. From 
there he removed to Indiana, and there Thomas 



n 



J. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



111 1 



Morrow, the father of our subject, was married to 
Miss Eleanor McMillin of Parke County. They be- 
came the parents of eleven children, eight sons and 
three daughters, of whom one died in infancy. The 
balance, with one exception, lived to become men 
and women. Thomas G. died when fifteen years 
of age, and six of the family still survive. Thomas 
Morrow removed with his family to this State in 
the spring of 1832, locating on a farm near Prince- 
ville, Peoria County, where his death occurred in 
1848. The mother survived her husband, dying 
in Priuceville, at the old homestead. 

Our subject was thus left without a father at 
an early age, and assisted his mother to carry on 
the farm until the date of his enlistment. He re- 
mained in Peoria County until the outbreak of the 
late war, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Co. K, 
86th 111. Vol. Inf., and remained in the service 
nearly three years. He participated with his com- 
rades in the battles of Perryville, K^y., Chickamaugua 
and Mission Ridge. Tenn., and marched with Sher- 
man through the Atlanta campaign to the sea. 
While amid man}' scenes of danger and death he 
escaped unhurt, being neither wounded nor taken 
prisoner. He was mustered in as Second Ser- 
geant, and received the commission of First Lieu- 
tenant at Alexandria, Va., in 1863. After receiv- 
ing his honorable discharge, in June, 186.5, near 
Washington City, he returned West to his old 
home and engaged in farming pursuits. 

Nov. 8, 1866, Mr. Morrow was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Margaret, daughter of David G. 
Hervey, Esq., of Peoria County, 111. They re- 
mained in that locality until the spring of 1869, 
then coming to this count}' settled on a farm in 
Chenoa Township, where they remained until 
1885. Mr. Morrow then purchased the stock of 
goods owned by George W. Jewell, which con- 
sisted of a full assortment of farm implements, and 
since that time has been carrying on a thriving and 
profitable trade. 

Mr. and Mrs. M. became the parents of three 
children, one daughter, Laura, who died in in- 
fancy, and two sons, William C. and David T. 
The former is assisting his father in the store, and 
the latter is still attending school. Our subject and 
T his wife are members in good standing of the Pres- 




byterian Church, Mr. 51. being one of the ruling 
Elders. Besides his village property he still owns 
his fine farm, which consists of 160 acres, with all 
suitable farm buildings, and is located on sec- 
tion 24, Chenoa Township. He was elected Super- 
visor in 1883, was Road Commissioner of the 
township three 3'ears, and also officiated as Town- 
ship Trustee. He has contributed his full share 
toward the prosperity of this section, and is widely 
and favorably known as one of its most enterpris- 
ing men. He is a Democrat in politics, and dur- 
ing the Rebellion was what might be called a war 
Democrat. 



'I^ ANIEL C. SNOW, an honored resident 
and retired farmer of McLean County, is 
a native of West Brookfield, Worcester 
Co., Mass., and was born on the 24th of 
June, 1822. His father, Joseph Snow, was a na- 
tive of Bridgewater, Mass., and was reared to man- 
hood in his native town, in the meantime engaged 
in the labor of the farm. When he was twenty- 
one years of age he removed with his father to 
West Brookfield, Mass., where the latter had \n\v- 
chased a tract of land. He divided this between 
his two sons, and on the farm which became his 
portion the father of our subject located and re- 
mained until his death, which occurred after he 
had arrived at the ripe old age of eighty-eight 
years. 

Joseph Snow was united in marriage with Miss 
Persis Knights about 1810. She was born in Wor- 
cester County, Mass., and reared in New Braintree, 
that State. This lady remained the constant and af- 
fectionate companion of her husband until they were 
separated by death, her decease having occurred at 
the home of her daughter in West Bi'ookfleld, Mass. 
She was the second- wife of Joseph Snow, and there 
were seven children by each marriage. His first 
wife was a Miss Richards, a native of Bridgewater, 
Mass. 

The subject of our sketch was the fifth child of 
the second mai-riage of his father. He was reared 
on the farm, educated in the district school, and 
made his home with his parents until he had av- 



i 



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778 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



rived at the age of twenty years. His father then 
gave him his time, and for tlie following two years 
he was employed in a boot and shoe factory, then 
at the request of his father he returned home, and 
he gave him the farm, with the understanding that 
Daniel was to support the parents during their life- 
time, lie remained with tiieui until 1852, and 
then, leaving a brother-in-law in charge of the 
homestead, went to Westborough, Mass., as Super- 
intendent of the State Reform School, in which po- 
sition he remained until the spring of 1 853. He 
then made his arrangements to remain in North- 
borough, having charge of the business of a gentle- 
man who spent the most of his time in Boston. 
Mr. Snow was thus occupied for three years, when 
he returned to Westborough and took charge of a 
farm there for two years. He then sold the home 
farm to a younger brother, purchased a farm near 
Westborough and occupied it until 18G1, and then 
sold out and came West to McLean County, 111., 
accompanied by his brother, Dwight M. They 
rented a farm in Mt. Hope Township, purchased 
seventy-five cows and were engaged in the manu- 
facture of cheese for one year ; then the farm upon 
which they operated was sold and they rented an- 
other of the same party, in Funk's Grove Town- 
ship, upon which they operated for tvvo years. 

At this time Mr. Snow purchased 244 acres of 
land on section 1, in what is now Mt. Hope Town- 
ship, and immediately stild 100 aci'es to his 
brother. He then continued the manufacture of 
butter and cheese two years, and selling his farm 
purchased five acres in town and eighty acres just 
outside of the limits. He made his residence in 
the town and carried on the farm for one year, 
when his health failed and he was disabled for sev- 
eral months. He then sold out and returned to his 
old home in Massachusetts, s[)ending one year in 
the Water Cure Institution of Dr. Hero, at West- 
borough. There he partially recovered his health, 
and in Febru.ary, 18G9, returned to McLean 
CV)unty. He now purchased 100 acres of land of 
his brother, the same which he had formerly sold 
to him and which is located on section 1, Mt. Hope 
Township, half a mile east of McLean. There were 
no buildings on the place when it came into his 
possession the second time. He erected a good 

4» 



residence and necessarj' out-buildings and engaged 
in the dairy business until 1877. In that year he 
introduced Jersey cattle into McLean County. He 
crossed Jerseys with Durhams, producing a fine 
breed of dairy stock, and continued this branch of 
business with his son Willis D. until 1882, when he 
sold out the stock and tools and rented the farm 
to this son, and removing to town pr.ictically re- 
tired from active labor. He had added to his farm 
since the last purchase from his brother and it now 
comprises 130 acres. 

D. C. Snow was married, on the 24th of June, 
1845, to Miss Louisa D. Rice, a native of Cliarle- 
mont, Mass., and the daughter of Artemus and 
Asenath (Adams) Rice. Of this union there were 
born three children: Charlotte L., the wife of 
Mathew Haughey, a resident of McLean County, 
and Willis D., who occupies the home farm ; their 
second child, Maria R., died in Mt. Hope Town- 
ship at the age of sixteen years. 

D. C. Snow has been connected with the Congre- 
gational Church since he was seventeen years old. 
He has always been recognized as a man of ability, 
and held various offices of trust in his native State. 
He is a member of the Board of Selectmen in West 
Brookfield, was Overseer of the Poor in Westbor- 
ough, and lias been School Trustee and Road Com- 
missioner in Mt. Hope Township. In the winter 
of 1883-84 he went South to Florida for his health. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican. 






JELEG SOULE, who is spending the sunset 
) of life in quiet retirement at No. 204 East 
Jefferson street, Bloomingtcjn, is a native 
of Fulton County, N. Y., and was born 
April 18, 1815. His parents, Peleg and Betsey 
(Warren) Soule, were natives of Rhode Island, and 
the father a carpenter by trade. His grandfather, 
Joseph Soule, was a sea captain, but during the lat- 
ter years of his life followed farming; his death oc- 
curred in Fulton County, N. Y. Peleg Soule, Sr., 
by his marriage with Betsey Warren became the 
father of eighteen children, of whom the subject of 
this sketch was next to the youngest, and is the 
only one now living. Both parents died in New 



-•^-■-^ 



i 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



781 






York State after reaching fourscore years. Pelcg 
Soule was a skilled mechanic, and wlien diflicult 
jobs were required in the community where he 
lived, he was always the one to be called upon, and 
he toolv pride in excelling botii as a cariienter and 
at other fine work requiring the use of edged tools, 
a steady liand and a practiced eye. 

The subject of this notice left tiie parental home- 
stead when fourteen 3'ears old, having up to that 
time only attended school two months. He after- 
ward learned the carpenter's trade, at which he 
worlved for four years. In 1835 he was married, 
and then engaged at hunbering in his native 
county. He erected a sawmill there, which he oper- 
ated for five years, but not meeting with success 
in his undertaking, he abandoned it, subsequently 
disposing of it by sale for 1400. In 1840 he left 
Fulton County and went into Genesee County, 
where he purchased a farm, which he conducted a 
short time, and then bought 104 acres, occupying 
the latter for five j^ears. Afterward disposing of 
this by sale, he purchased another farm of 204 
acres, which, after residing upon seven years, he 
sold and went to Batavia, Genesee Count}', where 
he purchased 170 acres and upon whicli he lived 
for three years. 

After selling his farm in (ienosoc County, N. Y., 
Mr. Soule came to Illinois and took uji his resi- 
dence at Shirley, McLean County. In the neigli- 
borhood of that place he engaged in farming, 
stock-raising, and speculating in real estate. He 
was a prominent figure in the business affairs of 
this section for ten years, during which time he 
met with financial success. In 18U8 our subject 
sold his land in the neigliborhood of Shirley, and 
moved to Bloomington. There he purchased 
about $16,000 worth of stock in the Pha>nix Bank, 
and became one of its directors. He also purchased 
other land in McLean Count}' which he rented. 
He likewise became proprietor of a flue home on 
Market street, where he lived until about 1870, 
when he traded it for a farm of 120 acres in the 
neighborhood of Twin Grove, which he lived upon 
a short time, when he sold out and returned to 
Bloomington and purchased the home which he 
had previously owned, clearing by the transaction 
^2,500. Living in the house for about five years 

.4m : 



he traded the property for another farm, and mov- 
ing upon it, made it his home for about seven 
years, when he once more returned to Bloomington 
and has made that city his place of residence since. 
Upon coming to Bloomington the last time, Mr. 
Soule purchased property near the residence of 
Judge David Davis, which, after occupying about 
two years, he sold and purchased his present home. 
He superintends the stock-raising on his rented 
farms, and from this source realizes annually a 
handsome income. 

Mr. Soule was married to Miss Eliza A. Macom- 
ber, M.irch I'J, 183.5. The wife of our subject was 
born Feb. 23, 1815, in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., and is the daughter of Roger and Annie 
(Waterman) Macomber, natives of Rhode Islancl. 
Her parents had a family of eleven children, of 
whom she is tiie only one living, her last brother 
having died a few months .ago. Mr. Macomber 
and wife both departed this life in Genesee Count}', 
N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Soule have had no cliildren 
of their own, l)ut reared two: William II. Cutler, 
who became a member of the household when three 
years old, and is now deceased, and Annie Strick- 
land, whom they received into their arms when she 
was two weeks old. The parents of the latter, 
Bronson and Wealthy (Knight) Strickland, were 
numbered among the best families of Genesee 
County, N. Y. Annie received a good education 
and developed into womanhood while an inmate of 
Mr. Soule's household, and continued with them 
until her marriage. She is now the wife of Will- 
iam J. Steele, and the mother of one child — May 
Knight Steele. They are living at No. 206 East 
Jefferson street, Bloomington. 

Mr. Soule is a Repul)lican in politics. He has 
never sought office, but was once elected Justice of 
the Pe.ace contrary to his wish, and refused to qual- 
ify. He is one of those generous, whole-souled in- 
dividuals whom it is a pleasure to meet, and whose 
latch-string always hangs on the outside of the 
door for the benefit of the needy and destitute. 
Mrs. Soule united with the Baptist Church when she 
was twenty-two years old, and has since been an 
active member of the same, contributing liberally 
to its supp(_)rt, and working conscientiously for the 
Master. 



t; 



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782 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



During the late Civil War Mr. vSoiile was a stanch 
Union man, and did all in his power to aid iu its 
preservation. Being too old to volunteer him- 
self, and desiring to be personally represented in 
the arm}', ho hired a substitute, enjoining upon the 
latter to be true to the colors he was to fight under. 

The portrait of Mr. Soule given in connection 
with this sketch, is that of a gentleman entirely 
worth}" to be classed among the representative citi- 
zens of one of the most prosperous counties in the 
State, and to whose progress he has given an im- 
petus by the mere force of his example. As a fit- 
ting companion picture we place beside that of the 
venerable subject of this sketch, the portrait of his 
esteemed wife. 



-»tJiCj2/©-^-" — ^^ 



-^■Si^mnit'- 



itim 



E\'. PLEASANT W. BISHOP, residing on 
section 29, Money Creek Township, was 
<iii'\\ born in Carroll County, Ind., April 6, 1832. 
\^ He is the son of William (1. and Rebecca 
Bishop. Our subject was four years old when he 
came to McLean County with his parents. He re- 
ceived his education in the common schools and at 
Wcsleyan University, Blooniington, 111. In 1852 
our subject was called upon to deliver the oration 
ut the commencement at Wesleyan University, and 
chose for his subject "The Future of the American 
Confederacy." It was an able oration, and he was 
told bj' one of the professors, just as he was about 
to begin its delivery, to throw his wliole soul into 
it, as it was good. Mr. Bishop little thought at 
that time that in less than ten years he would be 
called upon to defend the very Government he 
then eulogized. 

After he had attended the university for a year, 
at Blooniington, he w.as received as a candidate for 
the ministry, by tlie Mackinaw Presbytery of the 
Cuml)erland Presbyterian Church. He was en- 
gaged in farming in connection with his studies for 
two years after this, and then he attended the sem- 
inary at I^e Roy under the charge of his Presby- 
tery for two years. At the expiration of that 
time he engaged in preaching and farming, at which 
he has continued until the present. He has filled 



different appointments throughout McLean and 
Tazewell Counties, and has done much to further 
the cause of the Master. 

Rev. Pleasant W. Bishop is the owner of 1G5 
acres of good land on which he resides and where 
he has erected a good residence. He was mar- 
ried in Towanda Township, this county, April 20, 
18.5.'5, to Miss Amelia A., daughter of Henry B. 
and Celia (Briley) Timmons, natives of Ohio. Miss 
Timmons' parents emigrated to McLean County in 
18.37, and settled in Towanda Township in 1849. 
They removed to Ford County, 111., and there 
lived until the death of the father, which occurred 
July 19, 188.'). The mother survives, and resides 
in Ford County; by her union with Mr. Timmons 
eight children were born — Amelia A., wife of our 
subject; Sarah E., John N., William, Fafayette, 
Catherine, Prudence, and one who died in infancy. 
Mrs. Bishop was born in Ohio, Aug. 1, 1832, and 
has borne our subject eight children — Laura, Ellen, 
William H., Charles F., Becca, Mark D., Thorn- 
ton G. and Alvah J. Laura died when sixteen 
j'ears old; Ellen is the wife of Benjamin F. Finch- 
am, and they are living in this county; William 
H. married Miss Minnie Busick, and thej' are living 
in Dallas County, Iowa. The remaining children 
are living at home. 

Rev. Bishop vvas a soldier in the late Civil War, 
and enlisted Aug. 20, 18(i2, in the 94th Illinois In- 
fantry. He was First Sergeant of Company D, and 
served in that regiment for something over a year, 
when he was promoted to Chaplain of the 37th Illi- 
nois Infantry, and transferred to that regiment. 
He held the latter position for about a year, when 
he resigned and returned home. He was highly 
thought of by the soldier bo3's, not only for his 
many good qualities but for his v.alor, and was 
presented by his friends in the regiment with a 
beautiful gold watch. Our subject distinguished 
himself at tlie battle of Prairie Grove, Ark. While 
the battle raged hottest and men were falling on 
all sides, a caisson came near falling into the hands 
of the enemy. When the Colonel of the regiment 
asked for volunteers in the name of God to regain 
the piece, Sergt. Bishop stepped in front of the 
regiment and called for men to follow him in this 
hazardous undertaking. Six responded, and with 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



783 ik 




himself at the head they cut away the dead horses 
and regained the caisson. 

Mrs. Bishop departed this life in Money C'reeli 
Township, July IK, 188(;. She united witli the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church when about 
twenty-four years old, and was a kind mothec a 
loving wife, a generous neighbor, and a true and 
consistent Christian lady. Our suljjeet is a mem- 
ber of the O. A. R. and in politics a Democrat, 
although he is strongly' inclined to Prohibition. 

^f[_-^ ON. ARCHIBALD E. STEWART, M. ])., 
for a period of over fort}^ years has been 
closely identified with the business interests 
l^^ and prosperity of tliis section. lie repre- 
sented this county two terms in the Legislature. 
He was connected with the various important com- 
mittees of those sessions, including that of Public 
Instruction, and was Chairman of the committee on 
State Geological Survey, which position he held 
until the work was completed, and the proper State 
appropriations were made. He was also a member 
of the committees on Mines and Mining, and Special 
Temperance. He was the first to introduce the 
bill affecting the appropriation of money for the 
Institute at Normal, and has aided greatly in its 
maintenance and success. During the session of 
1872, he was instrumental in having $8,000 refund- 
ed to the county, which had been illegally obtained 
by a mistake in the Auditor's Office of the State, 
by unjust assessment. Mr. Stewart .also drew up 
the resolutions which gave to the Constitution of 
the State its peculiar powers in Inter-State Com- 
merce, which passed the House but not the Senate. 
Aside from his business transactions and his service 
as a public man, he has always been interested in 
agriculture, and has one of the productive farms in 
Randolph Township. 

Dr. Stewart was born in Randolph Township, 
near his present home, Aug. 21, 1834. His fatlier, 
Samuel Stewart, a farmer, was a native of West 
Virginia, and of Scottish parentage and descent. 
The latter was married in his native State to Miss 
Jane Hanley, a native of his own State, and also of 
Scottish descent and parentage. They arrived in this 



State in the fall of 1831, and located upon the farm 
which is the present homestead of our subject. He 
is the youngest son, and the only one born after 
they came to Illinois. His father died when he 
was a lad of six years. 

The laud which the father of our subject had se- 
cured was in an unimproved state, and after his death 
the mother succeeded with the help of her children 
in carrying on the farm profitably, and reared 
her five sons and three daughters to years oi ma- 
turity. She was a woman of great force of char- 
acter, strong and healthy in bod3' and mind, and 
taught her children those principles of self-reliance, 
industry and honor which in after years constitu- 
ted them good citizens and useful members of 
society. vShe lived to the advanced age of eightj'- 
four years, retaining her mental faculties to a re- 
markable degree, d}nng at her home in Randolph 
Township in 187.5. 

When first settling upon the new farm, the father 
and his sons put up the first brick house in McLean 
County, all the work being done by themselves. 
They made the necessary tools for the nianuf.acture 
of brick, constructed their own kiln and burnt with- 
in it the lime which they hauled from a quarry at 
Old Town. They were their own masons and jiod- 
carriers, and it well may be imagined with wliat 
satisfaction they marked tiie progress of their own 
work when the walls of their home began to rise. 
The house occupied an area of 24x48 feet, and it 
stands to-da3', and is still owned bj'' our subject. 
It was used for .all public gatherings, for public 
school purposes and for preaching and was thus 
kept open for many years, a generous donation for 
the use of the people of that locality. The father 
had secured a tract of laud comprising 1,600 acres, 
about one-third of which was timber. Most of the 
land is 3'et in possession of the various members of 
the family. 

Archibald E. Stewart pursued his primary stud- 
ies in the pioneer schools of this locality, assisted 
and encour.aged bj' his mother at home. He be- 
came a member of the first class of the Wesleyan 
University, Bloomington, under Prof. Andrus, the 
first professor, and he there completed his educa- 
tion four years later. He was the onlj' student in 
the Sophomore Class of 18.51-52. After leaving ^ 



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ik 784 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



this institutidii he went East and studied music in 
Boston for several months, having great love and 
a talent for this art. After his return to Illinois in 
1 «')(!, he took up the study of medicine under the 
instruction of lion. II. Noble, of Ilej'worth, and 
one year later entered Rush Medical College at 
Chicago. From liiere he went to Philadelphia, and 
entered .Jefferson College, from which he graduated 
in 18.58. Whatever branch of study he took up 
was pursued thoroiiglily and elosely until he be- 
came the m.aster of it, and lie was now abundantly 
qualified for the practice of this profession. 

The marriage of Archibald K. Stewart and Miss 
Emily, daughter of .John K. and Lydia (Gantz) 
Stewart, was celebrated at the home of the bride's 
parents at Fairmont, W. \'a., on the lOth of May, 
1850. The parents of Mrs. S. were natives of 
West N'irginia, and of Scotch and German descent. 
■John Stewart was a millwright, and came West in 
18G1. He was a strong Union man, and found it 
to his advantage to leave the Old Dominion aljout 
that time. He located in Randolph Township, and 
resided there until ISSJ, when he removed to Los 
Angeles, Cal., where he and his wife are living, re- 
tired from the active labors of life. 

Mrs. I^niil}' S. Stewart was educated in a select 
school in her native State, and remained with her 
parents until her marriagi'. Of her union with our 
subject there wen^ born five children, as follows: 
Bruce A. is engaged in the lumber Inisiness in Cal- 
ifornia; Clark E. is a musician, and also employed 
as clerk in a tnusic store at Chicago; Adelaide was 
educated at \alp;uaiso, Ind., and is a teacher of 
music; Hugh A. is attending school, and with his 
sister Lucy lives at home with his parents. 

After his marriage. Dr. Stewart located in Ran- 
(l(jll)h Tiiwnship, and began the practice of his pro- 
fessi<m, which he continued until after the outbreak 
of the late war. He then enlisted in the armj-, in 
August, 1862, as a private, and w.as connected 
with the Army of the Frontier, in the 1) ith Illinois 
Infantry. He was then appointed Regimental Sur- 
geon, which position he occupied for three years, 
and at the close of the war received his honorable 
discharge at (ialveston, Tex. The regiment fought 
at I'rairie (irove, Ark., where he saw much blood- 
shed, and was with his command at the siege and 



surrender of Vicksburg, Miss., also at Brownsville, 
Tex., where a special order was issued by Maj. 
Gen. lierron, for his management of the Post Hos- 
pital, and upon which occasion oursubject received 
the high approval of the General and many compli- 
ments concerning his judgment and skill. 

After his retirement from the army, Dr. Stewart 
abandoned the pnsctiee of medicine, and turned 
his entire attention to his farming interests, which 
were more agreeable to his tastes and which he has 
since followed successfully. He is now the posses- 
sor of 300 acres of valuable land in Randolph 
Township, and is also interested in real estate in 
Kansas and Nebraska. Of late years he has given 
considerable attention to the breeding of high- 
grade cattle and Norman horses, with which the 
home farm is finely stocked. 

In politics he has always been a stanch Repub- 
lican, and has uniformly cast his vote in support of 
the principles of his party. He was Chief Deputy 
Circuit Clerk for a period of eight j'ears, and has 
held other important offices in the county. In 
1881 he went to Europe, and has visited most parts 
of the United States, having been in nearly every 
State of the Union. Mrs. Stewart is an amiable 
and excellent Christian lady, and a member in good 
standing of the Presb3'teriau Church. 



-*- 



i 



/i^WEN C. RUTLEDGE. This gentleman is 
I )1 ^^•^''-'ly •'""'' favorably known throughout Mc- 
^^^ Lean County and was the first man who 
bought grain at Ileyworth. His ti'ansactions in 
this line began in US.")'), and he has since been act- 
ivelj' engaged in the trade. Two j'ears later he 
became the partner of Isaac Vanordstrand and thej^ 
have operated together, with the excei)ti()n of five 
years, since that time. In the interim Mr. Rut- 
ledge embarked in the dry-goods business, but 
finally aliandoned it and returned to the grain tr.ade. 
He began business here in a verj- modest manner 
and weighed his grain on a small movable scale, 
carrying it on his shoulders in sacks to the cars. 
This was kept up for some time and until the first 
elevator was built, in 1861. 

Mr. Rutledge has been closely identified with the 



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785 tv 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



-^ 



interests of this section since coming here, being 
one of its most energetic and useful citizens. He 
now owns a fine property and his wife is the pos- 
sessor of considerable I'eal estate in Randoli)li 
Township. Mr. R. was bom on section 34, where 
the village of Heyworth now stands, his birth oc- 
curring on the 19th of October, 1831. He was 
reared in this count}^ and completed his education 
at Danvers and at the college of Lebanon, Tenn. 
He also studied in the Presbyterian school at that 
place. 

The subject of this liistory is the oldest native 
born citizen of Randolph Township now living. 
When about twenty-one years of age he began 
teaching a subscription school in Randolph Town- 
ship at a small salary. He built his own fires, 
swept his own school-room and received the munifi- 
cent salary of $18 per month. He was thus oc- 
cupied for three years, the last year receiving his 
pay from the public school fund. 

The marriage of Mr. Rutledge and Miss Sarah 
Elder took place in Heyworth on the 8th of June, 
1858. Mrs. R. was the sister of J. C. Elder. She 
was born near Crawfordsville, Ind., June 8, 1838, 
and came to this county with her parents when a 
child. She completed her education in the city of 
Bloomington and taught school for some time be- 
fore her marriage. Of this union there was born 
one child, a daughter — Fannie, the wife of Howard 
Galey, who now lives in Emporia, Kan.; Mr. (i. is 
in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company 
at that place. Mrs. Sarah Rutledge departed this 
life at her home in Heyworth, July 8, 18G5. She 
was from childhood a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. She was a most amiable and excellent 
Christian lady, greatly beloved by her family and 
mourned by a large circle of friends. 

Mr. R. was a second time married, in Defiance 
County, Ohio, Dec. 24, 18G6, to Miss Letitia A. 
Battershell, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, 
Oct. 21, 1842. She was reared and educated in 
Defiance County, and there her father is still living 
at the age of seventy-two years. The mother, 
whose maiden name was Catharine Marquis, died 
when fifty-six 3'ears of age, in 1874. The present 
Mrs. Rutledge was also a teacher in her native 
county before her marriage. Of her union with 

4> 



our subject there were born three children, one of 
whom, Oakley A., died when one year old; Lettie 
B. is at hcjme, having graduated from the schools 
in Heyworth; Lyndon M., aged thirteen yeai-s, is 
still pursuing his studies in the village schools. 
The family residence is a pleasant and attractive 
one and its inmates enjoy the friendship of the best 
pe jple in the village. 

Mr. Rutledge has been a member of the County 
Board of Supervisors and has held the various of- 
fices in the village. For many years he has been 
connected with the Presbyterian Church, in which 
he has been Elder five j'cars. His wife and 
daughters are also members of the same. 

ylLLIAM M. HENLINE is one of the fore- 
most farmers and merchants of Money 
Creek Township, and a resident on section 
10. The father of our subject, George Henline, 
was born in Kentucky, and his wife, Margaret 
(Ray burn) Henline, was also born in that State. 
After their marriage they settled in their native 
State, where the father was engaged in farming 
until he came to this county'. Li his younger days 
George Henline learned the trade of a blacksmith, 
but followed it only a short time, preferring farm- 
ing. He w.as among the early settlers of this coun- 
ty, and at tlie time of his location in Lawndale 
Township there were few inhabitants there other 
than the Indi.ans. He made that township his home 
for five years, and removing to Money Creek 
Township lived there for some years, when he 
moved to and made Lexington his home. Thej^ 
continued to reside at Lexington for about ten 
years, when they again moved on the farm in 
Money Creek Township, and there lived until their 
death, his demise occurring March 3, 1855, and 
hers April 13, 1872. They had ten children — 
Perrj', Almanne, Zarilda J., Sabra, George, .John, 
Mary A., Louisa S., Matilda J. and William M. 

The subject of this notice was born in Money 
Creek Township, July 3, 1838. He received a 
good education in the pioneer log school-house of 
this county, and was reared to manhood on the 
farm, and has continued to reside in Money Creek 

*►- 



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786 



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.t 



McLean county. 



Township from the date of his birth until the pres- 
ent time. He is the owner of 240 acres of land, 
about seventy of which is in timber and the re- 
mainder under nn advanced state of cultivation. 
He has erected a good residence on his farm, and 
has met with success in the prosecution of a voca- 
tion which he has followed since childhood, together 
with merchandising. 

In 1878, Mr. llcidine opened the store which he 
still conducts, and carries a general stock of mer- 
chandise, and by fair and honest dealing has built 
up a good trade. In July. l.SSO, he w.as appointed 
Postmaster and still holds that office. 

Mv. Henliue was first married at Bloomington, 
III., Aug. -it), 1858, Miss !Sarah C. Steward being 
the other contracting party. She was a daughter 
of William and Elizabeth Steward, and bore our 
subject two children, Stephen A. 1). and William 
A. R. Mrs. Henline departed this life April 10, 
1872, and our subject was again married in Jloney 
Creek Townsiiip, Dec. 5, 1872, Miss Eliza A. Grif- 
fith becoming his wife. Miss Griffith was a daugh- 
ter of George W. and Catherine (Archibald) Grif- 
fith, natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents had one 
son and three daughters, and Mrs. Henline was the 
eldest. She was born in Fayette County, Pa., Feb. 
1,1841. Of this lattei' union two children have 
l)ceu bom. One died in infancy', and the other, 
Noah O. A., is living at home. 

Mr. Henline has been Townslup Collector, and 
has also been Supervisor of the township one j'^ear. 
In ])olitics he is a Democrat, and socially is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., holding fellowship with a 
lodge at Lexington ; he also belongs to the Encamp- 
ment at Lexington. 



WILLIAM SWETZEL, proprieter of a snug 
little farm of HJO acres located on section 
28, Towanda Townshi|), and a gentle- 
man respected for his sterling worth and integrity, 
comes of that class of citizens noted for their en- 
ergy and determination to get on in the world. 
He was born in IJaden, (Germany, Jan. 11, 1837, 
and emigrated to tlie United States in 1858. Ar- 
^ ' riving in this country Mr. Swetzel spent the first 



year in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and from 
there he went to Ohio, coming to Bloomington, 111., 
in 18G1. He has since been a resident of the 
county and now owns 160 acres of good land lo- 
cated as stated, on which he has a large fine resi- 
dence, and is meeting with more than ordinary 
financial success. In addition to farming he de- 
votes his attention to raising stock. 

Mr. Swetzel was married in the land of his na- 
tivity to ]\Iiss Mary Koch, who departed this life 
in this county; her deatii took place in December. 
1871. She bore him five children — lohn, Charles, 
William, Carrie and Luther. l\Ir. Swetzel was mar- 
ried a second time, in Hudson Townshi[), Miss 
Mary Blum being the other contracting party. 
The marriage took place in February, 187.'!, and of 
this latter union two children have been born, one 
of wiiom is deceased. The surviving child is Mary 
K. Mrs. Swetzel departed this life in Blooming- 
ton, III., in July, 1880. She was a member of the 
Evangelical denomination, and a kind-hearted 
neighbor, devoted wife and loving mother. In 
politics Mr. Swetzel is Republican. Mr. Swetzel 
married his third and present wife, Minnie Wag- 
ner, on the IKth of January, 1887. A view of his 
fine residence and* surroundings is given elsewhere 
in this work. 



¥~^- 



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<$, I^ILLIAM E. STEVENS, a gentleman in the 
\/^// prime of life, and a highly respected resi- 
^J/Ny dent of Bloomington, is now employed as 
foreman for J. M. F''ordice in the lumber business, 
with which he has been connected since his return 
from the army in 18G4. Mr. Stevens was born in 
Macon County, this State, on the 3d of August, 
1 842, and is the son of James B. and Letitia 
(Saterfield) Stevens, the father a native of the 
State of New York, and the mother of Whiteside 
County, III. James B. Stevens came to M.acou 
County, HI., when a lad of seven years, with his 
father, Joseph, who was a jiative of New York, and 
engaged in farming pursuits. The family of Jo- 
seph Stevens consisted of nine children, of whom 
James B., the father of our subject, was the young- 
est. He was reared on his father's farm and learned 




i 



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McLean county. 



787 



{} 



the carpenter's trade, following the two pursuits 
through life, and latterly engaged as a contractor 
and builder. He removed from Macon to McLean 
County' in 1844, and located in Bloomington, where 
he passed the balance of his days, his death occur- 
ring in 187L The mother of our suliject had pre- 
ceded her husband to the better land three years 
before, in 18G8. Their family of six children were, 
William E., our subject; Harriet, Mrs. Chester 
vSmith, of Bloomington; Lucy, Mrs. Owens, of 
Woodford County: Charles, of Springfield, 111.; 
Leonard, of Palestine, Tex., and Walter, of Deni- 
son, Tex. 

William E. Stevens received a fair education in 
the common schools, and remained with his par- 
ents until the opening of the Rebellion. He then 
enlisted as a Union soldier, in June, 18UI, as a 
member of Co. D, 8th Mo. Vol. Lif., and remained 
in the service three years and one month. With 
his comrades he participated in the battles <if Ft. 
Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, and 
the further engagements of that campaign, and at 
the expedition .along Deer Creek was taken pris- 
oner, on the 22d of March, 1863, being paroled in 
April following. Before being taken by the en- 
emy, however, he had personally captured the son 
of Senator Clark, of the Confeder.ac}', a native of 
Mississippi, whom Gen. Sherman lield as hostage 
until our hero was p.aroled. On the 'Jth of October 
following his parole, young Stevens reported for 
duty at Memphis, and joined his comrades in the 
march to Chattanooga, where he arrived two days 
before the battle of Mission Ridge. He partici- 
pated in this, and then with his regiment followed 
the Tennessee Valley to Knoxville for the purpose 
of relieving Gen. Burnside, after which they re- 
turned and went into winter quarters at Larkins- 
ville, Ala. In May following they started for 
Georgia, and subsequently participated in the en- 
gagements at Ringgold, Resaca, Buzzard's Roost. 
Kingston, Dallas, New Hope Church and Big 
Shanty. This practically wound up the military 
career of our subject, and on the I3tli of May, 
1864, with his comrades he started for home. He 
had the pleasui'e likewise of escorting his prisoner, 
George Scott, who was one of the Confederates 
that captured him March 22, 1863, from Big 



Shanty to Nashville, Tenn., and derived great satis- 
faction from this episode of his war experience. 
After his discharge at St. Louis, on the 4th of July, 
1864, Mr. Stevens returned to Bloomington, and, 
as heretofore stated, engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness. 

In 1868 William E. Stevens was united in mar- 
ri.age with Miss Annie B. White, who was born in 
Ohio, and was the daughter of David C. and La- 
vina White, natives of Ohio and Maine I'espectivelj'. 
Of this union there were born six children — Grace 
L., Olive L., Guy T., Cora L., Florence L. and 
William E. Their residence is located at No. 903 
West Mulberrj' street, where tliey are enjoying all 
the comforts of life and the society and friendship 
of numbers of friends. Politically Mr. Stevens 
uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and socially 
is a member in good standing of the G. A. R. 



-J^fe> 



1= 



eHARLES F. W. SCHMIDT, who simply 
signs his name William Schmidt, became a 
resident of Bloomington Township in 1854, 
first locating in the citj', and purchased property 
which is the present site of tiie C. &- A. R. R. 
shops. He built the first house west of this road, 
and started a liotel, which he operated successfull}' 
during tiie construction of the road. Later he sold 
the property to good advantage, and after thirteen 
j'ears took possession of his present homestead, 
which is located just outside the citj' limits, on 
West Marltet street. Here he established a vine- 
j'ard, and built up a beautiful home, which is upon 
a rise of ground and commands a fine view of the 
citj' of Bloomington. The surrounding scenery 
can scarcely be equaled in any part of McLean 
County, and certainly not excelled. The dwelling- 
is of modern style of architecture, and the beauti- 
ful grounds are interspersed with choice shade trees 
and shrubbery. The grape arbors combine beauty 
witli utility, and the entire premises be.ars evidences 
of refined taste and abundant means. The flower- 
gardens are most tastefully laid out and well kept, 
and there .are artificial waterfalls and islands. Tiie 
whole forms one of the most attractive spots in » 
this locality. Since purchasing this valuable piece T 



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788 



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T 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



of property. Mr. Schmidt has turned his attention 
mainly to the growing of grajjes and flowers, the 
proceeds of which yield him a handsome income, 
He manufactures a fine grade of wines, which he 
usuall}' disposes of in the local markets. The 
homestead includes twelve acres, and the n.atural 
water facilities add greatly to its beaut^-and v.aliie. 

The subject of our sketch is one of the repre- 
sentatives of that nationality which h.as contributed 
so much toward tlie development of the AVest. He 
was born in Hanover, (iermany, Dec. 15, 1819. 
His father. Christian Schmidt, was a butcher, and 
lived and died in the place where his son was born. 
Our subject learned the trade of a tanner in his 
native country, and later went to the Province of 
Silesia, in Prussia. Here he became acquainted 
with Miss .Julia Miller, and they were united in 
marriage in 1847. They lived in the vicinitj' of 
his wife's former home for six years, where Mr- 
Schmidt was occupied at his tr.ade. In 1854 he 
resolved to emigrate to the New AVorld. The^' 
first located in the city of Chicago, whence they 
came to Bloomington, where Mr. Schmidt started 
a tannery, but oulj' operated it a short time. 

Mr. and Mrs. S. have become tlie parents of nine 
children, of whom only four are living, two daugh- 
ters and two sons. The family are regular attend- 
ants of the Lutheran Church. Our subject, in 
former years was a strong Al)oliti<)nist, and at the 
time of the organization of the Republican party, 
worked earnestly for its maintenance and support. 
He endorses its principles now fully as warmlj' as 
in former years, and uniformly casts his vote with 
the party of his choice. He is one of the most use- 
ful and highl}' respected citizens of this communi- 
ty, and his home largely contributes to the attract- 
iveness of Bloomington Townshi|i. 

^ ^,ILLIAM DAVIDSON. In presenting this 
\/iJ// 'ji<^g''''ipli't"il notice of the career of one of 
WW the leading men of McLean County, and a 
gentleman who is thoroughly representative of its 
jirogressive ehunent, we deem it our duty to first 
briefly advert to the life story of those from whom 
he draws his origin. He was l)orn in Westmore- 



land County, Pa., June 22, 1818, and is the son of 
Robert and Jane (Reed) Davidson, natives of 
Chester County, Pa. The former was born March 
27, 1789, and at about the age of forty years be- 
came a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He joined that denomination in the county of his 
nativity, and according to the custom of the coun- 
try* he, like others, would occasionall}^ take a dram. 
The Rev. Simon Lock, who officiated .as minister of 
the congregation with which our subject's father 
united, received him into the church on probation, 
the presiding elder remarking: "Take his name, 
and if lie don't hold out the devil will take him 
back." The devil never got him again, for from 
that time forward he was a strong temperance man, 
and energetically labored in the cause of the Mas- 
ter. He was a bright and shining light in that 
congregation, of which he became one of the Elders, 
and is remembered bj' many for the great change 
which conversion brought upon his life. His wife, 
our suliject's mother, was born in 1790, and be- 
came a member of the Baptist Church. When on 
her deathbed she requested her husband to promise 
that he would abstain forever from the use of in- 
toxicating liquors, which pi'omise he made and 
which led to his conversion, and after receiving 
the promise the good wife calmly closed her eyes 
in death, the year of her demise being 1825. They 
were the parents of eight children — William died 
in infancy; Lydia, Asa, Margaret, James, William 
of this notice, Solomon and Rutaii. 

William Davidson, who is a farmer by vocation 
and also a Ijlacksinith by trade, is pleasantly loca- 
ted on his fine place on section 13, Dry Grove 
Township. He was united in marriage, March 14, 
1839, with Miss Mary Morton, a distant relative of 
Gov. Morton, of Indiana. She was born near 
Wheeling, \'a., and died Dec. G, 1874, in Illinois, 
leaving to our subject seven children: Margaret, 
who is the widow of Henry Tracey, and lives in 
Davis County, Neb.; Alcinous, who resides in 
Minneapolis; Lydia,wife of George Snedaker; Rob- 
ert M. in San Jose; Loretta became the wife of C. 
Gillespie; Sarah L, and Cornelia A. Loretta, Cor- 
nelia A. and Sarah I. are deceased. The second 
marriage of our subject was with Mrs. Julia (AVard) 
Holmes, and the date of their marriage Aug. 8j 



-*-*- 



i 



« 










N. 




1 




^ 



I 



-4^ 



••^-m^4» 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



791 



1878. She was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., 
Sept. 19, 1821, and is the daughter of Elijah and 
Amanda (Philley) Ward, natives of that State and 
Vermont respectively. Her father died in Febru- 
ary, 1879, aged eighty-four, and her mother de- 
parted this life in 1866, when in her sixty-fourth 
year. Eight children were born of this union — 
Norman L., Juliana, Julia, wife of our subject; 
Emily J., Darwin E., Ira D., Frederick C. and 
Mary Matilda. 

AVilliam Davidson came to this State in 1854, 
and locating in this count^^ purchased 240 acres of 
land, the same being that on which he is at present 
residing. During the intervening years he has 
lived on this place, and has labored hard and econ- 
omised and succeeded in bringing his land to a 
high state of cultivation, and has placed upon it 
good and substantial improvements. He has held 
the various offices of his township, and in religion 
has held fellowship with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church since he was fourteen years of age. He 
has tried to live an upright. Christian life, and 
none can point to any act of dishonesty in its his- 
tory. He has occupied the position of Steward 
of the congregation to which he belongs, and has 
also been an earnest laborer in the Sunday-school. 
His good wife, who united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church when she was twelve years old, 
was Superintendent of the Sunda3'-school for a 
number of years. In politics Mr. Davidson is a 
stanch Republican, but is inclined to cast his vote 
for Prohibition whenever opportunity affords. 

A portrait of Mr. Davidson is shown in connec- 
tion with this sketch. 



^1 BNER N. DODSON, one of the most suc- 
cessful farmers and stock-raisers of Money 
Creek Township, and whose portrait ac- 
companies this sketch, is one of a family of 
ten children, of whom AVilliam N. and Martha 
(Kinnan) Dodson were the parents. In addition to 
his farm duties, and the attention which he pays 
to the raising of stock, he is the Justice of the Peace 
of his township and gives satisfaction in the ad- 
ministration of justice. The father of our subject 




t 



was born in Wayne County, Ky., and his wife was a 
native of New Jersey. After their marriage the 
old folk settled in Champaign County, Ohio, where 
the father followed farming until his emigration to 
this State, and his settlement in this county, which 
event occurred in 1847. Hie located on section 33, 
Money Creek Township, and there lived until his 
death, which took place in March, 1863. His good 
wife also died in that township, Dec. 21, 1880. Of 
their ten children, four were sons and six daughters. 
The record of them is as follows : Margaretta, Mary, 
Martha, Esther A., Elizabeth, Eimida, Joseph, Ab- 
ner N., William R. and Daniel D. Margaretta 
m.irried William Halterman and at the time of her 
decease was a resident of Towanda Township; 
Mary is the wife of Jacob Moats, and they are liv- 
ing in Money Creek Township; Martha and Lewis 
Sailor were united in marriage and have their home 
in Hudson Township; Esther is the wife of F. A. 
Bishop, a farmer of Money Creek Township; Eliza- 
beth became the wife of James Allen and they live 
at Chillicothe, Mo. ; Emida wa.s united in marriage 
with Rev. Andrew Yeaklc and thej- are living in 
Kansas; .Joseph also lives in that State; William R. 
has his home in the Indian Territory, and Daniel 
D., who was a soldier in the late Civil War, having 
enlisted in Co. B, 94th 111. Vol. Inf., died Sept. 8, 
1863, while in the service of his country, and his 
body is buried in the Soldiers' Cemetery at Mem- 
phis, Tenn., and the monument erected to his mem- 
ory is at Bloomington, 111. 

The subject of this notice was born in Cham- 
paign County, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1827. He was reared 
to farm labor and has given his attention to that 
calling, and the raising of stock thus far in life. 
He came to this county in 1847, and has made it 
his home until the present time, and is widely and 
favorably known throughout the entire county as a 
reputable, well-to-do farmer. He is the owner of 
400 acres of rich and productive land on sections 1 9 
and 20, upon which he has good buildings, and where 
he is meeting with signal success in his calling. 

Mr. Dodson was married in Money Creek Town- 
ship, Sept. 3, 1850, to Miss Anis Busick, daughter of 
Nathaniel and Cynthia (Stretch) Busick, natives of 
Ohio. The3' emigrated from their native State to 
this county and settled in Money Creek Township, 



■ » w — o 



i 



- ■" ■<»■ 



'i ?92 



1 



McLEAlSf COUNTY. 



where they lived until their death, that of the for- 
mer occurring in 1847, and the latter Jan. 19, 1883. 
Mrs. Dodson was the eldest of her parents' chil- 
dren, and was born near Lafayette, lud., J.in. 22, 
1831, and by her union with our subject thirteen 
children have been born. The record of this family 
is as follows: Madison P., Maria, William, Ellen, 
Jesse, Henry, Annie, Jennie, Daniel, Frank, Abuer, 
Delia and Nettie. Madison P. died in Money 
Creek Township, March 1, 1809; Maria is the wife 
of Lafayette Timmons and they are living in Ford 
County, 111.; William niarried Miss Mary L. Will- 
ard and died in Money Creek Township, Sept. 6, 
1K82; Ellen is the wife of Samuel Johnson, a far- 
mer of Money Creek Township; Jesse also lives in 
that township; Henry died in infancy, and the re- 
maining children reside at home. 

Mr. Dodson v/as elected Justice of the Peace in 
1874, and has held that office continuously until 
the present time. lie has held the office of Road 
Commissioner, and in politics is a stanch Repub- 
lican. He and his wife are members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. Although a Republican, as 
stated, Mr. Dodson is stronglj' inclined toward 
Prohibition, and hopes the day will come when none 
shall be licensed to sell intoxicating liquors. Mr. 
D., as above mentioned, is a gentleman widely known 
as a first-class citizen, is benevolent and kind as ~a 
neighbor, an indulgent father and husband, and is 
entitled to and possesses the confidence of his 
neighbors and friends. 



'F^SSE BARKER, a native of Yorkshire, En- 
gland, became a citizen of the United States 
when about twenty-six years of age, and 
took up his abode at once in this county, of 
which he has been a resident since that time. He 
was reared to farming pursuits, which he has fol- 
lowed all his life, and has now a good homestead of 
ICO acres of land, supplied with all necessary and 
substantial farm buildings. His present possessions 
are the results of his own industry, while his in- 
tegrity and honesty have served to establish him 
in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 
Mr. Barker vvas born in about 1830, and is the 
^m 



son of William and Mary Barker, who spent their 
lives in their native England. Their twelve chil- 
dren included five sons and seven daughters, of 
whom the subject of this history was the youngest. 
Upon coming to this country, Mr. B. proceeded di- 
rectly westward, and selected his location in this 
county, where he first purchased eighty acres of 
land in Old Town Township, which he occupied 
about seventeen years. He purchased his present 
farm in the spring of 1883. 

Mr. Barker was married to Sliss Martha Thomp- 
son, in Old Town Township, a native of his own 
country, born in about 1838. They became the 
parents of nine children, of whom six are living, 
namely, Mary, Lizzie, F^lla, William, Richard and 
Christian. Mary became the wife of Cyrus Perry, 
and resides in Blue Mound Township; Lizzie mar- 
ried James Larry, of Blue Mound Township. 

■i — -.j^^-^^^M^Sfif- — * 

lEORGE M. HEFNER, deceased, was a far- 
mer of this county and a resident of Money 
Creek Township. He was the son of Peter 
and Betsey (Flesher) Hefner, the former of whom 
has a sketch elsewhere in this work. George M. 
Hefner was born in Money Creek Township, Jan. 
17, 1846, and made that his home during life. He 
was reared to agricultural pursuits and followed 
that calling during all liis years on earth, meeting 
with more than ordinary success and having before 
him a bright future when called by the Master to 
that better home, July 5, 1877. 

At the date of the demise of our subject he was 
owner of 320 acres of valuable land, which he left 
to his family free of incumbrance. He was a 
gentleman ijossessed of more than ordinary energy, 
and good sound judgment, and who had within him a 
heart full to overflow with love for his fellowmen 
and charity for all. He was married in Chenoa 
Township, this county, Aug. 25, 1866, to Miss 
Lizzie, daughter of George and Rosanna (Ambrose) 
Durham, natives of Virginia. The parents were 
married in their native State and there lived until 
the death of the father, in August, 1846. The 
mother came to this county in the fall of 1865, and 
departed this life in Chenoa Township, Dec. 25, 




I 




■^^ 



t 



McLEAK COUNTY. 



793 



18fi7. Tbree sons and three daughters were born 
of their union, of whom Mrs. Hefner was the young- 
est. She was born in West Virginia Jan. 9, 1846, 
and coming to this county with lier mother in 1865, 
lived with her until her marriage witli our subject. 
Mr. and Mrs. Plefner became the parents of four 
children — Cora, Charles P., Rosa N. and Stella B. 
Cora is the wife of Daniel Bishop, a farmer of 
Money Creek Township. Mrs. Hefner is the owner 
of 160 acres of valuable land in Money Creeli 
Township, and possessed of practical information 
sufHcient to conduct lier farm advantageously. 
Religiously she is a member of the United Brethren 
Church, and respected for her sterling worth and 
many Christian virtues. 

Mr. Hefner was a soldier in the late Civil War, 
having enlisted in the y4tli Illinois Infantry, and 
served his country faithfull}' and well during the en- 
tire struggle. He escaped unhurt and returning from 
the field of conflict, settled down on his farm in 
Money Creek Township, where he lived and labored 
until his death. 



#^ 




r 



UDSON BURR, one of the oldest citizens of 
Bloomington, and a prominent member of 
the bar of that city, is widely and favorably 
known throughout McLean County for his 
natural talents and excellent business capacity. 
Added to this, he is a gentleman of fine personal 
appearance and gives to the practice that dignity 
and ease of manner which at once stamp him as 
one born in the higher walks of life. Mr. Burr 
first opened his eyes to the light in the New En- 
gland hills, having been born in Litchfield County, 
Conn., Jan. 23, 1830. His father, Rufus Burr, was 
a native of the same State, where the first rejjre- 
sentative of the family in this country settled. The 
father of our subject was a farmer of moderate 
means. His birth occurred in December, 1800, 
and he was married in his native county on the 
9th of May, 1827, to Miss Ann S., the daughter of 
Barzillai Hudson. After marriage they settled in 
Torringford, Conn., where they lived until the 
death of the father, which occurred in 1863. Mrs. 
Burr then removed to a point on the Hudson 



River, where she spent the remainder of her days, 
dying in 1878. Of their family of nine children, 
five stili survive, three being residents of Bloom- 
ington. 

Hudson Burr was the second child born to liis par- 
ents and passed his boyhood days in his native 
State. His primary education was conducted in 
the public schools, and after becoming of suitable 
age he entered Yale College, where he pursued a 
thorough course of stud3' and graduated in 1853. 
He then entered the law office of Henry S. Barber 
ol Wolcott, Conn., where he remained until 1854. 
We next hear of liim in Bloomington, where he 
continued his studies until 1858, when he was ad- 
mitted to the bar, and soon afterward became a 
partner of Maj. Packard and they operated together 
until 1862. The Civil War being then in progress, 
our subject enlisted in the army, becoming Adju- 
tant of the y4th Illinois Regiment and was detailed 
for duty on the frontier, until the summer of 1863. 
The regiment was then transferred to the Array of 
the Potomac, our subject remaining with it until 
1864, when on account of ill-health he was com- 
pelled to resign. During his military experience 
he distinguished himself for bravery and faithful- 
ness, and served as AdjutantjGeneral with the rank 
of Captain. He took part in the battle of Prairie 
Grove and was at the siege and capture of Vicks- 
l)urg, in July, 1863. While in the army of the 
Potomac, serving .along the Roanoke River, Capt. 
Burr during one of tlie fierce engagements In that 
locality, narrowly escaped being captured by the 
rebels, and only his strategy and Ijraverj' saved 
him from falling into their clutches. On the battle- 
field, as in private life, he distinguished himself 
for his sound judgment and equable bearing in 
times of danger anil disaster. 

After receiving his honorable discharge from the 
army, Capt. Burr returned to Bloomington and 
formed a law partnership with Robert E. Williams, 
which continued for a period of nineteen years. 
Tiie firm was a strong one from the start and be- 
came widely and favorably known throughout the 
State, both our subject and his partner exhibiting 
more than ordinary ability as attorneys and coun- 
selors and having a close acquaintance with the in- 
tricacies of law. 



n- 



I 



t 



■^»- 



->--m^4' 



(94 



McLEAisr COUNTY. 




Mr. Burr was married in his native State in De- 
cember, 1830, to Miss Lucy, the daughter of Rob- 
ert Felton, Esq., of Wolcott, Conn., and they be- 
came the parents of two children, Charles and 
Emma, the latter now Mrs. Clinton Super, of 
Bloomington. Our subject is a regular attendant 
at the Second Presbyterian Church and both so- 
cially and in a business capacity is reckoned among 
the most valued citizens of McLean County. 

UGH LORMOR, one of the highly re- 
spected and prominent agriculturists of 
Towanda Townsliip, residing on section 3, 
is a native of Tompkins County, N. Y., 
and was born Jan. 1, 1834. From the time our 
subject was two years old until he had attained the 
age of twelve, he lived with an uncle. From the 
latter age until he was eighteen he was an inmate 
of the family of a gentleman whose business was 
that of a harness-maker and who also followed 
agricultural pursuits. The following three years 
he worked out bj' the month, and in the spring of 
185.5 came to this county and located, determining 
to make it his future home. For four j'ears he 
worked out by the month at farm lalior and then 
rented a place and was engaged in farming on 
rented land for about seven years. 

After the expiration of the date last named, our 
subject purchased the farm on which he is at present 
residing, which consists of 1 "25 acres. Locating 
upon it, lie indnstriouslj' labored and economized 
and in the prosecution of liis vocation has met with 
fair success. Mr. Lormor was married in Tomp- 
kins Count}', N. Y., Marcii 10, 1858, to Caroline 
A., daughter of John and Betsey (Tapping) Burch, 
natives of York State. Her parents first settled in 
Tompkins County, N. Y., wliere her father farmed 
and also worked at his trade, tliat of a carpenter, 
and where both heads of tiie family lived until 
their demise. They had eight children, four sons 
and four daughters, and Mrs. Lormor was the 
youngest. She was born in Tompkins Count}', N. 
Y., April 1, 1834, received a good education, and 
for eight years prior to her nuirriage was engaged 
in performing the duties of a teacher. She has 



•►-e-4^ 



borne our subject five children, whom the}' have 
named, Jennie E., P>ank B., Fred H., Burch and 
Corry E. Jennie and the two youngest are de- 
ceased ; Frank married Miss Ida N. Anderson and 
they are living in Sloan, Woodbury Co., Iowa. 
Fred is engaged in teaching at Hopedale, Tazewell 
County, this State, and is Principal of the schools 
at that place. 

Mr. Lormor was first elected Supervisor of To- 
wanda Township in the spring of 1879, and held 
the office for four years. In 1884 he was re-elected 
to that position and was the incumbent of the 
office until the spring of 188G. He was also High- 
way Commissioner for several years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lormor are members of the Presbyterian 
Church and in politics our subject votes with the 
Republican jiartj'. 



»-*-^' 



<j||OHN H. VREELAND, a resident of Say- 
brook Vill.age, came to Illinois in 1856, and 
commenced to farm on rented land. To this 
(^^JA/ employment he added stock-raising, and was 
prospered in his operations, and in 18G8 was ena- 
bled to purchase 100 acres of good l.ind, which lie 
brought to a fine state of cultivation, and upon 
wlwch he operated until 1882. lie tlien sold out 
and retired to the village of Saybrook, where lie 
has a fine residence and is extensively eng.aged in 
the grocery trade. He is highly respected in this 
communitj' for his straightforward business meth- 
ods and many excellent traits of character. 

Mr. Vreeland was born in Bergen County, N. J., 
Dec. 20, 1821!, and is the son of Martin J. and .lane 
(Terhune) ^■l•eeland, who were also n.atives of that 
State. The fatlier of our subject was born Sept. 
29, 1805, and remained in his native State until 
November, 1872, when he came to this county and 
spent tlie remainder of his days with his son, John 
H., the subject of our sketch. When twent}' years 
of age tiie father w.as united in marriage witli Miss 
Jane Terliune, who w,as of Scotch and Holland par- 
entage. She departed this life in 1872, having been 
a consistent nieniber of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Of this marriage there were born seven 
children, four now living. They were John H., 



»^m-^ 



* 



i 



I 



4^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



797 



Martin M., Peter M., George W., Jacob, Jane, who 
married David Arthur and who, with her husband, 
is deceased, and William, who died in infancy. The 
father of our subject received but a limited educa- 
tion, and engaged in farming pursuits, while at the 
same time he officiated as a minister of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, being quite a revivalist, and 
never making anj' charge for his services. His sec- 
ond marriage was with jMrs. Esther (Stansberry) 
McMackin, and occurred in 1874. He departed 
this life in Saybrook, Dec. 22, 1883. 

John Yreeland of our sketch was married to 
Miss Abigail Wygand, who was born in Ulster 
County, N. Y., Aug. 18, 1824. She is the daugh- 
ter of Charles and Mary (Cavalry) Wygand; her 
father is now deceased. The mother is still living, 
having arrived at the advanced age of nearly eight}'- 
five years, and resides in Columbus, Ohio. The 
parental household consisted of nine children. 

Mr. and Mrs. V. have no children. Our subject 
has held the various offices of his township, was 
School Trustee seven years, and has been Overseer 
of Highways. He is Democratic in politics, but dur- 
ing the war was altogether in sympathy with the 
efforts for the preservation of the Union. Mrs. V. 
is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 




\ 

r 



MITH SAWYER. The thrilling scenes 
through which the pioneers passed in the 
settlement of this portion of the State must 
ever awaken emotions of the warmest re- 
gard for them. To pave the way for those who 
followed, to make their settlement in the West a 
pleasure, they stemmed the flood-tide wave of 
civilization, they endured all, tlie}^ suffered all. 
But few of these noble spirits now survive ; they 
have passed awa}' full of years and honors, leaving 
their children and children's children, and stran- 
gers to succeed them and enjoy the fruits of their 
toil, privation and savings of their long and event- 
ful lives. With most of them we can say with 
the poet — 

"Life witli them is o'er, their hihors all are iloue. 
Andotliers reap tlie liarvest tliat tliey won." 

Among the few pioneers remaining on this side of 
4*_^ 



the grave is Mr. Smith Sawyer, the subject of the 
following sketch. He is passing his declining days 
on his farm on section 19, Towanda Township, in 
the enjoyment of a sufficiency of this world's goods. 
His father, William Sawyer, was born in Ireland 
and came to the United States when a boy. The 
mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Smith) Sawyer, 
was a native of Pennsylvania. After the parents' 
marriage they settled in Fayette Count}', Ohio, 
where the father followed farming for a livelihood, 
and where both heads of the family continued to re- 
side until their death, the household in the mean- 
time becoming enlarged by the birth of five sons 
and five daughters. 

The subject of this notice was the sixth in order 
of birth of his parents' ten children, and drew his 
first breath in Faj'ette County, Ohio, Oct. 2, 1816. 
He was reared to farm labor and received his ed- 
ucation in the common schools of his native county. 
Remaining under the home roof until twenty-one 
years of age he then began to work out by the 
month, farming and herding cattle, and was thus 
occupied for about five years. In the spring of 1844, 
Mr. Sawyer came to this State and took up his resi- 
dence in Livingston County where, however, he 
remained but two months, and then came to this 
count}', where he has made his home ever since. 
He is the owner of 160 acres of well-improved and 
valuable land in Towanda Township, on which he 
has good buildings, and which propert}' he has ac- 
quired through his own exertions. His residence 
and surroundings are shown in this connection as a 
representative farm home of this splendid county. 

Mr. Sawyer was first married in Old Town Town- 
ship to Miss Eleanor Bunn, who l)ore him three chil- 
dren, all now deceased, and who departed this life 
in Martin Township. He was again married, to Miss 
Clarrissa Misner in 1849. She became the mother 
of two children — Albert and William. The former 
died in Kansas when twenty-two ye.ars of age, and 
the latter died in infancy. The mother of these 
children yielded up her life in Bloomington Town- 
ship. On the 11th of December, 1873, in Normal 
Township, this county, our subject formed a raati'i- 
monial alliance with Susan C, daughter of Harden 
and Deborah (Houghten) Bennett, and widow of 
William Witty, who had by her first marriage one 



i i 






t 



798 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



■► ■ <• 



son — William F. Of this l.ittor marriage of Mr. Saw- 
yer two children have been born — Theodore and 
Millie. He has held the offices of Road Commis- 
sioner and School Director in his township, and is one 
of her foremost citizens, actively interested in every 
project tending toward the general welfare of the 
peoide. Mrs. Sawyer is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in politics our subject is a 
Republican. 



■>-j»»^- 



s^iiis 



- i^5.it^- 






"ifJOIIN MATHER FOSTER, an extensive 
farmer and stock-raiser of Dale Township, 
owns and occupies a fine homestead in the 
village <if Shirley, a view of which is shown 
in this work. He is the son of John Foster, of 
Cheshire County, N. H., and was born ]May 30, 
1833. John Foster was born in the town of Stod- 
dard, on the 12th of November, 180G. His father, 
also named John Mather Foster, was likewise a na- 
tive of New England, and his grandfather, Daniel 
Foster, the great-grandfather of our subject, like 
the.se, his descendants, was also a native of the Old 
Granite State, and was born in Cheshire County; 
he was a minister of the Presbyterian Church. 
He died at Charleston, N. H., and his father, Isaac 
Foster, the great-great-grandfather of John M., 
was a native of Massachusetts, a Presbyterian 
preacher, and after serving a period of eighty-two 
years in the miuistiy, died in Charleston, N. H., at 
the advanced age of one hundred and five years. 
He was an Englishman by birth and emigrated to 
the United States in 1722, settling in Connecticut. 
He was a near descendant of Sir Michael Foster, 
one of the most eminent jurists of England, and 
after coming to Connecticut was married to Miss 
Stanhope, a lady of Irish descent and belonging to 
one of the best families of New England. 

The grandfather of our subject was quite liberal 
in his religious views and did not subscribe to the 
doctrine of election and reprobation but believed 
that every one would be punished or rewarded ac- 
cording to his deeds in this life. It took a cour- 
ageous man in those days to defend these princi- 
ples, but John Mather Foster was equal to the 
emergency ami sturdily maintained his views in 

4« 



spite of opposition or derision. Me was, however, 
held in the highest esteem and was accorded a re- 
spectful hearing whenever he chose to speak. John 
Mather Foster was a relative of Increase Mather, 
whose name is familiar as a celeljrated divine of the 
earl^' days. 

The grandfather of our subject, John Mather 
Foster, was born on the 12th of November, 1780, 
and was educated to the profession of law. He 
practiced in Lincoln, \t., and Keene, N. H. In 
1817 he emigrated from Southbridge, Mass., to In- 
diana, which had only been a State one year. The 
journey was m.ade on foot and after arriving there he 
located in Madison, Jefferson County, entered upon 
the practice of his profession and also taught school. 
While thus occupied in i)rcparing a home for his 
family, his wife died in Massachusetts. John 
Mather Foster continued to live in Indiana until 
1824. He then returned as far East as Ohio, locat- 
ing in Muskingum County, where he practiced his 
profession and taught school in that and (Juernsey 
Count3' until he came to the home of his son, John 
Foster, in Cundierland, Guernse}' County, where 
his life terminated on the 20th of September, 1856. 

The wife of John Mather Foster was the widow 
of Mr. Carlisle. Her maiden name was Alice West 
and she was the daughter of Timothj' West, of 
Cheshire County, N. II. Her marriage with John 
M. Foster occurred on the 12th of November, 1805, 
and after having become the mother of two chil- 
dren she died in New Hampshire. The second 
born was Dan, who after arriving at years of man- 
hood settled in Licking County, Ohio, and success- 
fully engaged in farming. He met his death bj' 
accident in 1 800, leaving a wife and several children. 
The first son was John Foster, the father of the sub- 
ject of our sketch, and when but eleven years of age 
he started with his father for the West and walked the 
entire distance to Madison County, Ind., where they 
arrived in April, the journey consuming several 
weeks. In the meantime their money gave out and 
they stopped by the way, where his father worked 
for a farmer until he had earned money enough to 
buy bread for the remainder of the trip. 

After arriving in Indiana the father of the sub- 
ject of our sketch attended the school over which 
his father presided, and soon afterward commenced 



n 



I 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



799 



to earn his own living by chopping wood in that 
vicinity. He was thus occupier! for nearly one year 
and then went to live with a farmer, with whom he 
continued two and one-half years, receiving his 
board, clothes and schooling. Thereafter he was 
to have §6 per niontli for the same period but was 
cheated out of this money, and at the age of eight- 
een years started on foot for Oiiio without a cent 
in his pocket. His uncle .assisted him on his way, 
his first work there being for the latter, who had 
loaned him *4:.31 to assist in p.iying his expenses 
while on the journej'. His next job w.as a month's 
work at clearing timber land, for which he was to 
receive fifty-five cents jier day and take his pay iu 
merchandise. After his job was completed he went 
to the store to get cloth for a suit of clothes. The 
best bargain he could secure was a piece of bed- 
ticking, and he accordingly purchased seven yards 
at 62^ cents a yard and some buttons and thread. 
He quickly had the suit made up and the following 
Sunday appeared at church in a new suit of bed- 
ticking, of which he felt quite proud. 

Mr. Foster continued to reside in Ohio, working 
by the day and month and also engaged in cultivat- 
ing rented land until 18.32. Notwithstanding his 
meager w.ages and the small amount received for 
his farm produce, at the expiration of this time he 
found himself the proud possessor of money and 
property amounting to !{il,884. Before his marriage 
he purchased a tract of land in Meigs Township, 
Muskingum County, and after he had secured his 
partner he settled upon this and was engaged in 
general farming the following eight years. He then 
sold out and removed to Guernsey Cotinty, where 
he opened a general store in the little town of Cum- 
berland. He purchased his goods in the cit}' of New 
York, visiting that city and making his purchases in 
person, and continued in trade for three years enjoy- 
ing good success. His health failed, however, and 
he disposed of his stock and located upon a farm 
near Cumbei-land, Cxuernsey County. In 18.59, 
leaving his son in charge of the farm, he embarked 
in the grain business, buying and shipping to Chi- 
cago. He followed this for a year when he re- 
turned to Ohio, from which in 1866 he removed to 
McLean County, 111. He owns a farm of 940 acres 
in Drnmmond Grove Township, Ford Co., which 



it 



he personally superintends, spending most of his 
summers at the latter pl.ace. 

John Foster was united in marriage with Miss 
Celia A. Ballon on the 9th of August, 1832. Mrs. 
Foster is a native of Muskingum Count}', Ohio, 
and was born .June 27, 1812. Her father. Welcome 
Ballon, was a native of Smithfield, R. I. Of the 
niarri.age of Mr. and Mrs. F. theie have been born 
the following' children — John Mather and Eliza J. 
The latter is the wife of Joshua R. McClelland, of 
Champaign County, 111. Mrs. Foster is connected 
with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She 
is a most estimable lady and in character and dis- 
position is well fitted to be the life partner of 
such a man as her husband. John Foster is what 
m.ay properly be styled a self-made man. He pos- 
sessed in early manhood great natural ability and 
genius and to these he added as the years went by, 
the qualities of resolution and courage and method 
and system in his business transactions. Of these 
he kept a running account with great exactness and 
at the end of each j^ear had determined his income 
and outlay and the value of the property which he 
possessed. At the end of his journey from Indiana 
to Ohio which he had pursued on foot as we have 
related, his entire jn-operty consisted of one suit of 
clothes v.alued at 11 and his indebtedness was 
|i4.31. In January, 1838, his property inventoried 
at $1,5,000.84; on the 1st of J.annary, 1847, $28,- 
064; in 1858, $73,682; in 1868, $122,900. Mr. 
Foster, now eighty years old, is still hale and 
hearty, trans.aeting his business with the same sys- 
tematic care and correctness as ever and increasing 
each year the sum total of his wealth. 

The son of the gentleman of whom we have been 
writing, John Mather Foster, was reared in Guern- 
sey County, Ohio, educated in the district schools, 
and at the age of twenty years commenced teach- 
ing, which he followed for a brief time and then en- 
gaged in farming pursuits. He remained witli his 
father until his marriage and the latter presented 
him with 150 acres of land in Licking County, 
Ohio. This latter he rented out and remained with 
his father until 1866, when they removed to Illi- 
nois. He is now the possessor of 800 acres of land, 
all finely improved and cultivated, supplied with a 
good brick residence and all necessary out-build- 



■*► 



I 



f 



t 



800 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



ings for the storing of grain and the shelter of 
stock. To the raising of the latter he has given 
niiioii time and careful attention and exhibits some 
of the finest animals in this section of the Prairie 
State. 

The subject of this liistory was married on the 
15tli of January, 1861, in Ohio, to Miss Electa B. 
Moore, a native of Morgan County, that State. 
She became the mother of one child, Charles M., 
and departed this life on the 20th of June, 1864. 

The second mariiage of Sir. Foster was with 
Mi.ss Alice King and took place on the 1st of April, 
18G8. William King, the father of the present 
Mrs. Foster, was a native of Pennsylvania and 
came to McLean County, 111., at an early day, set- 
tling in Bloomington Township, where he improved 
a farm and remained the balance of his lifetime. 
His wife was Miss Ann ^'an Nostin, of Ohio, and 
born in Hamilton County. She still lives on the 
old homestead in Bhjomington Townsiiip. Mrs. 
Alice Foster was born in McLean Countj, 111., and 
of this union there have been born four children — 
John S., Loren K., Ivan V. ;ind Alice B. Mr. Fos- 
ter is Republican in politics and in all respects is 
fulfilling the duties and obligations of a good citi- 
zen. 



eAPT. A. C. SWEETSER, ex-Ueputy Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue, having his resi- 
dence in Bloomington, has been a resident 
of this section since 1859, and has built for him- 
self a record as an honest man and a good citizen. 
He is a native of Cumberland County, Me., where 
he was born in 1836, and is the son of A. P. and 
Mary (Cox) Sweetser, also natives of that State. 
The subject of this hisEory came to Bloomington 
when si.xteeii years of age, and engaged to learn 
the trade of a miller, at which he continued until 
the outbreak of the late Rebellion. He was among 
tiie first to offer his services to preserve the Un- 
ion, enlisting in April, 1861, in Co. C, 8th 111. Vol. 
Inf., it being the first company raised in McLean 
County. After serving his first term of enlistment 
he re-enlisted, and remained in the army until the 
close (jf the war, being a memlier of Co. B, 39th 
III. \'ol. Inf. He entered the army as a private, 



but in 1864 received a Captain's commission. At 
the bhttle of Wier Bottom Church, near Petersburg, 
Va., on June 2, 1864. he lost his left leg bj' a gun- 
shot wound. 

At the close of the war he returned to Blooming- 
ton, and in 1874 was appointed Deputy Collector 
of Internal Revenue, the duties of which he per- 
formed in a creditable and satisfactory manner un- 
til the change of administration. Mr. Sweetser is 
Republican in politics, is Department Ccmimander 
of the G. A. R. of Illinois, and a member of the 
I. O. O. F., the K. of P.. the Red Men and the 
Seven "Wise Men. 

'^ ^-^ ^ 




r 



,,.., S. DUNINC The homestead of this suc- 
i@£JJI cessful farmer and stock-grower is beauti- 
fully located in Padua Township, which 
occupies a position in the second tier from 
the south line of McLean County. Here he has 
240 acres of finely cultivated land, provided with 
handsome and substantial farm buildings, and indi- 
cating in all its appointments the exercise of culti- 
vated taste and ample means. He took possession 
of it in 1864, his first purchase lieing 160 .acres, to 
which he has added since that time, and h.as now 
one of the finest farm estates in this part of the 
county. 

Mr. Dnning was born in Monroe County, Ind., 
Nov. 28, 1833, and is the son of John M. and Sallie 
(Wami)ler) Duning. The father w-as of Kentucky 
stock, and born in the Blue Gra.ss regions. He 
went to Indiana while yet a young man, before his 
marriage. The mother of our subject was a native 
of Virginia. After their marriage John Duning and 
his wife removed to Illinois, and made their home 
in I'.adua Township until their death. The par- 
ental household included eight children, two sons 
and six daughters. 

Mr. Duning of this sketch was the sixth child of 
his parents, and received his education in his native 
county. He was married on the 3d of December, 
18S.'), ill Moi)roe County, Ind., to Mrs. Caroline 
(Whisnan) Parks, who was born near Bloomington, 
Ind., March 16, 1851, and was the youngest child 
of William C. and Elizabeth (Wolfe) Whisnau, na- 
-ml^ 



i 






^ 



^ 



t 



■^^ 



-A^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



803 iv 



t 



tives respectively of \'irgiiiin, and Tennessee. 
They were married and shortly afterward located 
in Monroe County, Jnd., where the mother died in 
1873, aged sixty-five years. The father is still liv- 
ing on the old homestead, being now eighty years 
of age. Mrs. Duiiing was reared and educated in 
her native county, and by her first marriage, with 
Joseph Parks, became the mother of two children 
— Walter and Cora A. JMr. Parks was born in 
Monroe County, hid., and died there Nov. 11, 
1883, having been a successful farmer and busi- 
ness man. Mr. Duning, b3' a former marriage, be- 
came the father of three children, one of whom, 
Sallie, is deceased. Those living are Mollie B., the 
wife of Mathew Richardson, a prosperous farmer of 
Padua Township, and Lewis, who is at home. Mr. 
Duning is a stanch adherent of the Democratic 
party, and an important factor in the business and 
agricultural interests of his township. 



||/_^ARRISON HOUSER, who for the last 

f^ thirty-five years has been an honored resi- 
dent of McLean County, and most of the 
time successfully engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, is located on section 16, Randolph 
Township. His fine homestead comprises 260 acres 
of valuable land, splendidly improved, well sup- 
plied with water and adapted to the growth of all 
the cereals known to this climate. It is located on 
the road leading from Heyworth to Bl(.)omington, 
and invariably attracts the eye of the traveler 
through this section. The family residence is a 
fine structure, and the barns and out-buildings are 
in keeping with a first-class farm estate. 

When Mr. Houser came to this county, which 
was in the year 1852, and took possession of this 
place, it was only partly improved, and its present 
high condition of cultivation has been brought 
about by the exercise of persevering industry, and 
the rai-e good judgment with which our subject is 
gifted. He has been unusually fortunate in his 
business transactions and by his strsightforward 
methods and courteous manner in all his dealings 
has gained the good-will of his fellow-citizens and 
associates. 

Harrison Houser was born in Jessamine County, 



Ky.,Sei)t. 1.5, 1830. His father, Peter Houser, was 
also a Kentuckian b^' birth, but of German ances- 
try. His grandfather, Abraii.am Houser, came di- 
rectly from Rhenish (iermany, and located in 
Marjland, where it is supposed he was married. He 
also oHiciated there as a Dunkard minister for some 
years, and lived there until after all his children 
were born, and then removed with his family to 
Kentucky and settled in Jessamine County. This 
removal occurred about the beginning of the pres- 
ent century. There Abraham Howser, Sr., lived 
for many yeai's and was engaged as a miller, erect- 
ing a mill in Jessamine County as early as 1H07. 
While on a visit to Clermont County, Ohio, he de- 
parted this life at a ripe old age. He was a man of 
great force of character, and was held in high re- 
spect by those who knew him. His son Abraham 
went to Kentuck3' with his parents, and was there 
married to Miss Elizabeth Trisler, who was of Ger- 
man parentage. They remained in Jessamine 
County for a number of years, this son also being 
engaged as a miller. He followed his trade there 
until 1835, and then with his family came to Illi- 
nois and located on Sugar Creek in Logan County. 
They lived theie until the death of Abraham, Jr., 
and his wife Elizabeth, at an advanced age. The}' 
were prominent and useful members of the commu- 
nity, and reared their children to those principles 
of honor and honesty which they had made the rule 
of their own lives. Of these there were nine in 
number, all born in Kentucky, and have the fol- 
lovving names — Nancy, Peter, Jonathan, Elizabeth, 
Susan, Katie, John, Abraham and Mary A. All 
lived to mature years and all were married, but 
only one is now living, the youngest of the family, 
who became the wife of ^MIliam Longworth and 
resides in Bloom ington. 

Peter Houser, the second child of the aforesaid 
family and the father of our subject, like his father 
before him also became a miller. Later he became 
a manufacturer of rope and bagging and other 
articles, in the making of which hemp was utilized. 
After abandoning this he engaged in farming. He 
came to McLean (bounty in March, 1853, which re- 
mained his home until his death, which occurred 
ten years later. He lived up to the training given 
him by his e.xcellent parents, and like them enjoyed ' ' 



^ 



t 



804 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i^y 



,T Mr 

r- 



the eoufldence and respect of all who knew him. 
He was a Whig politieally in early life, but later 
became a standi .•ulhereiit of the Republioan party. 
He was a member in good standing of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church for many years. His wife, 
formerly Miss .Sarah Ilornie, of Jessamine Count3', 
Ky., was of German ancestry .and born Aug. U, 
1808. She is a lady of great force of character, 
who has taken good care of her physical he.atlh. 
and at the age of seventy-nine years retains her 
faculties to a remarkable degree. She now makes 
her home with her son, our subject. For many 
years she has been a worth}' member of the Meth- 
odist Episcoiial Cliurcli. The parental household 
included five children, all living, namel}': Margaret 
lives with her brother, our subject; Mary J. was 
the wife of R. .T. Smith, a farmer of Jessamine 
County, Ky., but now deceased; Harrison was the 
third child; Malinda married William Rayburn, 
of Kansas City, Mo., who operates a stockyard at 
that place ; Peter married Miss Emeline Gault, who 
died in February, 1874. 

Mr. Houser, whose name heads this sketch, was 
reared in his native county, and remained with his 
parents until twenty-one years of age. He came 
to this county in 1852, and h.as since made this his 
home. He was married, Oct. 1, 1857, to Miss 
Eliza Hoover, at the home of the bride's parents 
in Felicity, Clermont Co., Ohio. She was born in 
that county, Oct. 16, 1835, and is the daughter of 
John and Elizabeth (Houser) Hoover. The father 
was a native of Maryland, the mother of Jessa- 
mine County, Ky. After their marri.age they set- 
tled in Ohio, but the father spent his Last da3's with 
his daughter, Mrs. Houser, in this county, where he 
died in 1884, aged eighty -seven years. She re- 
ceived careful home training by most excellent 
parents, and remained with them until 1854, when 
she came to McLean County and was engaged as a 
teacher for some time before her marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Honser have become the parents 
of five children, as follows: Flora married Mr. F. 
E. Orendorff, of this county, .and they are living 
on a farm in Bloom ington Township; Agnes be- 
came the wife of F. O. Eash, also a farmer of said 
township; Anna, Eva and Melvin are at home. 
JNIrs. II. and her daughter Agnes are members of 



the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is 
Republican in ])olitics, and was Justice of the Peace 
for a number of years. He has in all respects ful- 
fill('(l the duties of a good citizen and receives his 
reward in the respect and esteem of his neighbors 
and associates. That he has made life a success is 
due to his untiring energy and application, com- 
bined with careful management of his affairs. His 
is an hospitable home where is always found an 
abundance of the best, and at his board friends 
and .acquaintances are alwiiys welcome. The ac- 
companying portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Houser rep- 
resent the features of one of the most highly' es- 
teemed couples in this county. 



^>/w«N«jiij2£/©|@ 



»@J^J/2'2rzir»v.'vw«. 



<| l|;ILLIAM WILEY, an old and highly es- 
\/iJ// teemed resident of Colfax, this county, 
W^ »ow retired from the active labors of life, 
is a native of Garrard Count}', Ky., and was born 
Aug. 24, 1813. His grandfather, William Wiley, 
Sr., a native of .Maryland, was a f.armer by occupa- 
tion and married Miss Sarah Royston. They em- 
igrated to Kentucky at an early d.ay and thence to 
Indiana. Among their children was a son, John, 
who became the father of our subject. He was 
born in Maryland, and being reared to agricultural 
pursuits, followed farming in a modest waj' all his 
life. The wife of his choice was formerly Miss 
Hannah Sampson, whose family removed from 
Maryland to Kentucky in the early history of the 
latter State. They became the parents of five 
sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to 
become men and women, married, and had families 
of their own, except a son and daughter who died 
before reaching their majority. 

William Wiley was the second child and eldest 
son of liis parents and was about five years of age 
when they removed from his native .State to Indi- 
ana. They located first in Switzerland County, 
and thence, in 1834, removed to McLean County, 
111., first stopping in M.artin, and a few years later 
removed to Money Creek Township. There they 
settled on a farm which remained the home of the 
parents until their decease, the death of the mother ^ 
occurring previous to that of the father. After the ^ 



■^ ^ m <' 



t. 



4- 



McLean county. 



805 ik 



i 



deatli of his mother, William Wiley, in the fall of 
1841, was united in marriage with Miss Nancy 
Hopkins, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of 
Robert and Mila (Bartholomew) Hopkins. Mr. 
Wiley and his bride settled on a farm Iti Martin 
Townshi)), this county, one mile west of what is 
now the town site of Colfax. Here they resided 
forty years, thence removing into the vill.age of Col- 
fax, in February, 1882. They had a famil}' of seven 
children, consisting of five sons and two daughters — 
John, Robert, Joseph. William, J.aTues, Mila and 
Nancy. Thi'ee of the sons served as Union soldiers 
in the late w.ar. Robert died at Vicksburg in 18G3: 
John served three years, retnrned unharmed, and is 
now deceased ; Joseph enlisted at the age of sixteen, 
and served eighteen months, and is now farming in 
Nebraska; Mila, the eldest daughter, became the 
wife of S. Smith, and Nancy married L. Fincham; 
both live in Martin Township. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley 
are prominent members of the Methodist Church 
Mrs. Wiley having been a member flfty-si.K years. 
Their son William is a minister of the Methodist 
Church, and is at present stationed at Lewistown, 
P^ulton County, this State. 

<iYjOHN FLETCHER, of Blue Mound Town- 
ship, is a native of the British Empire, and 
emigrated from his native England to the 
(^^ United States in 1851. He is the son of 
Michael and Mary (Johnson) Fletcher, also natives 
of England, in which country the father met 
with an accidental death. After coming to this 
conntry the mother made her home in Blooming- 
ton Township where she died within less than one 
j'ear thereafter. The parental household included 
eleven children, nine of whom came to America. 

The subject of this history was born Sept. 1 1 , 
1823, and from the time he was twenty-one years 
old until he started for America, two years later, 
was engaged in farming, and burning and drawing 
coke. He reached New York City in the spring of 
1851, and then went to Canada, but after a few 
weeks returned to the States and stopped at Youngs- 
town, Ohio. After a short stay there he went to 
Delaware, Ohio, where he remained nearly one year 

4* 



and a half. From there he came to this county in 
the fall of 1853. making the trip from Delaware, 
Ohio, to Bloomington, 111., with a horse team. 
Upon arriving in Bloomington, he had only about 
nine cents in cash, but his team was worth about 
$150. He emi)loyed himself for the first four 
months in chopjiing wood. The following spring 
he rented a farm in Bloomington Township, uiion 
which he remained two years, then removed into 
the city and engaged in hauling wood and at other 
occupations where he could employ his team. Af- 
ter a while he took up his abode in Normal Town- 
ship whence he removed to Towanda Township, 
where ho rented a farm which he o])erated for eight 
years following. In ISiw he purchased 200 acres 
of land in Blue Mound Township, on section 19, 
where he has since lived. 

Mr. Fletcher is a striking example of the self- 
made man. Ui)on coming into this vicinity, as it 
has liecn seen, he was comparatively without means. 
His industry and energy, however, secured him 
friends from the start, while his honesty and in- 
tegrity retained them. He has been prospered re- 
markably in his undertakings, and is now the pos- 
sessor of 350 acres of valuable land under a fine 
state of cultivation. Upon this he has a flue set of 
farm buildings and everything pertaining to a 
modern country estate. Himself and family are 
surrounded by all the comforts and enjoy njany of 
the luxuries of life. They have a wide circle of 
warm friends, and in all respects maj' be reckoned 
among the best citizens of this wealthy and popu- 
lous county. Fletcher Station was named after our 
subject. He has proved him.self a skillful and 
progressive farmer, and of late years, in .addition to 
the raising of grain and other farm products, has 
turned his attention to the breeding of fine horses, 
his favorite being the Clydesdale. 

Mr. Fletcher was married in the county of Dur- 
ham, England, May 1, 1848, to Miss Ruth, daugh- 
ter of George and Elizabeth (Taylor) Robson, na- 
tives of England. Mrs. Fletcher was born in Dur- 
ham County, England, March 17, 1832, and of her 
union with our subject there have been born twelve 
children, seven of whom are living. The record is 
as follows: Elizabeth, the eldest, became the wife 
of Charles Krause, and resides in Bloomington, 111. ; ^ r 



T 






806 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



William married Miss Laura Shuck, and John, who 
married Miss Ellen Maxwell, resides in Dakota; 
Mary, Mrs. May wood Bid He, is a resident of Money 
Creek Township; George F. married Miss Alice 
Lambert, and is farming in Blue Mound Township; 
David married Miss Edna Biddle, and lives in 
Normal Township; Howard is at home with his 
parents. With one exception, those deceased died 
in infancy-; IMichael died in Blue Mound Township 
wlien twenty years of age. Mr. Fletcher is an 
earnest supporter of the Republican party, and has 
filled with credit the minor offices of the township. 




V 



iLTSII WIRT, tile manufacturer and coal 
dealer at Saybrook, this county, was born 
in Highland County, ()hi(j, in 1848. He is 
)the son of .lames and Margaret (Newman) 
Wirt, natives of A'irginia, the former born in 
1792, and the latter in l.soT. They were married 
in 1822. James Wirt followed the joint vocations 
of lawyer, bricklayer and farmer, in all of which 
he was proficient. The young people remained in 
Virginia after their marriage about six years, and 
thence removed into Highland County, Ohio, 
where the father of our subject followed bricklay- 
ing and farming, and in due time became owner of 
100 acres of land, which he cultivated, with the as- 
sistance of his sons, until it became quite valuable. 
He remained in Ohio until IS.iO, then desiring to 
remove still further westward, came into the Prai- 
rie State, locating in Bloomington, this county, for 
a short time, and then i)urchased 280 acres of land. 
To this he subsecinently added until at the time of 
his death, in 1808, he was the owner of 400 acres. 
The mother died one month after the decease of 
her liusl);uid. Included in the property of James 
Wirt was the Dawst>n farm, upon which was made 
one of the (irst settlements in McLean Count}', and 
which ill early days was frequently used bj' the 
Indians as a camping-ground. 

The parental family of our suljject included nine 
children, the record of whom is as follows: Will- 
iam married Ella Reid; Mary is deceased; John 



married Miss Almariuda Minton, of I'adua Town- 
ship, and still resides there; Catherine, the wife of 
W. 8. Vandervoort, is a resident of Padua Town- 
ship; Ellen married John M. Stipp, of Arrowsraith 
Township; James B. married Miss Hettie Howell; 
Addie A. Itecame the wife of Austin M. Kimler; 
Rush, of our sketch, was the seventh child; Flor- 
ence, Mrs. William Clarke, is a resident of Ne- 
braska. Mr. Wirt was a good citizen in all that the 
term implies, having held the office of Supervisor 
and various other positions within the gift of his 
townsmen. He was a straightforward Re|)ublican, 
and both parents were memliers in good standing of 
the Methodist Church. 

Rush Wirt remained under the home roof until 
he attained his majority, reared to farming pursuits 
and educated in the common schools. He afterward 
operated for himself on the old homestead, finally 
purchasing 100 acres, upon which he farmed for 
five years, and then engaged in the manufacture of 
drain tile in Saybrook for nine years following. In 
the meantime he also handled considerable coal, and 
has been uniformly successful in his business trans- 
actions. Besides being interested in the manufact- 
ure of drain tile, Mr. Wirt owns a handsome resi- 
dence, situated on State street, and also has 480 
acres of land in Kansas. 

The marriage of Mr. Wirt with Miss Arminta 
Hoshaw took place at the home of the bride's par- 
ents in 1878. Mrs. Wirt is the daughter of James 
and Elizabeth (Daj') Hoshaw, of Ohio, whence they 
afterward removed to Illinois and then to Iowa. 
After a few j-oars spent in the Hawkeye State Mrs. 
Hoshaw returned to Ohio on a visit, and there died 
in 1869. Mr. II. still survives, and is now a resi- 
dent of Iowa. They were the parents of four chil- 
dren — America, Arrrrtnta, Matilda and Martha. 
Mr. Hoshaw was married the second time, to Mrs. 
Evaline Gregory, the issue being one child, a son, 
James. 

Rush Wirt and wife are both prominently con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Saybrook, to which they contribute liberally and 
cheerfully. Mr. Wirt belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternitj' and the K. of P. He assisted in organizing 
Arrowsmith Lodge No. 737, of which he was Sec- 
retary for eighteen mouths, and held all the of- ' 



•►-■C^ 



i 




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McLean county. 



807 



t 




t 



(ices in his lodge until his removal from Arrow- 
smith. The children of Air. and Mrs. Wirt are as 
follows: Lelia E., born Nov. 9, 1879; Herman C, 
in 1881, and Ethel T., June 19, 1883. 

HOMAS ARNOLD, one of the substantial 
and progressive farmers of Blue Mound 
Township, comes of excellent German and 
L'ish ancestry, and is the son of Josejih and Elisa- 
beth (Sloan) Arnold, natives of Virginia, where the 
father followed farming and merchandising. The 
old folk remained in the Old Dominion and there 
spent the greater part of their lives, both dying- 
there, at an advanced age. Their six children 
were Zachariah, Thomas, Richard, George, Ann 
and Peter. 

Thomas Arnold was born in what is now known 
as Mineral County, W. Va., May 24, 1829. He 
was reared on his father's farm and remained under 
the parental roof until 1855. In February of the 
year named he set his face toward the great West, 
and came into this county, and purchasing 160 
acres of land on section 27, Blue Mound Township, 
set about the establishment of a homestead for 
himself. For two years, in company with his 
brother Zachariah, he kept bachelor's hall, and then 
decided to obtain a housekeeper, who would be 
both a companion aud helpmeet. He was accord- 
ingly married on the 12th of November, 1857, to 
Miss Sarah J. R. Smith, who was born in Boone 
County, Ky., Aug. IG, 1833, and was the daugh- 
ter of Nathan and Fannie (Kendrick) Smith, na- 
tives of Kentucky. Nathan Smith died in his 
native State, when seventy-four years of age. The 
mother having arrived at the advanced age of 
ninety-three years, makes her home with our sub- 
ject. Mrs. Arnold was about twenty-three years 
old when she came to this county. Of her mar- 
riage with our subject there were born eight chil- 
dren. Joseph, the eldest, married Miss Mary E. 
Wilhoite, and resides in Lexington Township; 
Christian S. married Miss Maggie Williams and is 
farming in Blue Mound Township. The others 
are Elisabeth. William, Richard ^^, George B., 
Thomas, Jr., and Fannie M. 
4» 



The homestead of Mr. Arnold includes 240 acres 
of finely improved land, with a good set of farm 
buildings. Of late years he has been chiefly en-' 
gaged in stock-raising, turning his attention mostly 
to Durham cattle. Of the former he keeps about 
twenty-five head and his stables contain about ten 
head of horses and colts. 

When Mr. Arnold first came to this county, there 
were few settlers within sight of his home; wolves 
were plenty and he often got up in the night to set 
his dogs upon the mischievous prowlers. He is 
thoroughly acquainted with the trials and priva- 
tions of pioneer life, and has contributed his full 
shai'e to the develf)pment and prosperity of this 
section. He is held in great respect by his fellow- 
citizens and has been the incumbent of various 
offices in his township, serving as Justice of the 
Peace four years. Mr. and Mrs. A. are worthy 
members of the Christian Church, and our subject 
in politics is independent. 



ARTIN SHEPHERD, Justice of the Peace 
at Chenoa, was bt)rn on a farm in Otsego 
County, N. Y., on the 27th of July, 1833. 
He is the son of William and Tacy (Bird- 
sail) Shepherd, natives of New York State. The 
grandfather of our subject, Henry Shepherd, who of 
was of Irish parentage and ancestry, served as a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. William, his son, 
the father of our subject, was reared to farming 
pursuits, and spent his early years in his native 
countj'. The household circle consisted of five sons 
and two daughters; two of the sons are deceased. 
Martin Shepherd, who was the youngest but one of 
his p.arents* family', spent his childhood and j'outh 
on his father's farm, and received a practical educa- 
tion. When seventeen years of age he commenced 
teaching, and was thus employed during the winter 
season for fifteen years, while he worked on the 
farm during the summers. He came to Illinois in 
18G0 and located in Chenoa, where he first en- 
gaged in teaching, and afterward in the real-estate 
business. In 1 8G5 he was elected Justice of the 
Peace, which position he has since held. 

During the late war Mr. Shepherd enlisted as a 




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i 



t 



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808 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Union soldier, in Co. C, 72d 111. ^'ol. Inf., whence 
he was soon afterward transferred to Co. C, 33d 
111. Vol. Inf. He took part in the engagement at 
Spanish Fort, Ft. Blakesley and Mobile, and various 
minor engagements and skirmishes. He performed 
his part bravely and faithfully as a solilier, and re- 
ceived his honorable discharge at the close of the 
war, being mustered out in IHGy. Soon afterward 
he returned to Chenoa, and a few months later was 
elected to his present otfice. He has also served 
as Notary Public for the past twenty j'ears. 

Mr. Shepherd was married on the 3d of SejJtem- 
ber. ISOI, to Miss M. F. McMaban, of Chenoa, wiio 
was born in Kentucky, Aug. la, 1841. Of this un- 
ion there were born two children — Howard Logan 
and Frank Birdsall. Mr. Shepherd owns a pleasant 
home in the village, and is universally' esteemed 
wherever known. 



T/ ASALLE STOOPS, senior member of the 
I (^) firm of Stoops & Ellington, manufacturers 
IL^. of tile at Colfax, is a native of the Prairie 



.State, and was born in Ipava, Fulton County, Sept. 
19, 1858. He is the son of Samuel A. and Ellen 
(Clannon) .Stoops. Samuel Stoops was a native of 
Kentucky, but removed with his parents, when but 
four years of age, to Indiana, settling near Indian- 
apolis. The nn^ther was a native of Ohio. The 
father of our subject came iiili> Illinois while a sin- 
gle man and located in Fulton County, where he 
married and lived until I8(J7. In that year he 
came to McLean County and took up his residence 
in Blue Mound Township, where he npw resides. 
The parental household included two sons and 
three daughters, of whom LaSalle of our sketch 
was the second child. He w.as eight years of age 
when he came to this county with his parents. 

In the spring of 1880 Mr. Stoops of this notice 
located in Colfax, and since that time has been con- 
nected with the tile works here. He first entered 
into partnership with W. G. Anderson, Sr., with 
whom he continued for eighteen months when Mr. 
Anderson disposed of his interest to Edward F. 
Pochel. Subsequently Mr. Pochel withdrew and 
the brother-in-law of our subject, Henry W. Elling- 



ton, assumed the place which he had occupied in 
the firm. The factory proper covers an area of 
32x120 feet, two stories in height, besides a dry 
house 20x80 feet, also with two floors. Both mem- 
bers of the firm are straightf(jrward, energetic busi- 
ness men. and theii' manufactory has become an 
important institution among the industrial interests 
of this section. 

The subject of our sketch was married, in 1878, 
to Miss Libbie Brown, of Old Town Townshii), and 
the daughter of A. C. Brown, who is now a resi- 
dent of Berlin, Wis. Mrs. Stoops departed this 
life on the Itth of October, ISSG. She was a lady 
greatly esteemed by all who knew her, for her 
many amiable traits of character. They had no 
children. 



WTLLIE VANORDSTRAND, of Randolph 
Township, cng.aged in farming and stock- 
raising, owns and occ\ipies a fine homestead 
of ICO acres on section (!. township 21 ntn-th, range 
2 west, liis land being finely improved and under a 
good state of cultivation. He has all the accesso- 
ries of a first-class farm estate. The residence is 
substantial and tasteful, a model of comfort and 
convenience. His barns are well built and shapely 
and especially arranged for the care and shelter of 
stock and the storing of grain. His farming im- 
plements and machinery are after the most ap- 
proved plans. It is evident that our subject takes 
pride in his business from the tiuifty appearance of 
his fine farm. 

Mr. N'anordstrand was born on his father's home- 
stead in Randolph Township, Nov. 20, 1855; a 
sketch of his father's famil}- will be found in an- 
other part of this work. Willie w.as reared at home 
and pursued his earl}' studies in the district schools 
of Randolph Township, and afterward attended 
the university at Lincoln, 111. He remained at 
home until his marri.age, which occurred Nov. 22, 
187G, at the residence of the bride's parents in 
Heyworth, the maiden of his choice being Miss 
Nannie M., the daughter of Joseph K. and Malvira 
(Hampton) Noble, natives of Ohio, whence Mr. N. 
came to this State and was afterward married in 
McLean County. He m.ay be properly classed as 




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I 



t. 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



809 



i 



one of the pioneer settlers, having come to this 
county in 1831, and which has remained his home 
since that time. He is still living, and makes his 
home with his son, Dr. C. M. Noble, and also 
spends considerable time with his daughter, the 
wife of our subject. He is now quite aged. 

Mrs. Vanordstrand was born in Randolph Town- 
ship, this county, Dec. 26, 18.58, and was here 
reared antj educated, remaining with her parents 
until her marriage. Of her union with our subject 
there have been born five children — Charles V., 
Carl N., Dora, Floy and Fay. Mr. and ]\Irs. V. 
removed to their present home shortly after their 
marriage, and our subject has gre.itly improved its 
condition since he came into possession of it. Mrs. 
V. is a member in good standing of the Presby- 
terian Church. Our suliject is Democratic in poli- 
tics, and a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 
483, of Hey worth. 

'^1 R. WHITE, of Bloomington, is at present 
conducting a prosperous trade in stoves and 
tinware at No. 606 North Main street, and 
as one of the business men of that city is con- 
tributing his share toward maintaining its progress 
and reputation. Mr. Wliite is a native of Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., and w.as born .Sept. 8, 1842. His parents 
were James M. and Elinore (Brown) White, also 
natives of the Keystone State. His father was a 
wholesale dealer in clothing and died in 18.54. The 
mother is living in Kansas with her daughter Mary, 
now Mrs. Wallace. The parental family consists of 
four children, viz: .John B. of Bloomington, James 
M., Mary, and Margaret, Mrs Colwell, of Kans.as. 
James M. White was a Class-leader of the Method- 
ist Church fur many years, and a useful and highly 
respected member of the community where he 
lived. 

The subject of this biograph}' left the parental 
roof at eleven years of age, and going to Kansas 
was variously emplo^'ed for a number of years, and 
then went to learn the tinner's trade, at which he 
served three j'ears. The war then coming on, he 
enlisted as a soldier of the Union, in Co. A, 12th 
Kan. Vol. Inf., became Fii'st Sergeant and served 
■^m- 



three years. He was in the battles at Red River, 
Pine Bluff, Wilson Creek, Memphis and Columbia, 
Tenn., and received his honorable discharge at the 
close of the war. He then returned to Kansas and 
after working a year at his trade engaged in busi- 
ness in the southern part of the State. In 1868 he 
came to Bloomington, worked at iiis trade until 
188C, and then established his present business. 

In 1872, Mr. White was married to Miss Harriet, 
the daughter of George and Maria (Johnson) Fogle, 
natives respectivelj' of Maryland and Ohio. She 
was burn in Zanesville. Ohio, in 18;52. Her father 
removed frum M.'iryland tu Ohio when a young 
man, and after his marriage located in Old Town 
Township, McLean Co., 111., where he engaged in 
farming. Their household circle was completed by 
the birth of nine children, of whom six are still liv- 
ing: Mary A., now JNIrs. Williams, and Isaac are 
in this State; William, a Methodist minister, is 
in Missouri ; Louisa, Mrs. Rodman, and Jeremiah 
are in Illinois; Harriet, Mrs. White, is the wife of 
our subject. The mother died in 1859, in Old 
Town Township, and the father in 1884, in Le Roy. 
They were worthy and excellent people and mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
Mr. Fugle was Class-leader and Superintendent uf 
the Sabbath-school for sixt}' ye.ars. 

Mr. and Mrs. White aie the parents of one child, 
a son, George H., who w.as born in 1874. Mr. 
White is a stanch Republican, and belongs to the 
G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W. 



y'lLLIAM D. MOORE, who is well known 
throughout McLean County as one of her 
foremost citizens and successful agricult- 
urists, has his residence on section 5, uf Tuwanda 
Tuwnship. His parents were Thomas and Martha 
(Dodsun) Moore, natives of Pennsylvania and 
Kentucky respectively. Prior to this union tlie 
elder Moore had been married in Pennsylvania to 
a Miss McCorkle. They moved to Ohio, where 
she died. The removal uf Thomas Muure to Ohio 
w.as during the early settlement of that State, and 
taking up his residence in Champaign County, he 
at once entered upon the duties of an active farm 



i 



t 



810 






McLean county. 



4 



life. These he continued to discharge with his 
usual energy until in April, 1828, when, returning 
home fr(jm a trip to Cincinnati, where be had taken 
a load of flour, which had been ground at Spring- 
field having first taken the wheat there, he was 
seized with fatal illness and died on the 24th of 
the month, before reaching his family. His widow 
subsequently came to this county, and after sur- 
viving her husband for over forty years, died Dec. 
22, 1870. in the village of Towanda. 

The father of our subject w.is a Major in tlie 
State militia at the breaking out of the War of 
1812, and held his commission in that conflict un- 
der the command of Gen. Hull. He was taken a 
prisoner, togetiier with the entire command, at De- 
troit. Mich., and transported to Canada. He was 
afterward paroled and returned home, but had de- 
termined to re-enlist, and was up<m the point of so 
doing when the war closed. The parents of our 
subject had sis children, three sons and three 
daughters, William D. of our sketch being the third 
in order of birth. 

Mr. Moore was born in Champaign Count}', 
Ohio, Dec. 27, 1821. He was reared on a farm, 
and for some years during his early life engaged in 
milling. Wiien about seventeen years of age he 
left the old iiomestead, and after working out for 
a short time and obtaining a little money he at- 
tended school. Tn f.'ict he took tlie first money he 
ever earned for iiiniself and used it for the purpose 
of obtaining an education, and consequently he 
claims to-day tliat lie still lias liie first money he 
ever made stored away in his mind. After attend- 
ing school for a time, he made such good progress 
that he was engaged as a teacher, and continued to 
perform the duties of a pi'd.agogue for about three 
years. Judging from liis life liistory, it is obvious 
that he must have always fully availed himself of 
all privileges of instruction to whicli he found ac- 
cess, and a distinguishing characteristic of his is 
tlie possession of (juickness of mind and talent. 

Mr. IMoore came to this county from Champaign 
County, Ohio, in the fall of Ks/il, and settled in 
Money C'rei!k Townshi|), where for one year he 
worked rented land. In the winter of 1852, he 
purchased eighty acres of land on section 5, To- 
w.anda Township, where he li.as since made his 



home. He is the owner of blocks 3, 4, 5 and (>, 
Towanda Village, and also 240 acres two and one- 
half miles west of Gilman, 111., in Iroquois County. 
He has good improvements on his farms and has 
the satisfaction of knowing that there has never 
been a mortgage upon his property or a judgment 
against him. 

Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary J., daughter of C'harlcs and Mary Moots, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. Her 
parents after marriage first settled in Logan Coun- 
ty, Ohio, whence they removed to Champaign 
County, the same State. The father died in the 
former count}', and the mother in the latter. Of 
the children, five sons and four daughters, Mrs. 
Mooi'e was the fourth in order of birth. She first 
saw light in Champaign County, Ohio, Jan. 25, 
1825. Of her union with our subject eleven chil- 
dren have been born, four of whom died in in- 
fancy. The living are Mary E., William T., Warren, 
Rhoda, John L., Charles and Ra[)h.ael. Mary is 
the wife of f4eorge J. Rexroth, and they are living 
in Napoleon, Ohio; William T. married Ellen Carj', 
and they are residents of Iroquois Count}', III. ; 
Warren liecame the husband of Miss Mary L. 
Knowlton. and they live in Onarga, Iroquois Co., 
III.; Rhoda and H. S. Ford were united in mar- 
riage and are residents of Atlanta, 111. ; John mar- 
ried JMiss Kittie Johnston, and they live in Iroquois 
County, 111.; Charles and Miss Luella Leach were 
married and are at i)resent residing at Ft. Scott, 
Kan.; Raphael is the only one of the children liv- 
ing at home. 

Mr. Moore was appointed the first Postmaster in 
Towanda, under the administration of President 
Pierce. lie assisted in laying the township out 
into school districts, and served as Trustee for 
eiglit years. He also held the offices of Township 
Treasurer and Justice of the Peace for four years, 
lie has settled eight different estates during his life, 
all of them in this county. 

About 1857, Mr. Moore formed a partnership 
with Kdwin Reeves, a brother of Judge Reeves of 
this county, for the purpose of buying, shipping 
and dealing in grain at Towanda. That partner- 
ship existed about two years, when Mr. Moore 
purchased the interest of his partner and carried on 

^ •► 



I 








r^ 






J. 



<^ 



,t 



McLean county. 



813 



the business alone until about 1863. In the grain 
business he was prosperous, making considerable 
money, but on account of hard woik and partial 
failure of health, he finally wisely retired to his 
farm within the corporation of Towanda, where he 
now resides. 

Mr. Moore's people aie of Welsh parentage. 
Raphael, the son of our subject, married Bliss Mary 
A. Coons. 

He and his good wife became members of the 
Ifnited Brethren Church in the fall of 1852, and 
our subject has been Trustee of his congregation 
for many years. Mr. Moore has also been a teach- 
er in the Sund.ay-school for twenty-five to thirty- 
years. In politics he is a Republican, although it 
is well known that he voted the first Prohibition 
ticket that was ever cast in Towanda Villasj-e. 



IRAM HARBERT, one of the oldest settlers, 
as well as best known and most highly re- 
spected citizens of Bloomington Township, 
is the owner of 140 acres of valuable land 
oil section 27, most of which is under a good state 
of cultivation. Mr. Harbert came to this section 
with his father in the spring of 1824, and most of 
his time since that date has been spent in Bloom- 
ington Township. He was born in Washington 
County, Ind., July 16, 1814. His father, Joseith 
B. Harbert, was a native of Kentucky, where he 
■ was reared to manhood, and there married Miss 
Anna Gallow.ay, a native of the same State. Both 
were of American parentage, and Irish and English 
descent, respectively. After the birth of a part of 
their Large family, the parents, with three young 
children, moved northward into Indiana, where 
they located for a few years, during which time 
our subject wiis born. When he was a lad of about 
nine years old, his parents decided upon another 
removal and came over into Illinois, locating at 
first in Sangamon Count}'. Thence they came to 
McLe.an, arriving here on the 24th of March, 1821. 
Their home was in this ef)unty for some years 
thereafter, when the elder Harbert, with a part of 
his family, removed to Davis County. Iowa, where 
the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Jo- 




h 



seph Harbert was an old-line Whig in politics, a 
man of much force of character and not afraid to 
express his views when opportunity presented. 
Both parents were worthy members of tlie Chris- 
tian Church. 

lliiam Harbert received his early education in 
the primitive schools of McLean County, not en- 
joying the advantages offered to the youth of to- 
day, by the splendid educational facilities of this 
county. The rude log school-house of the early 
pioneer d.ays has been replaced with a handsome 
frame or brick structure, which for elegance and 
beauty of design rivals those of older settled coun- 
ties. In place of the masters of the early days 
who were looked up to as superior beings, and 
were consulted on .ill mattors of law, physic and 
religion, are teachers of liberal culture, intelligent 
and progressive, many of whom have a broad and 
comprehensive idea of education, and regard tlieir 
labor as something more than merel}' teaching in 
order to make a living, more than a knowledge of 
facts in the universe of mind and mattei'. It 
means culture, the development and disciplining 
of all the faculties of the human mind. While the 
people of this favored age are enjoying these 
blessings, they should not forget the struggles of 
the early pioneer to establish schools for their chil- 
dren. Through the pressure of poverty and priva- 
tion, at the earliest practical period, the pioneer 
planted the school-house, and made great sacrifices 
to sow the seed for the rich harvest now enjoyed. 

While a mere boy Hiram began the battle of life, 
having plenty of hard work, and enjoying few 
l)rivileges. After arriving at years of manhood he 
w.as married to Miss Elizabeth Hendrix, who was 
the first white child born in McLean County, and 
who passed from earth many years ago. She was 
the daughter of John Hendrix, one of the first set- 
tlers of the county. Mr. Harbert was again mar- 
ried, in Bloomington Township, to Miss Elizabeth 
Garr, who was a native of Marion County, Ky., 
born Sept. 25, 1821. Mrs. Harbert when a young 
girl fourteen years of age, came to this State with 
her parents, who at once located in Old Town 
Township, where they passed the remainder of their 
lives, and where Mrs. Harbert lived until her mar- 
riage. The household circle yf our subject and his 



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i 



t 



4 



814 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



wife has been completed by the birth of eight chil- 
dren, two of whom, Lucy A. and Annie, have 
passed to the silent land; Nathan married Miss 
Cynthia A. Driscoll,and they live on the old home- 
stead; John, Hester M., George, Malinda and Hi- 
ram are at home. 

The possessions of our subject have been accu- 
mulated by his own industry, and while building 
u]) a home with his hands he has also, by his hon- 
est and upright course, built for himself a repu- 
tation among his neighbors as that of an honest 
man and a good citizen. With his wife he is a 
member in good standing of the Christian Church, 
and in polities is a reliable Republican. Mr. Har- 
bert was I'ostmaster of Hendrix for ten years, and 
in other respects has been prominently identified 
with local affairs. No man has looked upon the 
development and progress of this great common- 
wealth of Illinois with greater satisfaction, and as 
opportunity has occurred, he has given his voice 
and influence to encourage the establishment of 
enterprises calculated to add more glory to his 
adopted State and credit to the county of McLean. 
For over sixty years Jlr. Harbert has lived in this 
community, indeed, the community has grown up 
around him. As a venerable patriarch, and one 
who has done much hard work, and given much 
valuable aid to the county and to the molding of 
the character of the i)eople, we take pleasure in giv- 
ing the portrait of Mr. Harbert in this work. 

W;ILLIAM E. HILTS is a well-known citizen 
of Money Creek Township, residing upon 
section 33, and is engaged in general farm- 
ing. He is the son of William D. and Hannah V. 
(Ross) Hilts, the former a native of Tompkins 
County, N. Y., and the latter of New Jersey. The 
parents located in Hamilton County, Ohio, when 
they were both quite j'oung, being taken there by 
their parents. There they developed into maturity, 
became acquainted with each other and were mar- 
ried, and there the father followed farming until 
some years after the death of his companion, which 
, event occurred in September, 1852. Subsequently, 
in 1857, he came to this county and settled on sec- 



tion 8, Towanda Township. Living there until the 
spring of 1874, they moved to Bloomington, where 
his demise occurred September 28 of that year. 
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William D. 
Hilts, and all lived to attain the age of man and 
womanhood, namely, Harriett, George, William E., 
Samuel, Marcus, Minerva, Jane V. and Peter P. 
The latter died at Bloomington, 111., when in the 
nineteenth year of his life; Harriett became the wife 
of Rev. Robert Conover, of Lexington, 111. ; George 
is living in Towanda Townshii); Samuel is engaged 
in mercantile pursuits at Towanda; Marcus is a far- 
mer of Towanda Township; Minerva is the wife of 
Rev. Thompson Ewing, and they are living at Blairs- 
ville, Indiana Co., Pa.; Jane V. and Dr. Madison 
H. Rose were united in marriage and they are liv- 
ing at Thorutown, Ind. 

The subject of this notice was born in Springfield 
Township, Hamilton Co., Ohio, July 9, 1837. He 
received a good education in the common schools 
and made Hamilton County his home until the fall 
of 1856. He then came to this county and locating 
in Towanda Township, was engaged in farming un- 
til April, 18G.'), when he removed to Money Creek 
Township, and settling on section 23, has there con- 
tinued his chosen vocation until the present time. 
He has 170 acres of good land, well improved, with 
good and substantial buildings upon it. 

Mr. Hilts was m.arried in Money Creek Town- 
ship to Miss Sarah E. Stewart, on the 4th of Au- 
gust, 1859. Her parents were Austin H. and Isa- 
bella (Lamme) Stewart; her father was born in 
Washington County, N. Y., and her mother in 
Montgomery County, Ohio. The father was a 
fuller by trade and during the latter part of his 
life was engagetl in farming. They first settled 
in Dayton County, Ohio, after their marriage, and 
in 185G came to this count}', and taking up 
their residence in Money Creek Township, made 
that their home until they were separated by the 
death of the wife, which occurred two years after 
their arrival in the county. He died in 18CG. 
Eight children were born of their union — William J., 
Sarah E., Mary A., David L. R., Charles F., Thomas 
C, Henry A. and Austin II. William J. was a 
practicing physician and died in Union City, Ind. ; 
Mary A. was the wife of J. AV. Rockwell and died 



-<^ 



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* 



i 



4 



-4^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



815 



t 



in Vinita, Ind. Ter. ; David L. R. departed this 
life at Towanda, in 1K55; Charles F. resides in 
Nashville, Tenn. : Thomas C. is living at Mobile, 
Ala.; Henry A. died at Ft. Scott, Kan.; Austin II. 
resides at Nashville, Teun. 

Mrs. Hilts was born at Dayton, Ohio, Jan. 7, 
1 837, and lived at home until after her marriage 
with our subject. By her union with Mr. Hilts she 
has become the mother of six children — Fannie B., 
Elbert E., Charles A., Roscoe S., William R. and 
Henry V. Fannie died when eight years old and 
Elbert when seven. Mr. Hilts has been Supervisor 
of his township two terms and also Township 
Assessor and Collector for several terms. In poW- 
ties he is Republican, and religiously he and his 
wife are members of the Presb3'terian Church. 

^^OTTLIEB ARNOLD, a representative of 
III (— -, that sturdy, energetic race which has done 
^^^ so much toward the agricultural develop- 
ment of McLean County, is pleasantly located on 
his fine farm on section 21, Towanda Township, 
where he is meeting with more than ordinary suc- 
cess. He is the son of Gottlieb and Johanna (Mor- 
lock) Arnold, natives of Germ.any, in which 
country they continued to reside until their death. 
The former was a weaver by trade and followed 
that calling until his demise. Of the six sons and 
three daughters born to the parents, our subject 
was the eldest son. He was born in Wiirtemberg, 
Germany, May 30, 1831. 

Early in life Mr. Arnold learned the weaver's 
trade and labored at the same for three or four 
years, or until he emigrated to the United States. 
The voyage to this country was made iu 1854, our 
subject disembarking at New York City and going 
at once to Lancaster County, Pa. There he worked 
at farm labor for about a year and a half and then 
came to Bloomington, this county, living in that 
city about four years. While there he worked at 
brickmaking part of the time, afterward engaged 
in teaming. He then rented a farm and lived on it 
for about a year, when he removed to another in 
Towanda Township, which he also rented and sue 
cessfuUy cultivated for three years. By this time 



he was enabled to purchase eighty acres, which he 
did and which was located on section 21, Towanda 
Township, and onto which he moved and has lived 
until the present time. lie erected good buildings 
on his farm and by economy and hard labor 
succeeded in saving sufficient to enable him to add 
to his original purchase and is now the owner of 
320 acres of valuable and productive laud, all lo- 
cated in Towanda Township. 

Mr. Arnold was married at Bloomington, Feb. 
17, 1859, to Catherine Blum, born in Germany, 
Oct. 21, 1833. She came to this country in 
1856, and by her union with our subject has be- 
come the mother of seven children : William, 
who married Clara Franke, and is a farmer of 
Tow.anda Township; Charles, Kate, George, Mary, 
Jacob and Carrie. Mr. "Arnold has held the office 
of Overseer of Highways, and also that of School 
Director. He and his wife are members of the Ger- 
man Methodist Church, and in politics he is a Re- 
publican. 

A fine lithographic view of the residence, out- 
buildings and stock on the farm of Mr. Arnold, is 
shown elsewhere in this work. 



C-*^- 




ATHEW RICHARDSON, a large land- 
owner and successful farmer and stock- 
holder of Padua Township, is the possessor 
of a fin(! homestead including 350 acres of 
good land, most of which is on section 11, and 
thirty acres of it being in timber. The estate is 
sujiplied with a fine set of modern farm buildings, 
a l)eautiful residence, substantial barn and all other 
necessary out-buildings. His stock and machinery 
are of first-class description and everything about 
the premises indicates the thrift, indtistrj' and in- 
telligence of its proprietor. Mr. Richardson has 
been eminently the architect of his own fortune, his 
worldly possessions being but $5 in cash and a suit 
of clothes, when he first came to this county. By 
years of industrious toil and good management, he 
now has a beautiful home, and is enjoj'ing the re- 
spect and confidence of a large circle of friends and 
acquaintances. 

When we look at the family historj^ of Mr. ^' 



^ 



t. 



816 



4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Richardson we are not surprised at wliat lie has ac- 
complished, for he comes of excellent Scottish an- 
cestry, distinguished for their morality, intelligence 
and industry. He also was a native of Scotland, 
born in Dumfriesshire, in 1824, and was the seventh 
child of a familj' of ten, born to John and Margaret 
(Lattimer) Richardson, both of whom were born 
and reared in Dumfriesshire, where the3' were mar- 
ried and spent their lives. They started out in life 
with good prospects, and the father for a number of 
years followed the pursuit of agriculture with re- 
markable success. He finally lost most of his 
property as thousands of others have done, by going 
security for friends and being compelled to make 
good the bond. The mother died when our sub- 
ject was but ten years of age. and the father six 
years after Mathew had come to the United States. 

After the death of his mother, our subject con- 
tinued to remain with his father until his marriage, 
which took place in his native county in 1850. 
The maiden of his choice was Miss Christina Nicol, 
who was boi;n and reared in the same neighborhood 
where her husband passed his bo^'hood and youth. 
After the birth of two children, Margaret and Jane, 
Mathew Richardson and his wife resolved to emi- 
grate to the United States. After a voyage of five 
weeks thej' landed in New York City, whence they 
came directly to Chicago. In the meantime our sub- 
ject had his pocket-book stolen, which, with the ex- 
ception of twenty-five cents, contained all his money. 
The contents of the pocket-book, however, he re- 
marks, would have seemed a very small sum to a 
rich man. He fortunately met a friend in Chicago 
with whom he remained six weeks and obtained 
such employment as his hands could find to do. 
Then he journeyed to Bloomington, this county, 
arriving here with $5 in his pocket. He rented a 
tract of land and operated on rented land for sev- 
eral years until he was able to secure a farm of his 
own. His first purchase was 100 acres on section 
13, Belleflower Township. This he sold in 1867 
and purchased eighty acres which constitutes a part 
of his present homestead. Besides his possessions 
in this county he has a quarter section of improved 
land in Lancaster County, Neb. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richardson became the parents of 
twelve children: Margaret, Jane, Agnes (deceased), 




r 



Mary, John, Jennette, William, Mathew, Archi- 
bald, Thomas, George, and one who died unnamed. 
Two sons and all the daughters are married. Tliey 
are regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and our subject politically is a solid Re- 
publican. 



AMUEL S. GALBRAITH, of Chenoa 
Township, is one of its most prominent 
and successful farmers, and the proprietor 
of 240 acres of v.aluable land, located on 
section 18. Of late years he has been giving his 
attention chiefly to the breeding of Short-horn cat- 
tle and Norman horses, and has gained an enviable 
reputation in this dei)artment of business. 

Many of the early settlers of this region, to whom 
it has been indebted for its rapid and substantial 
growth and progress, have emigrated from the 
Keystone State. Mr. Galbraith also claims this 
State as his birthplace. He was born near Can- 
nonsburg. Pa., Oct. 17, 1833, and is the son of 
Charles and Is.abella (Miller) Galbraith, natives of 
the North of Ireland. The mother came to this 
country in 1811, with her people, who took passage 
on an English vessel and made their first landing 
at Halifax, Nova Scotia. There they were de- 
tained until after the War of 1812. After their 
release they went to Philadelphia, Pa., and after 
tarrying a short time in the Quaker City, removed 
to Washington County. The father of our subject 
emigrated to America after the close of the War 
of 1812, and first stopped in Philadelphia. He 
was married in Washington County, th.at State, and 
remained in that locality until 1850, then removed 
to Harrison County, Ohio, locating upon a farm, 
where he and his good wife spent the remainder of 
their days. 

Of the eleven children of Charles and Isabella 
Galbraith, nine lived to maturity, and six still sur- 
vive. Of these, Samuel of our sketch was the fifth 
in order of birth, and grew to manhood in the 
Buckeye State. He received a fair education in 
the district schools and when nearly twentj'-seven 
years of age was united in marriage with Miss A 1- 
bina Hazelett, of Harrison County, Ohio. In 1865 
he removed to Illinois and located upon his pres- 



i 



t 



■^•- 



* r^ ^> 



McLean county. 



817 



4 



ent farm in this countj'. Here he has steadily fol- 
lowed the industrious and temperate habits to 
which he was trained by most excellent parents, 
aad has become one of the most valued citizens of 
this section. Mr. and Mrs. G. are the parents of one 
child, a son, Charles S. Mr. G. is Republican in 
polities, and his wife is a member of the United 
Brethren Church. 



EDWIN H. BURBANK, who owns a quarter 
section of finely improved land on section 
,^_^, 34, in Blue Mound Township, is a native of 
Java, Wyoming Co., Y. Y., and was born March 
IG. 1841. He is the son of Alden C. and Eliza 
(Salter) Burbank, the former a native of Massachu- 
setts, and the latter of Vermont. Alden C. Burbank 
was born Oct. 21, 1814, and his wife May 22, 1815. 
After marriage they settled on a farm in Wyoming 
County, vvhere the father cultivated the soil and 
continued to reside until his death, which occurred 
April 10, 1 886, when seventy-one years of age. The 
mother is still living on the old homestead in 
Wyoming Country. Their five children were, Seth 
H., Edwin H., Julia A., Medusa S. and Llewellyn R. 
The father of our subject owned a small farm 
and upon this Edwin was reared, and received a 
good common-school education. He made his 
home with his parents until he was twenty-three 
years old, but in the meantime was employed at 
whatever his hands could And to do, for the people 
in that vicinity. He was then married and worked 
out for two years thereafter, then went to Freedom, 
Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where he purchased a 
farm of fifty acres. There he lived with his family 
about two years, then sold out and came to Deca- 
tur where, after two months he purchased a farm in 
company with his brother-in-law, C. J. Frink, in 
Moultrie County, 111. He lived there one year, 
and in March, 1869, came to McLean County and 
rented land in Old Town Township for seven years. 
He then, in the spring of 1876, came to Blue 
Mound Township aiid settled on section 34, where 
he now owns 160 acres of fertile land which he has 
bi-ought to a fine state of cultivation. Here he has 
a good dwelling and all the out-buildings required 
4* 




by the progressive and first-class farmer. Mr. Bur- 
bank has been a leading man in his community; 
was Highway Commissioner for nine years. School 
Director and also School Trustee. Politically he is 
a reliable Republican, and is fulfilling all the obli- 
gations of a good citizen. 

Mr. Burbank was married in Arcade, Wyoming 
Co., N. Y., March 29, 1864, to Miss Isadore, 
daughter of John B. and Harriet (Wells) Frink. (See 
sketch of John B. Frink, of Old Town Township). 
Mrs. B. was the fifth of a family of eight children 
and was born in Arcade, then known as China, 
Wyoming Co., N. Y., July 25, 1842, where she 
lived until her marriage. Of this union there have 
been born two children — Harriet E., Aug. 2, 1866, 
and Grant, Nov. 4, 1868. 

\f^ R- J. HALLETT, a successful homeopathic 
physician of Bloomington, is located at 
No. 211 North Main street, and since his 
residence here, which embraces a period 
of thirty years, has established himself in the con- 
fidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen, both as 
a practitioner and citizen. 

Dr. Hallett was born in England, in the year 
1843, being the son of James M. and Lydia S. 
Hallett, natives of the same country. The younger 
days of our subject were passed under the home 
roof and in attendance at a select school un- 
til nine years of age, when his parents emigrated 
to America and settled in Walnut Hills, Ohio, 
where our subject pursued his studies in the public 
schools until 1857. The familj' then removed 
further westward to the Prairie State, and located 
in Bloomington, where their son prosecuted his 
studies in the First Ward public school for two 
years. He then went to Belleville, in the southern 
part of the State whence, after one year he returned 
to Bloomington, and remained until the outbreak 
of the late war. He then enlisted in Capt. Harvey's 
company, but after going to Springfield was re- 
jected on account of his youth. He tried it again, 
however, in August following, and this time be- 
came a member of Co. B, 39th 111. Vol. Inf., serv- 
ing until the close of the war, and was mustered ^ 

■ •► 



'i 



01 



^ 



SIS 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



out in December, 18(5;"). He entered service as a pri- 
vate, but was promoted Sergeant and afterward 
commanded his compan}' from August, 1804, until 
April 2, ISG;'), tlie senior officers being in the hos- 
pital on account of wounds received in battle. 

From the close of tiie war until 1872, Dr. Hal- 
lett was engaged in business at Bloomingtou and 
Heyworth, and soon afterward was appointed 
Deputy Circuit Clerk, which office he held three 
years, lie then toolv u]i the study of medicine 
with Dr. II. B. Wright, of IJloomington, and en- 
tered Hahnenann College, from which he graduated 
on the 21st of February, 1878. He then practiced 
medicine two years in I'ckin, HI., and since that 
time, in Bloomington. 

Dr. Hallett was married in Pekin in 1881, to 
Miss Ella, the daughter of H. M. and Elizabeth 
(Ledtermann) Rodenbeek. Mr. R. was of German 
birth and ancestry, and Mrs. R., of German parent- 
age but born in America. Of this union there have 
been born two children — James C. and Henry A. 
Dr. Hallett is a member of tlie I. O. O. F. and G. 
A. R., and soeiall3' .is well as professionally occu- 
pies a position in the front ranks. 

--*>• ••o*o.@v></®-">*'' *<-- 



OHN M(;CUNE, deceased, was one of the 
pioneer settlers of Chenoa Township, and a 
man greatly respected for his excellent traits 
(^^ of character and his worthy qualities as a 
citizen, neighbor' and friend. He w.as born on a 
farm in Cumberland County, Pa., Fell. 11, 1829, 
and was the son of Joini and Mary A. (Wilson) 
McCune, natives of tlie Keystone State. The 
father of our subject died when the latter was but 
six years of age. This sad event left the mother 
a widow with seven children, of whom our subject 
was the third. The brothers and sisters of Mr. 
McCune are as follows: William C. died when about 
sixty-seven years of age; Elizabeth became the 
wife of S. Barr, of Iowa; Mary A., Mrs. James 
Sharp, is now deceased; Nellie married John Quig- 
ley, of Newburg, Pa.; Nancy died in youth; Ha- 
dassah E. was married to Joel Hicks, and lives in 
Ohio; Rosanna married James II. W. Moore; Sarah 




J. married John Bush, of McLean County, 111., and 
Margaret, Mrs. Thompson Clemens, lives in Chenoa. 

During his childhood John McCune attended the 
common schools of his native town, and remained 
with his mother until reaching his majority'. The 
gold fever being tlieu at its height he started across 
the plains to California, accompanied by J. A. C. 
McCune, an attorney of Shippensburg, Pa., and 
after reaching that State engaged in mining near 
Sacramento. After an absence of three years and 
nine months he returned to his old home in Penn- 
sylvania, and Oct. 6, 1853, was married to Miss 
Annie G. Kelley, of Cumberland County. The3'^ 
located on the old homestead farm, near Oakville, 
Cumberland Co., Pa., and two years afterward our 
subject visited Illinois and purchased a half section 
of land in Chenoa Township, this count3\ He then 
returned to Pennsylvania, and in October of that 
year, 1855, moved to this county with his family, 
settling on a new farm which was then a wild prai- 
rie. He began breaking the sod, planted an or- 
chard, and steadily' carried on the improvement 
and cultivation of his purchase, which included the 
erection of a tasteful and substantial residence, a 
good barn and other necessary out-buildings. He 
was a skillful farmer and an excellent business 
manager, and in due time accumulated a fine eom- 
petenc3'. The hi)mestead which he thus established, 
and which his family to-da3' enjo3', consists of 160 
acres, adjoining a quarter section whicli vv.as pur- 
chased by his sister in 1 855. Mr. McCune improved 
three farms during his residence in this county. 

Mr. and Mrs. McCune became the parents of 
seven children, of whom William died when five 
years of age. Those surviving are Mary (t., Cor- 
nelia B., the wife of G. J. Arnold ; Sarah J., .John 
A. C, Maggie E. and Joel C. Mr. McCune was a 
consistent member of the Presbyterian Cliurch of 
Chenoa, in which he was a Deacon from the time 
of its organization. He was also a Trustee in 
the Cluirch, and one of the School Trustees in 
Chenoa Township. 

The death of Mr. McCune occurred under ver3' 
painful circumstances. On Feb. 10, 1887, he was 
accidentally killed by the falling of a shed. This 
structure had been regai'ded as unsafe for some 
months. On the day mentioned Mr, McCune had 



'i 






4- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



819- 



i 



arranged with liis son, wlio was a telegraph ojiera- 
tor in Clienoa, to come home and assist in the pull- 
ing down of the shed. It had originally been 
thatched with slough grass. This had mostly blown 
off, so that there was little left of the roof but the 
lafters. It is supposed that when Mr. McCune 
opened the door of the shed the cattle started in 
and pushing against one of the heavy perpendicu- 
lar supports which held the roof, caused it to fall, the 
heav}' timbers falling on him. He was found with 
one of these timbers lying across his shoulder, 
and another across his feet. The announcement of 
this calamity was received with universal sorrow 
by the people among whom he had lived so long, 
and by whom he was so generally respected. The 
widow and her children still occupy the homestead. 
Mrs. McClure was born and reared in Cumber- 
land County, Pa., and in her youth united with the 
Lutheran Church. Of late years she has been con- 
nected with the Presbj^terian Church, and is a lady 
greatly respected for her Christian character and 
blameless life. In politics Mr. McCune was a Dem- 
ocrat. 



EORGE GREGORY, a prosperous and in- 

Gfluential farmer of Gridley Township, owns 
and operates 460 acres of valuable land, 
which is finely improved with a handsome and sub- 
stantial dwelling, a good barn and other necessary 
outhouses, and, in fact, all the appliances of a first- 
class modern agi'iculturist. Mr. Gregory is a na- 
tive of Ihis township, born March 23, 18.").'), and is 
consequently a gentleman in the prime of life, with 
a prospect of many useful j'ears before him. His 
parents were John and Mary Gregory, and his early 
education was carried on in the common schools of 
Normal. 

Mr. Gregoiy was reared to farming pursuits, 
having, during the last few years, made a specialt3^ 
of stock-raising. He remained under the parental 
roof until his marriage, which took place in Fay- 
ette Count}', Ohio, Sept. .5, 1877, when he was 
united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Amanda 
Moon, daughter of Simon and Martha (McKillip) 
Moon, natives of Ohio. After marriage, the par- 
ents of Miss Moon settled in Faj-ette County, 



where the mother died in .Tanuary, 18.59. The fa- 
ther still survives, and resides in F.a3'ette County, 
Ohio. .John McKillip and Elizabeth (Whicker) 
McKillip, grandparents of Mrs. Gregory, were of 
Irish and German descent. The paternal ancestors 
of our subject were of German and Welsh extrac- 
tion. Mrs. Gregory was the tenth child of a faniilj' 
of six sons and five daughters, her birth occurring 
Jan. 31, 185.5. She and her husband are the par- 
ents of two daughters — Emma and Lois. They 
are members in good standing of the Christian 
Church, and politicall}' our subject uniformly' casts 
his vote with the Democratic party. 




ATT C. SMITH, City Treasurer of Bloom- 
ington, is a native of New York State, and 
was born in Newburg, on the Hud- 
son River, July 18, 1854. His father, 
Mathew C. Smith, Sr., was an old steamboat Cap- 
tain on the Hudson, and died when our subject was 
an infant. His mother, before her marriage, was 
Mary J. Stephens, and like her husband was a na- 
tive of New York. After the death of the father 
the mother removed West with her family, which 
consisted of two sons beside our subject. They 
located in Bloomington, where the mother is still 
living. 

The subject of this history came to this county 
in the fall of 1 8Go, in company with the late Dr. 
S. C. Wilson, who was a Lieutenant in the late war, 
and a prominent dentist, who stood at the head of 
his profession. At the time of his death, in 1881, 
he w.as an Alderman of this city. He married the 
only sister of f)ur subject. Miss Anna E. Smith. 

Mr. Smith of this history was thrown upon his 
own resources at the early age of twelve years. 
Principally through his own efforts he secured a 
good common-school education, by studying nights, 
his days being employed in m.aking a living. He 
was fortunately enabled afterward to attend one 
year at a priv.ate school, and subsequently entered 
the office of his brother-in-law, Dr. S. C. Wilson, to 
learn dentistry. After serving six years* he was 
employed by Dr. F. H. Mcintosh, successor of Dr. 
Wilson, with whom he continued until May, 1886, 



" ^M <■ 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 




Mr. Smith was appointed Oil Inspector for tlie 
cit}' of Bloouiinglun in 1879, which position he oc- 
cupied tliree 3'e:irs. In the spring of 18vS-i he was 
elected City Treasurer, and was re-elected in 1886, 
He has been prominent in the politics of this section, 
is Secretary- of the l\ei)ul)Iican Central Committee, 
of whicli he has been a member for three years, and 
is Sergeant of the Young Men's Republican Club. 
He also belongs to the K. of P. and the order of 
Improved Red Men. Mr. Smith was married, in 
1880, to Miss Bell Popple, of liloomington, and 
they have become the parents of one child, Wil- 
son P. 



BRAIIAM WILSON. The importance of 
biograpiiy as a means of instruction, as 

jlj (i) well as a branch of historical literature, is 
indisputable, and the reader must certainly 
have frequently seen and realized that in the life 
of an individual can l)e seen mirrored, not only his 
own individuality and struggles, but all mankind's 
epitome. Emerson justly says "That all histor}' is 
only the "biography of man." The troubles, trials 
and labors of one individual are but specimens of 
efforts of many who have to light the battles of life 
and who go down to their graves unchronicled. In 
listening to the history of Mr. Wilson we could 
but see the truth of his statement. It would teach 
the discouraged hope under the most unsatisfactory 
circumstances, perseverance amid great difficult^', 
and assurance that lalior and faith will eventually 
conquer. 

Abraham Wilson is a proniinenl and highly re- 
spected resident of Gridley Township, and came to 
this county in 1843. During this period of over 
forty-three years he has fully established himself in 
the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. 
He was born among the Ohio hills in Licking 
County, March 7, 1827, and was the son of Archi- 
bald and Hannah (Archer) Wilson. The father 
was a native of \irginia and the motiier of Licking 
County, Ohio. After marriage they settled in that 
county, and were am<jng the early pioneers of that 
region. . Archibald Wilson was educated for the 
ministry but for some reason unknown to his son 
he devoted his time mostly to teaching school. He 



* 



spent the remainder of his days in Licking County, 
his demise occui'ring in 1836, while still in the 
prime of life. The mother afterward emigrated to 
Illinois, locating in this coiuity in 1843, and died 
in (iridley Township in the fall of 187'J. Four of 
their seven ciiildren attained to years of maturity-, 
namel3' : James, Abraham, Mary A. and Rebecca 
A. The former became the wife of Jehial Stretch 
and resitles in (iridley Townshi|), which is also the 
home of Rebecca A. 

Abraham Wilson received a fair education in 
the common schools. He was but nine years of 
age when his father died and he continued with 
his mother and assisted in the labors around the 
farm homestead, and came with her to Illinois, be- 
ing about sixteen years of age at the time of his 
arrival here. During the progress of the late war 
he enlisted as a soldier of the Union in September, 
1861, becoming a member of the 4th Illinois 
Cavalry, and serving three years and two months. 
He entered the army as a private and was soon 
promoted Sergeant. He was remarkably fortun- 
ate in his arm3' experience, suffering neither sick- 
ness nor imprisonment, and receiving only a slight 
wound, scarcely wortly to be mentioned. At the 
expiration <if his term of enlistment he received his 
honoralde discharge, and returning to Gridley 
Township, resumed his position as a tiller of the 
soil. He began life at the foot of the ladder, with 
no assistance but his strong arms and willing dispo- 
sition. He is now the owner of a half section of valu- 
able land, which he has brought into a fine state of 
cultivation and upon which he has erected a first- 
class set of farm buildings, including a handsome 
and substantial residence, a convenient barn and all 
other structures necessary for the shelter of stock 
and the storing of grain. It is supplied with the latest 
improved farm machinery and in short is fitted 
witli all the requirements of a modern agriculturist. 

One of the most interesting events in the life of 
our subject occurred on the 20th of March, 186G, 
when he was united in marriage at the home of the 
bride's parents in Peoria County, 111., with Miss 
Christina, the daughter of Jonathan B. and Alice 
(Leonard) ISIerritt. The parents of Mrs. Wilson, 
who were natives of Licking County, Ohio, were 
there reared and married and soon afterward located 



n 






'^ 








-■~&^0^, 




r 



■<»• 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



823 iL 



in Putnam County, whence they removed in 185!) 
to Illinois, settling in Saybrook, this county. They 
afterwaitl removed to Princeville, Peoriii County. 
While on a visit to his children in (4ridley Town- 
ship, Mr. Merritt was taken suddenly ill and died 
before he could reach home. The mother still 
survives. Their family consisted of nine children, 
five daughters and four sons. Christina, Mrs. Wil- 
son, was the fifth child. She was born in Putnam 
County, Ohio, Sept. 22, 1844. Of her union with 
our subject there have been born two children : 
Emma E., the wife of Oscar L. Craig, of Clark 
County, 111., and Edwin M., a resident of Gridley 
Township. 

Mr. Wilson has held the ofiices of School Trustee, 
Treasurer, Collector and Assessor of the township. 
Politically he is a reliable Republican and relig- 
iously identifies himself with the United Brethren 
Church. Mrs. W. is connected with the Seventh- 
Day Adventists. As a representative citizen we 
present the portrait of Mr. Wilson in this volume. 



-€^^-- 




ENRY T. P,()WER. The late Henry T. 
Bower was a prominent and highly respect- 
ed farmer of Dale Township, and an old 
resident of McLean County. He built up 
for himself a lasting reputation as a man possessing 
most excellent personal traits of character, upright 
and honorable in his business transactions, and im- 
bued with that generous public spirit that was 
always ready to assist in whatever was calculated 
to promote the welfare of his county and com- 
munity. 

Mr. Bower was a native of Pennsylvania, and 
was born in Armagh Township, Mifilin County, on 
the Gth of February, 1820. His father, Joseph 
Bower, was a native of Franklin County, the same 
State, and his great -grandparents on his father's 
side were of German parentage. Jacob Bower, 
upon coming to America, located in Lancaster 
County, Pa., where he spent the last years of his 
life. His son, the gi-andfather of our subject, 
served as a soldier during the whole of the Revo- 
lutionary War. Near the. close of that immortal 
struggle, and while in the cavalry service, his horse 

4» 



fell upon him and broke his thigh, which ended 
his military career. He survived this accident, 
however, for several years, and died in Franklin 
County, 

Joseph Bower, the father of our subject, was 
reared upon a farm. He was only about four 
years old when his father died, and soon afterward 
his mother and elder brothers moved from Frank- 
lin to Mittlin County, where Joseph grew to man- 
hood and was married. He afterward removed to 
Huntingdon County, where he purchased a farm, 
which he occupied for five years. He then re- 
turned to Mifflin County and engaged in driving a 
stage from Lewiston to Huntingdon for four years, 
and then rented a tavern on the pike from Phila- 
delijhia to Pittsburgh. He kept public house for a 
period of seven years, and in the meantime was 
agent for the stage compan\'. He then took charge 
of a packet-boat for the stage company, and ran 
on the Pennsj'lvania Canal for three or four years, 
when he resumed farming upon a tract of rented 
land for a few years, when he went to Altoona. 
After one year's residence in that place he crossed 
the Alleghanies, and engaged as foreman along the 
line of railroad which was then in process of con- 
struction, and after two years thus employed oper- 
ated as a contractor. His wife having died in In- 
iliana Count}', he removed to Bradford Count}', 
and spent the last years of his life at the home 
of his daughter. He served his country in the 
War of 1812, was a wide-awake and ambitious 
man, and kept himself well posted in regard to 
whatever was going on in the world around him. 
The mother of our subject, before her marriage 
with Joseph Bower, was Miss Elizabeth Kerswell. 
She was born in MitHin County, Pa., and was of 
Scotch-Irish ancestry. The parental household 
consisted of .seven children. 

The subject of our sketch w.is the second child 
and eldest son of his parents. He attended school 
during his childhood days, and when his father 
was in the hotel business assisted him. After the 
hotel was abandoned he operated as a farmer on 
land which his fatiier had rented, and made his 
home with his parents until he was nineteen years 
of age, when he was married, and Nov. 25, 1839, 
located upon a rented farm in MilHiu County. He 



n 



f 



,t 



824 



McLean county. 






cultivated rented lainl in that locality until 1855. 
and in the meantime was also engaged in butcher- 
ing. During that same year he came to Illinois 
and |)urciiased the southwest quarter of section 7, 
now in Dale Township, upon which he removed 
with his family the following year. They made 
the journey via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to 
Alton, and fioui there by railroad to Shirley'. His 
land w;is wild prairie and the first year of his resi- 
dence here he rented a farm t)n section 25, in the 
meantime working upon his own land as time per- 
mitted. He broke seven acres that 3'ear. and in 
1857 removed to Allin Township and rented a 
house into which he removed his family, and which 
they occujiied for two years ami eight months. He 
then purchased a small frame honse and moved it 
upon his own land, established his family within it, 
and was a resident of the farm thus (jpened until 
his ileath. Ilis homestead is now finely improved, 
rlie land nuder a good state of cultivation, and the 
family occnpies a tasteful and comfortable farm 
residence, and has an excellent barn and all neces- 
sary oiit-buildings, convenient for the storing of 
grain and the shelter of stock. Foi' two years pre- 
vious to his death he rented the greater part of his 
land and was practically retired from active labor, 
living in the well-merited enjoyment of the fruits 
of his early indusUy. 

The snbject of our sketch was married on the 
25th of November, 1839, to iMiss Rebecca Shade, a 
native of Herks Count}', Pa., and the daughter of 
.lohn and Mary (Schnmaker) Shade. The house- 
hold cinrle was completed by the birth of eight 
children, of whom the record is as follows: Mary 
is a resident of J)ale Township; Matilda became 
the wif(( of David R. Stubblcfield, also of Dale 
Townsliip; Sarah married William Davis of Downs 
Township; .lames E. married Celestia J. Perry and 
lives in Allin Township; Anna R. married John K. 
Shade, of Dale Township; Harriet M., the wife of 
Isaac Skinner, lives in Dale Township; Martha E. 
mari'ied Alonzo James, and lives in Nuekoll Coun- 
ty, Neb., and Frances H., the wife of John B. War- 
low, is a resident of Allin Township. 

Mr. Bovver was Democratic in politics, and lib- 
eral in his religious views. He was straightforward 
an<l methodical in his business transactions and 

» 



ranked among the representative men of one of the 
most important counties of the Prairie State. His 
death occurred April 3. 1887, and caused great 
mourning in the community that he had been so 
closely identified with for so many years. 

This brief sketch and accompanying portrait will 
serve as a means of perpetuating the memory of 
one who was in every respect a noble, true-hearted 
man, and an esteemed and worthy citizen. 

— ^-^ ^ 



\Il!_^^ARRISON JENKINS, living on section 31, 
|f jV Money Creek Township, is one of the snc- 
/4^^^ cessful and progressive farmers of McLean 
County. His father, Levi, and his mother, 
Mary A. (Hickm.an) .Jenkins, were natives of Vir- 
ginia and of English ancestry. His father was a 
farmer by calling and after his marriage with Miss 
Hickman settled in Virginia, where he followed his 
vocation and whence he emigrated to Licking 
County, Ohio. There he labored at his calling un- 
til his death, which event toolc jilace in 1845. His 
good wife survived him thirteen years and then, in 
1858, passed to join him in the better home above. 
They had nine children who lived to attain the age 
of man and womanhood — Eveline, William, James, 
John, Harrison, Nancy. Sally, Calvin and George. 

Our subject was the fifth in order of birth of his 
parents' children, and was born in Licking Count}', 
Ohio, July 27, 1822. He was reared on a farm, his 
.school privileges being exceedingly limited. He 
lived at home until he was about twenty-six years 
old and continued to make Licking County his resi- 
dence until 1854. In the fall of that year he came 
to McLean County with his wife and one child, 
making the journey overland. On his arrival here 
he settled in Money Creek Township, on section 31, 
and h;is made that his home until the present time. 
The first purch.ase of land consisted of 114 acres, 
and he is now the owner of 1 20 acres of valuable 
and productive land, with good and substantial im- 
provements upon it. 

Mr. Jenkins was mai-ried in Licking County, 
Ohio, Sept. 26, 1844. The lady whom he selected 
as his life companion was Miss Mary A., daughter 
of Thomas and Amelia Jackson, natives of Virginia. 







McLEAN COUNTY. 



825 



i 



Her parents emigrated from Virginia to Licking 
County, Ohio, in 182.S, and making that their home 
until 1845, they moved to Deleware County, Ind., 
where the father died Oct. 19, 1862. The mother 
died in Madison County, Ind., Nov. 11, 1872. 
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson had four children who lived 
to attain the age of maturity, and four who died in 
early years. The living are, Mary A., AVilliam, 
Franklin and Elizabeth. Mary A., wife of our sub- 
ject, was born in Loudoun County, \'a., Jan. 9, 1 82.j, 
and by her union with our subject has become the 
mother of two children — Mary A. and Thomas C. 
Mary A. is the wife of William Fincham and they 
are living in Towanda Township. Thomas C. mar- 
ried Miss Mary A. Moots, and lives in Money 
Creek Township. Mr. Jenkins has been Overseer of 
Highways and has also been the incumbent of the 
office of School Director. He and his wife are 
members of the United Brethren Church, and in 
politics our subject is a stanch Republican. 

— «— S- — o<s$.<8D..»s.,o — j-^f<- 

JOHN E. WIGHTMAN. The gentleman 
whose history we briefly sketch in the fol- 
lowing lines, is the oldest representative of 
the hardware trade in the flourishing little 
town of Chenoa. lie comes of excellent Welsh an- 
cestry, and was born in Steuben County, N. Y., on 
the 10th of June, 1837. His father, E. E. Wight- 
man, deceased June 1, 1887, at Sand Springs, Nev., 
whicli was his place of residence, was married in 
early manhood to Miss Mary Madole, a native of 
New York and the daughter of Jacob Madole. 
The grandfather of our subject, Elias Wightnian, 
served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and 
in the War of 1812. He was killed by a fall from 
a load of iiay, in New York. 

The Wightman family settled in New England 
at an earlj^ day, and were distinguished for their 
excellent bssiness qualities, their integrity, and 
their worth as citizens, neighbors and friends. 
They became prominent among the colonists as 
honest men and valuable members of society, and 
identified themselves thoroughly with the interests 
of their adopted country. 

The father of our subject removed from the Em- 

.4m- 



pire State with his family in September, 1838, and 
located in Richmond, McHenry County, this State. 
After a residence there of three years, they re- 
moved into the village of McHenry, where Mr. 
Wightman engaged in the hotel and livery busi- 
ness. In 18.50 he went to California, remaining 
until 18GIJ, and thence removed to Sand Springs, 
Nev., where he lived until his death. The par- 
ental family consisted of five children, two sons 
and three daughters, of whom one daughter is de- 
ceased. 

The subject of this history remained with his 
parents in McHeury County, 111., until about 18.59, 
and obtained a good education in the common 
schools. When sixteen j'ears of age he went to 
Chicago, and served a three years' apprenticcsliip 
at the tinner's trade, becoming thoroughly ac- 
quainted with that business. He then returned to 
McHenry County, and was the first person to en- 
gage in the business in the town of Mcllenr^'. He 
soon afterward, however, remoyed to AVaukegan, 
111., where lie worked for three years, then removed 
to l)e AVitt County, this State, and commenced in 
the hardware business on his own account in Clin- 
ton. He continued there until his removal to 
Chenoa in the spring of 18(j(5, where he went into 
partnership with Mr. Bcsley, and they opened a 
hardware store under the firm name of Besley <fe 
AA'^ightman, aud operated together until January, 
1882. Mr. Wightman then purchased the interest 
of his partner, and continued alone until .Inu. I, 
1887, when he took in his son, J. E., as partner. 
The firm carries a fine stock of hardware arid fur- 
niture, and is doing a profitable and steadily in- 
creasing trade. They occupy a double store with 
a frontage of 48x100 feet and a good basement 
under the whole. 

Mr. AVightmau by his thorough business meth- 
ods and strictly honest business course, has fuUj^ 
established himself in the confidence of the busi- 
ness commnnity, of which he is considered one of 
its most important factors. The family enjoy the 
society of the Ijest people of Chenoa^and in their 
pleasant home are surrounded by all the comforts 
and many of the luxuries of life. 

The marriage of John E. AVightman and Isabel 
Atkinson took place on the 31st of December, 1857, 



r 



f 



826 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



in St. Charles, III. Mrs. Wightinan is the daugh- 
ter of Williiuii and Sarah Atliinson, and was born 
iu England, in IH.'SS. Our subject and his wife 
have become the parents of four children, one of 
whom, William, died when eleven years of age. 
Those surviving are, Henrietta E., Hattie B. and 
John E., Jr. Mr. Wightnian is Democratic in pol- 
itics, and a great admirer of President Cleveland. 
He was elected iMayor of Chenoa in 1877, which 
office he held two years. He represented his AVard 
as Alderman four years, and was School Director 
for a perioil (jf fifteen years. He was again elected 
Mayor in the spring of 1 885, for a term of two 
years, and s'erved with great credit to himself and 
the city. 

-o- : : ■ |^J#^i*4s^E^— «- 

(^LMON B. KEMl'TON, deceased, was num- 
( ©TlJI I bered among the most highly respected and 
worthy citizens of Chenoa Township. He 
was a n.Ttive of Snnbury, Delaware Co., 
Ohio, born March 12, 1840, and was the son of 
Benjamin and Mary (liowley) Kempton, who re- 
moved to Illinois at an early day and settled near 
Nauvoo on the Mississippi River. There the father 
died within a short time and when Almon B. was a 
child four years of age. His mother subsequently 
married again and removed back to Ohio, where our 
subject continued to reside until he had reached 
his eighteenth year. He then returned to this State 
and completed his studies in Earmington, P\dton 
County, a 3-ear later. Soon afterward he began 
teaching, which lu^ followed until the outbreak of 
the late war, when lie enlisted in the Union army, 
becoming a member of Co. A, 11th Indiana Zou- 
aves, which did valualile service in assisting to de- 
feud the Union. Young Kempton was engaged 
with his comrades in llie liattles of Et. Donelson, 
Mission Ridge, the siege of Vicksburg and other 
important engagements of the war. He was mus- 
tered out before the expiration of his enlistment, 
in the fall of 18() 1, on account of jtrotracted illness, 
tiie result of •small-i)Ox, from whicli lie suffered long 
and severely. 

After retiring from the army, Mr. K. returned 
to Ohio and wishing to still further perfect him- 
self in liis studies, entered the Commercial College 



at Cleveland, from which he graduated in 1865. 
He then came to Eiilton County, this State, and em- 
ployed himself for several j'ears following, teaching 
school winters and working on a farm in the sum- 
mer. 

In Eebruary, 1807, Almon Kempton was united in 
marriage with Miss Sarah Mapes, of Cuyahoga 
County, Ohio. Mrs. K. is the daughter of John 
and Henrietta Mapes. After their marriage our 
subject and his young wife remained in Eulton 
County until 1874, whence they removed to this 
count3' and located on the farm now occupied by 
the widow and family. This is finely located on 
section 30, and consists of eighty' acres of choice 
land under a good state of cultivation, upon which 
is a comfortable residence and all necessary build- 
ings for the storing of grain and shelter of stock. 

After coming to this count}' Mr. Kempton still 
followed his profession as a teacher, in which he 
took a genuine interest and for which he was em- 
inently fitted by his love of books and his genial 
and kindly disposition. He departed this life at 
his homestead on the loth of April, 1882. He was 
a member iu good standing of the Masonic fra- 
ternit}', being connected with the lodge at Chenoa. 
He was also connected with the Congregational 
Church. Mrs. K. still makes her home upon the 
farm, a part of which is operated by a tenant. She 
also taught school several years in Ohio before her 
marriage, and was well fitted by education and 
training to become the companion of her husband. 

ETER C. JACOBY, general farmer and 
stock-raiser, located on section 19, Padua 
Township, moved on his present home- 
stead in the spring of 1884. Here he has 
120 acres of finely improved land, well drained 
and generall>' productive. Mr. J. came to this vi- 
cinity from Belleflower Township, this count}', 
where he owned 120 acres besides eighty acres in 
De Witt County, which he sold previous to mov- 
ing here. He is a native of this county, born in 
Randolph Township, Dec. 27, 1833. His father, 
Henry Jacoby, died about 1852, in Randolph 
Township; he was born in Pennsylvania and pur- 




I 




-.1- 



•► p M* 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



827 u' 



•^^%r^ 



sued the occupation of a fanner the greater part of 
his life. Henry Jacoby first became acquainted 
with his wife in Pickaway Count}', Ohio. She was 
Miss Julia A. Clarke and descended from English 
and Irish ancestry. Soon after marriage they lo- 
cated in White County, this State, whence a few 
3'ears later they came to McLean County, settling 
in Downs Township among the other pioneers who 
began to establish their homesteads there in 1830. 
This was about the first township that was set- 
tled in McLean County. Later they removed to 
Randolph Township, where the father died. The 
mother then went to Kansas and lived with her son 
Henry in Lyons Countj', where she died at an ad- 
vanced age, about 18711. 

The subject of our sketch was one of the 
younger members of the parental household, and 
continued under the home roof until his marriage, 
which occurred in Old Town Township, ¥eh. 15, 
1866, the lady of his choice being Miss Louisa E. 
Twining, who was born in Bucks County, Pa., 
March 3, 1835. She was the daughter of Thomas 
and Sarah A. (Banes) Twining, natives of Penn- 
sylvania, who located in Bucks County after their 
marriage, and soon afterward removing to this 
county, settled in Old Town Township, and im- 
proved a large farm, and there spent the remainder 
of their lives. Mrs. J. remained under the home 
roof until her marriage. Of her union with our 
subject there are four children: Thomas H., born 
Nov. 12, 1866; Daniel A., Nov. 1, 1868; Dellcena 
R., born Aug. 12, 1871, and Franklin E., June 7, 
1874. They are all at home. Our subject, politi- 
cally, is a solid Republican, and Mrs. J. is a worthy 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

eLIFFORD H. AVIRT, of the firm of R. Wirt 
& Co., tile manufacturers of Saybrook, is a 
native of this county, and was born April 
16, 1859. He is the son of John and Emily A. 
(Linton) Wirt, both natives of Ohio. John Wirt 
was born in 1837, and followed farming pursuits 
the greater part of his life in his native State. The 
mother was born in 1838 and is still living. Their 
eight children were, Clifford, Hattie, Annie, Mary 



who married Logan Fry, James L., Giles J., Edward 
and Homer. 

The subject of this histor}' learned tile-making 
in 1 883, at Saybrook. He is still a young man, 
but his industry and energ}- indicate that he will 
become prominently identified with the business 
interests of this section in the near future. He 
was married, Feb. 1, 1887, to Miss Bessie E. John- 
son, a native of this State, who was born April 6, 
1866. She is the daughter of Joseph C. and Mary 
(Alexander) Johnson, of English parentage and 
ancestry, and traces her ancestry back to Alexan- 
der the Great. 

Our subject has been a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church for the p.ast ten years. Mrs. 
Wirt united with the Christian Church in 1.S84, in 
which she is a prominent member and Superintend- 
ant of the Sabbath-school. She is a lady of rare 
culture and refinement, of great energy, and is en- 
gaged in tlie millinery business for herself at Say- 
brook. 

OSBORN BARNARD, a retired farmer and 
stock-dealer of Bloomington Township, oc- 
cupies a beautiful residence on section 6, 
and is one of the best known men of this vicinity, 
having been remarkably successful as a business 
man and a most worthy and estimable citizen. He 
came to McLean County in the spring of 1840, first 
locating at Twin Grove, on section 4, in Dale 
Township. His parents were early settlers here, 
coming in th6 fall of 1840, his father having made 
a purchase of land in 1837 and 1839, which became 
the permanent homestead of the family. The son, 
however, had located on it nearly a year before the 
parents and other members of the family arrived. 

The subject of this history was born near Dayton, 
Ohio, Nov. 12, 1822. There he was educated and 
remained until nineteen years of age, when he came 
to this vicinity and gathered the first crops and 
necessary feed for stock, etc., which the remainder 
of the family brought with them in the fall follow- 
ing. 

Samuel Barnard, the father of iiur subject, was a 
native of North Carolina and the son of Francis 




t. 






828 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



t 



C. Barnard, who was one of a familj' of three 
brothers that first settled on Nantucket Island. 
Tliey were of the Quaker faith and had been per- 
secuted in England on account of their religious 
belief. These three brothers, as is seen from the 
histor}' of this island, were among the foremost to 
organize a colony there, and on that spot they spent 
the remainder of their lives. The grandfather of 
our subject followed the sea from boyhood, and in 
early years took tlie jjlace of a man before the mast. 
He afterward became Captain of a large whaling 
vessel to which busine.ss he devoted the most of 
his life in the Northern Seas. He retired from this 
business late in life and proceeding to North Caro- 
lino settled in Iredell Count3', where the father of 
our subject was born June 1.3, 1789. The parents 
of the latter became prominent in that State owing 
to the condition of the colored people, which the 
father of Sanuiel Barnard sought to relieve by 
every means in his i)ower. He exerted all his in- 
fluence and spent a large fortune in carrying on liti- 
gation and effecting the freedom of slaves who 
were made free by their deceased masters, but held 
in bondage by their heirs. This work had been in- 
trusted to Mr. B. as executor by various old slave- 
holders who, fit their death, wished to reward some 
of their faithful servants with liberty. 

The wife (jf Francis Barnard, before her marriage, 
was Miss Catharine Osborn, a native of Connecticut 
and of New England descent and parent.age. She 
became aii orphan at an early age and resided with 
her foster-parents, with whom she lived until her 
marriage. She survived until .after the death of 
her husband and came with her children to Ohio, 
where she spent the remainder of her days. The 
father of our subject grew to manhood in North 
Carolina but was married in Montgomery County, 
Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Compton. The latter was a 
native of South Carolina, of Southern parent.age, 
and in about 1804 came with her father and three 
brothers and located near Dayton, Ohio, being 
among the earliest settlers of Montgomery County. 
She was married in LSI 2, and her parents both died 
afterward in Montgomery County. Her father, 
William, and her mother, Martha (Davis) Compton, 
spent the greater part of their lives upon a farm 
and died well advanced in years, having been 



greatly respected and the possessors of a fine prop- 
erty. 

The parents of our subject after m.arriage settled 
on (ioverninent land in Ohio and began life poor, 
at the foot of the ladder. They " pulled together," 
however, were industrious and economical, and in 
due time had improved three farms from the wilder- 
ness. They became the parents of eleven children, 
two of whom died in infancy. After a few years, 
wishing to give his children better advantages than 
their present location afforded, Samuel Barnard sold 
his property which he had made in Ohio, and started 
West. He came into McLean County where he 
pursued the same methods by which he had before 
become so successful in life, and before his death 
w.as the owner of 400 acres of valuable land in this 
county. This remained his permanent home until 
his death, which occurred in 1847, when he was 
fifty-seven years of age. He was reared in the 
Quaker faith and to this he loyally adhered until 
the end of his life, as did the mother also. The 
latter died a few years later, in 1852, and with her 
husband w.as beloved and respected by the entire 
community. 

Osborn Barnard remained with his mother after 
his father's death, and carried on the farm until he 
was about thirty-four years of age before he de- 
cided to venture upon one of the most important 
changes in life. In 1855 he was united in marriage 
at San Antonio, Tex., with Miss Sarah demons, 
December 29. Mrs. B. is a native of Indiana, and 
was born Nov. 15, 1832. She remained in her na- 
tive State until twenty-one years of age and lived 
in Texas some time before her marriage. Of this 
union there were two children: Cora K., born 
Dec. 23, 1871, who has received a fine education 
and is well adv.anced in music, and Owen E., wlio 
died in infancy. 

Mr. Barnard, sines- his marriage, has been suc- 
cessfully engaged as a money broker and in buying 
and selling of stock. He is not at present eng.aged 
in any active business, having lieen eualtled to re- 
tire upon tiie [proceeds of his earlier enterprise and 
industry. In his transactions as a capitalist, he 
operated in connection with his brother Amos, and 
has become widely and favorably known as a gen- 
tleman of fair and honorable dealings who could 



i 



u 



■•^-11-^ 



McLean county. 



829 






be trusted with impunity. His elegant liome is the 
resort of the cultured people of that city, who have 
learned to esteem him for his personal worth, and 
his value to the city as a business man and one of 
the important factors of the community. 



W UTHER C. HAYS, a native of Brown County, 
11 (^1 Ohio, is now prosperously engaged in agri- 
j|L3\^ cultural pursuits in Chenoa Township, and 
is one of the important factors in the business 
and farming interests of tiiis section. He comes 
of an excellent family, well known in the jNIiddle 
States, his grandfather, Warren Hays, having been 
a native of Pennsylvania, where he carried on farm- 
ing successfully, became prominent as a business 
man and a citizen, and spent his entire life in his 
native State. The grandfather was married in 
early manhood to I\Hss Clara Stark, and they be- 
came the parents of eight children, four sons and 
four daughters. One of these, Alnal, the father of 
our subject, was born in New York City, and after 
reaching manhood was married to Miss Mary Ken- 
nedy, a Virginia lady, and the daughter of James 
and Margaret Kennedy, also of fhe Old Dominion. 
After his marriage Abial Hays located in Brown 
Count}', Ohio, near Sardinia, where our subject 
was born on the 27th of July, 1836. The family 
remained in Ohio until 1855, then removed to 
Woodford County, 111., and from there to McLean 
County, settling in Lexington Township, one 
year after which they made their home in Chenoa 
To'wnship. Here the mother died on the '2(ith of 
December, 1884, her husliand having preceded her 
to the home beyond. The parental family included 
seven children, two sons and five daughters. Two 
of the latter are now deceased. 

The early life of Luther C. Hays was passed in 
his native county in Ohio, where he pursued his 
primar}' studies in the district schools and com- 
pleted them at a select school. In 1 800 he was 
married to Miss Matilda Frazier, who became the 
mother of four children and departed this life in 
1871. Of these children Samuel L. married Miss 
Anna Vereler, and lives in Livingston County, this 
State; Fannie M. became the wife of G. Howard, of 



Livingston County ; Jessie C. married Andrew 
Vereler, and they reside in Livingston County, 
and Charles H. is at home. 

Mr. Hays became a resident of Chenoa Town- 
shij) in 1857, locating first on section 10. Eight 
years later he removed to his present hcjmestead on 
section 4. This contains forty acres of finely culti- 
vated land, with a handsome and substantial set of 
frame buildings. He also has a valuable farm of 
240 acres in Pike 'i'ownship, Livingston County, 
111. He has given most of his attention to the 
raising of grain, in which he has been remarkably 
successful, and has also dealt largely in hogs, feed- 
ing and shipping, and thereby realizing a hand- 
some income, 

The .second wife of our subject, to wiiuni he was 
married Jan. 28, 1.S74, was Mrs. Frances A. 
(Rhodes) Clarke, daughter of Almon W. Rhodes, 
and widow of Wilson M. Clarke, who died in 1871. 
Mrs. Haj's is a native of Nevv York City. Of her 
first marriage there were born two daughters — Alda 
R. and Lora B. Of her marriage with our subject 
there have been born five children — (ieorge M., Nel- 
lie, Pearl M., EvaE. and John Sherman. Mr. Hays 
has served his township as Road Commissioner and 
has been School Director for the last eighteen 
yeai's. Politically he isi a stanch Republican and 
uniformly casts his vote in support of the prin- 
ciples of that jjarty. 

^^1 ICHAEL SULLIVAN, who is widely and 
\\\ favorably known in Arrowsmith Township 
Is as an industrious farmer and citizen, is 
pleasantly located on section !>, where he 
is pursuing the peaceful occujiation of a farmer 
upon 121 acres of land which he has brought to a 
fine state of cultivation. 

Our subject is a native of the city of Cork, Ire- 
land, and was born in April, 1827. When a young 
man twenty-one years of age, he emigrated to 
America in a merchant ship, landing at Boston, 
Mass. He remained in that city for two years, 
and thence proceeded to Bourbon County, Ky., 
where he became a contractor on the Paris and 
North Middleton pike road, employing men and 



•►^■-4s 



i 



r. 



■^^ 



■•► 






830 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



teams, and where he succeeded in accumulating 
quite a sum of money and some real estate. After 
a residence of about eighteen years in the Blue 
Orass regions, he eanu^ West to the I'rairie State, 
and first located upon a tract of rented land in Mc- 
Lean County. In 1S70 he purchased his present 
homestead, tlie laud at that time being in its origi- 
nal condition. He immediately set to work to im- 
prove and cultivate it, and in due time erected a 
fine house and barn, and of late years has been 
considerably engaged in the breeding of Norman 
horses. 

The parents of our subject were Jeremiah and 
•Margaret (Ganey) Sullivan, and the mother died 
wlieu her son Michael was only eight years of age. 
Their ten children were Margaret, who married 
Mr. Shaughnessy; Dennis, John, Mary, Daniel, 
Johanna, Jeremiah, Bridget, Michael and Cather- 
ine. The same year in which he came to America, 
1847, Michael Sullivan was married to Miss Mary 
Foley, a native of his own country, who was born 
in 1817, and came to the United States the year of 
her marriage. Of this union there have been born 
.seven children, recorded as follows: Jeremiah, 
born April 23, 1848, is deceased; Margaret was 
born July 30, 1850; Ellen M., May 19,1852; John 
P., March 18, 1854; Jeremiah F., born March 20, 
185(), died in October, 1857; Annie was born May 
8, 1858, and Charles M., April 21, 1861. 

Mr. Sullivan, after coming to this country and 
becoming acquainted with the operations of slavery 
was greatly opposed to the peculiar institution, and 
left Kentucky on that account, after having served 
for a time in the Home Guards of that State. He 
is a stanch Republican in politics, and voted for 
Abraham Lincoln in 18G0. Mr. Sullivan is a de- 
vout Catholic .and, with his entire family', attends 
that church at Merna. 



"JOSEPH BEAR, prominent in the agricult- 
ural circles of Chenoa Township, was born 
on a farm in Franklin County, Pa., March 
(^// 17, 1825. He is descended from an excel- 
lent family, the first representatives of whom set- 
tled in the Middle States at an early period in the 



history of this country. His grandfather, George 
Bear, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., married 
Miss Esther Keller, and tliey raised a familj' of 
eleven children, six daughters and five sons. Se- 
bastian, the father of our subject, also a native of 
Pennsylvania, was l)orn in Lancaster County, in 
1795. He married Miss Mar}' Schook, a native of 
the same county, and the}' became the parents of 
five children, four sons and one daughter. Both 
the grandfathers of our subject were of German 
ancestry, and distinguished for the sturdy honesty 
and uprightness which from time immemorial have 
cliaracterized that nationality. Seliastian Bear, 
after his marriage located on a farm in Franklin 
County, Pa., where he remained a number f)f years 
and where the mother of his children died in 1851. 
Of these, Joseph of our sketch was the third child. 

The subject of this history remained under the 
parental roof until reaching his twenty-second year, 
in the meantime being reared to farming pursuits 
and obtaining a fair education in the common 
schools. The young men of those days were not 
afraid to marry before obtaining a competency, 
and the maidens cheerfully took upon themselves 
the duties of a helpmeet, working side by side 
with their husbands. Mr. B., therefore, soon after- 
ward was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of 
John Garling, and they first settled on a farm in 
Franklin County, Pa. Thence they removed, in 
1 858, to Fulton County, 111., and nine j'ears later 
to McLean County. After their arrival in this 
county they located on the farm which constitutes 
the present homestead of the family. This com- 
prises 240 acres of choice land, which of late years 
has been devoted mostly to the raising of grain 
and cattle. The residence and out-buildings are 
creditable to the proprietor, and the stock, fences 
and farm machinery give evidence of his fore- 
thought and enterprise, all being in fine condition 
and well cared for. In 1880, Mr. Bear practically 
retired from active labor and turned over the man- 
agement of the farm in a great measure to his 
sons. 

Our subjeitt has been three times marrieil. His 
first wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Garling) Bear, passed to 
the other life on the 9th of January, 181)3, her de- 
cease taking place in Fulton County. Of the five 



i 



^ 








''SBSilVN 





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-4^ 



,t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



833 






children born of this union the record is as follows: 
Mary M. became the wife of Francis Reed; Hettie 
C. married William Breakey ; Sebastian G. was the 
third child ; Joseph S. is a resident of Kansas, and 
Sarah is deceased. His second wife, who was for- 
merly Miss Patience Bowley, bore him one son, 
who was named George. This lady died Nov. 9, 
1878. Mr. Hear married his present wife on the 
9th of December, 1880. She was formerly Miss 
Martha V., daughter of William Kemmerer, a na- 
tive of Union County, Pa. Of this marriage there 
has been born one child, a son, William E. Mr. 
and Mrs. B. are members of the German Baptist 
Church. In politics Mr. Bear stanchly adheres to 
the principles of the Republican party. 

Although not perhaps the hero of au3' tiirilling 
tale, he has fulfilled worthily the duties devolving 
upon him as citizen, husband, father and friend, 
and can look back upon the pathway over which 
he has traveled, feeling that there is no call for 
keen regrets on account of misspent time or oppor- 
tunities thrown away. As a respected member of 
the community, and contributing his quota to its 
general welfare, the original of the portrait which 
we present in connection with this biograpliy is 
fullj' entitled to be classed among the representa- 
tive men of McLean County. 

I ICHARD A. WARLOW. Emerson says all 
history is only biography. So we find this 
is especially exemplified in the community 
^i©;in which Mr. Warlow resides. Its history 
is only the biography of the lives of a few men, 
chiefly among wiiom is our subject. He has been 
a resident of the Prairie State since the fall of 
1834, and now owns and occupies a comfortable 
homestead on section 12, Allin Township. He was 
born in Oneida County, N. Y., March 20, 1822. 
His parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth (Bond) 
Warlow, the former a native of New York City, 
where he was born in 1785, and tlie latter of 
Massachusetts, and was born in 1786. They were 
married in the latter State in 1812, and that same 
year Benjamin Warlow was drafted into the army, 
his services being required in tlie War of 1812. He 




returned home, however, after three months' serv- 
ice. He had learned the trade of a shoemaker in 
his native citj% commencing when twelve years of 
age. For several, years as a sailor he followed the 
ocean, visiting Liverpool and the East Indies sev- 
eral times. He then went to Canada and returned to 
Massachusetts, remaining there until his marriage. 
After this event, with his j^oung wife he went to 
^'ernon, N. Y., where he followed his trade, and 
then moved into the timber in Oneida County, 
where he took up fifty acres, which he cultivated 
and occupied for ten years. He then left the farm 
and took up his trade in a little village in the same 
State. After a few months he turned his face 
westward, coming first to Painesville, Ohio, after- 
ward to Circleville, and in October, 1834, re- 
moved still further westward, coming to Blooming- 
ton, III. For two years he operated upon rented 
land in Dry Grove Township, and then purchased 
1 GO acres of prairie, where he established a com- 
fortable homestead, and remained until his death 
in lS('i4. The mother survived some years, dying 
in 1870. Their six children were Jonathan B., who 
married Miss Catherine Hay; William C, who 
married Miss Nancy Garr; Sarepta E., the wife of 
John Baker; Richard A., of our sketch; LaFayette, 
deceased, and Bond W., who married Miss Sarah 
Curtis, and is now residing in Kansas. The parents 
were faithful members of the Christian Church, and 
trained their offspring to industry and ]jriiieiples 
of honor. 

Richard A. AVarlow was reared on iiis father's 
farm, received a common-school education, and re- 
mained under the home roof until he had reached 
his majority. He was then united in marriage with 
Miss Lovina Bozarth, the wedding taking place 
April 29, 1849. After marriage Mr. W. first en- 
tered eighty acres of land in Allin Township, and 
a short time afterward 200 acres more, where 
he put up a neat little frame dwelling. He had 
also purchased a sawmill, which he utilized in pre- 
paring the lumber for his own house as vvell as for 
those of his neighbors. Their first residence was 
destroyed by fire in 1857, and he then erected his 
present handsome and substantial structure, which 
is two stories in height with an L, and forms a 
commodious and convenient dwelling. His farm 



'^ 



t. 



t 



834 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



property now comprises 625 acres of fine land un- 
der a good state of cultivation. Altogether he has 
owned l,-200 acres, about half of which he gave to 
his children. Mr. Warlow iia.s now practically re- 
tired from active labor, and is enjoying the fruits 
of his earh' industry and economy. The household 
circle of our subject and his wife was completed 
by the birth of seven children, of whom the record 
is as follows: Leslie, wiio was born March 31, 1851, 
died Oct 18, 1879; John E. was born Sept. 26, 
1853, and married Frances liower; Belle, born 
March 13. 1856, married W. il Dickinson, and 
lives in Nebraska; Kllcn L., Iiorn May 3, 1858, 
married William Perry, and they live in Allin 
Township; -lulia, born July 31, 1860; Charles A., 
July 2, 1862; Anna, Sept. 13, 1864. The two 
daughters are still at home, while Charles lives in 
Nebraska. 

Mr. AVarlow politically is an uncompromising 
Democrat. He has been pnmiinent in the affairs 
of his township since coming here, having been 
School Trustee, Justice of the Peace for the last 
eight years. Township Assessor for seven years, 
and is connected with tiie Orange organization. 
Both he and his wife are members of the Christian 
Church. A portrait of K. A. Warlow is fitting to 
appear in company with those of the leading men 
of the county. 



#"# 



<^OSEPII STIICKKY. of Danvers, an ordained 
minister and Bishop of the ]\Iennonite 
Church, has presided over the society of his 
(j^JI/ people in Danvers Township since the spring 
of 1860. Mr. Stucke}' is a native of Als.ace-Lor- 
raine, formerly of France, where he was born in 
1825. His parents, Peter and Elizabeth Stuckey, 
were natives of Switzerland, his father iiaving been 
born at Berne in August, 1801. 

Peter Stuckey removed from liis native Province 
to France when a small cliihl, with his parents, who 
botii shortly' afterward departed this life. lie was 
then adopted by his grandmother and remained 
with her until twelve years old, when he was com- 
pelled to go among strangers and earn his own liv- 
ing. At the age of seventeen years he became 



a member of the Mennonite Church, with which he 
remained connected until the close of his life, his 
death occurring on the 22d of February, 1860. 
The educational advantages of Peter Stuckey were 
very limited, but he made the most of them and 
became a very intelligent man. He was the greater 
part of his life engaged in farming pursuits. In 
1824 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Summers, • 
who was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, where her 
parents had fled from Switzerland on account of 
religious persecution. The mother of our subject 
was born in 1802, and accompanied her husband to 
America in 1830. They arrived in the month of 
June and located in Butler County. Ohio, where 
they resided for twenty years. They came to Illi- 
nois in October, 1850, and located in Danvers 
Township, where the mother died in 1885. She was 
a good woman in all that the term implies and a 
devoted member of the Mennonite Church, and by 
the noble example of her pure life wielded a 
great intluence for good in the communit}'. Of 
their f.annly of six children, five are still living: 
Joseph of our sketch was the eldest born ; Chris- 
tian was consumptive and visited Eureka Springs 
in the hope of effecting a cure, but in vain ; he 
died there the 3d of September, 1885, at the 
age of fifty-six years, leaving a famil3', a widow 
and five children, to whom he was devotedly 
attached ; tlie greater part of his life was devoted 
to farming pursuits. Elizabeth became the wife of 
Nicholas Hilde and is now living in Livingston 
County, 111. ; John married Barbay Strupher, and 
resides in Danvers Township; Catiiarine married 
Peter Naffzinger, of Baden, Germany ; Peter married 
]\Iiss Catharine Engle, and they arc living in Taze- 
well Count\', this State; this brother is also a Men- 
nonite minister, having entered the ministry in 
1875, and jiresides over a congregation of 180 
members. 

The subject of our sketch when he came to this 
country landed at New Orleans, and thence went 
with liis |)arents to Butler County, Ohio. There he 
worked on his fatiier's farm and received a limited 
education in the old log school-house. He was 
married on the 17th of December, 1844, to Miss 
Barbara Roth, a native of his own country, where 
she was born March 1, 1821, and who came to 






4- 



McLean county. 



835 



i- 




America in 1842. Mrs. Stuckey was also a devoted 
member of the Mennonite Church and was the 
brave and devoted assistant and helpmeet of her 
husband in their earlier toils and struggles. After 
remaining his faithful and affectionate companion 
for a period of thirtj'-seven 3'ears, slie departed 
this life on the 27th of April, 1881, aged sixty 
years, one month and twenty-seven days. Tlieir 
tvvo children were both daughters; Jacobina became 
the wife of .Joseph S. Augspurger and is now liv- 
ing six miles north of Danvers. She became the 
mother of fourteen cliildren, twelve of whom are 
now living and all members of the Mennonite 
Church. Christian R. married Miss Catherine Stru- 
pher, and is engaged in mercantile pursuits in 
Danvers. 

The second wife of our subject was Mrs. Magda- 
lena (Roth) Habecker, to whom he was married 
Dec. 11, 1881. Mrs. Stuckey is also connected 
with the Mennonite Church. They occupy a pleas- 
ant and comfortable home in the village of Dan- 
vers, and besides this property our subject owns 
200 acres of land in tlie township. He has devoted 
the last twenty-five 3'ears of his life to the ministrj', 
and in pursn.ance of the duties of his calling has 
traveled over the .States of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, 
Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, em- 
ployed in the establishment of churches, in lifting 
up the discouraged and strengthening the weak, 
administering the Sacrament and attending to all 
his duties with conscientious care. He has officiated 
at 186 marriages and over 500 baptisms. He is a 
strong temperance man and in politics affiliates 
with the Republican part}'. For the benefit of 
those who are unacquainted with the Mennonite 
Church, of wliich he is an ordained and au able 
minister, a brief history of the church is appropri- 
ately given in connection with the biography of Mr. 
Stuckey. 

The Mennonite Churcli derives its name from 
Menno Syraons, who was born in Friesland in 
1496. Menno was a Roman Catholic priest, and a 
man of studious character and great learning. He 
left his mother church and devoted himself to tlieo- 
logical study. His book of doctrine was published 
in 1539. The followers of his teachings are some- 
times called the Litter school of Anabaptists. 



After the taking of Muenster and the execution 
of the leaders of the An.ibaptists, Menno Symons 
gave himself to the winning of the remnants of 
these deluded people from the lawless fanaticism 
into which they had fallen, or had been led, and 
with older and purer elements united them in the 
Netherlands and in North Germany ; and these 
adherents of his views were known henceforth as 
JNIennonites. While some of the earlier views of 
the Anabaptists were retained by this society, their 
fanatical violence was completely set aside. The 
Meniionites were carefull}' organized after what 
was regarded as the primitive congregational 
model. They had ministers and deacons, and 
their discipline was very strict. They take the New 
Testament as their only rule of faith; that the 
terms Person and Trinit}' ought not to be applied 
to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; that there is 
no original sin; that infants ought not to be bap- 
tized. They maintain also, that Christians should 
not bring law suits, demand interest, take oaths, 
or serve as soldiers. Some of them adopted feet- 
washing in preparation of the Lord's Supper. They 
dropped all the views subversive of civil rule which 
had been held by the Anabaptists. Their ministry 
is unpaid, and for the most part uneducated. Yet 
latterly there has been some change in this respect. 

The Galenists establislied a seminary in 1735, 
and in this country some effort has been made in 
theological education. Their simple lives, thrifty 
habits and fidelity to promises, made them many 
friends. They obtained toleration in the Nether- 
lands, then in Germany and in England. Diversity 
of views in regard to strictness in excommunication 
led to their division into the "Free" or "Strict" 
and "Coarse" or " Mild." The milder party di- 
vided on the question between Calvinism (the 
Apostolists) and Arminianisra (the Galenists). In 
1801 the parties united, the Galenists forming the 
major part. In Holland there are 120 congrega- 
tions; in Germania about 14,000 members. In 
Prussia the^' were relieved from the obligation to 
bear arms, and from the necessity of taking oaths, 
official or judicial. In 1867 the North-(ierman 
federal constitution imposed on them the obligation 
of military service. Nearly a century before this, 
or in 1783, manj' emigrated from Prussia to Russia. 






t. 



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1^836 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Ill 1870 they had reached the number of 40,000. 
Here they enjoyed many privileges, among which 
was freedom from military service. They became 
rich and were generally reckoned among the best 
subjects of the crown. 

In 1871 they lost their juivilege from military 
service, and tlic alternative vvas given them be- 
tween conscri()tioii and emigration, and the}' were 
allowed ten years to decide. The}' chose the lat- 
ter, and in 187.'! their first bod}' arrived in New 
York, and from there proceeded to Kansas, where 
they made a settlement. The exodus became so 
great that the Czar was compelled to withdraw his 
order to stop the movement. Before this time, 
however, many had emigrated to the United States, 
and thrifty societies had been established. Upon 
tiie invitation of William Penn in 1683, many 
came over and founded a settlement at (rcrman- 
town, near Philadelphia. In 1735 there were about 
r)00 families settled in Lancaster County. 

The Meimonites number now about 200,000, of 
whom about l.'iO.OOO are settled in the United 
States, and 2.'),000 in Canada. The Arinist or 
(Jmish Meniionites, are more rigid in discipline and 
dress, iiroscriliing even buttdus as carnal vanities 
and luxuries. The reformed Meniionites arose in 
Lancaster, Pa., in 1811. Their aim is to restore 
the ancient faith and prac^tice of their C'liiirch. 
'I'liere are other subdivisions of later origin. 

Tiien? are about 2, SOO Monnonites in Illinois, fifty- 
two ministers and nineteen bishops. The church 
government is under one head, c(miposed of the 
bishops of all the churches. Bishops and ministers 
are taken from the ranks of the church. There 
are three grades of ollicers — bishops, ministers and 
elders. Ministers are ordained by bishops, and 
bishops arc ordained by two or more bishops. The 
system of government is congregational, and all 
the affairs of the church are .settled by the congre- 
gation. They have no catechism and take the 
New Testament as a guide. The old Pjible, to 
them, is more of a history. 

They have three education.il institutions in the 
United States, one in Ilalstead, Kan., one in Elkhart, 
Ind., where they have a iiublishing house, and one 
^ in Wadsworth, Oliio. They also have a missionary 
^' in Indian nation, who is meeting with fair success 




* 



with the Indians. Ilis devoted labor in behalf of 
those wanderers is highly commendable. 

The first church building erected in this section 
was in Woodford County, first across the line, in 
1853. In 1872 they erected a new building in 
Danvers Township, where the old and the new 
congregation worship. The membership of this 
society numbers now about 400, and is presided 
over by Rev. Joseph Stuckey. No better citizens 
are to be found in any community than those con- 
nected with this devoted religious body. Fidelity 
to promises and obligations, coupled with ceaseless 
industry, strict honesty, the quiet .and gentle spirit 
and the highly commendable disposition to leave 
the business of others .alone, make them desir.able 
neighbors, [)rolil,able and worthy citizens. 



ENRY .). FORNEY. This gentleman, who is 
closely identified with the agricultural inter- 
ests of Chenoa Township, is pleasantly lo- 
cated on section 34, where he settled in 1882. 
His farm includes 1 GO acres of choice land, a good 
house and barn, and everything pertaining to a first- 
class farm estate, it is well stocked with horses, 
cattle and hogs, and the fences and farm machinery 
are of the best description and kept in good re- 
|)air. Mr. F. is one of the most valued men of his 
community, a member in good standing of the 
(Jerman Baptist Church, in which he otHciates as 
the leading English preacher, and is widely and 
favorably known l)oth on account of his faithful- 
ness in his religious work, his straightforward deal- 
ings as a business man and his pleasing social 
qualities. 

The subject of this biography was born on a 
farm near Uavidsville, Sonier.set Co., Pa., Nov. 17, 
1840. He is the son of Jacob and Magdalena 
(Landis) Forney, ii.'itives of the same county as 
their son. The grandfather of our subject vvas 
John Forney, who was of German ancestry and 
parentage, and who, after emigrating to the United 
States located in P(Muisylvania, where he spent the 
last years of his life. His son Jacob, father of 
Henry J., of this sketch, became the father of six 
.► 



i 



i^ 



McLean county. 



83U , 1 



children, all of whom lived to matiirit}'. One is 
now deceased. 

Heurj' J. Forney, the youngest t)f his parents' 
family, remained under the home roof and attended 
the district schools until he was nineteen years of 
age. He then went to Ohio and located in Ash- 
land County, about the time of the outbreak of the 
late war. He then enlisted in 18G1, in Co. C, 
42d Ohio Vol. Inf., his regiment being assigned to 
the Army of the Cumberland. They marched 
southeastward, and young Forney, with his com- 
rades participated in tlic battles of Grand (!ulf, 
Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, the siege of 
Vicksburg, .Jacksonville, Miss., and various minor 
engagements and skirmishes, twelve regular battles 
in all. He was wounded at the battle of Middle 
Creek, Ky. At the close of his terui of enlistment 
he was mustered out, in September, 18G4, and 
after a brief time spent in Ashland County, 
Ohio, returned to his old home in Pennsylvania. 
In 1865, he came to Illinois and purchased a farm 
in Hudson Township, this county, having in view 
the establishment of a permanent home and do- 
mestic ties. He then returned to Pennsylvania and 
was united in marriage with Miss Melissa Dull, of 
Berlin, .Somerset County, and with his wife, -Jan. 
21, 186G, returned to his new farm, upon which 
the}' located and which IMr. Forney commenced to 
improve and cultivate. They occu|>ied this until 
188"2, then removed to their present homeste.ad in 
Chenoa Township. Their family consists of three 
sons and one daughter — Albert 1)., Edgar E., ^^■ill- 
iam R. and Sadie E. In politics Mr. Forney is a 
Republican. 



^OHN HILPERT. This highly respected Ger- 
man citizen is a splendid representative of 
th.at solid and substantial element which has 
done so much toward the development of 
the resources of the New World, and has become 
so intimatelj' identified with its business .and indus- 
trial interests. He was born in Baden on the 24th 
of June, 1825, and there grew to manhood. His 
parents were Mathias and Mary (Bruner) Hilport. 
In accordance with the laws and customs of his 
4* 



native land our subject entered school at an early 
age and pursued a continuous course of study until 
he was fourteen years old. He then worked on his 
f.ather's farm for the following six j'cars, when he 
joined the army, with which he remained six years, 
serving through the Revolution of 1848-41). He was 
in Denmark .at the time that Germany accpured the 
Province of Sleswick-Holstein, and served in nine 
regular engagements besides twelve skirmishes. 
During one of these battles he w.as wounded. A 
cannon ball struck a tree, breaking off a limb, which 
in falling struck him on the hip, inflicting a serious 
wound, of which he has carried the scar ever since. 
At one time a shell from the enemy's guns struck 
the ammunition wagon only eight feet from where 
our subject stood, which caused an exiilosion, kill- 
ing two men near by, but he escaped unharmed. 

At the close of his military services Mr. Hilpert 
decided to emigr.ate to the New Woild. He ac- 
cordingly set sail from Havre in March and landed 
in New Orleans after a voyage of forty-two days. 
Three days afterward he started for this State, and 
on arriving was employed on a farm in Madison 
Count}', where he worked for one year at $7 per 
month, and then went to St. Louis and from there 
back to New Orleans, where he was engaged in an 
engine factory until the following spring. He then 
returned to Illinois, stopping in Carlyle, Clinton 
County, where lie spent the summer, and in the 
fall returned to St. Louis and engaged in a print- 
ing-oflice. He remained there until the following 
May, when he went to Pekin, 111., and was em- 
ployed upon a farm. During these years he had 
been industrious and economical and now found 
himself in a condition to commence farming on his 
own account. He rented a tract of land which he 
occupied and cultivated for the following six 3'ears 
and then, removing to Logan Count}', rented land 
there until 186G, when he purch.ased the homestead 
which he now occupies. There was then upon the 
unenclosed land a small house of two rooms, but 
no trees, fences, or other improvements. His first 
purchase consisted of eiglity acres. He set himself 
energetically to work, improved and cultivated his 
jiurchase, and in due time received the reward of 
his Labors in smiling fields and growing grain. 

As his means accumulated Mr. Hilpert added to y 



^l 



t 



t 



840 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



his original purchase, and is now the owner of 420 
acres of some of the finest farniinu land to be 
found in McLean County. The diminutive frame 
dwelling has given place to a eomnn)dious farm 
residence, and his barns and out-buildings gen- 
erally .are second to none in this section. The land 
is all enclosed and some of the boundaries are 
outlined with beautiful hedges, which are thrift}' 
and well kept. In addition to the raising of grain 
and general farm produce Mr. Hilpert is giving 
considerable attention to the raising, feeding and 
shipping of stock, wiiich business 3'ields him a line 
income. 

The subject of oui' sketch was united in marriage 
with Miss Anna Iloose March 24, 18.56. Mrs. H. 
was born in Hesse, Germany, on the 1 Gth of De- 
cember, l.s-27. Her parents were George and 
Martha (Rulingcr) Hoose. Her union with our 
subject has been blest by the birth of the follow- 
ing six children : John married Lizzie M. Hoerr, 
and is a resident of Mt. Hope Township; Lizzie is 
the wife of John Slaubaugh, .also a resident of 
Mt. Hope Townshij); Amelia, Edward, Uly.sses and 
Emma are at home with their parents. 

Since coming to this section of the country Mr. 
llilpert has identified himself with its interests, and 
has proven himself a worthy and valued citizen. 
He is Republican in politics and in all respects has 
contributed his quota toward tlie building up of 
his adopted township and county. A lithographic 
view of the handsome residence and fine out-build- 
ings of ;Mr. Hilpert is siiown on anotiier |).age. 



M ' ents 



-*- 

~/OHN G. (4EIGER. The following is a brief 
sketch of a re|)resentative of a class of for- 
eign born citizens who bi'ought the thrift 
and energy, whicii are their only heritage 
in their native land, to this country with its great 
possibilities, and have accomplished so much under 
the influence of the Institutions of America. He is 
well and favorably known throughout Tovvanda 
Townsliip. His fine homestead is on section 3, 
where in addition to the cultivation of the cereals, 
he is extensively engaged in stock-raising. His par- 
ents, Frank P. and live (Wolf) Geiger, were 



natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father was a 
brick molder by trade and continued a resident 
of his native country until his death. His good 
wife also died there. .lohn G., Tobias and Andrew 
Geiger were the only three children born of the 
marriage of Frank 1'. (ieiger and Eve Wolf. 

John G. (ieiger was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
April !», 1833, and when nineteen years of age. 
iioping to better his financial condition in the 
United States, he emigrated here and made his way 
direct to Cincinnati, Ohio. He was there employed 
in gardening for about a year and a half when he 
found employment on a farm in Butler County, 
that State, on which he labored for three years. In 
the spring of 1856 he came to this county and be- 
came an employe of Richard Rowell, who was liv- 
ing seven miles due west of Bloomington. He 
continued with that gentleman for about four 3'ears. 
By the fall of 18.51) he had saved sufficient means 
to enable him to purchase eighty acres of laud on 
section 4, Towanda Township. He moved upon 
this tract and has there lived until the present 
time, and b}' industry and economy has been en- 
abled to add to his original purchase and is now 
the proprietor of .540 acres of valuable and pro- 
ductive land. He has erected a fine residence upon 
his farm, which is surrounded by good and sub- 
stantial out-buildings, and has brought his land to 
a high state of cultivatitm. He is also an extensive' 
dealer in stock and keeps about seventy-five head 
of cattle and tvi'enty to twenty-five head of horses 
on his place and each year fattens about seventy- 
five head of hogs for the market. 

Mr. Geiger was married at Bloomington, 111., to 
Miss Anna Niese, Sept. 14, 1859. She is the 
daughter of Michael and Margaret (Eggert) Niese, 
natives of Germany, and who remained residents of 
their native country until their death. Jlichael 
Niese became the head of a famil}' of twelve chil- 
dren, and Mrs. Geiger is the eleventh in order of 
birth. She was born in Germany, Oct. 11, 1834, 
and by her union with our subject has become the 
mother of seven children, namely, George A., 
Frank, Albert F.. John N., Paul H., Magdalena 
and Minnie. Five died in infancy. Mr. Geiger 
has held the office of Highway Commissioner and 
in politics is a Republican. He is a self-m.ade man, 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



841 






for at the time he lauded in CiiiciniKitl lie had not 
a single penny in his pocket nor had he any prop- 
erty that could be converted into monej'. From 
his present possessions the reader can readily see 
what has been accomplished b}' one possessed of a 
determination to get on in the world without de- 
pending on assistance from others. A fine litho- 
graphic view of the handsome residence and farm 
buildings of Mr. Geiger is shown elsewhere in this 
work. 

■ji; AFAYETTE PROCTOR, a resident of Mc- 
I (© Lean County since 1878, and one of her 
jl^\\ most respected citizens and foremost agri- 
culturists, resides on section IS, Towanda Town- 
ship. He is a son of William and Sarah (McKee) 
Proctor, the former a native of Pennsylvania and 
the latter of Fleming County, Ky. After their 
marriage the parents settled in Kentucky, where 
the father engaged in farming and met with signal 
success. They continued to reside in that State 
until .their death, which occurred in Lewis County. 
Their children were eleven in number, six sons and 
five daughters, and our suliject was the fifth in 
order of birth. 

Lafayette Proctor was born in Fleming County, 
Ky., Dec. 25, 1827, and was there reared to man- 
hood. His school privileges were limited and he 
resided with the old folk, assisting in the labors on 
the farm until he had attained the age of man- 
hood. He then engaged in driving cattle from his 
native State to New York and Philadelphia, and 
followed that occupation as long as he was a citi- 
zen of Kentucky. F'roni that State he moved to 
Morgan County, 111., and was there occupied in 
the same business for about two years, when he 
was married, and settling down on a farm fol- 
lowed that vocation in Menard County, III. Liv- 
ing there for five years he moved to De Witt 
County, 111., and there purchased a farm, on which 
he lived until the spring of 1878. He then came 
to this county and bought ItJO acres of land lo- 
cated on section 18, Tow.anda Township, and has 
made that his home until the present time, engaged 
the while in farming, and meeting with more than 
ordinary success in the prosecution of his vocation. 
.4* 



Mr. Proctor was married at Springfield, 111., Oct. 
4, 18,5,5, to Miss Eliza A. Walker, daughter of John 
and p]lizabeth (Skinner) Walker. Her parent* 
were natives of Pennsjdvania, whence they emi- 
grated to Sangamon County, 111., in 1849, and 
lived there until their death. They had eight chil- 
dren, and Mrs. Proctor was the fifth in order of 
birth. She first saw light in Franklin County, Pa., 
May 25, 1827, and has borne our subject six chil- 
dren—Sarah E., William F., John W., Carrie B., 
Charles A. and Amanda A. Sarah was united in 
marriage with Laden Berry, and departed this life 
at Towanda June G, 1882; William F. married 
Miss Silvia Malthy, and they are living in Ne- 
braska ; John and Miss Sarah A. Proctor became man 
and wife, and are residing in Towanda Township; 
and Carrie B. and Charles A. are yet inmates of 
the parental household ; Amanda died in De Witt 
County, while in infancy. Mrs. Proctor is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics our 
subject votes for the success of the Republican 
party. 



EOUE D.SITHERWOOD, M. D.,askillfu 
and intelligent dental surgeon of Bloom- 
ington, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was 
born in Fayette County, March 8, 184G, being the 
son of William and Margaret Sitherwood. His father 
was a farmer bj' occupation, and carried on his op- 
erations in the little valley of Jacob's Creek, at the 
foot of Chestnut Ridge. George D. spent his boy- 
hood assisting in the duties of the homestead in the 
summer, and attending school at Laurelville during 
the winter season. He also took a course in the 
Normal School at Millsboro, on the Monongahela 
River, in Washington Count}', Pa., from which he 
graduated in 18(i2, and immediately began teaching 
at Moccasin Hollow, Westmoreland County, that 
State. He was thus employed until after the out- 
break of the late Rebellion, and in 1803 enlisted 
as a Union soldier, in a regiment of Pennsylvania 
cavalry, as bugler, and remained in the service, in 
Southern Pennsylvania, until the expiration of his 
term of enlistment. He received his honorable dis- 
charge at Pittsburgh, in October of that same 




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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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year, and returning home resumed his former oc- 
cupation as a teacher, and was thus occupied until 
.lanuary, 1804. He tlien enlisted in the regular 
army, and went on duty in the United States Sig- 
nal Corps. Himself and Doane U. Colcord were 
chief buglers of the Sign:d Camp of Instruction, 
which was situated on Ceorgetowu Heights. Jt 
was also a |)art of the duty of our subject to give 
instruction to cavalry buglers for the Army of the 
I'otoniac. He was a member of the Signal Corps 
Band, playing E (Hat) cornet. He was in the 
skirmish an<l battle of Ft. Stephens when (len. 
Early came down tiirough Maryland and attempted 
to cajjture Washington C'it}'. 

Ill .January, 1865, young Sitherwood was sent 
w'itii a small detachment of the Signal Corps to 
Hilton Head, S. C, doing duty at Braildock's 
Point, formerly the home of John C. Calhoun, Ft. 
Pulaski, Savannah, Ga., and the Sea Islands of South 
Carolina. He was most of the time on duty at Ft. 
Pulaski. It was in this fori that many of the prin- 
cipal leaders of tiie Rebellion and ( iovernors of the 
seceding States were imjirisoncd, namely: Gov. 
McGrath, South Carolina; Allison, of Florida; 
Senator R. M. Hunter, of Virginia; .lames S. Seddons,* 
Secretary of \\'ar; .Judge C.'uni)bell, of Mississippi; 
.ludge Clark, and various others. Our subject be- 
came (]uite well .accpiainted with those mentioned, 
often lu'inging them vegetaliies from Savannah, and 
playing duets with (Jov. Allison, wlio was a, fine 
violinist, the Doctor playing tiie cornet. W'iiile on 
duty at Georgetown Heights as bugler, Dr. Sither- 
wood always had a free pass to Washington City, 
and att(!nded many of the Piesidential receptions, 
so that the faces of Lincoln, Seward, Stanton, 
Chase, Johnson, Sumncu-, and the leading men on 
both sides became familiar to the l>uglerboy of the 
Signal Corps, who always regretted that he was not 
old enough to vote for " Father Abraham " when 
he was elected President for the second term, al- 
althougli he did assist in the serenade and grand 
hurrah that night in Washington, when it was 
known that he was elected. Our subject was mus- 
tered out Aug. 20, 1805, receiving his honorable 
discharge at Hilton Head, S. C. 

Dr. Sitherwood returned home from the war by 
way of New York, taking passage on the okl steam- 



ship " Aragon." He immediately resumed the 
study of medicine, which he had begun in the 
spring of 1803, with Dr. .J. Loar, at Mt. Pleasant, 
in the meantime teaching music and leading a brass 
band, in order to get means to attend medical 
lectures. For this purpose he went to Philadel- 
phia, during the winter of 18G(!-(17, and spent 
some time in the Uuiversit>' of Medicine and Sur- 
gery, and with Di'. Isaac Lukeus, an eminent 
dentist, who lectured in the college. The summer 
of 18(57 was spent in Cleveland and Akron, C)hio, 
where he worked at his trade, making reeds and 
tuning organs in the factories of those cities, en- 
deavoring to earn money to pay for the second 
year in college. In the fall of 18(J7 he returned to 
Philadel()liiu on foot, a distance of 750 miles, tak- 
ing subscriptions for a medical journal on the way. 
and thus clearing about $75. The walking feat was 
noticed by a number of the cit3' papers at the time. 
He pursued Iiis studies closely that winter, and in 
the spring of 18G8 graduated from the Universitj-. 
In tiie fall of that year he commenced the [iractice 
of his profession at Richlield Springs, N. Y., being 
successful from the start. In October, 18G;i, lie left 
New York, and coming West as far as Mt. Vernon, 
Ohio, entered into partnership with Dr. Loar. 

Dr. Sitherwood was married, Dec. 14, 1870, to 
Miss Saddle A. Loar, the eldest daughter of ids 
partner, a beautiful and accoiiiiilished lad}', who 
made him a charming and affectionate wife, and 
who became the true hcl|inieet and s\-iii|)athizer of 
her hnsliand in ;dl his plauo and undertakings. In 
Aiiril, 1871, lie dissolved i>artnership with Dr. 
Loar, and M('com|ianied by ids wife, came to Lin- 
coln, in this Slate, where he pursued ids practice 
successfully until August, 1872, and tiien, by a 
mutual agreement with his wife, gave up medicine, 
and removing to lUoomington resumed his trade of 
tuning organs and other duties connected therewith, 
in the estalilishmcnt of Andrus Bros., who were 
then manufacturing these instruments, at the cor- 
ner of Nortli and East streets. Dr. S. was thus em- 
ployed with this company until May, 1875, and 
then entered tiie dental ollice of Dr. J. Campl)ell, 
performing office and laboratory work until January, 
1877, when he o|)ened an oflice of his own for the 
practice of dentistry, in which he has been emi- 



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^•'"■•..is;??:; 





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V 






McLean county. 



845 



nently successful. His meclianioul skill, artistic 
taste and thorough knowledge of his business, at 
once established him in the confidence of the peo- 
ple of this locality, and he now holds an honorable 
position in the profession in this section. He be- 
longs to the Illinois, the Chicago, the Central Illi- 
nois and the American Dental Societies, and in 
each l)ody has been called upon In lill respcjnsilile 
and honorable ollices. 

The married life »if Dr. Sitherwood was like a 
perfect day in summer, all sunshine ai^d flowers, 
but too happy to last. Three lovely children came 
to bless their home, two girls and a boy. The eld- 
er girl died of scarlet fever when not quite four 
years old. April IG, 1885, after an attack of ma- 
larial fever of onl}' five days his beloved compan- 
ion closed her eyes forever u|)on the scenes of 
earth. She was a devout and earnest Christian 
lady, greatly interested in Sunday-school work, and 
gave her time and strength .as far as able to build- 
ing up the cause of religion among the young. Her 
name is held in tender remembrance by a devoted 
husband and a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. 

The subject of this history descended from ex- 
cellent Scotch-Irish ancesUy, the McMiehaels, of 
Scotland, on his mother's side, while his grand- 
father Sitherwood came from Armagh, Ireland, and 
w.as religionsl3' a Seceder. His maternal grand- 
mother lived to the .advanced age of ninety-three 
years. Dr. Sitherwood is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church, and is Superintendent of the lai-ge and 
flourishing Sund.ay-school, over which he h.as pre- 
sided for eight years. He is strictly temperate in 
his habits, never using tobacco in any form, is op- 
posed to the use of alcoholic liquors, enjoys robust 
and perfect health, and presents the (dcture of 
nianl}' strength and vigor. 



■vv\>~-. -A^lil^iZ'©^^^ I 



*^^J/zrzrar»v-'w->^. 




«)IIOMAS B. CRIGLER. Upon the oi.posite 
page may be seen the portraits of a highly 
esteemed couple, who have lived in McLean 
County for nearly forty years. During this long 
period their lives have been so exemplary that the 
esteem of the entire community has been won. 



They emigrated from the Old Dominion in 1849, 
and since that time, with the exception of five years 
spent in Tazewell County, have been residents here, 
and interested in the growth and progress of this 
locality. Mr. Crigler owns a farm of 12(; .acres on 
.section .'iO, in Cheney's (irove Township, .and is 
known as a thorough farmer and business man, 
well worthy of the confidence and esteem of his 
fellow-townsmen. 

The birth of our subject occurred in Culpeper 
County, Va., Dec. 2, 1815. His parents, James 
and Sarah (Trii)lett) Crigler, were both natives of 
the Old D(.)n]inion. James Crigler vv.as born in 
1773, and departed this life in Virginia in 1841, 
when sixty-eight years of .age. The mother was 
liorn in 1795, and died in that State in 1847. 
Their family consisted of six sons and six daugh- 
ters, viz.: Catherine, who married Coleman B. 
Brown; William L., Thomas B., Dr. James R., 
Frances S., Saraii J., Matilda, Daniel, Elliott M., 
Christopher C, Isabella and Mary E. The subject 
of this biography was the third child of his parents 
.and remained under the home roof until his mar- 
riage, on the 25th of July, 1839. The maiden of 
his choice was Miss Sarah R. Deal, who was born 
in \\'aynesboro, Va., Jan. 28, 1820, and is the 
daughter of John and Nellie (Invoden) Deal, both 
natives of ^'irginia, and the parents of twelve chil- 
dren, eight daughters and four sons, as follows: 
George W., Catherine, Samuel C, Henry J., Sarah 
R., Mary, Ellen, Margaret, John A.. Ida, Susan and 
. .Lane A. Tiic parents of Mrs. Crigler were of Ger- 
man extraction. The first lepresentatives of the 
family in this countiy settled in the South at an 
early d.ay. 

Our subject and liis wife became the parents of 
ten children, of whom, the record is .as follows: Dr. 
AVilliam H. H. first married Jliss Nellie Thorp, who 
has been dead for six years; his second wife was 
Miss Maggie Sealy. This son during the late Re- 
bellion was Assistant Surgeon in the Union Arm^' ; 
he died at Covington, Ind., in 1884. Clarissa F. 
became the wife of Winston Meeks, who died 
March 13, 1882; Crimmorah E. became the wife, 
first of William Jlarteen, who died in 1881, and 
afterward of M. A. Richardson, of Streeter, 111.; 
Arey A. died at the .age of four years and seven- 



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846 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



teen flays; Dr. John M. B. mavrierl Miss Love Bal- 
lard ; .Tames T. died when an infant of eleven days 
old; Dr. .lidiiis \V. married Miss Bell, tiie daugh- 
ter of Dr. Ballard, who died a few years later; he 
was then married to Miss Lou Clute. Mattie S. is 
the wife of A. J. Mace, Postmaster of Saybrook 
and proprietor of the Weekly Gazette; Maggie E., 
Mrs. Moore, lives in Sutton, Neb.; Arey, Mrs. E. 
Hester, lives in tin's township. 

When Mr. Crigler came to this county, in 1849, 
he only spent one 3'ear, then moved to T.azewell 
Count}'. After a residence there of five years, he 
returned and located in Danvers Township, of 
whieli he was a resident eleven years. Thence he 
removed to the eastern part of the county where he 
located on section 1, in this township, and lived 
ten or twelve j-ears; he afterward resided in Allin 
Tt)wnship for four years, and tlien purchased his 
present farm. 

]\Ir. Crigler and the various members of his fam- 
ily are prominently connected with the Methodist 
p;piscoi)al C'hiu-ch, and our suliject has been warmly 
interested in tlie success of the prohibitidu move- 
ment. He is a woi'king member of tlie Sous of 
Temperance, and l.aliored for many years in en"- 
deavoring to m:dvc unpopular the manufacture and 
sale of spirituous liquors. He is the oldest Odd 
Fellow in McLean County, his niembersiiip dating 
back to 1842. He has held the various oflices 
within the gift of his ti>wnsmeu, b}- whom he is 
universally respected, and who have the highest 
contideiice in his ability as a business nVui and his 
loyalty as a citi/.(m. 



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\*s.. R. SELDEN M. PAYNE, physician and 
surgeon of Clienoa Township, has been 
located here since LSi'tO and has built up a 
successful practice. He is a native of Ohio, 
born in Marietta, Washington County, on the 2,ith 
of August, 1819. The first representatives of the 
Payne family in the rnited States, who were of En- 
glish liirtli and ancestry, were thiee lirothers who 
came from England and settled respectiveh- in 
Vermont, Hluxle Lsland and Connecticut. Abra- 
ham Payne, the grandfather of our suliject, was a 



direct descendant from the brother who settled in 
Connecticut. His son Uufus w.as the father of our 
subject, and in early life learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker, allhough he was fond of agricultural pur- 
suits and liv(^d upon a f:irm. He married in early 
life Miss Mary Perkins, of Washington County, 
Ohio, to which State he had emigrated. After mar- 
riage the young couple settled upon a tract of tim- 
ber land which Ruf us Payne cleared and cultivated, 
and where he established a ccgnfortable home. In 
the meantime, as opportunity afforded, he also 
Worked at his trade. In 1848 they removed to 
Guernsey County, in the same State, thence to 
Portage County, and from there came West acros,s 
the Mississippi and located in Appanoose County, 
Iowa, where his death occurred in aljout 1875. 
The wife and mothei' had departed this life in 
Washington County, Ohio. Their ten children in- 
cluded seven daughters and three sons, seven of 
whom are still living. The father subsequently mar- 
ried again, and of this latter union there were born 
two children. 

The subject of this history was the .second child 
(jf the first marriage. He jiassed his bojdiood days 
in Ohio, pursued his early studies in the common 
schools and later attended iMarietta College. He 
chose his jirofession early in life and taught school 
in order to obtain means to complete his medical 
studies. He read medicine with Dr. Sheldon of 
Oarrettsville, Ohio, and attended lectures in the 
Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, from which 
he graduated in 184G. The year following he com- 
menced the practice of his profession in Greene 
County, Ind. 

The marriage of Dr. I'ayne and Miss Elizabeth 
Franklin was celebrated on the 15th of November, 
1847. Mrs. P. is tlie daughter of Col. John Frank- 
lin, who came to this count}' in 1850. That same 
year Dr. Payne also came to this county and lo- 
cated on a farm near Lexington. Here he carried 
on agriculture in connection with his practice, hav- 
ing the same love of rural scenes and pursuits 
which had distinguished his honored father. After 
the war came on, he enlisted as Assistant Surgeon 
in the 94th Illinois Infantry and was assigned to 
duty at S|)ringlield, Mo. Not long thereafter, 
on account of failing health, he tendered his resig- 
^ 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



847 



nation, and returning home settled on his present 
farm. Tliis lies on section 31, and includes '240 
acres of choice land. Here he has a tasteful and 
comfortable residence and all the accessories of an 
enjoyable country estate. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Payne has been blest 
by the birth of five sons: Romeo died when six 
months old ; Leland M. died in Newton County, 
Mo., in January, 1887, when thirty-six years of age; 
he married Miss E. Johnson, and they had one 
daughter; Carmel D. died Oct. 30, 1881; Wilbur 
F. and Charles H., the only survivors, remain on 
the homestead with their parents, and their father 
has practicall}- turned over to them the business 
and management of the farm. The former married 
Huldah Harness. 

Dr. Payne is a member of the G. A. R. and has 
practically retired from active business, only oc- 
casionally attending a call for his professional serv- 
ices in the case of an old friend or neighbor. In 
politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Payne is a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. The Doctor is liberal 
in his religious views. 



^^UGUSTUS HILL, one of tiie relial>le citi- 
(@/lJ| i zens and successful farmers of Padua Town- 

I ii ship, occupies a fine jjroperty located on 
^fl section 19, where in addition to general 

agriculture, he is giving much attention to the rais- 
ing of stock. His snug homestead includes eighty- 
five acres of finely cultivated land, upon which he 
has erected a good set of farm buildings, the loca- 
tion being one oi the finest in this section, and 
commanding an exteiided view of tlie beautiful sur- 
rounding country. l\lr. Hill settled on his |]resent 
homestead in February, 1884, having removed 
from another part of the township where he owned 
eighty acres, and which he sold before taking pos- 
session of his present purchase. 

Mr. Hill is a native of McLean County, and was 
born in Dry Grove Township, jNIay 27, 1847. He 
is the eldest but one of the family of Johutj' 
Hill, one of the best citizens of Dry Grove Town- 
ship. Our subject was reared in liis native town- 
ship and received a good common-school education. 



When twenty-seven years old he was united in 
marriage with Miss Louisa W. Monlton, the mar- 
riage taking place in Forest, Livingston Co., 111., 
Oct. 14, 1873. Mrs. Hill was born in the town of 
Lyman, Grafton Co., N. II., in sight of the White 
Mountains, Aug. 18, 1846, being the daughter of 
Gabriel G. Moulton. The latter was of New En- 
gland jiarentage and prided himself upon being a 
full-fledged Yankee. He was married in early man- 
hood to Miss Sophia P. Walker, of Lymantown, N. 
II. She died when her daughter, the wife of our 
subject, was a little child four years of age. Mr. 
Moulton is still living, being a resident of Little- 
ton, N. H., and seventy-six years of age. Mrs. Hill 
was the youngest of her mother's five children, two 
sons and three daughters. In due time her father 
contracted a second marriage, and she remained an 
inmate of the parental household until twenty- two 
j'ears of age, in the meanwhile occupied as a 
teacher. She came to Illinois in 1868, and success- 
fully followed her profession in Dale Township 
about four years, until her marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hill became the parents of two 
children — Clara M., at home, and George M., de- 
ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hill lived for a time in Dale 
Township, whence after two and one-half years 
they removed to Ellsworth, Padua Township, and 
then removed to their present farm. Mr. Hill is 
Democratic in politics and is in all respects a valued 
member of the community. 

A lithographic view of Mr. Hill's handsome resi- 
dence is shown t)n another page of this work. 



-Jv- 



#"#► 




AVID L. WHITE, who h;is been a resident 
of the Prairie State for the jiast thirty 
years, has spent the greater part of his 
time since 18.")6 in McLean County. He 
is now comfortably located in Ploomington Town- 
ship, where he owns a valuable homestead of 170 
acres on section 21, and tliirteen on section 20. 
He first opened his eyes to the light among the 
Ohio hills, having been born in Montgomery 
Count3', that State, on the 2.')th of August, 1823. 
His father, who was also a farmer by occupation, 
removed from Virginia to Ohio about 1800, at an 



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848 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



e:irl_y period in tiio history of the State, and iTsi(k'<l 
in Miami Township, Montgomery County, until 
Lis (Icatli, which occurred in 1844, when he was lit- 
tle past the prime of life, being lifly-two years of 
age. The paients of our subject, John \. and 
Klizabeth (l)elap|i) White, were natives of I'enu- 
sylvania, who first removed to \'irginia and tbeuec 
to Ohio. i\Irs. J'^lizabeth White .survived tlie 
death of her husband twenty-four years, and died 
in Montgomery County, Ohio, at tlie ago of sev- 
enty-eight. Slie reared a family of six sons, our 
subject being the fifth in order of birth. 

David L. White remained with his paicnts until 
his marriage, which took place on the loth of May, 
18.')3, the maiden of his choice being Miss Eliza- 
beth Lamme, wlui wa.s born and reared on a farm 
in Montgomery County, Ohio, and was a neighbor 
of her husband all her younger days. She lived 
to come to Illinois and assist him in establishing a 
home in this county, and departed this life on the 
7th of May, 18(i2, after being his affectionate com- 
panion for nine years. Of the four children born 
to them, only <jne is now living, DSvid L., Jr., 
who married Mi.ss Mary Mann, and resides in this 
township, engaged in farming pursuits. Mary J. 
died at the age of eighteen years; Ilattie died 
when quite young, and an infant died unnamed. 
.Mrs. \Vhite was an earnest and sincere Christian, a 
wt)rth_y member of the I'resbj-terian Church, and 
greatly beloved by her famil}- and friends. 

On the i8thof March, 18G3, Mr. White was mar- 
ried the second time, in Bloomington, to Miss 
Louisa Foster, also a native of Moutgomer}- Count}-, 
Ohio, and the daughter of George and Fredrica 
(l)rexler) Foster, vvluj were of German jiarentage 
and descent. They came to the United States 
when quite j-oung, and were married in Maryland. 
After the birth of two children, they removed to 
Montgomery County, Ohio, where five more little 
ones were added to the famil}' circlt. They then 
came to Bloomington in 18;)8, and later, in 18G4, 
removed to Waupaca County, Wis., where tiie fa- 
ther died the following year. He was a weaver by 
trade, but after coming West, engaged in other 
pursuits. The mother is now with her daughter, 
Mrs. White of this sketch. 

Of this marriage of our subject there have l>een 



born nine children, eight living and three married: 
William married Miss Lydia Keckley, of Bloom- 
ington, aud is farming in Bloomington Township; 
Edward is unmarried and lives in Kansas; Cynisca is 
the wife of John W. Keekley, a farmer of Bloom- 
ington Township; lila M. is the wife of D. K. Lott, 
and resides in Farmer City; (jrant, McLean, Or- 
ville and Lillie, are at home; an infant is deceased. 
The home of our subject and his family is a 
pleasant and attractive one. They are surrounded 
l)y all the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
life, and possess in a marked degree the respect 
and esteem of their neighbors. Mr. White politi- 
cally is a solid Republican, and has been Road 
Commissioner of the township for several 3'ears. 

,-/=^ AMUEL yV. SMTLIL of the firm^ of Smith 
^^^ ife ^Vashburn, dealers in hardware, boots, 
siioes and groceries, at Cropsey, 111., is, in 
(•onii)any with his partner, carr3'ing on a 
thriving and steadil}' increasing trade. Tlie busi- 
ness was established in the fall of 1881, aud in con- 
nection with this Mr. Smith introduced hardware 
aud agricultural implements and continued alone 
in business about eighteen months. lie then en- 
tered into partnership ivith Edward Washburn, and 
the liini have operated together since that time 
under the name and style of Smith & Washburn. 
They (rarry a large and well-selected stock, and re- 
ceive the patronage of the best people of this lo- 
cality-. 

Mr. Smith was born in (irovelaud, 'I'azewell Co., 
111., Aug. 12, 185C, being the son of Rev. Samuel 
B. and Jane Smith. He was only two and oue-half 
years old when he was deprived of the tender and 
affectionate care of his mother, who died in 18;)9, 
leaving three children: Elizabeth, now the wife 
of James Hare, of Colfax; J. L. and Samuel W. 
After the death of his first .wife, the father of our 
subject was again married. He officiated as minis- 
ter of the Metiiodist Episcopal Church for a period 
of thirty years, but is now superannuated, and re- 
sides in Selma. 

Samuel W. Smith pursued his primary studies in 
the common schools during his childhood, and 



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McLean county. 



849 



when fifteen years of age, was thrown upon his own 
resources and engaged in the battle of life. He 
einployed himself at whatever his hands could find 
to do, his intelligence and industrj' securing for 
him friends from the start. He lived economically, 
saved what he could of his earnings, and in due 
time commenced farming on his own land, which 
consisted of a tract of eighty acres near Lexington 
in this county, which had been left him by liis 
mother. He cultivated this land until his removal 
to Cropsey, having sold it to engage in a business 
which better suited his tastes and inclinations. 

The marri.age of Mr. Smith occurred in 1.S7S, 
the maiden of his choice being Miss Jessie (;., tlie 
daughter of Charles and Cordelia Hayward. Mrs. 
Smith was born in Peoria County, 111., and they 
have two children — Ward S. ' and Reuie Madge. 
Mr. Smith is Republican in politics, and socially 
belongs to the Slasonic fraternity. 



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i 



ILTON LOZARTH. No county in tiie 
great Prairie State can bo.ast of such an 
array of intelligent agriculturists as Mc- 
Lean. Everywhere are evidences of thrift, 
wisdom and enterprise, and on section 26, of Allin 
Township, is comfortably located the farm where 
one of McLean's good farmers, Milton Bozartii, is 
prosecuting his chosen calling with success. He has 
been a resident of this homestead since his m.ar- 
riage, April 20, 1859. It consists fif 213 acres of 
finely cultivated land with a tasteful and substantial 
farm dwelling, a good barn and all the accessories 
of the intelligent and progressive farmer. Here 
he spends his time as an ijadustrious and law-abiding- 
citizen, enjoying the respect of his neighbors and 
fulfilling the oliligations incident to his station, as 
a substantial member of the community. 

Mr. Bozarth was born in Christian County, Ky., 
Jan. 15, 11S32, being the son of John and Cynthia 
(Taylor) Bozarth, who were natives of the same 
State. John Bozarth was born in 1799, and his 
wife in 1807. He was a farmer I13' occupation and 
the marriage of the parents took place in Cliristian 
County, Ky., in about 1827. They remained there 
until 1839, and then started for Illinois, arriving 

■^t- 



in this county on the 10th of December following. 
INIr. B. purchased seventy acres of land, which he 
proceeded to cultivate and improve and to which 
he subsequently added and estaldished a permanent 
homestead, upon which he remained until his death, 
in 1859. He was remarkably successful in his 
farming and business transactions and before his 
death became the possessor of 2,200 acres of land. 
Mrs. B. survived her husband for a period of 
twenty-eight years, her death occurring J.an. 6, 1 887. 
Their remains lie side by side in the old homestead 
cemetery. Their twelve children were, Lavina, 
Addison, Milton, George, Isabella, John, Alfred, 
James, .Tosiah, William, Robert and Hettie. 

Mr. and Mrs. Milton Bozarth became the parents 
of five children: Franklin, bt)rn May 11, 18G9, 
died July !•">, Ib7'.(. The other four died in in- 
fancy, unn.amed. Mrs. B. is the daughter of Jona- 
than and Sarah (Ritchie) Baker, both natives of 
Rockingiiam County, Va. They came to McLean 
County, 111., in 1854, and located upon a farm, 
where the mother died in April, 1857. Mr. Baker 
is still living and residing in Martin Township, 
where lie owns a farm. Their family consisted of 
five children — Anna, Julia, J.acob, Addison and 
Martin. 

Mr. Bozarth has held the office of Commissioner 
of Highways .and was Supervisor for three years. 
Politically he is strongl3' Democr.atic. He is a 
member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M. 
and the I. O. O. F., also the Patriotic Circle and 
the order of Red Men. They are greatly respected 
by all who know them. 

JETER V. WEIDNER, who is carrying on 
) general merchandising in the village of 
I'adna, is well known throughout the 
|1\ county as an energetic and successful busi- 
ness man and one who luas contributed his full 
share to the buihling up of his town and county. 
Besides carrj'ing a stock of general mercluandise, 
he bu3's and ships all kinds of grain and live stock, 
and since his establishment here, in 1882, has 
pushed steadil}' ahead and from the proceeds of 
his extensive business, enjoj'S a fine income. He 



'i 



t 



850 



^ 



McLean county. 



also holds the ofliee of Postmaster, to which he was 
appointed in 1(S74, and which he lias since occu- 
pied. He became a resident of Padna Township 
in 1854, settling- first on a farm of IGO acres, finely 
located on section '2'.), and which is now operated 
by his youngest son, Jolm W. Besides this prop- 
erty our subject owns several town lots. Upon 
one (jf these he has a fine frame residence, with his 
business house and warehouse near by. He has 
pursued a straightforward and ujiright course in 
his dealings with his fellow-citizens and is emi- 
nently deserving of the success wliicli has attended 
his labors. 

Mr. Weidner was born in Butler County, Ohio, 
April ;!0, 18-27, and is the son of David and Re- 
becca (McNeal) Weidner, natives of Ohio, where 
the3' were reared and received a fair education in 
the common schools. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject, .lacob Weidner, of Pennsylvania, also followed 
agricultural pursuits, removing from his native 
State to Ohio and thence to Indiana, where he 
spent the last years of his life. David Weidner 
and his young wife soon after their marriage lo- 
cated upon a farm where their onl^' child, our sub- 
ject, was born. When nine years of age he lemoved 
with his [larenls from Butler Coiinty, Uiiio, to 
Carroll County, Ind., where the mother died five 
years later. His father married the second time 
and lived in Indiana the lialanee of his days. 

After the death of his nu>ther Peter Weidner 
left home, first working out for his l)oard and 
afterward at a salary' of twenty-five cents i)er daj-. 
Me remained a resident of Ciirroll County, Iml., 
until his marriage in 1818 with Miss Mary E. 
Cregg. Mrs. W. was born and reared in Ohio, 
whence she removed with her parents to Indiana 
when a child. They located upon a farm in Car- 
roll County, and after a few years came to Mc- 
Lean County, and settled iu Padua Township, 
where the father died, the mother departing this 
life in Old Town Township. Their daughter, 
the wife of our subject, was the fifth of a family 
(jf si-v sons and three daughters. Mr. and Mrs. 
\V. bei^ame the parents of seven children,, one 
of whom is deceased. .Tames is a farmer of De 
Witt County, 111.; David is farming in l^ancaster 
County, Neb., and Charles in Rice County, Kan.; 



John W. operates his father's homestead; Frances 
Ann became the wife of E. Reibe, of Padua Town- 
ship; Mary married James K. Stephens, who is en- 
gaged as clerk for his father-in-law ; he was for- 
merly a resident of Nebraska. Mr. Weidner is an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and has held most of the important offices, includ- 
ing that of Sunday-school Superintendent. Polit- 
ically he is a stanch Repul)lican and has served as 
Township Treasurer and Collector for many years. 
Mrs. Weidner departed this life in June, 1875, 
and since that time our subject's daughter has kept 
house for him. 

JONATHAN ALLISON, an honored pioneer 

of McLean County, and one of the most 

successful farmers in Dale Township, is 

(^^/ plea.santly located on section !(!, where he 

is engaged in general farming besides giving much 

attention to the raising of fine stock. 

JMr. Allison conies from excellent Irish and Ger- 
man ancestry, and is a native of the Keystone 
State, having been born in Bedford County. The 
date vi his birth was Nov. 22, 1836, and his father, 
.Jonathan Allison, was a native of the same county. 
His grandf':ither was born in Irelaml. whence he 
emigrated when a young man to the Island of Ja- 
maica, where he spent two or three years and then 
came to America. It is said that he landed with 
twelve and one-half cents in his pocket and that he 
threw this small sum into the sea, so as to start 
anew iu his adopted country. He went into Ches- 
ter County', I'a., and enii)loyed him.self at whatever 
his hands could find to do,*\vorking liy the day or 
month as oppoitunity occurred. Although he re- 
ceived but very small wages he saved of this every 
])enn3' that he possibly could, and in due time 
found himself possessed of sufficient means to pur- 
chase a tract of tind)er land. This first venture, 
however, proved unfortunate, as the title to his 
land was defective, and he was obliged to pay for 
it the second time. This, however, did not dis- 
courage him in the least, and he set about making 
good his loss with more determination than when 
he commenced, and finally received the reward of 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



851 



t 



perseverance and industry. He became the owner 
of a valuable farm in Bedford Couutj', upon which 
he passed the remainder of his life. 

The son of the foregoing and the father of our 
subject, was reared in Bedford County, Pa., and 
lived there until 18.'39, when he removed to (_)hio 
and for nine years was a resident iif Miami Coun- 
ty. He then crossed over the State of Indiana into 
Illinois, settling in McLean County. He was ac- 
comi)anied by his family, which consisted of his 
wife and five children, and the journey was made 
overland. Their outfit consisted of seven liorses, 
two wagons and two grey-hounds, and the\' carried 
their househ(»ld goods and provisions with them, 
camping and cooking by the wayside. After six- 
teen and a half days of travel, they landed at Twin 
{^rove, in this county, where Mr. Allison rented a 
house into which he moved his farail}', and then 
co«nmenced the cultivation of rented land in Dry 
Grove Township. They occupied this house for a 
period of eleven months. In the meantime the 
father entered 240 acres of land on section l,"i,I)ale 
Township, and erected a house into wliicii he re- 
moved with his famil}', and remained there until 
his death, which occurred in October, 18.53. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Hannah Stiger. She also was born in Bedford 
County, Pa., and was of German parentage and 
descent. She came to Illinois with her husband 
and children, and survived the former, dj'ing on 
the old homestead in Dale Township, in ISG.'j. The 
parental household of our subject included seven 
sons, five of whom are now living, as follows : 
James is a resident of Dale Township; John was 
the second sou [see sketch]; Jonathan, tlie subject 
of this sketch, was the third in order of birth; 
Al)raham and Benjamin live near Lexington, this 
county. 

Jonathan Allison was but two anil a half years 
old when his parents removed from Pennsylvania 
to Ohio, and eleven years old when they came to 
McLean Count}'. Here he practi(^ally grew up 
with the country. During his childhood and youth 
he attended the pioneer schools in winter, and in 
the summer season was employed in the ordinary 
duties of a farmer's boy. He remained with his 
mother after the death of his father, until his mar- 



riage, and then located upon rented laiid, which he 
cidtivated four 3'ears, after which he settled upon 
the place which he now owns and occupies. Upon 
this latter he has made great improvements since it 
came into his i)ossessiou. It consists of eighty 
acres, finely located and in a good .state of cultiva- 
tion, .and he has erected a good set of frame build- 
ings. The residence, a view of which is shown in 
this work, is pleasant and commodious, and sur- 
rounded by fruit, shade and ornamental trees. He 
has a line ))arn and all necessary out-buildings, 
witii valnalile farm machinery and all the appli- 
ances of a first-class agriculturist. His domestic 
animals are sleek and fat, and testify to the good 
care and treatment which they uniformly receive. 
They are of the best breeds and compare well with 
some of the finest stock of the Sucker State. 

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary M. Ritchie, in December, 18G1, 
their union taking place in Springfield, 111. Mrs. 
Allison was a native of Virgini.a, and born Feb. 20, 
1844. Her father, George Ritchie, was a native of 
the same State, and moved to Ft. Scott, Kan., 
where he departed this life In June, l.s.54. In the 
fall of the same year the mother, vvhose maiden 
name was Elizabeth Shumake:-, moved with her 
family to McLe.an County, 111. She makes her 
home with her children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Allison have become the p.arents 
of three children — Emma D., Mary M. and Ollie 
E. Emma was educated in the university at Nor- 
mal, and is now teaching; the jounger daughters 
are pursuing their studies in the schools of Dale 
Townsiiip. Mr. Allison is Democratic in politics, 
and in every respect is worth}' to be classed as an 
honest man and a good citizen. 



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tii'Jjii 




c-^r^.HOMAS J. NOBLE, a well-to-do farmer of 
11'^ Funk's Grove Township, was born in Madi- 
son County, Ky., on the 4th of July, 1834. 
His father, David Noble, was a native of the same 
county, and his grandfather, who was also named 
David, was born in Pennsylvania, whence he re- 
moved, in early life, to Madison County, Ky., and 
occupied the fort in company with Daniel Boone. 



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\ 



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852 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Before he became it resident of the Bhie Grass 
country he server! as a soldier in the Revohitiouary 
War and assisted in securing the independence of 
tlie colonies, lie was engaged with Boone in fight- 
ing the Indians, and learned much from his com- 
panionship with the courageous old fighter and pio- 
neer. 

David Noliic, .Ir.. the father of our subject, was 
quite young when his father died in Kentuciv.y, and 
he was reared by iiis mother and stepfather until 
1800, when he was nineteen years of age. He then 
began ttatboating on tiie Ohio and Mississippi Riv- 
ers, followiTig tins for some years, and afterward 
turned his attention to farming. He raised tobacco, 
maiuifactured tiie same, and earned a C(.)nifortable 
living for himself and family. The wife and 
mother departed this life in July, 18()2. David 
Noble then came to Illinois, and lived with his chil- 
dren until he, too, was summoned to the unknown 
country, in Feliruary, 187 4. 

The motlicr of our suljjeet, fornierl^y INIiss Re- 
becca Fortwood, was born in ISiadison County, Ky., 
lieing the daughter of .Samuel I'ortwood, of Vir- 
ginia, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary 'War 
and afterward removed to Kentucliy, being among 
the jMoneer settlers of Madison County. The pa- 
rcnt.al household included eight children, all of 
whom grew to years of maturity and of wiioui tin; 
record is as follows: Samuel and (Jeorgt' P. are 
deceased; Raul lives in Macon County, III.; Susan, 
Mrs. Webb, is deceased; Thomas .1., our subject, 
was the fifth; David lives in Madison County, Ky.; 
Sidney in Funk's (irove Township, and Silas, in 
Sank Center, Minn. 

Tiiomas J. Noble was reared to fanning inirsuits 
and educated in the subscription schools of iiis na- 
tive State. He lived with his parents until he was 
twent}' years old and tlien farmed on the old home- 
stead for himself two years, and then on his sister's 
farm. In IK;')? he purchased a farm in Madison 
County, K3'.. which he sold after two years. He 
purcliased a second farm, which he lost on account 
of tiie war. In November, ISC, I, he started for 
Illinois, and first purchased a f;uni in Chester 
Township, Sangamon County, upon wliicli he re- 
mained thirteen years, then sold out and secured 
the homestead whicli lie now owns and occupies. 



i-- 



This includes "iOG acres of valuable land, all enclosed 
and in a good state of cultivation. I'pon it is a 
good set of frame buildings; the house was 
built in 1879, and the barn in 1882. Every- 
thing is kept in good order and denotes the super- 
vision of a methodical and intelligent mind. He 
also owns eighty acres of land in Rice County, Kan. 

Mr. Noble was married on the 30th of July, 
],8o4, to Miss Matilda Keen, who was born in Madi- 
son County, Ky., Jan. 28, 1833. Her father, James 
Keen, was a native of North Carolina, and her 
mother, formerly Miss Frances Cobb, of Virginia, 
was the daughter of Samuel Cobb, a native of the 
Old Dominion and one of the pioneers of Madison 
County, Ky. He made the journey from his native 
State overland and w.as familiar with all the dillicul- 
ties which encountered the early settlers. 

Mr. and Mrs. Noble have eight children, as fol- 
lows: Elvere became the wife of William P. Sut- 
ton, and resides in Audubon County, Iowa; Frances 
married Marcellus Bright, and lives in Rice County, 
Kan.; David lives at home; Ida May became the 
wife of Winficld Shearer, of Funk's (ti-ovc Town- 
ship; Sallie A. married Elmer Bright, aii<l is a resi- 
dent of Rice County, Kan. ; Nannie was born July 
7, 18.">8, married James Carson, and departed this 
life Jul3' 20, 1884; two others died when young. 

Mr. and Mrs. Noble and two of their children 
are memlieis of the Christian Church, and our sub- 
ject, politically, belongs to the Democratic party. 
He is tlic friend of temperance, good order and 
education, fullilling his duties as an honest man and 
a good citizen, and in his business as well as his 
liersonal career has set an example worthy to be 
followed by the rising generation. 

\1l rCIUS A. \'ASEV. This gentleman, who 
I (© I'esides at Le R(jy, and who has retired from 
jj '— ^Vi the active labors of farm life, has been for 
some years one of the prominent and pr isperons 
agriculturists of McLean County. He is a native 
of the Prairie State and was born in McHenry 
Countj', Aug. 14, 1849. His father, Richard Va- 
sey, was born near Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 
1825, and his grandfather, AVilliam Vasey, was a 



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I 



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4 



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McLEAN COUNTY, 



-<*-B-^ 



855 



native of England, and emigrated to America ac- 
companied bj' liis family about the year 1824. He 
settled at Rome, N. Y., where be lived for a num- 
ber of j'ears. In 18-14 he came westward to Illi- 
nois and, locating in IMcIIenry County, passed the 
remainder of his days in the town of McHenry. 

Richard Vasey was reared in his native county 
and lived there until eighteen years of age. He 
then visited Wisconsin and afterward Illinois, and 
purchased a tract of wild land near Ringwood, Mc- 
Henry County. Upon this he erected a frame 
house 16x24 feet in area, into which he removed 
with his family and proceeded with the cultivation 
and improvement of his possessions. His nearest 
markets were Chicago, Milwaukee, Racine and 
Waukegan, and with true pioneer courage and 
resolution he overcame the difficulties which he en- 
countered, and in due time had a good farm and a 
comfortable dwelling. He also added to his landed 
possessions and bought two farms adjoining his 
original purchase. He occupied this farm b(jme- 
stead until 1865, when he sold out and removed 
to Bloomington for the purpose of educating his 
children. There the family lived for nine years, 
and then Mr. Vasey, longing again for country life, 
exchanged his town jiroperty (or a farm near Le 
Roy, in Empire Township, upon which he removed 
and remained until liis death, whieii occurred Sept. 
22, 1882. 

Mr. Vasey was married, in McHenry, on the 
27th of October, 1847, to Miss Rumanda Pierce, 
who was a native of Bradford County, Pa., and the 
daughter of Abel Pierce, a native of New York 
State. Mr. Pierce was a farmer by occupation 
and about 1844 removed to McHenry County, 111., 
where his life terminated. His wife, the mother 
of Mrs. v., was formerly Miss Lanah Cipley. She 
was born near Tro}', N. Y., and died in Bradf<jrd 
County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Richard ^'asey were 
the parents of three children: Emory O. died in 
Pennsylvania while attending the Centennial in 
1876, at the age of twenty-two j'ears; Charles H. 
died in Le Roy in 1879, aged twent3'-three years. 

Long known as one of the best and most highly 
respected men of AIcLean County, the portrait of 
Mr. Vasey is most worthy to be presented among 
those of the leading men of the county. 




i' 



Lucius A. Vasey is the only son of his parents 
now living. He pursued his primary studies in the 
public schools of McHenry County, and in the fall 
of 1865 entered Wesleyan University, at Bloom- 
ington, where he attended six years, graduating in 
the class of 1871. He then returned to his father's 
farm, and in 1874 removed to Belleflower, in this 
count}', where he purchased a farm just outside the 
limits of the town but lived within the corporation. 
He remained there until 1886, when he removed 
to Le Roy where, retired from the more active 
duties of life, he is living in the enjoyment of am- 
ple means and the association of friends and ac- 
quaintances. He still owns the old homestead three 
miles out of Le Roy, which is operated by a tenant. 
It is supplied with good farm buildings, and 
stocked with the best grades of domestic animals. 

Mr. Vasey was married, April 15, 1874, to Miss 
Amelia J. Tobey, a native of West Stockbridge, 
Berkshire Co., Mass., and the daughter of Frank- 
lin and Elizabeth (Piatt) Tobey. Of this union 
there was born one child, a son — Albert. IMrs. 
Amelia J. Vase}- departed this life June 12, 1879, 
and our subject for his second wife married Miss 
Sarah M. Tobey, a sister of the first wife, their 
wedding occurring Sept. 14, 1881. Mr. and Mrs, 
V. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
as also were the father and mother of our subject. 
Mr. Vasey, formerly a Republican, is now a strong 
Prohibitionist. He was Justice of the Peace in 
Belleflower, which office he resigned upon his re- 
moval to Le Roy. 



AMUEL J. CIIAPIN. Mr. Chapin belongs 
to that large class of cultured, intelligen 
and enterprising people who came into Illi- 
nois from New York and the New England 
States during the pioneer period, and who have 
been such irni)ortaiit factors in developing to so high 
a degree the resources which nature has s<) gener- 
ously lavished upon it. This element of Illinois 
population has not only contributed vastly in the 
development of the material resources of the State, 
until to-day it takes a front rank .as a producing 
section of our country, but it has stood as a cham- 
■ « » M-^ 



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^4 



f 



t 



856 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



pion of enlarged and increased educational facili- 
ties. 

Samuel -J. Chapin, who resides in Mt. Hope Town- 
ship, comes of excellent New England parentage, 
and is a native of Ixbridge, jVIjiss., where he was 
born Aug. 25, 1812. His father, Phiue.as Chapin 
W.1S a native of the same town and of English de- 
scent. The greater part of his life was spent in 
farming pursuits and he remained a resident of 
Worcester County until his death. The maiden 
name of the mother of our subject was Eunice 
Taft, also a native of Uxbridge, and the parenta 
family consisted of eleven children, of whom our 
subject was the ninth in order of birth. 

Our subject was reared on the farm, received a 
fair education in the public schools, and when a 
j'outh of eighteen years commenced teaching. He 
still i)ursued his own studies however, and attended 
Andover Seminary- for six terms. His winters, un- 
til 1839, were spent in teaching and the summers 
in farming pursuits. In the spring of the year 
named he turned his footsteps toward the West 
and, accompanied by his wife and one child, 
came to McLean County, 111. He established 
his family in a rented Iiouse in Mt. Hope Township, 
and having previously secured a tract of land com- 
menced its improvement ;ind cultivation. His pos- 
sessions occupied a p.art of section (!, and in 1840 
he i)ut up a comfortable house with other necessary 
farm liuildings. The nearest market then was 
Pekin, thirty miles distant, and thither the stock 
and (illier produce of tlie farm was transported for 
many years. Tiie nearest post-office was at Waynes- 
ville, eight miles distant. 

The homestead of our subject at first consisted 
of 1()0 acres. He was orospcred in his farming and 
business transactions and axbled to liis landed es- 
tate from time to time until he now is the possessor 
of 320 .acres, all in one bod3' and sui)plied with 
tasteful and substantial farm buildings. He is 
known and recognized as one of tlie representative 
business men and agriculturists of this section. 

Mr. Chapin was niarried in October, 1837, to 
Miss Comfort Ann Tucker, wlio was a native of 
Coiuiecticut. ' After remaining the companion of 
her husband for three sliort years this lady, in the 
fall of 1810 died, leaving one child, Frederick AV., 



who was born in Uxbridge, Mass., Aug. 25, 1838. 
This son, after arriving at years of manhood, mar- 
ried Miss Nancy A. Anderson, a native of Clay 
County, Ind. He now lives at Ft. Bidwell, 
Modoc Co., Cal. He followed mining for several 
years, but is a teacher of civil engineering, and also 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. F"or his sec- 
ond wife our subject married Miss Harriet N. Morse, 
March 29, 1841. Mrs. Chapin was born in Sutton, 
Mass., March 29, 1817, and was the daughter of 
John and I'olly (Hathaway) Morse, both of Massa- 
chusetts. Of this marriage, Caleb F. was born 
March 1, 1843; he enlisted in the Union army in 
October, 18G1, becoming a member of Co. G, 39th 
111. Vol. Inf. ; he w.as wounded in battle before 
Richmond, June 4, 1864, and died eight days later; 
Harriet A., born April 25, 1847, died May 16, 
1868; two other children died young; John, who 
was born June 1, 1853, married Miss Ophelia Wil- 
lis, a native of Iowa, and lives in Custer County, 
Neb. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cliapin are members of the Congre- 
gational Church at Atlanta, our subject being Dea- 
con in his congregation and Superintendent of the 
Sund.ay-school man\r years. In politics he is a Pro- 
hibitionist. During the existence of slavery he was 
a strong Abolitionist and later a Republican. 

In presenting the portrait of Mr. Chapin, which 
is done in connection with this sketch, we give that 
of one of the most highly esteemed men of this 
locality. 

John Morse, deceased, the father of Mrs. Chapin, 
was one of the pioneers of McLean County, com- 
ing into this section in 1837. He was a native of 
Sutton, ]Mass., and the son of Dr. Nathaniel Mt)rse, 
a practicing physician of that place. His childhood 
and youth were s|)ent upon a farm but after he had 
grown to manliood he eng.aged in mercantile pur- 
suits and milling combined, and for a few years 
operated a cotton factory. In 1837, having dis- 
posed of all his interests in the East, he emigrated 
to Illinois with his wife and seven children. The 
first part of their journey was performed by steamer 
to Philadelphia, thence over the mountains by rail 
to Pittsburgh, afterward, by the Ohio, Mississippi 
and Illinois Rivers to Pekin, where they boarded a 
" prairie schooner " and came into Mt. Hope Town- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



857 



ship, being one of the first of the colon}' who lo- 
cated here. Mr. Morse purchased a tract of wild 
land on section 32, erected a house and commenced 
to open up the farm. Upon the homestead thus es- 
tablished he remained until his death. 

John Morse was a good man in all that the term 
implies. For many years he was connected with 
the Congregational Church and one of the first or- 
ganizers of the society in Mt. Hope Township. He 
traveled by team to Chicago to procure windows 
and doors with which to complete the first churcli 
edifice in McLean County. He was well read and 
intelligent and frequently officiated in the pulpit as 
a "supply." He was brave and outspoken in his 
opinions and during the slavery agitations, dis- 
tinguished himself bj- his arguments in favpr of 
human freedom. 



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1 



W.ILLIAM C. HELLER, one of the enter- 
prising young farmers of Blue Mound 
Township, owns forty acres of good land 
and cultivates eighty acres besides. Fie has started 
out in life with fair prospects which, with his good 
health and temperate habits, bid fair to place him 
among the prominent farmer residents of this sec- 
tion as one of the important factors of its agricult- 
ural interests. Mr. H. was Ijorn in Madison County, 
Ind., April 10, 18.53, whence he removed with his 
parents to this county while still a child. He was 
reared on a farm and received a fair education iu 
the public schools, and remained under the home 
roof until twenty-three years of age, when he was 
married and started out for himself. On coming 
to this county Mr. Heller made his first location in 
Blue Mound Township, and following the m.axim 
that " A rolling stone gathers uo moss," has laid 
his plans to remain here for an indefinite time. 

The marriage of William C. Heller and Miss 
Emma J., daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah J. (Gaff) 
Horney, took place in Lexington Township, this 
county, on the 2Gth of September, 1876. A sketch 
of the parents of Mrs. H. will be found on another 
page in this work. The wife of our subject was 
born in Blue Mound Township, Aug. 29, 18,')5,and 
remained with her parents until her marriage, I'e- 



ceiving careful home training .ind a good education 
in the district school. Mr. and Mrs. H. have had 
one child who died in infancy. Our subject is 
Democratic in politics and possesses all the quali- 
ties which constitute an honest man and a good 
citizen. 



eLEON K. REAM, an extensive farmer and 
stock-grower of Gridley Township, is pleas- 
antly located on section 24, where he has 
gained for himself a reputation as a first-class .agricul- 
turist and business man. He comes of a good family, 
being the son of Levi and Highly (King) Ream, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. They were married in their 
native State and located in Somerset County, where 
the mother departed this life in about 186L Levi 
Ream afterward emigrated westward and located 
in Clarke County, Iowa, where he still resides. He 
was formerly engaged in farming pursuits, but is 
now living retired from active business. The nine 
children of the parental household included five 
boys and four girls. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Somerset 
County, Fa., July 18, 1847. His primary studies 
were conducted in the public schools, and after- 
ward carried on in the High School at Hopedale, 
and completed at Harlem Springs, in Carroll Co., 
Oiiio. In 1868 he removed to Iowa with his f.ather, 
and the following year started out for himself. He 
went first to Minnesota, where he worked as a car- 
l>enter for eighteen months, and assisted in laying 
the first rail on the Northern Pacific Railroad. 
After leaving Minnesota he went into Wyoming 
Territory, residing for a time in Cheyenne, and 
afterward at Denver, Col. He then went dosvn 
into Texas, working as a carpenter and bridge- 
builder, and after revisiting Colorado, where he 
was occupied in buffalo hunting for five months, 
he pushed on toward the Pacific Slope, and spent 
six years in California. During that time he 
learned the tr.ade of a millwright, and was engaged 
in different places there and in Washington Ter- 
ritory at this trade, and in mining and prospecting 
on the Pacific Slope, extending into Old Mexico. 
He coasted from Victoria, British Columbia, about 

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V 858 



McLean county. 



400 miles, traveling in an Indian eanoe made in 
one piece from a cedar tree, his C(jnipanions being 
three men and an Indian gnide. After retnrning to 
Victoria he proceeded to San Francisco, and then 
to Tncson, Ariz., where lie engaged in contract- 
ing and building about one year. Thence he pro- 
ceeded to Mexico and built a forty-stamp-mill for 
the Coborca Mining Ctmipany, which occupied 
about five months. After his return to Tucson he 
stiirted eastward to Cliicngo, which he reached in 
September, 1881. lie thei-o engaged in specnl.ating 
on the Board of Trade, and then, in company with 
his brother, N. B. Ream, who is a prominent mem- 
ber of the Board of Trade, purchased DGO acres of 
land in Gridlej' Township. 

In January, 1882, Mr. Ream located with his 
family ujion the farm which he and his brother h.ad 
purchased, which is now operated by both lirothers, 
and is furnished with all the machinery and ap- 
pliances required by a first-class agriculturist. 
Thej' have added to their original purchase until 
the}' now have l.llO acres. ;ill in one body, with 
one of the finest set of frame buildings in the 
county. Their attention is piincipally devoted to 
stock-raising, in which they started with a herd of 
about 600 he.ad of cattle. Their operations in- 
creased until one winter they purchased 50,000 
bushels of corn for feeding. They now devote the 
most of their attention to raising and buying 
heavy draft horses. They have one of the finest 
French Percheiou stallions in the county, which 
weighs 2,040 pt)unds, a magnificent animal and a 
model of s3'mmetry, lieauty and strength. In this 
business thej' give employment to live men, and 
iiave made for themselves a reputation second to 
none in the State in this department of agricidlure. 
In 18.S(; tlicy raised 12,1)00 bushels of oats. Their 
land is drained extensively with tile, including 
about lifty-seven miles; the outlets are 10 and 18 
inch, and the water from them forms a creek, which 
is known as Turkey t'reek. The farm is well 
watered with five large wells, which are fed from 
inexhaustible springs. For the jiurpose of raising 
water there ,are tiiree windmills, by which all the 
farm buildings are supplied with this indispen- 
sable elenuMil. I\Ir. Ream is constantly adding val- 
^ ' uablc improvements to the farm, .and it is now 



valued at $100,000, and stocked with $28,000 worth 
of horses. 

The marriage of Cleon C. Ream and Miss Bell 
I., daughter of Isaac and .lulia A. (Kemp) Youug, 
was celebrated in Chenoa Township, on the 1.3th 
of April, 188;'). Mrs. R. was born in Money Creek 
Township, Aug. 18, 18G2, and her parents were na- 
tives of Illinois and Ohio, respectively. Of this un- 
ion there have been born three children ; the two 
older were named George Y. and Grover C. Mr. 
Re.am belongs to no secret organization. Politi- 
cally he inclines to Democratic principles, while so- 
cially and as a business man he ranks among the 
representative citizens of McLean County. 



■yf) J. HANCOCK, a successful dealer in grocer- 
ies, queensware, etc., established his present 
prosperous business in Heyworth in Novem- 
(^// ber, 188.'). He carries a clean and well se- 
lected stock, and by his courteous manners and 
square dealing has built up a thriving trade which 
is steadily on the increase. , He w.as formerly en- 
gaged in farming in Downs Township, where he 
still owns a finely imi>roved farm of IGO acres on 
section 0, township 21, ."! east. Mr. Hancock ])ur- 
chased his farm honieste.id in 1855, and since that 
time has made it his residence. He purchased the 
land from the (Jovernment. and was the lirst who 
commenced its inqirovement. He has lirought it 
to a good state of cultivation, and has a line set of 
farm buildings which are both tasteful and sub- 
stantial. 

The subject of this history w.as born in INIout- 
gomery County, Tenn., April (I, 181!). His fatiier, 
Elijah Hancock, was a saddler by trade, and the 
son of I.loyd Hancock, who descended from pure 
English ancestry. Lloyd Hancock came to the 
United States when a young man and settled in 
Virginia, where he afterward made his home. He 
was married to Miss Mary Reeves, and they reared 
a family of five children, three sons and two daugh- 
ters. Later in life the children went to Tennessee 
and the parents to Charleston, S. C, where they 
both died, being over seventy years of .age. Their 
son Elijah, the father of our subject, w.as the third 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



859 






child of the family, niifl before his nmiriage went 
to Montgomery County, Tenn. There he hecame 
acquainted witii Mis.s Elizabeth Koss, a native 
of Stewart County, that State, whose parents were 
of Irish birtli and ancestry. This lady became the 
wife of Elijah Hancock in 1818, and was subse- 
quently the motlicr of our subject. Their house- 
hold included six children, four sons and two 
daughters, of whom J. J. was the eldest. One of 
the sons and two daughters are now deceased. 
Those living besides our subject are Francis, a 
farmer of Dyer County, Tenn.; R. R., who is farm- 
ing in Labette County, Kan., and Mrs Malony 
Starr, of Bloomington, 111. 

Mr. Hancock of our sketch remained in Middle 
Tennessee until tvventy years old, when he went to 
Kentucky and settled in Christian County. He 
had served an aijprenticeship at the saddlery trade 
under the instruction of his father, and followed 
this in Kentucky until the fall of 1848. He came 
North to ^Voodford County, 111., and there pur- 
chased a farm which he operated for a few years, 
then sold out and came to McLean County. Be- 
sides his grocery stock and his farm he is also the 
owner of village property, and is in possession of 
enough by which he will be generously provided 
for in old age. 

Mr. Hancock was married in Christian Count}', 
Ky., Sept. 1, 1842, to Miss Mildred Harvey, a na- 
tive of that county, where she was born March 22, 
1821. Her parents were Joel and Frances (Harvej') 
Harvey, natives respectively of Alabama and Geor- 
gia. Their home was ui)on a farm, where the fa- 
ther was engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, and 
he died in Christian County about 1858. The 
mother subsequently came to luireka, III., and died 
there at the home of one of her daughters. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hancock have become the parents of 
eleven children, eight now living, and the record 
is as follows: Pinkney married Miss Maggie Bacon, 
and resides on a farm in De Witt County, 111.; Eu- 
dora B. became the wife of Carter Sweeney, and 
they live on the farm of our subject in Downs 
Township; Lafajette II. is a farmer of Chautancpia 
County, Kan., and married Miss Wilson of that 
State; Fannie became the wife of .kihn Livingston, 
and resides in Hey worth; James C. married Miss 
4' 



Alice Lutz, and the}' also reside on the farm in 
Downs Township; J. H. is engaged in business in 
Dyer County, Tenn.; he married Miss Alice Han- 
cock; W. E. is his father's clerk in the store at 
Hey worth; Rosa is attending school and lives with 
her parents. The mother of these children died at 
her lujme in Hey worth, Se[it. 12, 1882. She, with 
her husband, was a member of the Christian 
Church. 

Mr. Hancock, for his second wife, married Mrs. 
Rebecca (Home) Yerkes, on the 15th of Septem- 
ber, 1885. Mrs. Rebecca Hancock was born near 
Philadelphia, Pa., and there lived to womanhood, 
soon afterward coming to Woodford County, 111. 
In this latter place she was married to her first hus- 
band, by whom she became the mother of four 
children— Edwin, Lillie, C'harles and Albert, all 
grown to mature years -and taking care of them- 
selves. The first husband of MrS. Hancock died in 
Jersey County, 111., in 1870. She is also connected 
with the Christian Church. In politics Mr. H. is a 
solid Uepnblicau, and has held the offices of Col- 
lector, Assessor, and Commissioner of Highways, 
and is at this time President of the Board of Edu- 
cation of Ileyworth School District, also President 
of the Board of Trustees of the village of Hey- 
worth. 



1 



ONATHAN B. WARLOW, one of the hon- 
ored pioneers of the Prairie State, is now a 
prosperous farmer and stock-breeder of 
Dan vers Township, having a valuable home- 
stead on section 36. Mr. Warlow was born in 
Northampton, Mass., June 27, 1814, and removed 
ivitli his parents to Oneida County, N. Y., when a 
child of three years old. He is the son of Benja- 
min and Elizabeth (Bond) AYarlow, and while in 
his native State, when a child of perhaps two or 
three years old, was stolen from home by the In- 
dians. At the end of three days he was returned 
to his parents by a squaw who said that " the young 
pappoose cry too much," and she was glad to deliver 
him again to his parents. The latter shortly after- 
ward removed to New York City, where the father 
worked at his trade, as a tailor. As young Beuja- 



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\j. 860 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 







mill grew to m.iiiliouil he served seven years and six 
months in the hotit and sht)e business, and wlieu 
seventeen years old went to I'ickaway County, Ohio, 
where he lived two years. Then, in 1834, he re- 
moved to Illinois and located in McLean Connt}-, 
which remained his home until his decease, on the 
oth of September. 1864, at the age of seventy-nine 
years, he having been born Feli. 2, 1785. He was 
a useful citizen and a member in good standing of 
the Christian Church. 

When Benjamin Warlow tlccided upon a removal 
from New York he packed his household goods into 
two wagons and proceeded to the Erie Canal, where 
he was to wait for a letter from his brother which 
should determine his final destination. After wait- 
ing four or live days and receiving no tidings, he 
set up a stick on the ground, determining that if it 
fell toward New York City he would go there, or 
otherwise would come West. The stick toppled 
over to the westward and he at once announced his 
decision to his wife. In less than half an hour he 
had loaded his goods onto a canal-boat and started 
for Ohio. Going into Ocauga County they landed 
in P'airport, and thence proceeded to Fainesville, 
and after a few months came to Illinois. The 
mother of our subject was born Nov. 26, 1786, and 
dejiarted this life Feb. 24, 1874, thus being eighty- 
eight years old at the time of her death. The pa- 
rental family consisted of seven children, one of 
whom died in infancy. Those surviving are: .Jona- 
than 15., William C, Sareiita E., Uichard A., La 
Fayette and Bond W. 

Jonathan l>. Warlow spent his earlier years un- 
der the parental roof and after arriving at years of 
manhood was married to Miss Catharine B. Hay, 
the ceremony taking place Nov. 15, 1838. Mrs. 
W. was born in Kentucky on the 3d of January, 
1812, and was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth 
(Finlc}') Hay, her mother coming of the old Fiiritan 
stock, and the family consisting of eight children — 
John, Jennie, Marcy, Mary, Susan, Catharine, 
Rachel and George. 

Of this union of Mr. and Mrs. Warlow there were 
born: Elizabeth B., who iii.inicd :i Mr. Skeeu, and 
resides in Reno C'ouiity. Kau.; .John W., who died 
at the age of seven years; Mary M., who married 
Jesse Bianaird, and lives in Kansas; Susan E., who 



died when six months old; Celia J., who married 
(ieorgeJ^. .lolinson, and resides in Daiivers; (ieorge 
L. lives ill Cass County, 111., and is practicing law; 
Adelpha 1'. B., who married George B. Rowell, and 
lives at Fresno City, Cal., and Ada K., who was 
married to Harvey Abbott. Dec. 24, 1878, and lives 
on the old homestead. The mother of these ('hil- 
dren died on the 21st of June, 1885, lier disease 
being cancer of the stomach. She had been a great 
sufferer and was paralyzed for nearly two weeks 
before her death. With our subject, she was a 
member of the C'hristian Church, with wliicii they 
united in 1837, sustaining a nieiiibershiii in that 
denomination of forty-five years. 

Mr. ^\'Mrlow came to McLean County in 1834, 
and at once located in Danvers Township, where he 
purchased 240 acres which now constitutes the 
family homestead. In addition to this he owns 260 
acres two and one-half miles south in Allin Town- 
ship, and 240 acres near Ilutehinson, Kan. He has 
made a speciality of sheep-raising and has pur- 
chased fine specimens at a large price. He is now 
retired from active labor and is enjoying the fruits 
of early toil and self-sacrifice, having by good 
judgment and wise management obtained a com- 
petency. He has been a prominent and useful citi- 
zen of the community, was Superintendent of the 
Sunday-school for a number of years, and also a 
Deacon in his church. He identified himself with 
the Masonic fraternity in 1876, and is now a mem- 
ber of Danvers Lodge No. 742, of which he has 
been t^haplain for several years. 

^OHN T.HILL, one of the well-to-do and high- 
ly respected farmers of Dry Grove Town.ship, 
owns and occupies a comfortable homestead 
on section 36, where he is successfully en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is 
a native of Orange County, N. C, where he w.as 
born on the 22d of March, 1814, being the son of 
William and Daniaris (Colverd) Hill, both natives 
of Maryland. Tlie father, who was a farmer by 
occupation, was a prominent man in his comnumity, 
deepl}' religious, and a consistent member of the 
Methodist Ejiiscopal Church, as was also his wife. 



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They were married in North Carolina aiul removed 
to Indiana in 1 SI 7. locating in Orange County, 
where they remained until 1S37, and then came to 
McLean County, where the father died on the 26th 
of March, 184;j, at the age of sixty-one _years. The 
nine children who composed the parental family 
were: Jesse, who married Miss Lidia Millis; Eras- 
mus, who married Miss H. Fossett; Judith, who 
married James De Pew; William, who is now dc- 
cease<l ; John W., who married Miss E. Kelley, and 
lives in Arkansas; Damaris, who died at the age of 
twenty-three years ; Pleasant M., who married Miss 
Mary J. Hodge, and is now in California, and Cal- 
ista, deceased. 

The subject of our sketch was married in 
Bloomington on tlie 17th of August, 1843, to Miss 
Maria De Pew, the ceremony being performed by 
Rev. Risle^', of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mrs. Hill was born in Orange Count}-, Ind., April 
27, 1823. She is of French and German extraction, 
and tlie daughter of Isaac and Sallie (Vanlress) De- 
Pew, natives respectively of Virginia and Ken- 
tucky. Isaac DePew was born in August, 1795, 
and departed this life Aug. 5, 1840, in Dry Grove, 
.aged forty-flvo 3'e.ars. He was a member and Class- 
Leader of the Methodist Episcopal Church for nine- 
teen years, and in all respects a most worthy Chris- 
tian gentleman. He was a farmer by occupation, 
and possessed more than ordinary abilities, being 
an extensive reader and well informed upon matters 
of general interest. The mother of Mrs. Hill was 
born in Lincoln (formerly Jlercer) County, Kj'., 
Aug. 15, 1800. .She was married on the 28th of 
INIarch, 181 'J. in Indiana, where she remained with 
her family until April, 1835, when they all came to 
McLean County, 111., and have since remained. 
The parental household included six children, four 
now living, and of whom Mrs. Hill was the eldest; 
James married Miss S. Johnson, who died some 
years ago; Marj- is the widow of Mr. Wade, and 
lives lu Chicago; Bedford died in St. Louis, when 
twenty-one years of age; Margaret married Mr. 
Corm.an, who is now deceased; Henry died several 
years ago. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hill became the [larents of six chil- 
dren, as follows: Alonzo died in 1868, .aged twen- 
ty-three j'ears; Augustus married Miss Louisa 



Moulton ; Helen became the wife of J. C. Calhoun, 
of Bloomington; Bedford married Miss Ilattie Har- 
rison; William C. and Edward .are unmarried. 

The homestead of our subject embraces ninety 
acres of finely cultivated land, within two and one- 
half miles of the city of Bloomington. He is a 
law-abiding and valued member of society, and 
with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, with which he has been connected since 
twenty years of age. In polities he is a stanch Dem- 
ocrat, and uniforml}' casts his vote in support of the 
principles of his party. 

A view of the handsome farm residence of Mr. 
Hill is shown on another page of this Alimm. 



^ AHIAL STRETCH, a prosperous and promi- 
nent farmer of Gridley Township, has a fine 
^^ farm located on section 19, upon which he 
^5^^ settled in about 1 856. This consists of eighty 
acres of valuable land, all improved and under 
a good state of cultivation. Ilis house and farm 
buildings are kept in good repair and his stock .and 
machinery indicate the oversight of an intelligent 
and thorough-going business man. Mr. Stretch has 
been a resident of McLean County since a lad of 
seven ye.ars old, when he removed with his parents 
from Ohio, in which State he was born, Sept. 27, 
1823. His parents were Jesse and Elizabeth (Van- 
Dolah) Stretch, natives of Penns3'lvania, where they 
were reared and married. They afterward re- 
moved to Ohio, and from there to Illinois, settling in 
McLean County in 1830. The father of our subject 
established a home in Money Creek Township, this 
county, where both parents died, the former in De- 
cember, 1853, and the latter on the 9th of May, 
1869. Their fourteen children comprised eight 
daughters and six sons, .all of whom lived to m.ature 
years, and of whom our subject w.as the tenth in 
order of birth. 

Mr. Stretch received careful home training from 
his excellent parents and as good an education as 
the schools of those earl}' days afforded. He came 
into McLean County with his parents in 1830. He 
remained under the home roof until he at- 
tained his m.ajority, and was then united in mari'iage 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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with Miss LuciiKlii Van Buskiik, Dec. 22, 1844, 
the wedding occurring in Money Creek Township. 
Mrs. Stretch is a native of Ohio; of this union 
there were born four children, of whom the record 
is as follows: George W. is a resident of Towanda, 
111.; Lafayette is at home; Mary J. became the wife 
of Jesse Covington and lives in Iowa; Elizabeth 
died when young. Airs. Lucinda Stretch departed 
this life in Hudson Township, this county, March 
17, 1852. 

The second marriage of Mr. S. occurred on the 
27th of April, 18.')4, when he was united with Miss 
Mar}' A., daughter of Archibald and Hannah 
(Archer) Wilson, who were natives of Ohio, and of 
whom mention is made in the sketch of Abraham 
Wilson elsewhere in this work. Mrs. S. was born 
in Licking County, Ohio, Nov. 1, 1828.. Of the 
second marri.age of our subject there have been six 
children : Hannah O. became the wife of William 
Hitch and resides in Gridley Township; Jesse A. 
is at home; Sarah W. married Edward Pochel and 
they live in Gridley Township; Louisa T. died July 
28, 1886; Minnie M. is a teacher in Livingston 
County, this State ; Samuel 1'. died Oct. 8, 187C, 
when five years of age. Mr. Stretch hiis been 
prominent in the affairs of his township, and has 
been identified with its welfare and prosperity. 
Both our subject and his wife arc worthy members 
of the LTnited Brethren Church, and politically Mr. 
S. earnestly supports the principles of the Repub- 
lican i>arty. 

ENTON YOUNG, one of the enterprising 
and self-made citizens of Le Roy, is pros- 
perously engaged as a clothing dealer, and 
carries on the leading establishment of 
this kind in the place. He is a native of Ohio and 
was born in Cadiz, Harrison County, Feb. 16, 
1 847. His father, Denton Young, Sr., was a 
native of the .same State, was reared and mar- 
ried there, and owned and occupied a farm near 
Cadiz until 1851. He then sold out and started 
with his wife .and eight children for the prairies 
of Illinois. The journey w.as made via the Ohio, 
.Alississippi and Illinois Rivers to Peoria and 
thence by land to Bloomington. Previous to this. 




however, the father had visited the .State and pur- 
chased a farm of 1 10 .acres, a mile north of Bloom- 
ington, on the Towanda road. Upon his return in 
1851, with his family, he learned that his house had 
been blown away. He was therefore compelled to 
rent a dwelling in Bloomington until he could 
build on his own farm. This was soon accomplished, 
and the father of our subject engaged in farming 
and the purch.ase and sale of live stock, dealing in 
horses, hogs and cattle. This being before the 
da3's of railroads, he drove his hogs to Peoria and 
took his horses overland East. He occupied this 
farm until about the time the war broke out, and 
in the meantime also purch.ased 960 acres west of 
Le Roy, in Downs Townshi|). He continued to 
live near Bloomington, while his children settled 
on the farm in Downs Township. 

In 1872 Denton Young, Sr., took a drove of 
young stock to Bloomington, Neb., and purchasing 
a claim kept his stock there and remained until 
1882, improving a farm and adding to the value of 
his purchase. He then sold out and removed to 
Clay Center, Kan., where he still lives, retired 
from active business. His first wife, and the mother 
of our subject, was Miss Malinda Baker, a native 
of Ohio, and they became the parents of eight 
children. Mrs. Malinda Young departed this life 
about 1857. For his second wife Denton Young, 
Sr., married Mrs. Rachel Short, the daughter of 
James Price, a pioneer of McLean County, and of 
this marriage were born two children. 

Denton Young, Jr., was the sixth child and 
fifth son of the first marriage of his father, and 
was but four years old when his parents removed 
from Ohio to Illinois. He attended school, as op- 
portunity afforded, nsuall}' in the winter season, 
and remained under the parental roof until eighteen 
years of age, assisting in the labors of the farm. 
He then entered Wesley.an College, where he ap- 
plied himself to a thorough course of stud}' for 
one year, and then went West to Kansas, and with 
his brother-in-law, R. M. Frazier, engaged in the 
grocery trade at Manhattan. After a few months 
however, he -returned to Le Roy, and was united 
in marriage with Miss Emma Barnett; and in a 
short time returned to Kansas with his bride, 
where he remained until the spring of 1867. He 



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5T. MARIEN KIRCHE , BLOOIYIINGTON , ILL5. 



t. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



865 



then returned to Le Roy and was variously en- 
gaged for the following six months, being a part 
of the time the clerk of his father-in-law, J. T. 
Barnett, who was engaged in mercantile business. 
He remained with the latter until the fall of 1873, 
and the following six months was engaged with 
Mr. Moorehouse, afterward with Mr. Keenan. He 
then established business for himself, in the old 
bank building, where he oiierated for two years, 
and then purchased the Sydney Baker building on 
Main street, Le Roy. 

In 1880 our subject purchased the block adjoin- 
ing the Baker building, known as the David Cheney 
Building, and enlarged his facilities for the trans- 
action of a steadily increasing business. He now 
occupies two large storerooms, each 65x22 feet in 
area and is evidently on the high road to a compe- 
tency. In 1883, in company with Murray & Smith, 
Mr. Young put up the Opera Block. This block 
occupies an area of 80x22 feet, has a plate glass 
front, and is in all resi)eets one of the finest in the 
town. 

Besi<les this [iroiJerty Mr. Y(ning is also inter- 
ested in farm lands, he and his wife l)eing the 
owners of eighty-two acres adjoining liie town 
plat. This little farm is well stocked with good 
grades of horses, cattle and hogs, and he employs 
a manager who carries on the farm operations in a 
successful manner, enabling him to derive from it 
a handsome income. 

The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Young was cele- 
brated Oct. 17, 1866. The parents of Mrs. Young 
were T. J. and Emeline (Gibbs) Barnett, a sketch 
of whom will be found in another part of t'his 
work. Of this union there have been born three 
sons — Thomas Victor, Lynn and Bertram. Mr. 
Young is Republican in politics, and is in all re- 
spects fulfilling the obligations of a good citizen 
and a worthy member of society. / 

^l^EV. HILARY HOELSCHER, Rector of St. 

I^r^ Mary's German Catholic Church, is a gen- 

c4i\\\ tleman highly respected in the city of 

^) Bloomington. He is gifted with talents of 

r a high order and is one of the best educated men 



r 



in the county. Father Hoelscher was born in the 
oit}' of Cinciiniati, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1857, and is the 
son of John and Elizabeth (Mitgoes) Ilool.schcr. 
When our subject was a child of two years of age 
they removed to Covington, Ivy., wliere in the Ger- 
man schools of that city he received his elementary 
education. Later he entered St. Francis College at 
C'incinnati, Ohio, at which he was graduated in 1875. 
He tiien entered the Franciscan Order, in which he 
prepared for the Priesthood, and was ordained 
Sept. 21), 1880. He was soon given charge of sev- 
eral congregations, the first of which was at St. 
^'harlcs' Chin'ch, Carthage, Ohio, whence he was re- 
moved to St. .John's in Middletown. He was after- 
ward assistant at St. George's at Cincinnati, and 
from there was sent to Bloomington, 111., taking 
charge of St. Mary's Aug. 13, 1884. The parish 
under charge of Father Hoelscher is prospering and 
he bids fair to become an important member of the 
Priesthood. 

In reviewing the history of St. Maiy's German 
Catholic Church we find that the first service in the 
German language held in the citj' of Bloomington 
was in 1852. During that year three German 
Catholic families settled within the city limits. In 
18()7 this class of population had so increased that 
it was deemed time to organize a congregation. 
This was done during the year mentioned and the 
first meeting was held in an old frame school-house 
which stood on the ground north of the present 
Irish Catholic Church. In 1869 the congregation 
had so increased that a permanent and larger meet- 
ing-place became a necessity. Previous to this 
seven lots had been secured on South Water street, 
and on the 31st of July of that year work was 
! commenced on the frame of the i)resent buildinff. 
In due time the edifice was finished at a cost of 
$2,500. This edifice answered all purposes until 
1884, when owing to the steadily increasing throng 
of worshipers the congregation again began to feel 
the necessity for more room. 

In June, 1885, the movement for another new 
building was formally inaugurated by the selection 
of the building committee, which consisted of Rev. 
Hilary Hoelscher, Henry W. Ulbrich, G. A. Ensen- 
berger, Frank Oberkoetter, Jr., Edward Wochner, 
Michael Glaser , and J. M. Kirsten. There was 
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866 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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raised bj- subscription $7,200, and a fair given for 
tlie benefit of the building netted $3,150, placing 
in tlie li;uids of the projectors a total of 110,350, 
available for beginning the work. The plans con- 
templated an expenditure of $20,01 7, exclusive of 
the pews, windows and frescoing, and the entire 
building when completed to cost about $30,000. 

The edifice occupies an area of 55x125 feet. 
The material used in its construction is of the best 
(piality. The distance from the water tables to 
the eaves is thirty-two feet, tlie height of the 
steeple 170, and the whole ujxm a massive founda- 
tion presents an im|)osing aitpearance. The spire« 
will be slated and encased with galvanized iron 
sheeting .and surmounted by a gilded copi)er ball 
thirty inciies in diameter. The globe supports a cross 
twelve feet high. The liuilding is of the Gothic 
style of architecture and the groined ceiling will 
rest on twenty capitals elaborately carved. The 
walls will be handsomely frescoed, and the church 
within ami without is highly creditable to the en- 
terprise of the congregation. The view presented 
in connection with this sketch will give an excellent 
idea of the grandeur .Mnd sui'nrundings of the edi- 
fice. 



Vl/EKKJIIAII T. STARKKY. of Lawndale 
Township, has been a resident of the Prairie 
State for over a quarter of a century, hav- 

9JIJ ing come to this vicinity with his wife in 
the spring of ISdl. He was born in Muskingum 
C'<tuuty, Ohio, being the son of Stephen 1). and 
Helen (Hanks) Starkey, the latter a second cousin 
of Abraham Lincoln. St('|)hen 1). Starkey was a 
native of \'irginia, and the mother is supposed to 
have been born in Ohio. After marriage the par- 
ents of our subject settled in Muskingum County, 
Ohio, where the father still resides. He was en- 
gaged Iti nulling until married, and has farmed 
since that tinu'. The mother died there in 1852. 
Their seven children included three sons and four 
daughters, of whom the subject of our sketch was 
the second child. 



r- 



Jeremiah T. Starkey was born in Muskingum 
Count}-, Ohio, Nov.' 1, 1838. He attended the 
common schools and was reared on his father's 
farm. During his younger da3's he was ver}' fond 
of horses, and in his later years has not lost any of 
his admiration for that noblest of animals. He 
lived at home until he was twenty-two years old, 
and in the si)ring of ISOl, having already assumed 
marital and domestic ties, he set his face toward 
the farther West. His outfit consisted of a four-horse 
wagon, and the journey occupied about four weeks. 
On his arrival in this county he first settled in 
Croi)sey Township, where he rented land for one 
season, and in March f<illowing moved to Lawn- 
dale Townshi[), where he rented a farm, and in 
September of the same year purchased eight}' acres, 
which he held two 3rears. In 18(54 he purchased 
KiO acres on section 21, and established the home- 
stead which he still occupies. He disposed of eighty 
acres of this and his present homestead consists of 
the other eighty, which under his skillful man.age- 
ment has become productive an<l valuable. Upon 
it he has erected a set of shai)ely and substantial 
frame buildings, and has otherwise brought about 
flrst-class improvements, and his snug and well- 
kept farm is one of the most attractive spots in 
Lawndale Township. 

Our subject was first married in Coschocton 
County, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1800, to Miss Charity 
P.ridgway, who was a native of that county. Of 
this union there were born three children, as fol- 
lows: Basil 1)., who mairied Miss Fannie Grimsley, 
and resides in Lawndale Township; Estella, who is 
the wife of .Tohn Dameron, and .'dso lives in Lawn- 
dale Townshi)), and Francis 1{., who is at home. 
Mrs. Charity Starkey departed this life at the home 
of her husband in Lawndale Township, May 11, 
1809. Seven years later, on the 10th of December, 
1870, Mr. Starkey was the second time married, to 
Miss A. Bridgway, who was born in Belmont 
County, Ohio, Feb. 1, 1827, and who was a sister 
of his first wife. Their parents were Basil and 
Mary E. (Boran) Biidgway, natives of IMaryland, 
and both sisters were devoted members of the 
Methodist Eiiiscopal Church. 

Mr. Starkey has held the offices of Justice of the 
Peace, Assessor and Collector. He is a member in 




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good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Chiireh, 
and in politics is a stanch supporter of the prin- 
ciples of the Ivupublican party. 




FRANK SILL. Prominent among the 
well-to-do farmers for which McLean 
County is noted is D. Frank Sill. He 
occupies a good homestead on section 23 
of Belleflovver Township, where he is industriously 
tilling the soil and distinguishing himself b}- those 
reliable and substantial traits of character which 
he has inherited from excellent German ancestry. 
Mr. Sill was born in Bedford County, Pa., Aug. 
"20, 1847, being the son of Michael Sill, a native of 
the same county, who was born .Tan. 1.5, 1824. 
Daniel Sill, the grandfather of our subject, was 
also born in that county, Feb. 5, 1778, and George 
Sill, great-grandfather of D. Frank .and a native of 
Hesse-Darmstadt, (Tcrmany, was born in 1733. 
The latter lived in his native country until he was 
twentj'-seven years of age, then emigrated to 
America, being sold for his passage after his arrival 
here, in consequence of which he gave his services 
to his creditor for six years following, in Penns}'l- 
vania. He was an industrious and energetic man, 
hovvever, and after he began to work for himself, 
in due time became the owner of 300 acres of land 
in the locality known as Dutch Corner, Bedford 
Co., Pa. He afterward married a German lady by 
the name of Dolh' Helsman and became successful 
as a farmer and business man, accumulating a line 
property. He was a member of the Lutheran 
Church and very strict in religious matters. His 
death occurred on tlie 18th of July, 1813, and his 
wife, surviving him nearly four years, died in 
June, 1817. 

Daniel Sill, the grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, inherited a tract of land from his father's 
estate, to which he added by a later purchase. He 
also was very successful and became the owner of 
a fine property, giving to each of his children a 
nice farm. He died in Bedford County, Pa., June 
6, 1850. His wife before her marriage was Miss 
Catherine Stitller, of German ancestry, who also 
died on the old homestead in Bedford County. 



Their son Michael, the father of our subject, was 
reared to farming pursuits and lived with his par- 
ents until his marriage, which took place Aug. 1), 
1846. The mother of our subject, formerly Miss 
Elizabeth Speece, was born in Bedford County, 
I'a., June 20,1831. Her father, Michael Speece, 
was a native of Bedford County, and her paternal 
grandfather was of German parentage and ancestry. 
Michael Speece followed agricultural pursuits and 
spent his entire life in his native county. The 
mother of Mrs. Sill, who was formerly Miss Rebecca 
Ernest, also a native of Bedford County, was the 
daughter of George Ernest. 

After his marriage Michael Sill continued farm- 
ing in Bedford County until 1852, then removed 
to Gettysburg and was employed as steward of the 
college there for two yeai'S. Then returning to 
Bedford County, he operated a crockery and stone- 
ware manufactory until 1868. That year, not 
being quite satisfied with his prospects in the Key- 
stone State, he started for the West, and coming 
into Illinois, located for a time on rented land near 
the city of Bloomiugton. Being pleased with this 
locality, he made a purchase of 222 acres in Blue 
Mound Township, which he improved and upon 
which he erected a good set of farm buildings. 
He took great pains to make his home attractive by 
the planting of a large variety of ornamental trees 
and shrubs, which in due time made it one of the 
most attractive spots in the township. He occu- 
pied this, with his family, until 1876, and then, de- 
sirous of giving his children better educational 
advantages, sold out and removed to Normal, 
where he remained until the object for which he 
removed there was accomplished. He afterward pur- 
chased a farm in Newconib Township, Champaign 
Count}', where he spent the remainder of his days, 
his death occurring Nov. 19, 1886. He was reared 
in the faith of the Lutheran Church, but during 
his later years identifie<l himself with the Method- 
ists. Mrs. Sill still survives her husband, making 
her home with her son, our subject. The parental 
household included six children, of whom D. Frank 
was the eldest. George H. is a resident of Denver, 
Col. ; William B. of Marion, Kan. ; Maurice W. and 
Eddie L. in another part of that State; Austin 
Grant lives in Marion, Kan. 



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868 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Mr. Sill of tliis.skc'tcli attoiulcd the district ,<chool 
(luring liis boyhood, and later .assi.sti'd his father 
on the farm, remaininfj^ under the home roof until 
he was tvvent\'-tive years of age. He tlien com- 
menced farming foi' himself on rented land, and 
oiierated in this manner until IHTS, tiien purcliased 
a farm in Champaign County, which he occupied 
for five ye.irs, soon afterward removing to his 
present homestead. A part of this was inherited 
by his wife and Mr. Sill i)urchase(l the interest of 
the other heirs. It comprises IGO acres of good 
laud, all enclosed, well stocked and improved, and 
furnished with good buildings and the necessary 
apiiliances of a good farmer. The marriage of D. 
Frank Sill and Miss Nettie Isadore Wheeler took 
place on the 14th of February, 1883. Mrs. Sill was 
born on the homestead which she now occupies 
with her liusband, Aug. li), 18G0, being the daugh- 
ter of (ieorge W. and Helen M. Wheeler, who are 
mentioned in the sketch of John N. Wlieeler, else- 
where in this volume. Of this union lliere was 
born one child, a daughter, Nellie. Mrs. Sill is a 
member in good standing of the Methodist Epis- 
cop.al Church, and "Mr. Sill, })olitically, is a stanch 
adherent of the Repniilii'an |>Mrty. 



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UGH Mt INTVRE. This gentleman may 
properly be cl.isscd among the self-made 
men of the Prairie State. He started out 
in life witli little save his own energy and 
resolution to get on in the world, and b3-hisindus- 
tiy and moral worth, has attained to a good posi- 
tion in society, and ranks among the thiift}' farmers 
and property owners of McLean County. He is 
pleasantly located in ISellellowcr Townshiji, on 
section 3."3, where he has 240 acres of finel}' culti- 
vated land, a handsome and substantial dwelling, 
and all the appurtenances of a model farm estate. 
Mr. Mclntyre comes of excellent Scottish ances- 
try, and was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, 
Oct. 10, 183-2. He is the son of Allen Mclntyre, 
a native of Argyleshire, of the Highland Clan. The 
latter learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he 
followed in Glasgow until 1842. In April of that 
year, accompanied by his wife and four children, 
<■ 



he .set sail from fil.<isgow, bound for the New 
AVorld. After a safe voyage tiiey landed in (^)u<'- 
bec, whence the^y jiroceeded directly tn Hamil- 
ton, Ontario, and thence to Dundas, Wentworth 
County. Tiie father of our sidijcct remained 
in Canada working at his trade, three years in 
Dundas, and thence removed to Wellington County, 
Ontario, where he made a claim. When the land 
came into market he perfected his title and pro- 
ceeded to cut down the timber and carry on the 
necessary' improvements which should constitute a 
comfortable home. He also built a log house, into 
which he removed his family and spent the balance 
of his life, cultivating his land and adding to it all 
necessary improvements. There his death oc- 
curred about 1878. He was married early in life 
to Miss Euphemia Monroe, also a native of Scot- 
land, who was born in Edinbuigh, and was the 
daughter of a soldier in the King's army, being one 
of the Highlanders of whom so much has been read 
and said. The Mclntyre family included ten chil- 
dren, eight of whom became men and women, as 
follows: Allin lives near the old homestead in 
Canada; .lohn is a resident of Belleflower Town- 
ship, this county; Euphemia married William Pat- 
terson and died in Belleflower about 18G9; Mary 
became the wife of John Halliday ; Garment lives 
in London, Canada, and Peter in Nebraska; Har- 
riett married John I'^'itz of Morristown, Canada. 

Hugh McLityre was a lad ten years old when his 
parents emigrated from Scotland to America. He 
remembers well his old home in his native land and 
the .sea voyage which occupied seven weeks and 
three days. He remained with his parents, and 
when eighteen years of age learned the plasterers' 
trade, which he followed in Canada until 18G5. 
He then came over into the States, making his first 
location in this county, where he worked one sum- 
mer and spent the winter following with his par- 
ents. In the spring he came back to Illinois and 
employed himself at his trade in various places in 
this State, Lexington, Chatsworth and Fairbur^'. 
He then determined to change his occupation, and 
in the fall of 18GG purchased eighty acres of land 
in Belleflower Township, and since that time has 
been mostly' engaged in agricultural pursuits. He 
has been greatly prospered in his farming and busi- 



^ 



McLean county. 




869 






ness transactions and added to his original purchase 
from time to time until he is now the possessor of 
240 acres, the greater part of which is well im- 
proved and under a good state of cultivation. His 
homestead includes a tasteful and substantial set of 
frame buildings, one and one-half miles south of the 
village of Belleflower. His farm is well stocked 
with graded cattle, and in all departments indicates 
the supervision of the intelligent and progressive 
agriculturist. 

Mr. Mclutj'ro was married, Feb. 11, 1800, to 
Miss Catharine (Stewart, a native of Wellington 
County, Canada, and the daughter of Robert and 
Mary (Gillespie) Stewart. Of this union there have 
been born six children — Allen, Robert, Hugh, Eu- 
phemia. May 8. and Catharine. Our subject and 
his wife are prominently connected with the United 
Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Mclnt3're, politi- 
cally, is a stanch Republican. 

T/ OHN WAC4NER, a well-linown druggist of 
McLean, is a self-made man who has kept 
pace with the growth and progress of this 
l^^// county, and has materially assisted in de- 
veloping its resources, making it one of the most 
desirable places for residence and business in the 
State. Our subject was born in the Empire of 
Germany, Aug. 20, 1850, and comes of excellent 
ancestry. His father, Peter Wagner, was a native 
of the same country, where he was reared to man- 
hood and married. In 1854 Peter Wagner, with 
his wife and children, emigrated to America. They 
stopped a few months in Buffalo, N. Y., whence 
they removed to Chicago, where the elder Wagner 
purchased property. This was lowland, and in 
the spring of the year covered with water, Mr. 
Wagner, Anally thinking it of little value, neglected 
to pay the taxes and thus forfeited his title to it. 
Those once despised lots are now covered with 
fine buildings and worth many dollars tu the square 
foot. It is hardlj' necessary to sa_y that Peter 
Wagner was only one of many who had a similar 
experience in regard to Chicago property in the 
early daj'S. He remained in Chicago until 1800, 
and then proceeded to Atlanta, Logan C^o., 111. 



The following year, upon the outbreak of the 
Rebellion, Mr. Wagner enlisted as a Union soldier 
in the 41th Illinois Infantry, and served three 
3'ears and three months. He was in the campaign 
with Sherman, and participated in the principal 
battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta, I'eceiving a 
gunshot wound in the arm at the latter place. The 
bullet entered above the elbow and came out at 
the back under the shoulder-blade. He was re- 
ported in the Chicago papers as the first man 
killed in the siege of Atlanta. He survived, how- 
ever, and returned home a few days later on a 
furluugh, and in the course of a few months was 
enabled to rejoin his regiment, with which he soon 
afterward i)roeeeded to Washington and received 
his honorable discliarge at the expiratiun of his 
term of service. 

After his retirement from militaiy life, the fatiier 
of oiu' subject accepted a situation with the C. & 
A. R. R. as bagg.age-master at Atlanta, and re- 
mained in the service of the coinpanj' for twenty 
years following, making for himself a good record 
.as a faithful and valuable employe. He then re- 
signed his position and now lives in Atlanta, re- 
tired from active labor. The mother of our sub- 
ject, formerl}' INIiss Mary Keifer, of German3', died 
in 1857, leaving three children, of whom John of 
this sketch was the eldest; Mathias was the next; 
the j-oungest child died in infancy. The second 
wife of Peter Wagner was Miss Anna Vick, also a 
native of (Jerniany. an<l who became the mother 
of three children — Annie, Peter and Lizzie. 

John Wagner was but three years old when his 
parents came to the United States. He first at- 
tended a (icrman school in Chicago, and later was 
a \m\n\ in the public scliools. After the family 
removed to Atlanta he pursued his studies there 
until twelve j'ears old, and then engaged upon a 
farm ff>r Obadiah Arnold, at a salary of twenty- 
flvc cents a da^'. His father being in the army he 
gave all his earnings to his mother to assist in 
supporting the family. He worked upon a farm 
in summer and attended school in winter until 
nineteen years of age, when his father purchased a 
dray line in Atlanta, which our subject operated 
for him one year, tiien bought the business of his 
father, conducted it for one year more, tlien sold 



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870 



McLEAN COUKTY. 









out and engaged in the hedge department of the 
C. & A. R. R. Co., distributing plants along their 
line of track. After one season thus engaged, he 
returned to farm (lursuits, whieh he continued un- 
til 1875. lie then i)iircliased a half interest in a 
stock of drugs and the trade of 1). N. Longworth, 
and in company with D. G. Palmer conducted a 
trade in these commodities for two months, when 
he purchased the interest of his partner and has 
been sole [troprietor since that time. His straight- 
forward methods of doing business and his prompt- 
ness in meeting his obligations at once secured him 
the respect and esteem of the citizens of McLean 
and he soon found himself on the high road to 
prosperity. In due time lie liuilt the handsome 
residence whieh he now occujjies, and in 1879 put 
11 1) the handsome brick Idock in which is locatetl 
ills thriving and constantly in(a'easing business. 

The marriage of John Wagner and Miss Char- 
lotte Palmer was celebrated in McLean, in March, 
1877. Mrs. Wagner is the daughter of James 
Palmer, who was born in liiandou, Rutland Co., N. 
Y., Jan. IG, 1829, and was the son of (rcorge and 
Freelove (Olin) Palmer, both natives of the same 
State. Judge Olin, the great-grandfather of Mrs. 
Wagner, was Member of Congress from ^'er- 
inont, and iier grandfatiicr, (leorge Palmer, re- 
moved from his natives State of New York to Illi- 
nois in 1844, being among the earliest pioneers of 
Tazewell County, l)utonl\- lived a, short time after 
settling there, his deatii oinnirring in 1841). James 
Palmer was in tiie Civil Service eleven years, being 
a()pointed Covernment Storekeei)er for the 8th Illi- 
nois District in 187 L He is still living and a resi- 
dent of Mt. Hoi)e Township. Tiie mother of Mrs. 
Wagner, formerly Miss .lane Kwing, was born in 
IJutler County-, N. Y., Aug. o, 1839, being the 
daughter of Nathaniel and Nancy (Young) Ewing. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have one child only, a 
daughter, Inez Imogene. Mr. W. is Republican 
in polities, and a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, l)elonging to McLean J.,odge No. 4()9, and 
IJloomington Chapter No. 20. His i)resent pos- 
sessions are the result of his own industry' and |)er- 
severance. He is essentiall3' a self-made man, who 
has improved his (opportunities and kept his ejes 
oi)en to what was going on around him. His ex- 



periences have resulted in a fund of useful knowl- 
edge, a keen insight into human nature, and the 
judgment and discretion which have enabled him to 
secure the respect of his fellow-citizens and to 
attain to an enviable position in the community. 

, 10 4) . 



'jj^-ATHAN HUNTINC4, a well-to do and pros- 
I 1/ 1"^'''*^"* f'li'inei'i residing on secti(.)n 13,Grid- 
\)\JlL) ley 'J'ownshi]), is a son of Nathan and Ma- 
linda (Smith) Hunting. The parents were natives 
of Massachusetts; were there married and settled 
in Boston, whence they removed to Shutesbur}-, 
that State, where the mother died in 187(). The 
father is still living and resides in Shutesbury. He 
was for a time engageil in the grocery business, 
but later in life turned his attention to agricultural 
pursuits. He became the head of a family' of five 
children, four sons and one daughter. 

The sulijei't of this biographical notice was the 
eldest of his parents' children, and was born in 
Shutesbury, Mass., Se|)t. 12, 1833. He received a 
good common-school education, and has followed 
agricultural jiursuits thuw far in life. Until he was 
twenty-one years old, he worked out by the month 
at his chosen vocation, and since than has contin- 
ued to do for himself. Our subject remained in 
Massachusetts until I8.')7, when, hoping to better 
his financial condition, he started for the then un- 
develoiied West. Coming to Dixon, this State, 
he rennuned a short lime, and then came to this 
county, but purchased .a farm in Livingston County, 
111., on which he located and lived for about five 
years. I)isi)osing of his farm in tiiat county, he, 
about thr(>e yeai's later, returned to this countj', 
aiul si^ttl(Ml on section 1.3, (iridley Township, where 
he had purchased eighty acres of land, and where, 
with the exception of al)out three months spent in 
Dakota, he lias continued to reside until the pres- 
ent' time. Mr. Hunting has made good anil valua- 
ble improvements upon his farm, and is now the 
proi)rietor (\( 240 acres of good, tillable land. 

Nathan Hunting was married in Gridley Ttjwu- 
ship, Dec. 8, 1807, to Miss Rebecca H., daughter 
of David and Elizabeth AVald. Her parents were 
natives of Pennsylvania, and came to tJridley 
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MuLEAN COUNTY. 



871 



Township in the spring of 18()4. There the father 
died July 27, 1877, and tlie mother is yet living. 
Their children were seven m number, and Mrs. 
Hunting was the sixth in order of birth. She was 
born in McConnellsburg, Pa., June 19, 1845, and 
has borne her husband four children, namely, Mary 
R., Susie M., Olive and Laura L. Susie died when 
nine months old. 

Mr. Hunting has held some of the minor otKces 
of his township, and is one of the respected citizens 
of the county. He and his wife are members in 
good standing of the Congregational Church, and 
in politics he is a stanch supporter of the princi- 
ples of the Republican party. 



*-•!♦- p-- 



ylLLIAM TYSON, a highly respected resi- 
dent of Mt. Hope Township, came to Illi- 
nois in 1850, and during a residence of 
thirty-seven years in this localit}' has thoroughlj' 
established himself in the confidence and esteem of 
his fellow-citizens. He is a native of the British 
Empire, having been born in Northumberlandshire, 
England, on the ;iOth of January, 1832. His father, 
William Tyson, was also a native of England, where 
he grew to manhood, was married, and lived there 
until 1832, when he emigrated to the United 
States. He made his first location in Niagara 
County, N. Y., and worked in the town of Lock- 
port as a tanner and at whatever other business he 
could find to engage in. Two years after coming 
here he purchased a farm near Loekport, and while 
moving with his family, met with an accident by 
which he was incapacitated for furtlier labor, and 
died two years subsequently. 

The maiden name of the mother of our sul)ject 
was Jane Tyson, and after the death of her first 
husband she was married to William Da^', and 
came with him to JUinois in 1851. They located 
at Delavan, Tazewell County, where she died. By 
the first marriage there were born three children 
— William, Mathew and Thomas, two only of 
whom are living; the second brother, Mathew, 
came to Illinois in 1850, and died two years later; 
Thomas lives on the farm adjoining that of our 



-^ 



subject. Of the second marriage there were two 
children — Samuel and Reason. 

AVilliam Tyson was a child of four years when 
his father died. He remained with his mother un- 
til seven years of age, and then went to live with 
Mr. Stenthorpe, in Niagara County. He remained 
with him three and one-half years, working for his 
board and clothes. He then went into the family of 
Nathan Rogers, in the same county, where he re- 
ceived the same wages and remained until he was 
fourteen years of age. From that time until 1850 
he was employed as a laborer at $5 a month, and 
in due time found himself the proud possessor of 
1116 in cash, saved from his earnings. With this 
he started for the West, via the Erie Canal to Buf- 
falo, and thence on the lakes to Chicago. From 
there he went bj' canal to La Salle, and thence by the 
Illinois River to Pekin. He had then expended $10 
and had just $100 left. He had been accompanied 
on his journej' by his brother Mathew, who had 
just money enough to bring him here, as he was 
but fifteen years old. William divided his money, 
which was all gold, with his brother, and they 
quilted it into their shirts for safe keeping. At Pe- 
kin they met with friends who went with them to 
Delavan. There William Tyson worked at threshing 
for two weeks, and then engaged with Allen Perrin 
at $10 a month until spring, when he rented land of 
Ira B. Hall, and commenced farming on his own 
account. He operated thus for the following three 
years with success, and was then enabled to pur- 
chase on time eighty acres lying west of Delavan. 
The land was wild and uncultivated, and he set 
himself industriously to work to improve and cul- 
tivate it. He Ijroke and fenced the entire area, and 
erected a frame house upon it the first year, at a 
cost of $200, which he borrowed of Mr. Clark, the 
man whom he bought the land of. The following 
year he purchased 1 (>0 acres additional, also broke 
and fenced this, and built a house upon it. His 
brother Thomas was a, partner in this last purchase, 
and they operated together until 1855, when they 
purchased 320 acres on section 32 of Mt. Hope 
Township, upon which they settled, and farmed to- 
gether for several years. 

The brothers at this time divided up their prop- 
erty and afterward operated independently. The 



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McLean county. 



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property of Willi;uii Tyson lies on the northeast 
quarter section, and is all improved and in a good 
state of cultivation. He has a good residence and 
all necessary out-buildings, and has added to his 
original purchase until lie is now the possessor of 
250 acres, which constitutes the home farm, and 
eighty .acres on section 1 (! of the same township. 
He also has a half section of land in Pottawattamie 
County, Iowa, which is improved, and is under the 
ni.anagement of his sou. 

William Tyson was married to Miss M.aj- A. Kir- 
by, on the oth of Febru.ary, 18(i.'i. Mrs. Tj'son w.as 
\u,vu ill England, on the 2(Jth of October, 1816, and 
by her iinidii with our subject has become the 
mother of the following cliildreu: William ,1., 
who lives in Pottaw.attamie County, Iowa; and Car- 
rie, Kate, Emma and Nellie, all at home with their 
parents. The familj' residence is commodious .and 
comfortable, and tiic family are held in higli respect 
by the community. Mr. Tyson is Rejiublican in poli- 
tics, is slcillfiil as a farmer, and straightforward .and 
upright as a business man and citizen. 

<^ felLLIAM (;001)I''El.LOW,aprominentand 
\^// highly esteemed citizen of McLean Coun- 
V^^ ty, is a native of the Huckeyc (State, hav- 
ing been born in Harmony, Clarke Co., Ohio, on 
the 2i)th of September, 1834. His father, AVilliam 
(ioodfellow, was a native of the .same county as his 
sou, and his grandfather, a native of North Ireland, 
wius of excellent Scotti.-ih ancestry, and on emigrat- 
ing to America, {(xatcd in Clarke County, Ohio, 
and was among the earliest s(!ttlers of that region. 
He purcliasod a tract of timber land, cleared a farm 
from the wilderness, established a good home, and 
remained there until his death. He was a man of 
energy and enterprise, successful in his farming op- 
erations, and gave consideralile attention to stock- 
raising. 

William (Ioodfellow. Sr., the father of our sub- 
ject, grew to manhood in his native county, and 
was there married to Miss Catharine Casad, who 
was born in (Ireene County, Ohio. He purchased 
land adjoining his father's estate and built a log 
house, which he afterward weather-boarded, and to 



which he added a frame, making a substantial and 
comfortable dwelling. He w.as prospered in his 
farming operations, and subsequently erected a 
handsome brick residence. In 18.54 Mr. (ioodfel- 
low sold his farm and purchased another in the 
same township, where he lived until 1866. In the 
meantime, in connection with his farming opera- 
tions, he had been considerably' eng.aged as a grain 
dealer. In the year last named he disposed of his 
l)roiierty in Ohio, crossed the .State of Indiana, and 
coming into McLean Count}', 111., purchased a 
farm, which was located on sections 12 and 13, 
in Dale and Bloomington Townships. The Land on 
section 12 was jiartially improved, but that on sec- 
tion i;! was in its original condition. He estab- 
lished a comfortable home here, improved and cul- 
tivated his land for a number of years and then, 
removing to P>loomington, retired from the labors 
incident to the life of an agriculturist, and became 
collector for his son-in-law in this citj'. He de- 
parted this life on the 30th of April, 1884, .after a 
useful and busy career, and having earned the re- 
spect and confidence of all who knew him. 

The parental family included four children, the 
record of whom is as follows: Aaron died in 
Bloomington, in August, 187!); Harriet, the widow 
of Joseph King, lives in Clarke County, Ohio; 
William .1., is the subject of our sketch; Elnora, 
the wife of .SmiiiiicI Howmaii, lives in Padii.T Town- 
ship. 

WiUiaiii (ioodfellow of our sketch, during his 
childhood and yi)uth, attended the district school, 
and assisted his father in the duties around the 
homestead. He remained under the parental roof 
until his mairi.age, and then took charge of his 
father's farm, while the hitter was engaged .as a grain 
ilealer. In 1 siic lu> came to McLean County, 111., 
and purchased a farm on sections 12 and 18, of 
Dale Towushi)), which he cultivated and occupied 
for a period of twelve years. He then sold out and- 
purchased his present homestead. u])on which his 
father had taken the first steps toward its improve- 
ment. He now h.as a finely improved estate and 
a handsome residence. The grounds .around the lat- 
ter are laid out with great taste, and ornamented 
with beautiful shade trees, choice shrubs and graceful 
])aths winding through. Within are all the evi- 



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McLean county. 



875 



dences of a refined taste and ample means. The 
barns and out-buildings correspond fully with the 
balance of the premises, and the farm machinery 
and imi)lements are of the most valuable descrip- 
tion and patterned after the most approved plans. 
An arbor vitie hedge is one of the chief attractions 
of this handsome homestead, which invariably at- 
tracts the eye of every traveler passing through 
this section. A lithographic view of the place will 
be found on another page. 

Mr. Goodfellow was united in marriage with 
Miss Susan Layton, in 1800. Mrs. G. is a native 
of the same State and county as her husband, and 
is the daughter of Melj'n and Harriet (Broughton) 
Layton. Of this union there have been born three 
children — Clara L., Earnest E. and Charles F,. Mr. 
Goodfellow is a Republican in politics, and voted 
for Gen. Eremont for President the first time he 
exercised the right of suffrage. 

AVID HENLINE, known throughout Mc- 
Lean County, is especially' well known in 
Lawndale Township as being the proprie- 
tor, with his brother William, of one of 
the largest stock farms in Central Illinois, embrac- 
ing 2,500 acres of land, whereon they keep large 
herds of stock of all kinds, give employment to 
seven tenants, and themselves occupy fine residences 
on a portion of their land. David, like his brother, 
is a native of Boone County, Ky., and first opened 
his eyes to the light on the 10th of March, 1822. 
The parents of our subject were John and Mary 
(Darnell) Henline, who were of German descent. 
The former was born Nov. 7, 1787, 100 years ago, 
and departed this life on the 2eth of July, 1869. 
His wife, Mary, was born Jan. 22, 1791, and died 
Nov. 28, ISCj. John Henline was a successful 
farmer, and was noted for the method and system 
with which he managed his business. The family 
came to the West in the fall of 1828, when David 
was a lad six years of age. (Jn the first day of the 
journey the father met with an accident, having his 
leg broken, which was improperly set, and he con- 
sequently suffered severely with it for some time 
afterward. His resolution of character is illustrated 




by the fact that he afterward chopped in the tim- 
ber by kneeling down, not being able to stand. 
The family located near the present line of Tazewell 
and McLean Counties, and the father built a cabin 
in the Mackinaw timber, into which the family 
soon afterward moved. Many interesting incidents 
connected with their experience afterward will be 
found in the sketch of William B. Henline, found 
elsewhere in this volume. 

The Henline boys went to school, of course, 
when a school was taught in the neighborhood, and 
traveled through snow, rain and slush for the pur- 
pose of obtaining an education. During vacation 
they interspersed their labors on the farm by 
trapping turkeys, and sometimes would find a deer. 
Indians still lingered in the neigiiborhood, and the 
Henline boys had many a skirmish with their In- 
dian playmates; the latter were usually victorious 
in the races, but the former showed more muscle 
and came out first best in their childish quarrels. 
This excited the anger of the squaws, and they 
would chastise the little pappooses, and lead up 
the little Henlin'es to their mother for them to be 
treated similarl3'. The latter would go through the 
motions of whipping her boj's; the little Henlines 
would yell, the squaws would laugh, and all parties 
were satisfied. Our subject remained under the par- 
ental roof until the winter of 18.5.5, and was then 
married to Miss Cassandra Wiley. The young wife 
only lived about one year. There was born one 
child, but it did not survive, and the mother died 
six days later. 

The thrilling scenes through which the jiioneer 
settlers passed in the opening up of this portion of 
the State must ever awaken emotions of warmest 
regard for them. To pave the way for those who 
followed they stemmed the flood-tide wave of civ- 
ilization, endured all and suffered all. But few of 
these spirits now survive. They have passed away 
full of years and honors, leaving their children, 
their children's children, and strangers to succeed 
them and enjoy the fruits of their toil, the result of 
their privations, and the savings of their long and 
eventful lives. The career of John Henline as a 
pioneer citizen, was one eminently worthy and use- 
ful to the communitj' in which he resided, and all 
who knew him bear testimony to his sterling worth 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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and valuable services as a frontier citizen. The 
partner of his joj's and sorrows, and the mother of 
his children, wa^ eminently fitted to be the com- 
panion of such a man, and the virtues of these par- 
ents have descended to their children, who, now 
able to take advantage of the facilities of the pres- 
ent do them honor in the highest manner possible. 
The work accomplished by the Ilenline family will 
live long after the present generation has passed 
away, and no recorded annals of the Prairie State 
would be complete without a mention of them. 

The Henline brothers, David and William, are 
about the same height, five feet and four or five 
inches. Pliysically they are models of manhood, 
bearded and muscular, and have within those sturdy 
frames hearts that are kind and hospitable, with a 
rare appreciation of humor. In the earlier days 
many a belated traveler found shelter under the 
parental roof, and the hospitality of the sons is pro- 
verbial as was that of the father and mother. The 
pictured face of David Ilenline, as supplemental to 
this sketch, takes its place among the representative 
men of Central Illinois, whose biugraphies will be 
found one after another scattered thickly through 
this McLean County Amslim, and will be cherished 
among the priceless records of a cycle hastening to 
the past. 

THOMAS McCLURK, a retired farmer, is now 
making his home in the village of Stanford. 
He is a native of Posey County, Ind., and 
was born in June, 1824. His parents, John and 
Leah ((iannis) McClure, were natives of Kentucky', 
the father born .July 9, 1799, and the mother Jan. 
20, 1804. ,Iohn McClnre was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and after his marriage, whicii occurred in 
1822, remained upon liis farm of eighty acres. His 
wifi! was the owner of 400 acres, which I\Ir. McClure 
superintended and cultivated, and where they sub- 
sequently established their ])ermanent homestead 
and on which place he died in 18,')1. The mother 
afterward removed to Pettis County, Mo., and died 
there .Tan. 23, 188G, when eighty-three years old. Of 
their eight children the record is as follows: Eliza- 
beth married Joseph Wilson ; Thomas of our sketch is 
the second child; Mary A. and Susan J. are twins; 




the former married Rev. P. B. McCormick, and 
Susan J. became the wife of John Montgomery ; 
Nanoy married Benjamin T. Poole; Joseph C. mar- 
ried Miss Cerena Tatnn; Margaret married George 
W. Donnelly; Permelia E. died when about thir- 
teen years old. Mr. and Mrs. .John McClure and 
six of their children were members of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. 

The subject of this history was reared on his 
father's farm and attended the common schools 
until he reached his majority, and was united in 
marriage with 'Miss Jane W. Wilson, of Indiana, 
in 1845. After twelve years, iu 1867, they re- 
moved to tills County, where our subject purchased 
120 acres of good land at $20 per acre. This he 
sold in 1883 at $70 per acre. After residing upon 
this farm for ten years he removed to Lincoln, 111., 
for the purpose of securing for his children better 
educational advantages than those afforded near 
their home. His object being accomplished, in the 
course of five years he returned to the farm in 
McLean County, and remained until his removal 
into Stanford. Here he has a fine homestead of 
eleven acres of land with a handsome and com- 
modious two-story dwelling, which is finely located 
and an ornament to the town. During the later 
years of his life, Mr. McClure made a specialty of 
raising fine cattle, but has now retired from .active 
business. 

Our subject has l)een prominentlj- identified 
with the affairs of this locality since coming here, 
having held the offices of Justice of the Peace, 
Town Clerk and Township Trustee. He has also 
been Overseer of the Poor and Township Collector. 
During tlie existence of the Vigilance Committee, 
he was its cli.ainnan .and presided over its councils 
with dignity .and good judgment. 

Mr. and Mrs. McClure have become tlie parents 
of two children — John T., who married Miss Addie 
Sebriiig and lives at Chicago, and Mary .1., who 
died of consumption wlien eighteen 3'cars of age. 
This daughter was a Ijright and interesting girl. 
Her remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at 
Stout's Grove. The parents and chihlren were all 
members of tlie Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
John T. McClnre h.as taken a regular law course 
and received a good common-school education. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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He is now clerking in a lithographic establishment. 
Mr. McCliire marie a profession of religion when 
in his eighteenth year, and about the same time 
joined the Old AVashingtonian Temperance So- 
ciety, and has never violated his pledge from that 
day to this. He has held the office of Elder in his 
Church for several years, being elected fonr terms 
in succession. He was Superintendent of the Sun- 
day-school two years at Danvers and has served in 
the same capacity since removing to Stanford. He 
has always taken an active interest in public matters 
and in earlier years voted with the Democratic 
party, but the latter part of his life has identified 
himself with the temperance and prohibition move- 
ment. 

^1 — •-^i^- 

OSEPH W. LABERTEW, of Anchor Town- 
ship, is a descendant of a French family, 
whose first representatives emigrated to the 
(^J// United States prior to the Revolutionary 
War. The name was then written LaBerton, but 
of late years has been written in the more simple 
manner. The gentlonian whose name stands at the 
head of this sketch is Postmaster and Station 
Agent at Anchor and has been a resident of this 
State since 1875. He was born in Owen County, 
Ind., Oct. 27, 185G, and is the son of Dunham and 
Elizabeth (Baldwin) Labertew, the former a native 
of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. They removed 
after marriage to Indiana whence, in 1875, they 
came to Illinois, settling first in Funk's Grove 
Township, this county, where they now reside, en- 
gaged in farming pursuits. 

Joseph W. L.abertew is the eldest of a family of 
six children. His childhood and youth were passed 
upon his father's farm and he received his educa- 
tion in the common schools. In 1873 he made his 
first visit to Illinois, stopping for a short time in 
Le Roy, where he was in the employ of .J. V. 
Smith, a farmer and stock dealer at that place. He 
returned to Indiana and spent the winter of 1 873-74, 
but in the spring following came back to this 
county and resumed his work with his old employer, 
remaining with him until the fall of that year. He 
then visited his old home once more and took 
another term in school. The following year he en- 



gaged in farming in Funk's Grove Township, and 
in the fall again pursued his studies in Indian.a. 
Afterward he commenced teaching, and also learned 
to operate the telegraph. 

In the fall of 1883 Mr. Labertew entered the 
employ of the Illinois Central Railroad as Station 
Agent at Anchor, which position he still retains. 
He was appointed Postmaster in 188G,and has per- 
formed the duties of both offices with credit to 
himself and satisfaction to all concerned. Politically 
he is a supporter of the Democratic party, but 
takes no further interest in politics than to deposit 
his ballot upon election day. He has also served as 
Township Clerk and is Agent for the American 
Express Company at Anchor. 

Mr. Labertew was married in September, 1880, 
to Miss "\'iola B., daughter of S. T. L. and Lucinda 
(Buell) Miles. Mrs. L. is a native of Clay County, 
Ind., and of her union with our subject there is 
one child. Mack C, whose l)irth took place on the 
2Gthof June, 1881. 



eAMPBELL WAKEFIELD. The history of 
the Wakefield family began in the United 
States during the latter part of the Last cen- 
tury. As near as can be learned, the first member 
of the family who came here was Andrew, who was 
born and reaied to manhood in the town of An- 
trim, Ireland. It is supposed that he was of En- 
glish descent, as some years ago, during one of the 
rebellions in the East, a soldier by the name of 
Wakefield left England and went to the north of 
Ireland, and from that ancestor sprang the present 
descendants. 

After coming to the United States, Andrew 
Wakefield located in Franklin County, Pa., and 
thence, later, removed to Nelson County, Ky. In 
this latter place he commenced to establish a home 
amidst a timber tract, b3' putting up a small hut 
and preparing other conveniences as well as he was 
able, for his expected bride. He then returned to 
Franklin County, Pa., and was there married to 
Miss Martlia Campbell, who was born and reared 
in Pennsylvania. Her parents were of Irish birth 
and parentage. A few days after the wedding the 
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878 



McLEAK COUNTY. 



young couple set out for their new home. They 
lived there until after the birth of live children. 
These were, Ilettie, William, Daniel, Andrew and 
John. Thej' then removed to Hamilton County, 
Ohio, and there spent the remainder of their days. 
Andrew Wakefield was an honorable and upright 
man in all his dealings, and became prominent in 
both places where ho m.ade his home. He was suc- 
cessful in his business pursuits and accumulated a 
good property. He departed this life in June, 
1828; his wife survived him until 18.55, and died 
when eighty-three years old. After removing to 
Hamilton County, Ohio, the household circle was 
increased by the birth of five more children, viz., 
Campbell, our subject; Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary 
and Joseph. The ten children all lived to become 
men and women. All married and had families 
but two. Our subject now is the only surviving 
member of the parental household. 

Campbell Wakefield was born in New Haven, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 1S04. His boyhood 
and youth were spent upon his father's farm, and 
his education was obtaine<l with diHiculty in the 
pioneer schools. He was trained to habits of in- 
dustry and economy, and his temperate manner of 
living developed within him a healthy love for all 
tliat was good, and strengthened his muscles for the 
battle of life. After attaining to years of man- 
hood he was married in his native county, May 24, 
1827, to Miss Margaret Elder. Mrs. Wakefield 
was born in Franklin County, Pa., Dec. 19, 1803, 
being the daughter of John and Mary (Leeper) 
Elder, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish 
descent. It is sui)posed they were engaged in ag- 
ricultural ])ursuits, and they removed from Penn- 
sylvania to Ohio a few years after their marriage. 
W'hile the father was in Pennsylvania on business, 
he sickened and died, being in the prime of life, 
and only forty-one years of age. The mother sur- 
vived for a number of years, and died in Hamilton 
County, at the age of sixty-two. 

The Elder, Leeper and Wakefield families were 
all connected with the Presbyterian Church and 
noted for those high princii)les and worthy lives 
which constituted them among the most valued 
members of the community. Mrs. Wakefield re- 
mained with her parc'uts until her marriage. Her 
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grandfather, David Elder, was one of the first set- 
tlers of Path Valley, Pa., and both her father and 
herself were born upon the farm which the grand- 
father opened up from a wild and uncultivated 
tract of land. Jlrs. Margaret Wakefield became 
the mother of one child, a son, John E., who is now 
a successful farmer of Randolph Township. He 
was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Turner 
and they became the parents of twelve children, 
two of whom are deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield, of this notice, after 
marriage, lived in Ohio until 1835. He engaged 
in farming and merchandising and was jirospered 
in his business and agricultural transactions. In 
the year mentioned, he disposed of his property in 
the Buckeye State, and resolved to try his fortune 
in the farther West. Getting together his family 
and their household effects he started overland 
with ox-teams and one carriage. The latter was 
occupied by Mrs. Wakefield and their only son, 
who was then eight years of age, and the mother 
drove the team. They came into McLean County 
and located on a farm of 200 acres in Randolph 
Township which had previously been secured b}' 
our subject. After arriving in this section Mr. 
Waketielil pursued the same undeviating course of 
rectitude and industry, and was prospered as be- 
fore. In due time he added to his first pui'chase 
until he and his son John became the possessois of 
1,400 acres of some of the finest land in McLean 
County. This is still in their possession, and has 
been brought to a high state of cultivation. ri)on 
it they erected a l)eautiful and substantial farm 
dwelling with a good barn and all the other api)li- 
ances of a first-class country home. 

The present home of our subject and his amiable 
and excellent wife is within the limits of Hey- 
worth. Here he has sixty acres (jf land, and when 
so inclined, emplo3's his time in the lighter duties 
connected with its care, and the production of the 
fruits and vegetables adapted to the needs of the 
family. In his prosperity he has kept steadily in 
view the needs of the church and school, giving to 
each a valuable piece of land ; also a lot for a 
cemetery, and for the erection of a flourmill, 
which was subsequently burned. Both Mr. and 
Jlrs. Wakefield .are among the original members of ^ ' 



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879 



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the Presbyterian Chiiivh of Heyvvorth, our subjeet 
being the first Elder, and having occupied tliis 
ottice most of the time since its organization. He 
has always contributed liberally and cheerfully for 
the support of the church and .Sabbath-school, be- 
ing made the first Superintendent of the latter and 
serving for a period of fifteen years. This Sunda3'- 
school was the first of its kind established in the 
southern part of McLean County. 

Politicallj' Mr. Wakefield, from the time he cast 
his first vote until the present, has vigorously up- 
held the principles of the Democratic party. In 
connection with his other labors and duties which 
have constituted a most busy and useful life, he 
served as Justice of the Peace for a period of thir- 
teen years, and occupied various other offices in 
his township. It is scarcely necessary to saj' that 
the duties of these were fulfilled with credit to him- 
self and satisfaction to all concerned. As one of 
the oldest and most honored pioneers of the Prai- 
rie State, Mr. Wakefield is amply entitled to the 
benediction of " Well done, good and faithful 
servant." 

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i 



OHN E.WAKEFIELD. Among the active 
and energetic farmers of Randolph Town- 
ship, may be numbered the subject of this 
sketch, who, during a residence of many 
years, has secured the confidence and esteem of his 
fellow-citizens, both as a business man and a use- 
ful member of society. 

Mr. Wakefield is the only son and child of 
Campbell and JIargaret Wakefield, and was born 
in New Haven, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Ma}' 10, 1828. 
He was a lad of eight years when he came with his 
family to this count}-, and his education, com- 
menced in the district schools, was completed in 
Bloomington. He was reared to farming pursuits, 
and remained under the parental roof until his 
marriage. He then located on the homestead 
which he now owns and occupies. This consists of 
500 acres of valuable land, finely improved and 
cultivated, with a handsome and substantial resi- 
dence, and a good barn and all necessarj' out- 
buildings for the storage of grain and the shelter 

4» 



of stock. To the latter he has given considerable 
attention, and among other of the domestic ani- 
mals has a fine flock of Merino sheep, comprising 
1,000 head, in the breeding of which he has met 
with success, and the proceeds of which have yield- 
ed him a handsome income. 

Jlr. Wakefield was married at the home of the 
bride's parents in Clermont County, Ohio, Sept. 14, 
1852, by the Rev. L. G. Gaines, to Miss Catherine, 
the daughter of James and Margaret (McKinney) 
Turner. Mr. and Mrs. T. were natives respective- 
ly of Indiana and Franklin Counties, Pa. The 
father in earl}' life was a carder and fuller by trade, 
but later engaged in farming pursuits. The par- 
ents were married in Indiana County, Pa., whence 
they removed in 1839, to Clermont County, Ohio. 
Mrs. W. was born in Indiana County, Pa., Feb. 17, 
1834. After removing to Ohio her parents located 
near Loveland, where they spent the remainder of 
their days. They were most excellent and worthy 
people, and the families of each for a number of 
generations had been reared in the Presbyterian 
faith, to which they adhered during their entire 
lives. 

James Turner was the eldest son of Joseph Tur- 
ner, the son of Adam Turner. The latter was a 
native of England, where he was reared and mar- 
ried, and after emigrating to the United States, 
settled in Franklin County, Pa., about tlie middle 
of the eighteenth century. Indians were numer- 
ous then ill that region, and the settlers experi- 
enced from them much trouble and danger. It is 
supposed that Adam Turner engaged in farming 
pursuits, and that he died in the county where he 
first settled. His son Joseph, the grandfather of 
Mrs. Wakefield, was born and reared in Franklin 
County, Pa., and married Miss Margaret Porter, 
whose brother, Nathaniel, was a Colonel in the 
Revolutionary army, and fought at the battle of 
Brandywine. Joseph, with his wife, died in Indi- 
ana County, Pa., where he was engaged as a wheel- 
wright, after the independence of the colonies was 
estalilished. Their family included six children, 
of whom James Turner, the father of Mrs. Wake- 
field, was the eldest son and second child. 

The marriage of James Turner with Miss Mc- 
Kinney, took place in Indiana County, Pa., April 



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880 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






2, 1825. Mrs. Turner was the daughter of James 
and Elizabeth (Bard) McKinney, both natives of 
Pennsylvania, her mother being the daughter of 
Richard and Catherine Bard, whom it is supposed 
were natives of Ireland, but of Scotch parentage 
and descent. .Soon after marriage they settled in 
Franlilin County, Pa., in about 1755. Three years 
later both were captured by the Indians. The 
father being threatened witli death, made his escape 
after five daj^s. The mother was held a captive 
for two years, but being made the adopted daugh- 
ter of the chief, she fared better than most of those 
who fell into the hands of the savages. Her body 
or her life was offered for sale to her husl)and a 
number of times, 1)ut when he would send the price 
demanded they failed in tlieir agreement, but finally 
released her in an exchange of prisoners, the whites 
having captured some of their most valuable war- 
riors. After his capture and escape, Mr. Bard 
wrote a poem of 101 verses in relation to his thrill- 
ing experience and that of his young wife. These 
excellent people spent the remainder of their lives 
in Franklin County, I'a., both living lo an ad- 
vanced age. 

Mrs. Wakefield has inherited in a marked degree 
the fine qualities of her ancestors, being a lady of 
much force of char.acter and fine intelligence. She 
was reared .and educated in Clermont County, 
Ohio, and received careful home training at the 
hands of her excellent Christian })arents. By her 
union with our subject she has become the mother 
of twelve childien, two now deceased, an infant 
unnamed and a sou, Willie, who died at the age of 
five j-ears; Margaret B. is the wife of Fred H. Hill; 
Alice married N. .1. Battershell: .James C. married 
Miss Mary Thoni|)son, and is a farmer of Randolph 
Township; Porter T. m:uried Anna Miller, of 
Bloomington, where llie.y reside, this son being en- 
gaged in merchandising; Minnie and Frank L. are 
at home; Jennie B. is attending school at Normal, 
and Mary at He^-wortli, .-Uso Herbert L. and An- 
drew McCoy. Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield have reared 
their children in those iniuciples which have been 
the rule of their own lives, and which have consti- 
tuted them members of the best society of this 
community. The}' are members in good standing 
of the Presbyterian Clnncii, and our subject polit- 



ically affiliates with the Democratic party. The 
homestead is beautifully located, and invariably 
attracts the attention of the traveler, being one of 
the prettiest spots in the landscape of Randolph 
Township. 




ETER WALLACE, D. D. The subject <.f 

^IJ the following biography is a n.ative of Keu- 
■^ tucky, born in Mason County- on the 1 1th 
of April, 1813. He is the son of Thomas 
and Catharine Wallace, and was but an infant when 
the family removed and settled on a farm in Brown 
County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, in the 
meantime receiving what instruction he could gather 
from the limited .advantages of the country schools. 
Young Wallace, however, w.as fond of his books and 
ambitious to excel, and cIosel\' applied himself to 
such books .as he could obtain and which gave in- 
struction especiallj- in literature and science. At 
the age of twenty 3'ears he migrated to Illinois, 
having in the meantime .acquired a good knowledge 
of the carpenter's trade, and locating at Spring- 
field, became a contractor and builder, which busi- 
ness he followed with success for a number of 3'ears. 
He was of that genial dispt^isition which made him 
popular with all classes, and among his warm per- 
sonal friends and associates were Abraham Lincoln, 
Stephen A. Douglas, Richard Yates, and many 
others who afterward became prominent in the 
counsels of the natit)u. 

Peter Wallace w.as converted at Springfield M.ay 
18, 1835, and became an .active worker in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1853 he was re- 
ceived into tlie Illinois Conference on trial, and 
given charge of the Danville Circuit, which trust 
he filled with great credit to himself and satisfac- 
tion to his Elder and Bishop. He was subsequently 
stationed at Edgar, Homer, C.amargo, Moweaqua, 
Macon, Beardstown, Warsaw and Saybrook, being 
superannuated at the last named place in 1885. 
From 18G7 to 1870, he w.as Presiding Eldei' in the 
Mattoon District, and from 1871 to 1874 served 
the Quincy District in a like cap.acity. In 1875, he 
as agent represented Johnson College, afterward 
known iis Ciiaddock College. He was also, for six 
years, President of the Board of Trustees of the 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



881 



college, from wliich institution he received the de- 
gree of D. D. He was a vej-y forcil)le pulpit orator, 
and as he led an exemplary Christian life, thousands 
were converted by his precepts and example. He 
did not confine his good acts to the ministry alone, 
but when the Civil War broke out he at once de- 
termined to help save the Union and assist in free- 
ing from bondage 4,000,000 human beings. He 
soon organized a company of soldiers from Sanga- 
mon County, and was mustered into the United 
States service as Captain of Co. I, 73d 111. Vol. 
Inf. This regiment was known as the "Preachers' 
Regiment," as every officer from General down was 
a minister of the Gospel. 

Dr. Wallace was elected Captain of the companj' 
which he had organized, and as such commanded 
them at the battles of PerryvUle, Stone River, 
Nashville and man}- minor engagements. At the 
battle of Stone River he was in charge of the regi- 
ment most of the time. Being forty-five years of 
age when he entered the service, the long marches 
and severe exposure injured his health to such an 
extent that he was compelled to resign his com- 
mand in jNIa}', 1864, having served nearly two years, 
with credit to himself and honor to his countr}^ 

Politically Dr. Wallace was in early life a Whig 
and strongly opposed to slavery. lie was one of the 
founders of the Republican party, and is still a 
stanch supporter of its principles. His first vote 
was cast for Abraham Lincoln, who was then a 
candidate for the Legislature of Illinois. In 1882, 
during the administration of President Arthur, 
without any solicitation on his part he was commis- 
sioned Postmaster at Saybrook, wliich office he held 
until after the change in the National administration, 
when he resigned. In 1884 he was urged as a 
candidate for the State Legislature but declined the 
honor, although a nomination would have insured 
his election. He is now seventy-four years of age, 
still preaches with great power, and attends to con- 
siderable private business. He is an interesting con- 
versationalist and good authority in theology and 
politics. He is connected with Lodge No. 468, A. 
F. & A. M., Macon Cliapter No. 21, R. A. M., and 
BeaumonoirCommandery No. 9, K. T.,also a mem- 
ber of McPherson Post, G. A. R. 

Dr. Wallace has been twice married ; his first 
< ■ 



wife, who was Miss Emeline .Johnson, and to whom 
he was married at Springfield in 1835, departed 
this life on the 18th of October, 1860. He was 
married the second time, July 3, 1861, to Mrs. K. 
H. (Davenport) Cone, and they have one son, Louis 
D., aged twenty, who is attending the Northwest- 
ern University at Evanston, 111. Mrs. W^allace is 
a native of Hudson, Mich., and the daughter of 
John C. and Azubah (Beebe) Davenport, the for- 
mer a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New 
York. Mr. Davenport was one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of Michigan and became one of the substantial 
business men of the State, being for many years a 
heavy contractor for carrying mail before the days 
of railroads. Mrs. Wallace received a good educa- 
tion, mostly from private tutors. In 1854 she 
moved to Chicago, and resided with her sister, Mrs. 
Dr. Cone. In her eighteenth year she was married 
to Maj. George W. I. Cone, who was a native of 
New York State, wlience he emigrated westward 
early in life, fitted himself for the practice of law, 
and was admitted to practice in 1855. He was a 
gentleman of fine .ability and the originator of the 
now famous "Associated Congi'ess" of Chicago, or- 
ganized in 1857, and of which he was the first Speaker. 
While serving in that capacity he made many warm 
friends and his withdrawal from the Congress was 
received with universal regret. His death occurred 
Jan. 21, 1851). Although only twenty-four years 
of age he had already established a reputation as a 
business and literary man of more than ordinary 
merit, and great things were predicted for him in 
the future. 

Nearly three years after his death, Mrs. Cone was 
united in marriage with Dr. AVallace, as already 
stated. Mrs. Wallace possesses fine social qualities 
and exerts a good influence upon all around her. 
She has made it a study of life to never speak evil 
of anyone. As the wife of an itinerate preacher she 
has resided in many different places, often finding 
the society in a state of discord, and was often the 
happy medium by which it was restored to har- 
mony. She is a great lover of nature, and the trees 
and shrubbery growing in the school-house park 
are monuments of lior enterprise and desire to in- 
still in the minds of the young, her own admiration 
of the grand works of nature, which must inevitably 



/ 



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«82 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




result in having a good influence upon them. 
Dr. and Mrs. Wallace have a beautiful home in 
Saybrook, where they expect to continue their resi- 
dence. They are given to hospitality, and rich and 
poor share it alike. During their married life, Mce 
Presidents of the United States, Bishops, Consuls, 
Governors, Congressmen and Judges have sat at 
their table, and yet the welcome was no more to the 
gi-eat than the most humble of their acquaintances. 

ARMON A. K(.)WE. This gentleman, who 
followed the plow for forty years of his life, 
is now a prominent factor in the business 
community of Saybrook, where he is carry- 
ing on a profitable trade in agricultural implements. 
He is a native of Ohio, and was born in Fa^'ette 
Count}', Dec. 22, IS.30, where he spent his early 
life, attending the district school and assisting his 
father on the farm. lie is the son of Willis and 
Harriett (Limes) Rowe, both natives of Virginia, 
whose parents removed to Ohio soon after their 
marriage. Willis Rowe died near Saybrook, Oct. 
.'51, 1876, at the age of seventy years. He was 
reared in Democratic principles but became identi- 
fied with the Whig party, with which he remained 
until its abandonment and was ever afterward a 
Republican. 

After reaching his majority our suliject was mar- 
ried, Aug. 31, 1854, to Miss Mary J. Ferguson, 
who was born in Pennsylvania, and removed to 
Ohio with her parents when a mere child. She is 
the daughter of William and Catherine Ferguson, 
the former a native of Maine but now deceased, 
and the latter of Pennsylvania. William Ferguson 
departed this life in Saybrook, in May, 1884, at the 
advanced age of seventj'-four years. The mother 
of Mrs. Rowe is still living. Their children were 
Levi, John, Hiram, Mary A., Cordelia, Nancy and 
Mary J. Mrs. Rowe was born in 1833. 

In 18()4 Mr. R. removed with his family to Illi- 
nois and located in Cheney's Grove Township, of 
which he has been a resident since that time. He 
has been prospered in his various pursuits and has 
four valuable lots and a good residence in S.aybrook. 
In addition to his implement trade he handles each 

4> 



year large quantities of coal, in which he has built 
up a profitable and steadily' increasing trade. Dur- 
ing his busy life he has kept an e^'e upon the pros- 
perity and welfare of the community around him, 
and has contributed his full share toward the build- 
ing uj) of his township and town. He has been a 
firm supi)orter of the principles of the Re|)ublican 
party, and with his family, is a member and regular 
attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Saybrook. Socially he liolongs to McPherson Post 
No. 79, G. A. R. During the late war he served as 
a Union soldier in Co. K, lG8th Ohio \i>\. Inf., 
performing his duties as a soldier faithfully and 
bravely for five months, and receiving an honora- 
ble discharge when peace was restored. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rowe are re- 
corded as follows: Orin H. died when ten 3'ears of 
age; Etta B. became the wife of H. C. Meyers, 
and died at her home near Saybrook in 1880; AVill- 
iam H. married Miss Margaret Chene}', and is a 
resident of Saybrook; Jennie May and Nellie are 
at home with their parents. 



LMON MORROW. The Morrow family 
history dates back to a time previous to 
the Revolutionary War. The first mem- 
bers in this country settled in New York 
State and are supposed to have descended from 
Scottish and Irish ancestry. The grandfather of 
our subject, James Morrow, was a native of New 
York, and engaged in farming and merchandising. 
He was married in his native State in about 1811, 
and subsequently removed to Clinton County, 
Ohio. There he and his wife spent the remainder 
of their dajs and there their remains are buried. 

The father of our subject, William Morrow, was 
a youth of seventeen years when his parents re- 
moved to Clinton County, Ohio. A few years 
later he enlisted in the army, and was engaged as 
a private in the War of 1812, serving until its 
close. He then returned to Warren County, Ohio, 
and in due time was married to Miss Susan Nicker- 
son. This lad^- was born and reared in New York 
State and died in Ohio while yet a young woman, 
leaving a family of four children, of whom our sub- 

' •►- 




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f 



•►-■-4*- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



t 

883 u 



1 

i 



ject was the youngest. For his second wife, Will- 
iam MoiTOw married Miss L^^dia Williams, who is 
yet living, being sixty -six years of age and making 
her home in Warren County, Ohio. Of this latter 
marriage there were born seven sons, five of whom 
served as soldiers in the Union army. With these 
our subject served also, thus making six sons of 
one father who gave their services to aid in the pres- 
ervation of the Union. All were content to serve 
as privates and performed their duties bravely and 
faithfully, and in aceordt'nce with the i)rinciples of 
honor and truth in which they had been reared. 
Of these, who were named — Almon, George, Henry, 
.Samuel, Morris and Kmmett — Henry and Samuel 
were killed, the former being shot through the head 
by a rebel ball at the battle of Resaca, Ga.; Samuel 
was wounded in the engagement at Gallatin, Tenn., 
and died in the hospital. The others escaped un- 
harmed and lived tii return home in safety. All be- 
longed to different regiments. 

Our subject enlisted in Hej'worth, Aug. 8, 1862 
in Co. B, 04th 111. \'ol. Inf., under command of 
Capt. McFarland. He participated in the battle at 
Prairie Grove, Ark. ; Mcksburg, Miss. ; Ft. Mor- 
gan and Spanish Fort, which latter was taken by the 
Federal troops in the spring of 1865. He was also 
at the evacuation of Mobile whence, with his com- 
rades, he went to Galveston, Tex., where his regi- 
ment was discharged on the 'Jth of August, 1 865. 
During the period of three years he was in the 
arm3% our subject daily reported for duty, with the 
exception of fifteen days, during which time he was 
home on a furlough. After his honorable discharge 
he returned to Heyworth, where he had settled in 
the fall of 1861. 

Almon Morrow was born in Warren County, 
Ohio, June 20, l.S2'J, and was there reared and ed- 
ucated. ■ He remained under the parental roof and 
assisted in the labors of the farm until his marriage. 
On the 6th of April, 1854, he was united in wed- 
lock with Miss Ruth II. Templin,vvho was a native 
of his own county and born Oct. 15, 1836. Her 
parents were .Jonathan and Elizabeth (Henry) 
Templin, natives respectively' of Virginia and 
Indiana. The}' were married in Warren County, 
Ohio, and spent their entire lives upon a farm. 
Both died at their home in Cliutou Couuty, Ohio, 



where they had lived for a [teriod of thirty years. 
The decease of the father occurred May 20, lis85, 
and that of the mother April 16, 1886. They were 
most excellent and worthy people and greatly re- 
spected in the community where they were kn(Vwn. 

Mrs. Morrow received careful home training and 
was educated in the public schools of her native 
county. She remained with her parents until her 
marriage. Of her union with our subject there 
were born three children, two now deceased — Alice 
and Owen, aged respectively six and four years. 
Mattie M. became tiie wife of Albert B. Fulton of 
Bloomington; they reside upon a farm and are the 
parents of one child, Palmer, the only tlaughter, 
Maude, having died at the age of three years. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Morrow first 
settled upon a farm in Clinton County, Ohio, and 
removed to the Prairie State the year before the 
war. After his return from the .army he |)urchased 
eighty acres of land in Randolph Township, this 
county, which constitutes a part of their present 
homestead. To this he subse(iuently added, and the 
home farm now contains 1 20 acres, being located 
on section 8. Our subject has been prospered in 
his agricultural and business operations and his 
land is in a fine state of cultivation. The family 
are connected with the Presbyterian Church, of 
which our subject is Deacon. Politically Mr. Mor- 
row is a stanch supporter of the principles of the 
Republican party. 



^~^/---'v*Zj2j2/®^^| 



t/^t^i/^7iRr*^'\/\^^- 




M^ 



RS. ELIZABETH MORELAND, one of 
the pioneers of Belleflower Township, is a 
resident on section 9. Her present home- 
stead was established by Allen Ringo, in 
.January, 1858. Mrs. M. was born in Clermont 
County, Ohio. Dec. 25, 1831. Her father, Alfred 
West, was a native of the same State, and her grand- 
father, George West, of Kentucky, emigrated from 
the Blue Grass regions to Ohio at an early period 
in the history- of that State, settling in Clermont 
County. There he cleared a farm from the wilder- 
ness, which he occupied for many years, but after- 
ward removed to Indiana, and died iu Covington, 

«fc»- 



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t 



884 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



that State, .it the linine of liis son Jolin, having ar- 
rived at the advanccil age of ninety-six years. 
His son, Alfred, was reared to manhood in Cler- 
mont County, Ohio, where he lived until the f.all 
of 1833. Then with his wife and five children he 
went overland to Indiana and located in Clay 
('(Mintv, where he was aninng the first settlers. He 
l)urchased a tract of heavy timber land and cleared 
a farm from the wilderness, where he lived until 
his decease, in Ajn-il, 188:2, when eighty-four years 
of age. He was married in early manhood to Miss 
Elizabeth Archy, who was born in Clermont County, 
Ohio, being the daughter of Chapman Archy, of 
Kentucky, who removed to Clermont County, Ohio, 
and there spent the last years of his life. The 
mother died in Clay County, Ind., in .June, 1871. 

JNIrs. Elizabeth jMorcland was not quite two 3'ears 
old when her parents removed from Ohio to In- 
diana. She remained under the home roof until 
her first marriage, to Allen Ringo, which occurred 
Jan. 2.5. 1852. This gentleman was born in Ken- 
tucky, being the son of Major and Elizabeth 
Ringo. About the time of his marriage Allen 
Ringo purchased a tract of land in Claj' County, 
Ind., upon which he erected a log cabin, and in 
that the .young people commenced housekeeping. 
They remained there two 3'ears, and in the fall of 
18;J4 started overland with a team of horses and a 
wagon for the prairies of Illinois. Mr. R. first 
pun^hased 100 acres in McDonough County, upon 
which the3^ remained for the five years following. 
lie then came to McLean County and purchased 
210 acres of wild land in Bellcttower Townshi[). 
Here he .also l)uilt :i house for his family and con- 
tinned the impnjvemcnt and cultivation of his land 
until his death, which occurred Jan. 31, I8O0. He 
was a member in good standing of the Christian 
Church and a worthv citizen, highl}' esteemed by 
all who knew him. 

In .lunc, 1HG8, Mrs. Ringo was married the sec- 
ond time, to Bernard Moreland. Mr. M. was a na- 
tive of Ohio, and born May 7, 1837. His parents 
were Edward and Mary A. Moreland. Mrs. M. 
still occupies the homestead where she first set- 
tled upon coming to Belleflower Township. The 
tfarra comprises 100 acres of good land. Mr. M. 
is a traveling salesman, representing the business 






of H. p. Deuscher, of Hamilton, Ohio, dealer in 
agricultural implements. 

By her first marriage Mrs. Moreland became the 
mother of three children : Laura, the wife of Alvah 
Jayns, lives in Champaign CQunty, 111.; Leonard 
and Lillie J. are twins. The former lives in Chase 
County, Neb. ; Lillie is at home with her mother. 
Of the second marriage there were born three chil- 
dren — Mason B., Ambers J. and Walter G. Mrs. 
M. is a nu'mber in good standing of the Christian 
Church, and a lady highly respected in the com- 
munity. 

^ RS. LUCINUA HAYS, widow of William 
II. Hays, is located upon a good f.arm of 




•4*- 



100 acres in Blue Mound Township, upon 
which she removed in 1805, with her hus- 
banil, am' where she has since lived. She is a na- 
tive of Ohio, born in F.a^'ette C'ount3^ April 8, 
1830, and is the daughter of Hugh and Mary 
(Hughs) Paul, the former a native of Virginia, and 
the latter of Ohio. Hugh Paul departed this life 
on the 4th of Febru.ary, 1837, in F.ayette County, 
Ohio, Afterward, in 1845, the mother came with 
her little family to Illinois, and located in Money 
Creek Township, this county, where she died in 
A|)ril, |s;55. They have onlj' two children — Ma- 
tilda .1. and Lucinda. Matilda became the wife of 
John Ilenline, and died in Mone^' Creek Township 
in 1850. 

Mrs. Hays was ten years old when her mother 
came to this county, and remained under the home 
roof most of the time until her mairiage. On the 
23d of December, 1850, she was married to Will- 
iam II. Hays, in Bloomington, 111. The parents of 
Mr. ILays were Henry and Sarah (Smith) Hays, na- 
tives of Kentucky. They remained for a time in 
their native State, after their marriage, .and thence 
removed to Illinois, settling in Lexington Town- 
ship, this county, in 1835. The father died in the 
spring of 1800, and the mother in 1848, in Lexing- 
ton Township. Their seven children, all of whom 
lived to mature ye.ars, were, William IL, Jlatilda, 
Hettie, Ann E., Henry C, Harriet D. and James. 
William H. was the eldest of the family ; he w.as 
born in Lexington Township, Oct. 22, 1835, and 
-*► 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



885 a 



\ 



was reared to farming pursuits, wliicli he followed 
during life. 

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hays, of this 
notice, first settled in Lexington Township, this 
county, but in 18,'j8 removed to Kansas, where 
they lived two years. They then returned, and 
again became residents of Lexington Township, 
where they lived until the spring of 18G5, when 
they removed u|)on the present homestead in Blue 
Mound Township, and there the death of Mr. 
Hays occurred. April 22, 1881. Of this union 
there were born nine children, viz., George W., 
Henry L., Hugh E., Ella and Delia, twins, Grace 
M., Harry M., Floy A., and one who died in in- 
fancy. George married Miss Maggie Henline, and 
resides in Lexington, 111.; Henry married Miss 
Sarah Kraft, and is farming in Towanda Township; 
Hugh married Miss Emma Campbell, and they are 
living in Blue Mound Township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hays many 3'ears ago identified themselves with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. 
Hays remained a consistent member until his death, 
and to which Mrs. ILays still belongs. She is a 
lady greatly respected and esteemed in this com- 
munity for her excellent traits of character and 
kindness of heart. She has managed the farm 
since the death of her husband in a judicious and 
wise manner, and shows excellent business ability. 



—^v- 







tiHOMAS B. KILGORE, Supervisor of Lawn- 
dale Township, has a pleasant home on sec- 
tion 26, where he is pursuing the peaceful 
vocation of an agriculturist, and attending, as oc- 
casion requires, to the duties of his office. He has 
been a resident of this section since the spring of 
18G7, when, after a term of service in the Union 
army, he came to McLean County and settled in 
Lawndale Township, where he purchased 320 acres 
of land, upon which he has since resided, and be- 
,came identified with the interests of his adopted 
township and county. 

The subject of this history is the son of John 
and Malona C. (Beach) Kilgore, who were natives 
of Madison Count}-, Ohio, and after marri.age set- 
tled in Franklin County, that State, where they 

^ 1 



have since made their home. The parental house- 
hold included four children, of whom the record is 
as follows: Sarah A. is the wife of Samuel Stauffer, 
and resides in Lawndale Township ; Albert is de- 
ceased ; John N. lives in Lawndale Township. 

Thomas B. Kilgore was born in Franklin County, 
Ohio, March 23, 1840. His education was re- 
ceived mostly in the common schools, although he 
attended Wesleyan University one term. He was 
reared to farming pursuits, and remained at home 
until the spring of 18G1, when, the late Civil War 
being in progress, he enlisted in the 1st Ohio Cav- 
alry, and served three years, in the meantime be- 
ing promoted Sergeant. At the battle of Chicka- 
niauga he had a close call, barely escaping being 
shot down by the enemy, the horse he was riding 
having been killed. After leaving the army he re- 
turned to Franklin County, Ohio, where he re- 
mained two ye.ars, and then started for the West, 
with the results we have stated. After purchasing 
his land he immediately entered upon its cultiva- 
tion and improvement. Mr. Kilgore has now a 
fine farm dwelling, a good barn and all the acces- 
sories of a first-class agriculturist. Everything 
about the premises indicates the supervision of an 
intelligent and enterprising mind. Mr. Kilgore 
has been rarely prospered in his farming and busi- 
ness operations, and has added to his first purchase 
so that he now has 4.S0 acres, all of which is im- 
proved and in a fine and fertile condition. The 
whole estate presents one of the most attractive 
spots in the landscape of McLean County. 

The marriage of Thomas B. Kilgore with Miss 
IMary E. Batterton was celebrated in Lawndale 
Township, April 11, 1867. Mrs. Kilgore is the 
daughter of Martin Batterton, a sketch of whom 
appears on another p.age of this volume. She was 
born in Lawndale Township, July 18, 1840, and 
bj' her union with our subject has become the 
mother of four children — John M., Lizzie M., 
Maud B. and Thomas Beach. 

Mr. Kilgore has been Supervisor of Lawndale 
Township nine terms, and still holds the oflfice. 
He served .is Road Commissioner three years, and 
has occupied other minor offices in the township, 
including that of School Director. Socially, he is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of Col- 

.^ 



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886 



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.t 



McLKAN COUNTY. 



fax Post, G. A. K. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Our subject is Republican in politics, and greatly 
interested in the success of the temperance move- 
ment, with which he h.ns prominently identified 



himself. 



i^^<^te^*«^5*fw. 



/p^EORCK ,1. ARNOLD, Supervisur of Yates 
[f| ,-— , Townshii), owns and occupies a comfortable 
^^ji homestead on section 1.5, and is numbered 
among the [)rominent farmers of the count}-. He 
is the son of .John C. and Caroline (Tritenbaeh) 
Arnold, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. His 
father at an earlj' age, in f(jrniing his plans for the 
future, indicated t\\{i energy and enterprise of his 
character. He was not satisfied with his condition 
or his prospects in his native country, .and deter- 
mined to emigrate to the United States. This 
scheme w.as violently opposed l>y his friends, some 
of whom gathered around him and told him that 
America was a heathen land, where the people were 
all thieves, and thus persuaded him to remain for 
a time, at least, very much against his inclination 
and his better Judgment. After his marriage, 
however, and cliildren began to gather around the 
fireside, he became greatly anxious for their sakes 
to provide something better for them tiian what he 
could probably obtain in Germany. Accordingly, 
in 1 ><."). "i, accompanied liy his wife and four children, 
he left the place of his liirlh and set s;ul for the New 
-World. 

After a tedious vo3'age of fort}' days, as steerage 
passengers in a sailing-vessel, they arrived in the 
city of New York, whence they proceeded by rail 
to Dunkirk, that State, and then b}- way of Lake 
Erie to Cleveland. Tiience thej' crossed the State 
(jf Oiiio to Cincinnati, and settled on a tract of 
land in Clermont County, that State. The}' resided 
tiiere four years, and tlien decided to i)ush further 
Westward to tiie Rrairie State. Coming to Illinois 
he located in j\rcl.,ean County, in 18.57. He fol- 
lowed farming near iJloomington and in Normal 
Tounsiiip for the following ten years, in the mean- 
time having purchased the southwest quarter of 
section '21, Yates Townsiiiii, to which he removed 
with his family and established a comfortable 



t- 



home, where he spent the remainder of his life. He 
always attended closely to his business, was indus- 
trious and economical, and at the time of his death 
had accumulated a fine property, consisting of 400 
acres of good land, all of which he had jiroperly 
improved. His death was the result of an accident 
on the 2d of July, 1881, when he was thrown from 
a buggy and received an injury which caused his 
death on the 13th of that month. The wife and 
mother had passed to the better land five years be- 
fore, on the 24th of October, 187G. Of the seven 
children born to them, five are yet living — JLaggie, 
William, Minnie, Oscar, and George J., our subject, 
who is the eldest of those now living. 

George J. Arnold first opened his eyes to light 
in the little kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, 
Aug. 20, 184.S, and w.as thus in the fifth year of 
his age when the family emigrated to the United 
States. His parents being in limited circumstances 
he early in life began to assist in the work on the 
farm, and was permitted only a few weeks' school- 
ing in each year. He possessed much natural abil- 
ity, however, and a genuine love for learning, and 
through his own efforts gained a good practical 
.and business education. In 1871 he went to Cher- 
okee County. Kan., where with his brother he fol- 
lowed farming and stock-raising for three years. 
Then, returning to Illinois he resumed the old life 
at home and assisted his father in carrying on the 
farm until July, 18HK On the 7th of that month 
he was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Bell, 
daughter of John and Anna Gi-izzella (Kelly) Mc- 
Cune. 

Mrs. Arnold was born in Chenoa Township, this 
county, Sept. 9, 18.57, and by her marriage with 
oui' subject became the mother of two cliildren : 
Minnie Grizzella, born May 15, 1882, and Mary 
Belle, May 13, 188G. Our subject and wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and in their 
pleasant and comfortable home are surrounded by 
all the cc)mforts and many of the luxuries of life. 
The farm estate of iMr. Arnold consists of 160 
acres of valuable land, with a fine modern residence, 
good barns and all necessary out-buildings. Since 
becoming a resident of this county, Mr. Arnold 
has identified himself with its interests and welfare, 
and has been honored by various township offices, 



r 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



887 ik! 



4 



having been three times Collector, and is now 
serving his third term as Supervisor. He is a 
stanch supporter of the principles of the Repub- 
lican party, and in all respects has built up for him- 
self a reputation as an honest man and a good cit- 
izen. 

^;OHN p. MESSER, proprietor of 200 acres 
of valuable land in Gridley Township, is 
one of the prominent and progressive farm- 
/ ers of this section, who by his energy and 
industry has aided materially in its development 
and progress. He is a native of this county, born 
near Colfax, March 11, 183G. He received a good 
common-school education, the best afforded in 
those days, and remained under the parental roof 
until he was twenty-two years old. Mr. Messer 
was reared to farming pursuits and to habits of in- 
dustry and honesty, and has followed agriculture 
the whole of his life. 

The parents of our subject, .Tohn B. and Susan 
(Estey) Messer, were natives respectively of Penn- 
sylvania and Kentuek}', and became residents of 
Illinois in 1836. They first located in Lexington 
Township, this county, whence they removed to 
Gridley .and located on section 34. Upon the 
homestead there established the father died in No- 
vember, 1879. The mother then went to live with 
her daughter in Moultrie County, this State, and 
there died Sept. 5, 1880. The parental family in- 
cluded ten children — Maria .J., Sydney A., John 
P., Margaret E., Lsaac, Mary, Elizabeth E., James 
T., Elizabeth E. (2d) and Rebecca A. Maria, Eliza- 
beth (1st) and James are deceased. 

When John P. Messer started out for liimself in 
life he located in Gridley Township, which he has 
since made his home. He has been twice married, 
the first time in this township, Sept. 2.2, 1857, to 
Miss M.ary S. Weakley, who was born in Ohio. Feb. 
21, 1842. She became the mother of seven chil- 
dren, of whom the record is as follows : Dora be- 
came the wife of Samuel ,1. PflUis, and resides in 
Kansas: Benjamin is at home; Ira died in infancy; 
the next, an infant, died unnamed ; .John B. died 
when less than one year old ; Maria J. resides in 
Kansas, and William in Gridley Township. The 
<■ 



mother of these children died at the home of her 
husband in Gridlej' Township, Dec. 27, 1807. She 
was a lady greatly respected, and an earnest mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. 

The second wife of Mr. Messer, to whom he was 
m.arried in Moultrie County, 111., Sept. 30, 1869, 
was Elizabetli J. Dawson, daughter of Canon and 
Eliza A. (Riggin) Dawson, natives of Delaware. 
The p.arental family comprised five children, of 
whom Mrs. Messer was the third. She was born 
in Pickawaj' County, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1838. Of this 
marriage there were born six children — Henry B., 
Arthur E., BYancis D.,an infant who died unnamed, 
Isaac I. and John L. Mr. and Mrs. M. are worthy 
members of the Christian Church, and politically 
our subject belongs to the Democratic party. He 
held the office of Highway Commissioner four 
years, and has been School Director. Socially he 
is a member of Ca'ur do Leon Commandery No. 
43, of El l\aso. 



-.^S- 



■•°*o-®X®-.o*o.- 



ELISIIA R. SMITH, one of the self-made 
men anil well-to-dt) farmers of Belleflower 
Township, is pleasantly located on section 
12, where he is following agricultural pursuits and 
fulfilling the obligations of a good citizen. Mr. 
Smith was l)orn in Fulton Count}', this State, 
INIarch 10, 1844, being the son of William Smith, 
who was a native of New Jersey and of Welsh de- 
scent. The latter was but a boy when his parents 
moved to Ohio, and there grew to manhood and 
married in Richland County. In 1838 he came to 
Illinois, m.aking the journey' overland with two 
horses and a wagon, acct)nip.anied by his wife and 
eight children. Upon his arriv.al in Illinois he had 
but $1.30 in cash. He worked around bj' the day 
for six or seven years, farming during the summer 
season and in the meantime .saving his earnings, in 
which he was assisted materially by his excellent 
helpmeet. In due time he contracted to buy a 
f.arm for which he was to pay $1,000, and of this 
sum he had but 150. The farm was two and one- 
half miles from Cuba, and Liverpool and Peoria 
were the nearest markets. Mr. Smith was a very 
industrious man and w.as soon enabled to make the 



i 



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888 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



last payment on the farm. He also erected a good 
set of frame buildings and lived there until 1862. 
He then sold out and jnirchased another farm near 
by, wliich he occupied, however, but a few months. 
He soon thereafter retired from active labor and 
spent the last years of his life in Cuba, dying Sept. 
3, 1877, when seventy-eight years of age. The 
mother of our subject, who was formerly Miss Sa- 
rah Cline, died ne.-ir Cuba, March 2G, 1881, having 
arrived at the .advanced .age of eighty-eight years. 

The subject of this history was the youngest of 
eleven children born to his |)arents. He was re.ared 
to manhood on his father's farm in Fulton County, 
111., and received a good common-school educa- 
tion. During tlie progress of the late war he en- 
listed in Co. G, 11th 111. Vol. Cav., and served un- 
til the ch)se of the war, receiving his discharge in 
July, 18G5. After returning from the army he 
operated on rented land in Fulton County until 
1867, then came to Hclletlower Township and pur- 
chased the farm which he now owns and occupies. 
It was then wild prairie and the neiirest railroad 
station was at Champaign, twent^'-two miles dis- 
tant. M.ahomet was twelve miles and was the 
nearest post-ofHce ; now the railroad passes through 
his farm, with the station and post-office forty rods 
distant from his residence. He h.as added to his 
first purchase until he is now the owner of 2.36 
acres, all enclosed and improved, .and forming one 
of the finest country estates of this section. 

Mr. Sraitli w.as married, Dec. 24, 1863, to Miss 
Elizabeth, the daughter of Solomon and Martha 
(McKinney) Murphy, and who w.as born in Licking 
C(,unty,Ohio. Of this union there are nine children 
—Annie, William 1'., Belle A., M. Ross, Clyde S., 
Nellie, Clarence, Kthel and J. Clarence. Mr. and 
Mrs. .Smith and four of their children are members 
of the Christian Church, and our subject politically 
voles the Democratic ticket. 



"iflAMES WHITE, .Iii., one of the best known 

residents of the township of Padua, has a 

fine homestead on sections 17 and 18, the 

handsome and substantial family residence 

being on the former. He may be classed among 

the pioneers of the I'rairic State. After coming to 






this county in 1838, he purchased eighty .acres of 
Land in Hudson Township, but later removed to 
Bloomington for the purpose of contracting and 
building, and lived there for ten years following. 
He came to I'adua Township in the fall of 185.5, 
and is now the owner of 280 acres of valuable Land, 
finely improved, furnished with a .shapelj' and sub- 
stantial set of farm buildings. It has taken many 
years, but Mr. White has now the best diained 
farms in McLean County, having about 660 rods 
of tiling from three to eight inches in diameter. 
The land was formerly low Ijottom, and very often 
covered with water, but now produces about one- 
third more than before the drain w.as put in. His 
.agricultural imitlements and machinery are of first- 
class description, and his stock includes the best 
griides of horses and cattle. 

Mr. While was l)orn on Brooklyn Heights, Nov. 
4, IHi;). During a period of sixty-seven years the 
pl.ace of his birth has greatly changed from what it 
was then, being now the resort of some of the most 
aristocratic people of this continent, who reside in 
palatial mansions, and .are surrounded by all the 
luxuries of life. The father <if our subject, James 
While, Sr., was the son of Samuel White, who w.as 
the son of Peter White. The Latter emigrated from 
England with a brother at an early period in the 
history of this country, and .settled in Norfolk, 
Conn., where he followed the trade of a blacksmith 
all his life, and died in the town where he first set- 
tled when little more than a boy. His son Samuel, 
the grandfather of our subject, learned the trade of 
a silversmith when 3'oung, which he followed all his 
life in his native town, and died on the homestead 
left him by his father. He was said to be a Tory dur- 
ing the Hevolutiouary War, and his property was 
saved thereby when the town was burned by the 
British. 

James White, the father of our subject, was born 
and reared at Norfolk. Conn., and when a young 
man learned the trade (^f a carpenter in New York 
City. From there he removed to Brooklyn, and 
some time later w.as unite<l in marri.age with Miss 
Sarah Vanvoris, who was of German and English 
parents. After his marriage James White continued 
in Brooklyn, where he followed his trade success- 
fully for a period of fifteen years. He then went 



i 



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t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



889 



i 



to Delaware County, N. Y., where he purchased a 
farm upon which the children were reared. Tlie 
father died when fifty-eight years old in the city of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., and the mother lived to be sixty- 
five years old. 

The subject of this history was the fourth of a 
family of four sons and three daughters, of whom 
one of the latter is now deceased ; the others are 
married and settled in comfortable homes of their 
own. James White, Jr., accompanied his parents 
to Delaware County, N. Y., being then nine years 
of age. He there completed his education, and re- 
mained at home for ten years following. At the 
age of nineteen he started for the West, and com- 
ing into the Prairie (State located in this county, 
where he followed the carpenter trade, which he 
had learned of his father in his j'outh. He was 
married at Smith Grove, Towanda Township, this 
county, April 4, 1841, to Miss Lavina Smith, who 
was born in North Carolina, Aug. 19, 1814. When 
an infant she was carried across the Alleghany 
IMountains by her parents, who afterward located 
in Kentucky for three years, and thence removed 
to White Water, Ind. F'rom there, in about 1830, 
they came to this State and county, settling in a 
grove near what is now Towanda Township, and 
which was afterward called Smith Grove. Here 
Mrs. W. lived with her parents until her marriage. 
Her father, David Smith; died in Indiana after liv- 
ing some years in Illinois; the mother died in Iowa. 

Of the marriage of our subject an J his wife there 
were born seven children, three only of whom are 
living: Mary K. is the widow of James Keeuey, 
and is living in Cedar Vale, Kan.; James R. is a 
builder and contractor of Bloomington; Asa E. 
married Miss Betty Long, and lives in Bloomington. 
Those deceased are Sarah R., George H. and two 
infants who died unnamed. 

Mr. White opened the first lumber-yard in 
Bloomington, which proved a success and was 
largely patronized ; lie was closely identified with 
the building interests of the city for ten years. He 
was living in Bloomington when the college project 
was set on foot by Rev. Mr. McKee, who had al- 
most despaired of success in his efforts to found an 
institution of learning there.. In this our subject 
was greatly interested, being the firm friend of ed- 



ucation, and believing it to be the best basis for a 
young man starting out in life. Although then 
worth only about *! ,000 all told he subscribed $400, 
which he paid up like a man, although as it may be 
inferred, this large sum taken from his limited cap- 
ital quite seriously embarrassed him for the time. 
Mr! White was the first subscriber to the linilding 
and says he never paid a subscription before or since 
with more pleasure. It was with great ditticulty 
that the enterprise w.as made successful, anil many 
at the time thought that Mr. White had been dupetl 
into subscribing so large an amount, but he attirms 
that he had given tiie subject careful consideration 
and has ever felt justified in the steps taken, which 
resulted as he anticipated. His judgment in this as 
well .as many other enterprises is most commend- 
able. This, however, proved an incentive to other 
and wealthier citizens, who opened their hearts and 
purses and made liberal contributions by which a 
college building was erected which is now an honor 
to the city. Mr. White in other respects has 
materially contributed to the growth and prosper- 
ity of his adopted county, and is reckoned among its 
most valuable and reliable citizens. 



^-!?^ 



-<i- 




REDERICK W. KOCH, a retired merchant 
of Bloomington and the founder of Koch- 
ville, also laid out an addition to Bloom- 
ington bearing that name, and has been otherwise 
closely identified with the material interests and the 
growth of the city. He is now retired from active 
business and resides in a beautiful home on the cor- 
ner of Morris and Koch avenues, enjoying the es- 
teem of his neighbors and acquaintances and i)ass- 
ing his declining years in the consciousness of hav- 
ing acted well his part in life. 

Our subject is a fine representative of that na- 
tionality which has assisted so greatly in develop- 
ing the resources of the Great West. The German 
Empire, without doubt, has contributed more of 
the stability and genuine honesty which have been 
the secret and success of this Republic than any 
other country. Mr. Koch is a native of Prussia 
and was born on the 4th of September, 1829. His 



'i 



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890 



-•►-■-^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



parents were Henry R. and Louise (Gravey) Koch, 
natives of the same kingdom, and engaged in farm- 
ing pursuits. Of the eight children born to his 
parents five are still living, the record being as fol- 
lows: Wilhelraina, now Mrs. Meas, is a resident of 
Bloomington,and has one son, Rudolph S. ; Freder- 
iclv W. is our subject; Carl L. is a resident of his 
native Prussia, as also are Fredrica and Charlotte. 
The father of our subject was Mayor of Fabben- 
stadt for a number of years and always a prominent 
man, respected and beloved by all who knew him. 
He was a devoted member of the Old Lutheran 
Church and a Trustee of the same. He served in 
the army for two years and alvvays took a deep 
interest in the affairs of the kingdom. He gave to 
his children the advantages of a fine education, 
reared them in the fear of the Lord, and taught 
them tliat honesty was the best policy. The faith- 
ful and affectionate mother departed this life in her 
native countr\' in 18()-2, and the fatlier still lives 
there. 

The subject of this biograpiiy remained at home 
with his parents until fifteen 3^earsold. He enlisted 
when twenty-one years old .as a soldier and served 
two years, during which time he was treated with 
great respect and consideration in C()nse(iuence of 
the high position wliich his fatlier held under the 
Government, .'Uid was allowed many privileges not 
accorded to the common soldier. Upon leaving 
his native country to come to America he was 
dressed in such uniform that m.any took him for a 
policeman, and by a little money and considerable 
strategy he got away without a p.-issport and landed 
in New Orleans on tlic 1st of December, 1853. 
Young Koch, iiowever, remained only a short time 
in tlie Crescent City, and soon proceeded to St. 
Louis, wiiere he remained for the next three 3'ears 
engaged in the employ of the Pacific Raili-oad. In 
18.50 Mr. Koch came to Hloomingtonand conducted 
a boarding-house and saloon unlil the following 
year wlien, not liking the business, he closed out. 
He then engaged in the manufacture of mattresses 
and in upholstery, with carpet laying, for five years 
ffillowing, at the end of wiiich time he had accu- 
mulated (juite a little sum of money. After this 
lie became a clerk in a hardware store for twelve 
years, and at the end of this time purchased eight- 



een acres of land adjoining the city of Blooming- 
ton on the southwest, laying it out in town lots in 
1807. During the time he was in the store he was 
considerably engaged in the purchase and sale of 
real estate. 

Mr. Koch was married on the 4th of Decenil)er, 
1854, to Miss Wilhebnina Wellenburg, a native of 
Hanover, who came to this country in 1854. Of 
this nni(m there were born five children, three now 
living, and they have adopted a little girl named 
Bertha. Emilie married John Teske, and they have 
two children — Dora and Hannah; Helena became 
the wife of Herman Loufer, and they have tliree 
children — Laura, Wilhelmina and Herman; Hannah 
married (4eorge Shuitz, and they have one child, a 
daughter — Stella. Mr. K. put up his present beauti- 
ful residence in 1882, at a cost of $4,000. He has 
ne.ar Kocliville, 200 acres of land, eighty-two acres 
in Dry Grove Township, and a store and two iiouses 
in the city. The rents of these latter yield him a 
handsome income. Mr. K. with his faniilj', is con- 
nected with the Lutheran Church. In politics he 
is Democratic, and is considered by all as one of 
the solid men of the city. 



^^ IIARLKS A. SCHUREMAN, a member of 
[if^l the banking firm 'of Means, Schurcman & 
^^^ Co., at Saybrook, tliis county, is a native of 
Morrist(ivvn, N. .1., and was born Sept. 8, 1800. 
He is the son of Leonard and Fannie (Howell) 
Schureman, also natives of New .lorsey, and who 
spent their lives in their native State. The father 
was born Feb. 17, 1825, and departed this life Dec. 
17, 1885. The mother was born in 1827, and still 
survives, making her home in New .lersey. Both pa- 
rents werc^ prominently connected with the Method- 
dist Episcopal Church. Their three children were 
all boys: Frank, who married Miss Isodene Han- 
cock; Elwood S. and Charles A. 

Mr. Scluireman became a resident of Illinois in 
IHli). lie was married, Sept. 26, 1882, to Miss 
Katie Ballard, who was bt>rn in Saybrook, Chene3''s 
Grove Township, this county, Jan. 7, 1804, and is 
the daughter of Dr. J. L. and Catherine (Hogan) 
Ballard, natives of Kentucky, and who are still ^ ' 



r*' 



-•►-■-4« 







•^cii ^Jt::ciUiJ-^'d 



.>-iPM- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



•►-■-^ 



893 



living. Their children were Love, Lizzie, William, 
Lucy, John, Katie, Charlie and Mildred. Mr. and 
Mrs. Schureraan have one child, a daughter, Fannie 
B., who was born July 21, 188.5. 

Mr. Schureman was educated in the common 
schools of Norristown, N. J., and developed more 
than ordinary business qualities while still a youth. 
He is now connected with the leading bank of Say- 
brook, which was established as a private institution 
in 1878. His partners are gentlemen of culture 
and reflneinent, prominent in business and good 
citizens and members of society. Mr. Schureman 
is Democratic in politics. He is a member in good 
standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
one of its Board of Trustees. Besides his fine resi- 
dence he owns other residence property, an interest 
in the bank building and a fine brick store at Say- 
brook. He has by careful and constant attention 
to the banking business during the past eight years, 
accumulated considerable wealth, and is one of Say- 
brook's most enterprising citizens. The estimated 
worth of the banking firm is $12.5,000, with a well 
paid up capital stock. 



^~w- -\«j2££;©^* 



>^>l^^S/Z^^^?>v. -uv\~ 



i 



EDWARD STUBBLEFIELD, a well-known 
member of one of the most prominent fam- 
ilies of this section of Illinois, is an exten- 
sive farmer and an intelligent fine stock breeder. 
He was born in Funk's Grove Township, McLean 
County, on the 15th of August, 1834, and is the 
sixth child of Robert .and Doretha (Funk) Stubble- 
field. A sketch of the former appears on another 
page of this volume. 

Our subject received careful training at the 
hands of his parents, and pursued his primary 
studies in the schools of his native township, spend- 
ing the intervening time between school terms in 
assisting in the labors of the farm. He made his 
home with his parents until his marriage and then 
located on the farm wliich he now owns and occu- 
pies. It was an uuimpi-oved prairie at the time it 
came into his possession, but he has industriously 
cultivated the soil since that time and now has one 
of the finest farms in this section. A great part of 
it is tile drained, and the farm buildings and ma- 
M* ■ 



chinery are of flrst-class description. In 1869 
Mr. Stubblefleld erected a commodious frame house, 
and seven years later a large barn, and besides he 
has all necessary and suitable out-buildings for the 
shelter of stock and the storage of grain. He is a 
thorough business man and a .skilled farmer, and 
the evidences of his industry and enterprise are to 
be seen on every hand. His farm now comprises, 
including timber, a little over 700 acres. The 
main feature of Mr. Stubblefield's farming op- 
erations is directed to the raising and feeding of 
cattle. He also makes a specialty of breeding 
thoroughbred Belgian horses. He owns several 
splendid specimens of this breed which have been 
imported. 

Mr. Stubblefield's shrewd business qualifica- 
tions are illustrated in public enterprises as well 
as those he has so successfully carried out for him- 
self. For six years he w.as .associated with the At- 
lanta Agricultural Union Fair, held at Atlanta, 111., 
as Director, and for the past six years has been 
President of the Association. Its success is Largely 
due to the enterprise and energy he has displayed 
in its behalf. It is recognized by all that this as- 
sociation holds the best fairs held anywhere in 
Central Illinois. The district embraced by it in- 
cludes the counties of McLean, Logan, Tazewell 
and De Witt. 

Edward Stubblefield w.as united in m.arriage 
with Miss Eliza F'osset on the 17th of September, 
1856. Mrs. S. is a native of Madison County, 
Ohio, where she was born Jan. 22, 1839. She is 
the daughter of Lewis and Ann (Shough) Fosset, 
both of whom were natives of Ohio. The first 
residence of the young couple was an humble 
dwelling fifteen feet square, quite a contrast to 
that they now occupy. They have become the 
parents of four children, who are recorded as fol- 
lows : Doretha Ann is the wife of S. R. Sterling, of 
Mt. Hope Township; Marion Lee married Miss 
May Young, and lives in Mt. Hope Township; 
Emma J. became the wife of David Alexander; 
they reside on their farm near McLean, also in 
Mt. Hope Township ; W.ayne is at home. 

In politics Mr. Stubblefield affiliates with the Re- 
publican party, and as a business man and citizen 
he carries out the principles which were instilled 



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894 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 




in him during his early youth by his excellent and 
honored parents. As one of the leading and rep- 
resentative men of this county we present his por- 
trait. 

j^^i ILTON IIENLINE, one of McLean Coun- 
ty's progressive and exceedingly prosper- 
ous farmers, residing on section 1, To- 
wanda Township, is a son of .James J. and 
Sarah (Smith) Ilenline, the former a native of 
Boone County, Ky. He came to McLean County 
with his parents, John and Polly (Darnell) Hen- 
line, when he was thirteen years old, in 1828. His 
wife, Sarah Smith, came to the county about six 
years later, in 1834. The parents were married in 
this county, and lived in Lexington Township until 
the de.ath of the mother, which took place Feb. 12, 
1883. The father survives, and is yet living in 
Lexington Township. Eleven children were born 
of this union, seven sons and four daughters, the 
subject of this notice being the second in order of 
birth. 

Milton Ilenline was born in Lexington Town- 
ship, Feb. 13, 1843. He received a common-school 
education and supplemented the same by a course 
of study at Wesleyan Academy, Bloomington, 111., 
for six months. He then went back on the old 
homestead and lived there, engaged the while in as- 
sisting his father in the cultivation of the farm un- 
til 18(;(;. During that year he settled in Towanda 
Townshii), where he purchased 100 acres of valua- 
ble land, located on section 1. < )n this tract he 
settled, .-uid at once engaged in its improvement 
and cultivation, and is now the owner of 320 
acres of good land in that township, all in tlie 
same section. A view of the residence and sur- 
roundings will be found on another page. 

Mr. Ilenline was married at Bloomington, 111., 
March 22, 18(j(j, to Irene R. \Villli<nte, daughter 
of Alex and .Sarah (Oossett) Willhoite, natives of 
Owen County, Ky. Her parents came to this 
county' in 1850, wiienco they removed to Missouri 
in 1 868, and thence to Kansas, where the father 
died the same year of tlicir location in that State. 
The mother is 3'ct living and now resides in Cass 



County, Mo. They had twelve children, eight 
sons and four daughters, and Mrs. Henline was the 
fifth in order of birth. She was born in Owen 
County, Ky., Oct. 30, 184r», and by her union with 
Mr. Henline eleven children have been born — Car- 
rie I., James I., Claude, Alvin, Buell, Ellis, Ada, 
Garfield, Alma, Mabel and Milton C. Mr. Henline 
h.as held several of the minor offices of his town- 
ship. He and his wife are members of the Chris- 
tian Church, and in politics he is Republican. 



AMES A. GILBERT, of (iridley Township, 
is pleasantly located on section 3, and fol- 
lowing the peaceful occupation of a farmer's 
life. He is the son of James and Lucy 
(Joqnith) Gilbert, and was born in Manchester, 
Ind., April 1, 1839. His parents were natives re- 
spectively of Vermont and Indiana, and after their 
marriage settled in Lancaster, the latter State, 
whence they removed to Iowa, remaining in the 
Hawkeye State, however, only one year. They 
then recrossed the Father of Waters, and subse- 
quently settled at Brirafleld, Peoria Co., 111., where 
the mother died. The father is still a resident of 
that place. Their twelve children consisted of 
seven boys and five girls, of whom the subject of 
our sketch was the third in order of birth. 

Mr. (iilbert was five years old when his parents 
removed from Indiana and he remained an inmate 
of the parental household until he was twenty-eight 
years of age. He then located on a farm in Wood- 
ford County, 111., where he carried on agriculture 
for himself two years, and whence he came to 
Gridlej' Township, this county, of which he has 
since been a resident. His homestead includes 160 
acres of valuable land, on which he has m.ade good 
improvements and erected a good set of farm 
buildings. In addition to his McLean County 
propertj' he owns 640 acres in Cheyenne County, 
Neb., which is unimproved. 

The marriage of our subject took place in Elm- 
wood, 111., Dec. 20, 1867, the maiden of his choice 
being Miss Mary C, daughter of Stephen and 
Elizabeth (Stewart) Baker, who were of excellent 
German and Irish ancestry. Stephen Baker de- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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895 a 



parted this life in Virginia, and the mother died in 
Mercer County, lil. They had only two children, 
a son and daughter, of whom Mrs. Gilbert was 
the youngest. She was born in Elizabeth, W. 
Va., Sept. 17, 184.3. Of her marriage with our 
subject there were born six children, as follows: 
Charles J., Minnie A., Bertis S., Blanche E., Lucy 
E. and Nellie. 

During the late war Mr. Gilbert served as a 
soldier of the Union, with the 47th Illinois Infantry, 
in which he enlisted in the spring of IHtio, serving 
a little less than one year. He retired from the 
army unharmed by wounds or sickness and returned 
to his farm, where he has since remained, following 
the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. Mrs. Gilbert 
is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and our 
subject, politically, is an earnest adherent of the 
Republican party . He is also a member of El 
Paso Post No. 53-2, G. A. R. 



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WkILLIAM C. JONES, who is favorably 
known throughout Cheney's Grove Town- 
ship and McLean County, is the son of 
Newton and Mary Ann (Brown) Jones, and was 
born in Preble County, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1844. When 
William C. was thirteen years of age the family re- 
moved to Huntington, Ind., and in 18G'J to Illinois, 
their residence in the Prairie State dating from 
March 17 of that year. Our subject commenced a 
good business education in the common schools of 
the Buckeye State and in Indiana, which was com- 
pleted by attendance at the academies of Hunting- 
ton. He was reared to habits of industry and 
economy by his excellent parents, and remained 
under the home roof until he attained to years of 
manhood. He wa? then united in mariiage with 
Miss Emma, daughter of William and Martha 
Duncan, the wedding occurring on the •24th of De- 
cember, 1808. Mrs. J. was born in Waljash, Ind., 
whence she removed with her parents in early life 
to Huntington, that State, and from there to Illi- 
nois about 1869. 

On coming to this county our subject, who had 
chosen farming for his occupation, purchased land 
in Arrowsmith Township where he labored until 



1881. He then sold out, removed to F.armer City, 
De Witt County, tliis State, and for one year oper- 
ated as a dealer in live stock, also carrying on a 
meat-market. This business he afterward merged 
into agricultural implements. We next find him in 
Ford County, 111., where he purchased a farm of 
eighty acres in Drummond Grove Township, 
which he occupied about eighteen months, and 
which he still owns. 

Mrs. Emma Jones departed this life Nov. 20, 
1885, leaving two children — Lillian and Lerton B. 
Mr. Jones then abandoned the farm and removed 
to Saybrook, where he Itecame the assignee of a 
dry-goods firm and closed out the stock. In 1886 
he dealt in agricultural implements for a few 
months, and later traveled in the interest of the 
Hamilton Plant Company. He is now a salesman in 
the drug-store of Dr. J. F. Myers. In politics Mr. 
Jones is a stanch Republican, and while a resident 
of Arrowsmith Township served three years as 
Commissioner of Highways. He is a member of 
Hope Lodge No. 140, K. of P., and also belongs 
to the A. F. & A. M., Cheney's Grove Lodge No. 
468. 

Newton .Tones, father of the above, has been a 
resident of McLean County since the 17th of 
March, 1869. He also was born in Preble County, 
Ohio, Jan. 22, 1814. His parents, Newton and 
Ann (Mote) Jones, were natives of Columbia 
County, Ga., in which State they were reared and 
united in marriage. In 1805 they removed to 
Ohio, crossing the Ohio River on the 12th of June 
of that year, and first settled in Preble County on 
a farm. The father only lived to be thirty-six 
years of age. The mother thereafter remaining a 
widow survived him more than half a century, liv- 
ing to become nearly ninety-three 3'ears of age. 
Their six children all lived to mature years, and 
with one exception still survive. They were 
Henry, Jonathan, Sarah, .lohn, Joseph, deceased, 
and Newton. 

Newton Jones was the youngest of his parents' 
family, was reared to farming pursuits and re- 
ceived a fair education in the pioneer schools. In 
1839 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Ann Brown, a native of Gloucester County, N. J., 
born Aug. 18, 1 817. They made their home in Preble T 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



County, Ohio, until 1 857, and then removed to Hun- 
tington, Ind., where they were residents until 1869. 
They then came to Illinois and the father pur- 
chased land in Old Town Township, this county. 
This he sold in 1873 and secured possession of his 
present homestead. The latter comprises 1.50 acres 
of good land, which he has brought to a fine state 
of cultivation and supplied with handsome hedges 
and a substantial set of farm buildings. The pres- 
ent possessions of Mr. .Tones are the result of his 
own industry and energ}', as he commenced life .at 
the foot of the ladder and l)uilt up his valuable 
homestead almost fr<im the original prairie. He 
possesses great force of character and is well in- 
formed upon all matters of general interest. Po- 
litically he is a strong Republican and expresses 
his opinions intelligently and forcibly when occa- 
sion arises. The children of himself and wife ai'e 
William C, born Nov. 5, 1844, and Lerton D., Dee. 
8, 18.'J2. 



RANCIS XAVKRWOCHNKR, joint pro- 
prietor of the well-known (ianibrinus Brew- 
1^ ery, is senior member of the firm of Meyer 
& Wochner, of Bloomington. In the biography 
here presented we find that of a gentleman who 
began life without other resources than his resolute 
will, his natural industry and his uncommon good 
sense. He entered upon the struggle with the 
world in accordance with his means and position, 
and adopted the surest method to advance. He 
was fortunate in the selection of his helpmeet, wise 
in the investment of the funds which gradually ac- 
cumulated, and now, surrounded by a blooming 
family and a wide circle of friends, is enabled to 
view his career with satisfaction, and the result of 
his labors with pardonable pride. 

Mr. Wochner is a native of Baden, Germanj', 
and was born on the River Rhine, Jan. 13, 1832. 
When eight years of age he started with his par- 
ents, Francis and Elizabeth (Manner) Wochner, to 
America. They landed at New Orleans in January, 
1840, whence they proceeded to >it. Louis, Mo., and 
from there to Sangamon County, this State, by 
wagon. The parents settled on a farm four miles 
west of Springfield, where they remained the bal- 



ance of their lives. The father departed this life 
on the 18th of May, 1871, and the mother, July 4, 
1876. Their children, five in number, included one 
son and four daughters, two of whom were born in 
Germany and three in this countr}'. Three only 
of the family are now living. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his 
parents on the farm three years after reaching his 
majorit}', and until his marriage, which took place 
Sept. 30, 18.06. The maiden of his choice was Miss 
Amelia Phillips, of Sangamon County, 111., who was 
a native of his own country, born April 1, 1831). 
The parents of Mrs. W. were Joseph Antone and 
Rosa (Stahlen) Phillips. The mother died in Ger- 
many. The father emigrated to America and de- 
parted this life in Chicago, 111. Mrs. Wochner 
came with her sister to the United States, and 
finally settled in Springfield, III., wheie she met her 
future husband, our subject, and where they were 
married. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wochner lived 
upon a farm about six years and then, in 1862, re- 
moved to Bloomington. Mr. W., in partnership 
with his briither-in-law, Antone Meyer, purchased 
a small brewery, which thej' operated together un- 
til the death of the latter, in 1882, since which time 
Mr. Wochner has had princip.nl chai-ge of the busi- 
ness. The present building of the firm was put up 
in 1 875, is built of brick, three stories in height, 
and covers an area of 80x100 feet. It is equipped 
with the latest improved machinery, and all other 
modern appliances for the manufacture of beer, of 
which they turn out between 8,000 and 9,000 bar- 
rels per year, a fir.st-class article, which is shipped 
to diffei-ent parts of the State. 

Besides his interest in the brewery Mr. Wochner 
is proprietor of a good farm of 110 acres adjacent 
to the city limits, with a two-story brick residence, 
a substantial barn, and other excellent improve- 
ments. He also has valuable city property in 
Bloomington, consisting princip.allj^ of business 
houses. 

The family of our subject and his excellent lady 
includes nine children, six sons and three daugh- 
ters, namely: Emma, Frank Z., Ed. A., Pauline 
R., Albert, Adolph, Hermann. Leonard C. and Olga 
F. Mr. W. .and the various members of his family 



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MoLEAN COUNTY. 



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897 



are connected with St. Mary's Catholic Church. 
He is a gentleman decided in his opinions, and 
heartily endorses the principles of the Democratic 
party. He has always taken an active interest in 
current events, and nothing pleases him better than 
to note the educational and moral welfare of his 
community. In the various enterprises which have 
been set on foot, and having for their object the 
general good, he has been a ready and cheerful 
contributor, and has thus closely identified himself 
with the interests of the city and its people. 



R. JAMES LOAR, one of the prominent 
and popular physicians and surgeons of 
rrsJi^ Bloomington, is a member in good stand- 
^^^^ ing of the profession in this vicinity, and 
enjoys the confidence and patronage of a large 
proportion of the best residents of the city and 
adjacent country. The subject of this biography 
was born in Greene County, Pa., Feb. y, 1830, and 
is the son of John and Hettie (Stephen) Loar, the 
father of Maryland and the mother of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

John Loar removed from his native State to 
Pennsylvania when about thirty years of age and 
purchased IGO acres of land, which he occupied for 
a period of thirty years, and then sold this and 
purchased 250 acres in the same county, where he 
passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1872 at 
the age of eighty-three years. His wife, the mother 
of our subject, survived her husband eight years 
and departed this life in 1880, aged eight3^-five 
years. The^' were descendants respectively of hon- 
ored German and English ancestry and became 
the parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom 
grew to mature 3'ears and ten are still living. 

Dr. Loar was the seventh child of his parents and 
spent his younger years in a manner common to 
most farmers' boys, attending school and assisting 
in the duties around the homestead. At the age of 
nineteen he went to Westmoreland County, Pa., 
and began reading medicine with his brother. 
Dr. A. Loar, with whom he commenced practice in 
1851, continuing seven years thereafter. In the 
meantime he had taken a course of study in the 



Physio Medical College of Cincinnati, from which 
he graduated in 1858 with honors and practiced 
his profession in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., until 1868. He 
then removed to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and engaged 
in practice there for tlie following four years. In 
November, 1871, he came to this county and lo- 
cated in Bloomington, where he has since resided 
and practiced with flattering success. 

The marriage of Dr. James Loar and Miss Maria 
Stauffer was celebrated near Mt. Pleasant, Pa., in 
1851. Mrs. L. is the daughter of Abraham D. and 
Mary (Newcomer) Stauffer, both natives of Fayette 
County, Pa. They became the parents of six chil- 
dren, of whom four are living: Abraham D. mar- 
ried Miss Belle Bonnett and is engaged as a drug- 
gist in Bloomington; Hattie, Mrs. Bonnett, lives in 
Le Roy, this county, and is the mother of two chil- 
dren — James and Yauntz ; Emma and Lucy are at 
home; Sadie, Mrs. Dr. Sitherwood, of Bloomington, 
became the mother of three children, two now liv- 
ing — Grace and Boane; Mrs. Sitherwood died April 
16, 1885. 

Dr. and Mrs. L. are members of the Christian 
Church, in which our subject is an Elder. He is a 
member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity 
and votes the Prohibition ticket. 

During the late war Dr. L. enlisted in the 100- 
days' service, July 1, 1863, in an independent 
Pennsylvania company, which received its orders 
from Gov. Curtin. Our subject received the com- 
mission of F^irst Lieutenant, and in company with 
Capt. W. D. Dick assisted in raising the number of 
troops required in that vicinity. The family resi- 
dence is located at No. 602 East Front street, and 
the office of Dr. Loar is at No. 118 West Wash- 
ington street. 




\f^~. AVID M. MATTHEWS, one of the sub- 
stantial farmers of Cheney's Grove Town- 
ship, is a native of the Prairie State, born 
in Morgan County, March 9, 1843. He 
was, however, reared in Logan County, and there 
received his education. He is the son of Israel 
and Jane (Caudy) ^latthews, natives of Virginia. 
The mother died when our subject was a child of 



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898 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



only four years, and after this sad event he was 
reared in the home of his father. Both parents 
united with the Methodist Church in early life, 
and were worthy and devoted members. The father 
of our subject is still living in Logan Count}', and 
pursuing his occupation of a farmer. The parental 
family included three children : .lohn W., who mar- 
ried JNIiss Kliza IMooro, lives in Logan Count}'; 
Zachariah T., who married Miss Theobald, and our 
subject. 

After arriving at years of manhood, David Mat- 
thews was united in marriage with j\Iiss Margaret 
Reed, the ceremouy taking place on the 4th of 
November, l.s(j'j. Rlrs. Matthews was born Nov. 
17, 1847, in Pike County, Ohio, and was the daugh- 
ter of George W. and Mary (Nelson) Reed, natives 
of A'irginia. The father, who was born Dec. 4, 
1812, was a farmer by occupation, a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
departed this life in Ohio, on the 25th of February, 
1859. The mother was born May 10, 1819, also 
connected herself with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and died in liS77. The parental house- 
hold consisted of eight children, of whom only two 
are living. John C. died in 1.S40; (Sarah E. died 
in 184U; Mary E. died in 1<S54; (ieorge E. died in 
185(5; Hester M. died in Nt>vember 1861; James 
W. married Miss Lucy Carr, and lives in Nebraska. 

The farm estate of our subject consists of 160 
acres of finely cultivated land, upon which, in ad- 
dition to general farming, he is carrying on, success- 
fully, the breeding of fine stock, giving most of his 
attention to thor(jnghbred horses and Durham cattle. 
Of the latter he has a herd of thirty head, includ- 
ing some of the finest animals to be found in this 
section. His horses are the Norman and English 
coach, models of beauty and symmetry. Mr. Mat- 
thews took possession of his present homestead in 
1874, and has secured for himself an enviable repu- 
tation as a farmer and stock-raiser. He has a beauti- 
ful homestead, which in all respects is conducted 
with that system and good order which are the true 
secrets of success. Of the marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Matthews there were born four children, of 
whom the eldest died in infancy; those living are 
Lucia L., Dessie B. and John \V., all at home with 
their i)arents. 



During the progress of the late war Mr. Matthews 
enlisted as a soldier of the L^nion, in Co. C, lOCth 
111. ^'ol. Inf., and served three jears, participating 
with his comrades on the march anil in the ficbl, 
and siiaring uncomplainingly their dangers and 
hardships. He wais present at the siege of A'icks- 
burg, the battle at Little Rock, Ark., and various 
other engagements, and although he often felt the 
wind from [jassing bullets, he was never wounded 
or made a prist>ner. At the close of the war he 
received his honorable discharge at Pine Bluff, 
Ark., on the 12th day of Jul}^ 1805, and return- 
ing to Illinois I'esumed his former occupation of a 
farmer. He is Democratic in politics but was al- 
ways a strong Union man, as he abundantly proved 
by his jiatriotic services as a soldier. 



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'^1 OIIN A. TAYLOR, M. D., a highly respected 
physician and resident of (iridley, is the 
son of .lohn W. and Abigail C. (Sweet) 
Taj'lor, natives respectivelj' of ^■irginia and 
the State of New York. After marriage they set- 
tled in Morgan County, III., whence they removed 
in 1849, to Woodford Count}', and in 1851, to 
Marshall County, same State. There the father 
died Feb. 19, 1865. During the earlier years of 
his life he was engaged in milling but later took 
up the occupation of a farmer. The mother still 
survives and resides with her children. 

The subject of this history was the third <)f seven 
children which composed the household circle. He 
was born near Jacksonville, Morgan Co., 111., 
upon ground which is now included in the city 
limits, June 7, 1850. He received careful home 
training and attended school until eighteen years 
of age. He then took a two years* course of study 
in the High School at Chenoa, and after that en- 
gaged in teaching for several terms. In the mean- 
time he began the perusal of medical works and 
prepared himself for entering medical college. His 
preceptor was \V. E. Banta, M. D., of Chenoa, 
now deceased, with whom he studied from Sept. 1, 
1871, until the fall of 1873, and in September of that 
year, entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 
where he remained, and from which he graduated 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



899 



on the 1st of March, 1875. Returning AVcst with 
his diploma he commenced the pr.actice of his pro- 
fession in Gridley, M.ay 3, 1875, which he h.as 
since followed with more than ordinary success. 
lie made the discovery of the first cases of trichina 
in Livingston County. He is a close student, an 
extensive reader, and has been very popular among 
the people of this locality. Through his exertion 
the (4ridle3' J^ibrary Association was established in 
January, 1886. It is now in a flourishing condition, 
having for its membership the most prominent 
and enterprising portion of the citizens of Gridley 
and (iridley Township. For two years the Doctor 
was its Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian, and by 
his efforts placed it on a safe basis, as a nucleus 
from which much ma\' be expected. 

The marriage of Dr. John A. Taylor and Miss 
M. Appa Dunham took place at Chenoa, 111., Nov. 
2, 1876. Mrs. T. is the daughter of Samuel and 
Margaret Dunham, the former of whom died at 
Eureka, 111., Aug. 22, 1856. The mother died at 
Chenoa, Jan. 1, 1875. The parental family con- 
sisted of four children, of whom Mrs. T. was the 
youngest. She was born in Eureka, 111., Dec. 25, 
1856, and by her union with our subject h.as be- 
come the mother of three children — Gracie E., J. 
Earl and Lola A. Dr. Taylor has been a member 
of the Village Board for five years, three years of 
the time acting as Clerk and two as President, in 
1884-85. He was instrumental in having the vil- 
lage well drained, there being now over three 
miles of tile draining, which was laid through his 
arguments and solicitations. Politically he is a 
strong Republican and is a member in good stand- 
ing of the Baptist Church. Mrs. T. is a member 
and regular attendant of the Christian Church. 



■j^^ ATIIAN STINE. The subject of the follow- 
I jjj ing sketch owns and occupies a valuable 
/1\^) farm on section 11, Cheney's Grove Town- 
ship, where he is successfully engaged in farming 
and stock-raising. He was born in the wealthy and 
populous State of Ohio, in Carroll County, Feb. 
13, 1826, and is the son of Solomon and Catherine 
( Allbaugh) Stine, who were natives respectively of 



Loudoun County, Va., and Maryland. Solomon 
Stine was ))orn on the 17th of July, 1796, and de- 
parted this life in Carroll County, Ohio, in Septem- 
ber, 1861. He was a blacksmith by trade, in which 
he possessed more than ordinary skill. He was a man 
of much force of character, greatly respected by all 
who knew him, and a stanch adherent of the old 
Whig party until it was abandoned, when he cast 
his lot with the Republicans. Religiously he be- 
longed to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
died fully established in the faith. The wife and 
mother passed to the better land when our subject 
was but a lad. She also was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and, like her husband, 
was of German ancestry. The parental household 
included four sons and two daughters, of whom the 
record is as follows : The brothers of our subject 
were John, Cyrus and Samuel; his sisters were Ma- 
hala and Margaret; the latter died when seven 
years of age. The h.alf-brothers were David, Will- 
iam and Solomon, and there was a half-sister, Mary 
Ann. 

Nathan Stine remained an inmate of his father's 
house until he reached his majority', and was soon 
afterward united in marriage, J.iu. 4, 1848, to Miss 
Sarah Shannon. She was born in Annapolis, Jeffer- 
son Co., Ohio, in about 1826, and w.as left an or- 
phan at an early age. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
S. took place in West Virginia, where they locat- 
ed, and lived for a period of over seventeen years. 
They removed from there in October, 1865. Elder 
Alexander Campbell officiated at their wedding, 
and our subject was employed by him for about 
three years at farming. He then removed to Illi- 
nois and this county, where he purch.ased 120 acres 
of land, which comprises his present homestead. 

Of the union of our subject and wife have been 
born five children: Lewis H., born Sept. 29, 1849, 
married Miss Cora Gish, of Ilopkinsville, Ky. ; 
Melvin was born Sept. 29, 1851, married Miss Alice 
Stewart, of Normal, 111., and lives in this township; 
William A., born Oct. 2, 1855, died Oct. 24, 1859; 
Albert, born Aug. 30, 1860; Joseph, May 31, 1863. 
Mrs. Stine has been a member of the Chri.stian 
Church for over forty years, and Mr. S. for eleven 
years; he is an acting Elder. He is Repul)lican in 
politics, a good business man and citizen, and en- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



joys the confidence of his neighliors and acquaint- 
ances. 

]\Ir. Stine and his fauiilj' occupy a fine farm resi- 
dence. He lias a good barn and outhouses, costly 
and convenient machinery and implements, and all 
the accessories of the progressive farmer. Their 
children possess more than ordinary talents and na- 
tive intelligence, and altogether form a most inter- 
esting family. The eldest son, Lewis H., graduated 
in 1873, at Bethany College, Va., and is now occu- 
pying the pulpit of Central Church, in New Al- 
bany, Ind. 

The parents of Mrs. Stine had a family of eight 
children, two of whom are living; Mrs. Stine and 
her widowed sister, Mrs. Mariah Gibson; Mrs. G. 
makes her home with Mrs. Stine. 




\|^ AVID COX. The subject of the follow- 
ing history owns and occupies one of the 
finest homesteads in Bloomington Town- 
ship, and has been a resident of the Prairie 
State since 182G. The changes which he has wit- 
nessed since a few years from the time when Illi- 
nois was a Territory would form an interesting vol- 
ume. The first settler on the place which Mr. Cox 
now owns was a Mr. Dawson, wh(j had emigrated 
from Champaign Count}', Ohio, and located herein 
1822. There were then no white people within forty 
miles, and the wild, uncultivated land, although 
covered with waving grass and flowers during the 
summer season, in the winter presented a wild and 
desolate spectacle, sufHcient to bring dismay into 
the heart of even the sturdy pioneer of fifty j'cars 
ago. This condition, however, in due time gave way 
to the advance of civilization, and the people of to- 
day scarcely realize what they owe to the brave 
spirits who first tilled the soil and marked out a 
track for the advance of a later civilization. 

Mr. Cox is now the owner of 128 acres of land 
which he laboriously brought from its original con- 
dition to its present fine state of cultivation. This, 
however, was accomplished partially by the aid of 
his father, who really was the first owner, our sub- 
ject being then a 3'oung man residing under the pa- 
rental roof. The former, Benjamin Cox by name, 
was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he subse- 



quentlj' removed to A'irginia and was there married 
to Jliss Philena Dj'e. They removed to Pickaway 
County, Ohio, soon after their marriage, where the 
elder Cox engaged in farming pursuits. From there 
he came to McLean County, 111., and after selecting 
his location, returned to Ohio, and while preparing 
for his final journey to the West, where he expected 
to establish a permanent home, he was taken ill and 
died. The mother, however, subsequently carried 
out the jjlans of her husband, and in 1826 came to 
Illinois with her eight children and settled upon 
the land which the father had purchased. Mrs. 
Philena Cox remained with her children only until 
the following year, when she was called to join her 
husband in the other world. After the mother's 
death, the children being yet quite young, were left 
principalh" under the care of our subject, who sub- 
sequently purchased their interest in the homestead, 
of which he has been the owner since that time. 

Mr. Cox was married to Miss Sophronia Walker, 
in Bloomington Township, at the home of the 
bride's parents. May 29, 1833. Mrs. Cox was the 
daughter of William Walker, one of the first set- 
tlers of this county. lie had emigrated from North 
Carolina to Tennessee, thence north to Kentucky, 
and later to Illinois, becoming a settler of the 
Prairie State in 1823. His neighbors then were 
Indians, there being no settlers for miles around. 
The mother of Mrs. C, before her marriage, was 
Miss Nancy Driscoll, who like her husband was a 
native of North Carolina. William Walker was a 
soldier of the AVar of 1812. He participated 
with his regiment in all its engagements and skir- 
mishes, among which was the battle of New Orleans, 
serving bravely and faithful!}' until the close of 
that struggle. He was a gentleman highly esteemed 
by his friends and associates and occupied a promi- 
nent position in the affairs of his community. He 
engaged in farming operations at the termination 
of his military services, and departed this life in Mc- 
Lean County in 1861. Both Mr. and Mrs. Walker 
were devoted members of the Cumberland I'resby- 
terian Church. The mother passed awaj' previous 
to the de.ath of her husband, 

Mrs. Cox was the youngest of five children, 
four daughtei-s and one son. She was born in Ten- 
nessee Oct. 7, 1813, and died at her home in 



»^m-^^ 



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i 



i 



4?X 



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fi 






1 




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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 

903 ^^ 



Bloomington Township, April 13, 1884. Of her 
union with our subject tliere were born five chil- 
dren : William M. married Miss Jennie Orendorff, 
and is engaged in farmiiig pursuits in Bloomington 
Township; Mary K. became the wife of Dennis 
Swenej', of Bloomington; Leander married Miss 
Anna Ilolcomb, and is engaged in the real-estate 
business in Courtland, Ore.; Ulda M. is the wife 
of George Deems, and they are carrying on agri- 
culture on the old homestead ; Martha, who is de- 
ceased, was the wife of Aaron Rhodes; Alice died 
in infancy. 

The Cox family are widely and favorably known 
throughout this section of the State as pioneer set- 
tlers. The members have a reputation for being 
industrious and enterprising, honorable and upright 
in their transactions, and rank among the most 
highly respected citizens of McLean County. They 
have been remarliably successful in their agricult- 
ural and business pursuits and have materially as- 
sisted in the development of the resources of the 
Prairie State. They have been the eueouragers 
and supporters of education, temperance and mor- 
.ality, and have contributed their full quota in pro- 
moting the interest and welfare of the localities 
wherever thej' have made their home. 

For over sixty years Mr. Cox has lived in this 
communit}', indeed the community has grown up 
around him. As a venerable patriarch, and one 
who has done much liard work and given much 
valuable aid to the county and the molding of the 
character of the people, his memory should be 
cherished and preserved. .It will live in the minds 
of those who know him personally as long as they 
live, but the generations to come will know nothing 
of his labors, his trials and good works, unless some 
means are taken to hand down to them a record of 
his life. This brief sketch and the accompanying 
portrait will therefore serve as a means to perpet- 
uate his memor3^ 



eAPT. ALFRED M. STRINGFIELD. No 
man in JNIcLean County to-day is so notably 
a man of " first things " as Capt. Stringfield. 
He is now spending the sunset of life in quiet and 
retirement at his home, which is pleasantly located 



on section 14 of Randolph Township. This place 
comprises 160 acres of valuable land, with a com- 
fortable farm residence, a good barn, and all nec- 
essary out-buildings. Capt. Stringfield has been 
one of the most worthy citizens of this locality, 
and in his declining years enjoys the full confidence 
and resijcct of hosts of friends. 

Capt. Stringfield became a resident of Ranaolph 
Township, in May, 1823, onl^' fiive years after Illi- 
nois was admitted into the Union as a State. The 
broad and fertile prairie had never been turned by 
the plow save .around some little cabin. Capt. 
Stringfield was a member of the three first families 
who settled here at that time. The place took the 
name of his brother-iu-law, Gardner Randolph, 
who came at the same time, and since that time the 
grove there h.as been known as Randolph Grove. 
Later, after the organization of the township, and 
after the railro.ad w.as built, the station was named 
in his honor. Mr. Randolph, however, subse- 
quently went to California, and died there some 
years ago. 

Capt. Stringfield is the oldest actual settler of 
McLean County now living. He was born ne.ar 
Murfreesboro, Tenu., Oct. 14, 1809. His parents, 
Jolm and Sarah (Boydston) Stringfield, were na- 
tives respectively of North Carolina .and Maryland, 
and were married in Buncombe Count}-, the former 
State. Later the family removed to Kentucky, 
from there to Tennessee, thence to Alabama, and 
in the winter of 1819, came to Illinois, settling in 
Sangamon County. The father lived only nine 
days afterward, his de.ath occurring on the 1st of 
.January, 1820. Capt. Stringfield has the manu- 
script books left by his father, who was a surveyor; 
these are more than 100 years old. Three years 
later the mother and her family' came to McLean 
County and pre-empted a farm in Randolph Town- 
ship. In less than a year before the land had come 
into market, they removed to Galena, 111., where 
the mother died in September, 1829. 

The grandfather of our subject, James String- 
field, was born in Virginia, lived several years in 
North Carolina, and died in Kentucky. He mar- 
ried a widow lady, Mrs. Mary Ray, who died at 
the home of her husband in Kentucky. The great- 
grandfather, Richard Stringfield, was of English 



r 



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904 



McLean county. 



l)irth and parentage, and emigrated from his na- 
tive country at an early day, settling uiK)n a farm 
in Virginia, and rearing a family, and it is sup- 
posed his death also took place there. 

The father of onr subject was a soldier in the 
Hevoliitionary War, and partici|)ated in the battles 
of King's Mountain, and at various other places, 
serving until the close of that eventful struggle. 
Again, when his i-ouutry was in danger from the 
same enemy, he enlisted in her defense. In the 
War of 1812 he w:is under eorninand of Gen. Jack- 
son and fougiit in some of the most hotly contested 
battles of that conflict. Two brothers besides him- 
self, James and William, were also eng.aged in the 
same struggle. A brother of our subject, Thomas 
Stringfleld, was a soldier in this war. and was 
wounded in the forehead by an Indian. He was 
for many years afterward a minister in Tennessee, 
and later became editor of the Southvestfrn Chris- 
tian Advocate, his work being connected with the 
Methodist Ii;pi^;copal Church. 

After the family, of which our subject was the 
youngest child, came to Illinois, and after the death 
of his father, he remained with his widowed mother 
until her death. He was then compelled to look 
out for himself, and employed his hands .at what- 
ever he could find to do. He w.as intensely anx- 
ious for an education, and after the labors of the 
day, would apply himself, by the light of burning- 
wood and candles, to the few books he was enabled 
to procure. This experience, in which he was 
forced to relj' upon himself, became of good serv- 
ice to him in aftci' life, and bred within him a 
strong and independent spirit, with a courage to 
meet and (jvercome the difficulties which might be- 
set him. He obtained a valuable fund of general 
information, and kept himself well posted upon the 
current events of the day. He relied solely upon 
his own efforts and his own conduct to win for him 
success. Nor has his been a success solely in the 
accumulation of wealth, but in doing good to 
others, in serving (others well, and in winning their 
respect and esteem. 

As soon .as able our subject entered eighty acres 
of land, and on the 2.5th of March, 18;S2, secured 
to himself a partner and helpmeet in the person of 
Miss Amelia T. Hand, to whom he was married in 



•> ■ 4» 



i' 



Randolph Township. Mrs. Sin-ingfield was born 
in Ohio, Oct. 2, 1814, .and when a child came with 
her i)arents to Hamilton County, III., where they 
resided for several years. They settled upon the 
farm of our subject, and she remained his faithful 
and affectionate companion for a period of fifty- 
three years, departing this life in Randolph Town- 
ship on the 7th of September, 188.5. Of their 
union there were born eight children, all of whom 
grew to mature years: Rev. Thom.as C, deceased 
Dec. 22, 1880, w.as married to Miss Jane E. Hirons, 
who died, and for his second wife he married Miss 
Martha E. Fendley, who survives; he offlci.ated .as a 
local minister soon after becoming of age. Jesse 
married Miss Mary F. Land, who died after the 
birth of one child, a son, George, who is now a 
young man and lives with his grandfather iind fa- 
ther on the old homestead; Sadie L., deceased, was 
the wife of A. F. Crose, who lives in Carroll 
County, Mo.; George H., a grocer of Hey worth, 
. married Miss Zipor.ah Wright; John H. lives on a 
part of the old homestead in Randolph Township ; 
he married Miss Amanda C. Rust. Barbara E. is 
unmarried and resides at home; Eliz.abeth V. be- 
came the wife of Albert L. Crews and lives on a 
farm in Missouri; Mary E. married Franklin P. 
Rust .and resides with her husband on a farm in 
Jackson County, Mo. 

Onr subject was made a Captain of militia in 
February. 1832, and held the rank until the repeal 
of the muster law. He was an .able and efficient 
officer, and a great favorite with his fellow soldiers 
and associates. He was the first Justice of the 
Peace before the organization of Randolph Town- 
ship, and held the office eight ye.ars. He was also 
Township Supervisor, and held other local offices 
within the gift of his fellow-citizens. He w.as the 
first white man who ever went from McLean 
County to Chicago, and drove the hogs from this 
county to th.at phace. He attended the first Sun- 
day-school ever held in McLean County. This 
school w.as held as early as 1825 at the residence of 
William Walker, who lived at Blooming Grove. 
James L.atte was Superintendent. The Captain was 
also a member of the first temperance organization 
in McLean County. 

Capt. Stringfleld h.as voted for all the Democr.atic 

^ 



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905 ^^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






candidates for President since the time of Gen. 
Jackson. He has taken an active interest in the 
success of every movement for the advancement 
of education and morality, and has been a consist- 
ent member of the Methodist P^piscopal Churcli 
since a j'outh of seventeen years. The good rec- 
ord wliich he has built up for himself will be more 
enduring; than a marble monument, and he will be 
held in kindly remembrance by hosts of friends 
long after he shall have been gathered to his fa- 
thers. One of his neighbors speaks thus of Capt. 
Stringficld : " His latch string has always been out, 
and bis purse and heart have always been open to 
the wants of the destitute, the unfortunate and the 
friendless." No higher eulogy could be passed on 
any one, when coupled with his religious convic- 
tions. His portrait, which we give, will be grate- 
fully received bj' the patrons of this work. 

'OHN JMARSH. The subject of this history 
came to lllinuis in the fall of l.S'ri, and is 
widelj- and favorably known throughout this 
section as one of the most enterprising citi- 
zens of the county. His homestead is on section 
17, of Arrowsmith Township, and he owns 700 acres 
of land besides twenty acres of valuable timber in 
this count}', and 9C0 acres in >Sumner Count}', Kan. 
He is one of the few men in this section who have 
undertaken sheep-growing, and of this he has made 
a splendid success. He deals principally in Ameri- 
can Merinos, of which he has a large flock, and from 
his wool growing realizes each year a handsome 
sum. He is also breeding fine horses, cattle and 
hogs, and will have no animals about him but those 
of the very best grades. It is hardly necessary to 
say that he is a wide-awake and thorough business 
man, and in whatever he undertakes he is bound to 
succeed. His agricultural and stock-growing opera- 
tions have added much to the progress and de- 
velopment of this county, which proudly claims him 
as one of its most valued citizens. 

Mr. Marsh was born March 14, 1828, in the town 
of Romulus, Seneca Co., N. Y., and is the son of 
Darius and Mary A. (Brown) Marsh, natives re- 
spectively of New Jersey and New York. Darius 

-4^ 



Marsh was born Aug. 2, 1800, and died in Madison, 
Lake Co., Ohio, April 10, 1887, after having ar- 
rived at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. 
He followed farming the greater part of his life, was 
a man greatly respected for his honesty and up- 
rightness, and after the organization of the Repub- 
lican party, supported its principles and uniformly 
casts his vote with it. His wife, Mary A., was born 
in 1804, and passed to the better land two years be- 
fore her husband, in 1885. Of their nine children 
seven are now living: Jane married Ira Hodges; 
.John of our sketch was the second child ; Margaret 
married Mr. Neff ; Anson married Miss Sarah Wam- 
pler; William married Miss Mary Parsons; George 
was the next in order of birth; Susan, who became 
the wife of William Parsons, died in Missouri about 
twenty years ago; Louisa died when twenty-two 
years old; Samuel was the youngest. 

John Marsh remained an inmate of his father's 
house until he reached manhood, and was then uni- 
ted in marriage with Miss Eliza Ilobart, March 4, 
1852. Mrs. Mai'sh was born in Perry, Ohio, May 
II), 1830, and was the daughter of Nathan and 
C'ynthia (Page) Hobart, natives of New Hamp- 
shire. The mother died nearly fifty years ago, when 
her daughter, Eliza, was a young girl. Nathan 
Hobart died in CUeveland, Ohio, in 1883. Their 
five children were — (ieorge, Eliza, Franklin, .lack- 
son and Harvey. 

Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Marsh there 
have been born eight children : John F. who mar- 
ried Miss Amanda J. Wanipler; Rena B. ; George; 
Mary A., who became the wife of John Builta; 
Cynthia E., Mrs. William Ritter; Harve}' H., Ruth, 
and Eunice who died when fourteen years old. The 
home residence is a handsome and substantial struc- 
ture, and the farm is supplied with good barns and 
all other necessary buildings for the carrying on of 
stock-breeding in a first-class manner. The estate 
forms one of the most attractive spots in the land- 
scape of this county, and there is apparent on all 
sides the intelligence and industry of its proprietor. 
Mr. Marsh has been pr<.imiuent in county affairs 
since coming here, holding the various local oftices. 
He was Commissioner of Highways for eighteen 
years, has been Township and School Trustee, and 
is a man whose opinion is invariably consulted 



f 



.t 



906 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



upon matters of interest connected with the wel- 
fare and progress of this section. He is a straight 
liepuhlican in politics, and in 1.S75 was elected 
County Supervisor, l)iit declined to serve. 



^- 



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^ lULLIAM C. MOOnKURY. The subject of 
\/iJf ^^^ following slietcli, who is a prosperous 
yNy farmer of Cropsey Township, occupies a 
line homestead on section 33, where he has been 
engaged in general farming since 1882. He is a 
native of the Prairie State, born in Tazewell Coun- 
ty, July 19, 1850. His parents, William and Ma- 
tilda (Marion) Mooberry, were natives of Colum- 
bus, Ohio. The father was born May 20, 1826, and 
removed with his parents when six years of age to 
this State. Thej' located in Groveland Township, 
Tazewell Count}', where William grew to manhood 
and was there married to Miss Matilda Marion. The 
latter was born in 1830, and came with her parents 
to Illinois when a child of five years of age. They 
also located in Tazewell County. 

William Mooberry, Sr., was the son <if David 
Mooberry who, besides agricultural pursuits in Taze- 
well C(»inty, also operated a sawmill, in which he 
was assisted by his son William. After the mar- 
riage of the latter he settled with his young wife 
upon a farm in Fond du Lac Township, Tazewell 
Co., 111., where he still lives and is the owner of 
370 acres of valuable hind. The father of the sub- 
ject of our sketch is one of th(^ most energetic busi- 
ness men and agriculturists of Fond du Lac Town- 
ship, always ready and willing to assist in any cn- 
ter|)rise which will further the interests of his coun- 
ty. During the late war, as business matters pro- 
vented liis enlistment in active service, he gave 
5!l,0()0 for a volunteer who should take his place in 
what he considered to be the ranks of duty. This 
was l)ef<)re a draft had been ordered. The parental 
family included live children, one now deceased. 

\\'illiam C. of our sketch, the eldest son of his 
parents, I'cccivi'd a good eilucatiou in the comnion 
schools, which was (;omi)leted in the Illinois State 
I'niversity after an attendance there of nearly two 
years. He then engaged in teaching, which he fol- 
lowed for fifteen years, alternated with farming, in 
-^« 



T 



Tazewell and McLean Counties. On the 30th of 
April, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Elizabeth, daughter of William .J. and Susan Mar- 
tin. M:s. M. was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 1, 
1852. After their marriage our subject and his 
wife located on a farm in Tazewell County, 111,, 
where they lived until 1882, then removed to Mc- 
Lean County, and located upon the homestead 
which they now occupy and which his father had 
previously purchased. Our subject now owns 100 
acres which is under a good state of cultivation and 
supplied with shapely and substantial farm build- 
ings. His stock is well cared for, the machinery 
and other farm implements kept in good repair, and 
everything about the premises indicates the in- 
dustry and intelligence of its proprietor. 

Mr. and Mrs. M. are the parents of five children — . 
Frances M., Charles, William Chester, Bertha A. 
and Maggie E, Our subject is Republican in poli- 
ties and is at present Road Commissioner of his 
township. Religiously he is connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially is a mem- 
ber in good standing of the Masonic fraternity, at 
Colfax. 



j/^ERSEY H. FELL, a resident of Normal, 
was born May 1, 1815, on a farm in Chester 
County, Pa. His ancestors were of En- 
Iglish-C.^uaker stock, and all the Fells in the 
United States are descended from Judge Fell, who 
came to this country from England in 1705. About 
the jear 1835, the Society of Friends was divided 
into two sects on account of the slavery question. 
A gentleman by the name of Ellas Hicks, a Unita- 
rian-( Quaker preacher, agitated the abolition of 
slavery and favored all legal and moral means to 
accomplish that end. Those who believed in this 
d(_)Ctrine formed themselves into a separate organi- 
zation, and were called " Hickites," and to this 
branch of the (Jnaker society the Fell family be- 
longed. The other division, called '•()rtliodox 
Friends," also believed in the abolition of slavery 
but did not think it right to interfere in the mat- 
ter. They believed that the Lord would in his 
own time free every slave, but they did not wish 
by their own act to hasten the decrees of Provi- 



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McLean county. 



4 



907 ii' 






dence. Although slavery is forever clear! in this 
country still the division among the Friends exists. 
The father of our subject was known as honest 
Jesse Fell, and his wife, whose maiden name was 
Rebecca Roman, was looked upon as a ministering 
angel, not only among those of her own faith, but 
in all circles in which she moved. 

There were seven sons and two daughters born 
to the parents of our subject, and all were obliged 
to labor for the maintenance of the family. Our 
subject attended the common schools for two 
months during each year until he was seventeen 
years of age, when he had the misfortune to dislo- 
cate his shoulder, which unfitted him for farm labor, 
and he determined to attain an education. Jona- 
than Oause, a noble-hearted Friend, kept the West 
Bradford Board ing-School in Pennsylvania, and to 
him our subject made application for admission. 
He was poor and could not pay his tuition, but the 
kind-hearted Mr. Gause took him as a student and 
gave him the privileges of the school for six months 
without pay. Mr. P^ell, however, promised to pay 
at some future time, and Mr. Gause answered, " I 
will trust thee." Our subject afterward taught 
school and earned sufticient to pa}' for his tuition 
and also enough with which to come West. 

In the spring of 183G, about six months prior 
to the settlement of Judge David Davis in Blooni- 
ington. 111., our subject arrived there and located. 
It was his purpose to visit ids brothers, Jesse and 
Thomas, who had arrived some time previous and 
then go to a manual labor college, near Hannibal, 
Mo. This institution was started by Dr. Stiles 
Ely, a Presbyterian minister and a great theorist, 
and his pamphlet, which he freely distributed, 
created a great sensation. But his theory was bet- 
ter than his practice. He selected the location for 
his college during the dry season and without re- 
gard to the chances of overflow from the river. 
During the following season "the rains descended 
and the Hoods came" and washed his college away, 
and those who had gathered there were obliged to 
flee to save themselves from a watery grave. Mr. 
Fell learned, while yet in Bloomington, of the dis- 
aster which had overtaken Dr. Ely and his fiiends, 
and his plans thereby being broken he accepted a 
clerkship with Covel A: Gridley, merchants. 
4> 



But it was our subject's intention to study law 
and he had by no means given up this idea. He 
had occasion to go to Springfield in the interest of 
his employers, and while there called at the office 
of Hon. J. T. Stewart, a practicing attorney, and 
there met Abraham Lincoln, at that time a young 
law student. After some conversation with young- 
Abraham, Mr. Fell came to the conclusion that if 
Mr. Lincoln could study law with the little educa- 
tion he possessed, he could also do the same, and 
he hesitated no longer. He read law during his 
leisure liours and the following year was appointed 
Clerk with power to organize De Witt County. The 
county was formed from [larts of Macon and BIc- 
Lean, and Mr. Fell continued to hold the position 
of Clerk from 1838 to 1840. The Democratic 
party was then in power, and IMr. Fell being a Whig, 
lost his position by an enactment of Legislature. 
Going to Bloomington, he became Deputy Clerk of 
the Circuit Court, and while in this position con- 
tinued his law study. During the winter of 1840- 
41 he passed his examination before the nine 
judges of the Supreme Court, and was admitted to 
the bar. Previous to being admitted to the prac- 
tice he had formed a partnership with Albert Dodd, 
a promising young lawyer from Connecticut, which 
relationship continued until 1844. During that 
year Mr. Dodd was drowned in Mackinaw River 
while returning from the convention which nonn- 
nated John Wentworth (Long John) for Congress 
for the first time. While Mr. Dodd was absent he 
was nominated for the Legislature. Our subject 
was at this time attending court at Sjiringfield and, 
detained by the floods, did not learn of his part- 
ner's de.ath until ten da^-s after its occurrence. The 
floods during that year were fearful, and the Mis- 
sissippi River rose to such a height tliat a great 
porti<in of Cairo was swept away. 

After the death of Mr. Dodd (.>ur subject con- 
tinued in practice alone until 18.50, when he gave 
up the ])rofession and made room for the genera- 
tion of young lawyers then located in his citj'. 
He was successful as an attorney and always tried 
to settle a case before taking it into court. In the 
fall of 1844 our subject took the papers, liooksand 
correspondence of his deceased partner, Mr. Dodd, 
to his father in Connecticut, and on his arrival at 




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908 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



h 



Hiirtfonl he found tlie people greatly excited over 
the prophecy of Miller, that the end of the world 
was close at hand. Many of his followers had 
given away all of their property, firmly believing 
they would need it no longer, and were standing 
around the streets, expecting the call whicii would 
translate them tt> the otiier world. At a late hour 
that evening Mr. Fell, not having heard the call, 
and the angel not having put in his appearance, re- 
tired to sleep. The next morning he was awakened 
by a most fearful sound. He sprang up, thinking 
indeed that the millennium had come, but on 
further examination discovered that the noise pro- 
ceeded from an hotel gong, he never having heard 
one before. 

From Hartford, our subject went to New York, 
where the Whig convention which nominated Henry 
Clay for President was in session. At this conven- 
tion were some of the great lights of the Whig 
party. That evening a large meeting was held, and 
after man}' had spoken Horace Greele}' was called 
out. His speech was short l)ut to the point, and 
went to the hearts of the people. From New York 
Mr. Fell went to Philadelphia, thence to Chester 
County, where he found the lady who was to be- 
come his wife, and thej- were married at Philadel- 
phia on the 1st of January, 1846. Hei- maiden 
name was Jane Price, and of their union eight 
children have been born, live sons and three 
daughters. 

The parents of our subject came West, bringing 
all their children in 1837. The mother died in 
October, 1846, and the father, who becaine totall}' 
blind during the last seven years of his life, died 
in the fall of 1854. All the children took pride 
in making the last 3'ears of the old gentleman's life 
pleasant, and did all in their power to recompense 
him for the loss of that greatest of all the senses. 
Mr. Fell has never been a candidate for any public 
ofiice but was a member of the School Board for 
twelve years without pay. He has, however, held 
some offices which involved much work and no pay. 
In 18,56, at the State Convention at Bloomington, 
Mr. Fell nominated Abraham Lincoln as a delegate to 
the National Convention at Philadelphia. Lincoln 
arose and declined the nomination on account of 
povertj', and our subject promised that his ex- 



penses should be paid. It was subsequently ar- 
ranged in case ^Mr. Lincoln could not go, Mr. Fell 
should go in his place. About two hours before 
the time for starting, Mv. Fell received word from 
Lincoln that he could not go, and went himself. 
Jlr. Lincoln was nominated for Vice President at 
the convention, and on the lirst ballot received 115 
votes, but on the second ballot his name was with- 
drawn by the Illinois delegati<»n with the intention 
of putting him forward at some future day for 
President. 

Kersey II. Fell was jirobalily the first man who 
thought of nominating Abraham Lincoln for Presi- 
dent of the United States. He mentioned the mat- 
ter to his brother, Jesse Fell, and also Judge David 
Davis, and both of them at first did not think Lin- 
coln could be nominated. Subsequently and very 
soon after a consultation with his brother, Jesse 
Fell favored the movement strongly, and farther 
on in the canvass David Davis took hold also. Our 
subject also mentioned the matter to Judge Joseph 
J. Lewis, of Westchester, Pa., and the latter wrote 
a biography of Mr. Lincoln, which was widelj' cir- 
culated, the facts embraced therein being received 
from Jesse W. Fell. Our subject did everj'thing 
in his power to forward Lincoln's chances, and called 
out his name as a candidate for President at West- 
chester, Pa., at a public political meeting where they 
were considering the most available man. In 1860 
our subject's hopes were realized, for Mr. Lincoln 
was nominated and triumphantly elected. Kersey 
Fell was long and intimately acquainted with Mr; 
Lincoln, and states " that if Lincoln thought he 
was right in a lawsuit, he was invincible, but if he 
thought his cause unjust, he was weak and his ar- 
guments without force." He says Lincoln was one 
of the most tender-hearted men he ever knew. 

During the year 1860 Mr. Fell went to Europe, 
visited Switzerland, Vienna, and many other places 
of interest, returning in the fall of that year in 
time to cast his vote for his old friend, Abraham 
Lincoln. He is a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion at Bloomington. He is slenderly built, well 
proportioned and active. His hair is gray and his 
beard almost white; his nose is acquiline and 
bridged Avith spectacles when he reads or writes. 
He is a deep thinker and forms his opinions with 



i 



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tf^ 



McLean county. 



909 iy 






great care. Good iiatui'e is appacent in his counte- 
nance, and there are few men in the community 
more respected and honored. 

Mrs. Fell, formerly Miss Jane Price, was born in 
Chester County, Pa., Feb. 5, 1823. Her mother is 
yet living, being now ninety-seven years old, and 
resides with our subject. Eight children, five sons 
and three daughters, have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Fell. Price is in the plow factory at Bloom- 
ington ; Medora E. married P^reeman P. Kirkendall, 
and departed this life in 1880; Anna M. is the wife 
of George F. Durant, of St. Louis; William P. is 
Deputy Sheriff of Huron County, Dalv. ; Jessie is 
the wife of Charles A. Cole, of Omaha, Neb. ; 
Charles Carroll is in the theatrical profession ; Ker- 
sej', Jr., resides in Omaha, of wiiich city Benjamin 
F. is also a resident. 

ifOHN ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, a pio- 
neer of the Prairie State, came to this coun- 
t}' in 1849, and amid the vicissitudes of a 
(^^// busy and varied career, has contributed his 
quota to the prosperity and development of Mc- 
Lean County. He is now proprietor of the Lex- 
ington Elevator, which was built Ijy him in 1872, 
and has beccmie one of the indispensalile assistants 
of the grain dealers of this section. 

Mr. Campbell was born on his father's farm, in 
Clark County, Ky., June 15, 1832. He is the son 
of Benjamin F. and Dolly (Bateman) Campbell, 
his father being a Virginian by birth. After the 
birth of our subject, his parents removed to Indi- 
ana. The mother died when John A. was six years 
of age, and the father four years later, so that our 
subject was left an orphan when ten 3-ears old, and 
compelled to look out for himself. He worked at 
whatever his hands could find to do, and at the age 
of seventeen, came to McLean County in com- 
pany with Thomas Pirtle, arriving here in 1849, 
and engaged in farm work for the following six 
years. 

He was mjlrried on the lOth of May, 1x55, to 
Miss Adeline Hefner, the daughter of Peter Hef- 
ner, Esq., one of the pioneers of McLean County. 
After marriage Mr. Campbell settled on a farm 



three miles south of Lexington, and engaged in 
agricultural pursuits, which he industriously fol- 
lowed until 1H72, in tiie meantime having become 
the owner of IGO acres of land south of the town. 
This he sold in 18C4, and purchased another farm 
one mile north of Lexington. This contained 320 
acres and he occupied it until 1873, when he rented 
it and removed to the village of Lexington. He 
then liuilt the elevator which he now owns and 
which has a ca|>acity of 30,000 bushels. When 
this was completed he began buying and shipping 
all kinds of grain U> the Chicago market. In 1S77 
he began dealing in coal in connection with his 
grain trade. The first year he handled about twen- 
ty-five cars and every year since his business has 
increased until he now handles 300 cars annuallv. 
During the winter mouths especially he has all he 
can possibly attend to. He has for the past few 
}-ears shipped further East. The elevator is three 
stories in height, and 48x42 feet in area. 

Mr. and ISIrs. Campbell l)ecaine the parents of 
nine children, of whom three are deceased. Those 
living are, Arabella, Emery, Oren, Emma, Edwin 
and James H. Thej' occupy a handsome residence, 
and have an attractive home, where tiiey, with 
their children and friends, are enjoying the good 
things of life, together with tlie esteem and friend- 
ship of the best people of this localit3^ 



■€-^#- 



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\jl ABEZ LEPPO, a successful farmer and stock- 
raiser of Belleflower Township, is pleasantly 
located on section 31, where he has a farm 
(^^ of eighty acres, and is contributing his full 
share toward the business and industrial interests 
of his county and township. Mr. Leppois a native 
of ilaryland, and was born in that part of Balti- 
more Count3' now included in Carroll County, on 
the 21st of May, 1S25. His father, Jacob Leppo, 
was a native of the same State, of German ancestry, 
and a tanuer by trade. This he followed for a 
number of years, then purchased a farm in Carroll 
County, Jld., where he engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits until his death, which occurred in March, 
1862. He was married to Miss Susan Miller, who 
was also born in Baltimore County, Md., and died 



r 






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910 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



at her home in Carroll County, in September, 18.54. 

Of the twelve children born to the parents cf 
our subject, the latter was the fourth child and 
fourth son. He was reared on the farm and made 
his home with his parents until he had grown to 
manhood. He then commenced working for him- 
self at farm labor, at $7 per month, which tiie fol- 
lowing year was increased to $9 and the third year 
to $10. Notwithstanding this, which would now 
seem meager wages, he managed to save a portion 
of his earnings, and at the end of the third year 
was able to rent a farm. He was soon afterward 
married, and purchased fifty acres of land on the 
Westminster & Baltimore Turnpike. He did not 
settle upon this, however, but operated on rented 
land four years afterward. He then sold his fifty 
acres and purchased a tract of sixty-five acres in 
Carroll County, Md., which was partially improved 
and supplied with a set of frame buildings. He re- 
mained there until the death of his father, then pur- 
chased the old homestead, upon which he removed, 
occupying it until 1868. That year he sold out 
and came to Illinois, locating first in Tazewell 
County, where he rented for three j'ears following. 

Ill 1872 Mr. Leppo moved into this county and 
located in West Township, where he operated on 
rented land two years. He then purch.ised forty 
acres in the same township, which he occupied 
until 1881, when he sold it and purchased the farm 
upon which he has since resided. Since taking pos- 
session of this, he has erected a convenient frame 
house, and otherwise improved its general condi- 
tion. He is now devoting himself |)rincii)ally to 
grain and stock raising. 

Mr. Leppo was married in his native county on 
the 4th of February, 18o4, to Miss M. ('. Burns, a 
n.Ttive of his own county and the daughter of John 
and Mary M. Burns. Of this union there have 
been born four children, three now living: Alice 
R., Fianklin T. I. and Mary M. Luther J., who 
was the second, died in 1 iS84, when twenty-eight 
years of age. Our subject and his wife botii united 
with the Methodist Episcopal Churcii in tiieir na- 
tive State. Mr. Leppo in politics is strongly- Dem- 
ocratic, and in all respects is an industrious and re- 
liable citizen, who is enjoying the res|)ect and con- 
fidence of his townsmen. 



"il/OSIAH BIGGS, a prosperous farmer of 
]Money Creek Township, is pleasantly lo- 
cated on section 24. He was born in this 
(^7/ township on the 26th of February, 1834, 
being the son of Lemuel Biggs, who was a native 
of Delaware; the mother's maiden name was Mul- 
len, and she was a native of Ohio. They removed 
in early youth with their respective parents to Illi- 
nois, and were married in McLean County, first 
settling in Funk's Grove Township, and in about 
1831 removed to Money Creek Township, where 
the father died in May, 1860. The mother still 
survives, and lives on the old homestead. Their 
ten children were named as follows: Andrew E., 
Josiah, William G., Sarah, Nancy J., E. A., Loui-sa, 
Martha, Lemuel A. and Frank. 

The subject of this history was the second child 
of the family. He was reared to farming, received 
a common-school education, and has been a resident 
of iSIoney Creek Township all his life. He is now 
the owner of a fine farm of 180 acres, under a good 
state of cultivation, with a shapeh' and substantial 
set of farm liuildings. 

Mr. Biggs remained under the home roof until 
he had attained to years of manhood, and Aug. 30, 
1860, was married to Miss Lucy, the daughter of 
Daniel and Rosanna (Hotmaker) Empire, natives 
of New York, where they settled after their raar- 
liage ; later thej^ removed to Shelby County, Ohio, 
ai\d thence, in 1851, to Iroquois County, this State, 
where they remained six years, then came to Mc- 
Lean County <and located in Money Creek Town- 
ship, where Mr. Emi)ire died Aug. 30, 1878. Mrs. 
E. lives with her daughter, the wife of our subject. 
iNIr. and Mrs. Empire ha<l a family- of seven chil- 
dren — Benjamin, Alex, Sylvester, .lohn, Mary, 
Lovina and Lucy. 

Mrs. Biggs was born in Livingston County, N. 
Y., Aug. 30, 1842, and l)y her union with our sub- 
ject has become the mother of three children: 
Javan married Miss Emma Claggett, and lives in 
Blue Mound Township; Minnie is the wife of R. 
T. Claggett, and resides in Lexington Township; 
Nellie married S. A. D. IIenline,and lives in Kear- 
ney, Neb. 

Mr. Biggs has held the oflice of Supervisor in 
Money Creek Township five 3' ears, and has served 



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<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



913 



1 



as Assessor and Collector. He was elected Town- 
ship Treasurer in 1865, which office he has held 
continuously since that time. Both he and his wife 
are members of the United Brethren Church, and 
politically our subject is identified with the Re- 
publican part^'. 

~^^ •.o»o..f5^><^..o*o v-- 




)KNJAMIN WILEY PATTON. Here and 

there, scattered over the fertile prairies and 
through the beautiful woodland of this sec- 
tion of the State, may be found the venera- 
ble pioneer. Those who came prior to 1H30, how-, 
ever, are very few. Their number, never large, has 
dwindled down to a mere handful. Of one of this 
honored number we give the following brief 
sketch. He made settlement here as earlj' as in the 
spring of 1828. He was born in Garrard County, 
Ky., June 18, 1816. His father, John Patton, was 
born in North Carolina, and in early years settled in 
Kentucky. He was married in that State, to Mar- 
garet Wiley, daughter of William Wiley. The Pat- 
ton family were of Irish extraction, and the pater- 
nal grandfather of our subject, Robert Patton, was 
a native of that country, and emigrated to the 
United States in early manhood. The Wileys were 
of English descent, and on emigrating to this 
country first made settlement in Maryland. 

John Patton was a gunsmith, and also worked at 
the blacksmith trade, and during the latter years of 
his life w.as engaged in agricultural pursuits. He 
emigrated with his family to Indiana in 1817, and 
made settlement on the Ohio River. There he con- 
tinued to reside until the fall of 1827, when he 
came to this State, overland, passing the first win- 
ter in Old Town Timber, McLean County, on the 
North Fork of Salt Creek. The following spring 
he moved, and settled near where the village of 
Selm^ is now located. There he took up a land 
claim, upon which he located with his family and 
engaged in its improvement, and when the laud 
came into market purchased it, and continued to 
make this his home until his death, which occurred 
in 1854. His good wife died some six years pre- 
viously. Twelve children' were born of their un- 



ion, seven sons and five daughters, all of whom 
lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. 
Their names are as follows: Sarah, wife of Aaron 
Foster; Cassandria was united in marriage with 
William Wiley; Susanna and John Messer became 
man and wife; John and William were next in order 
of birth; Margaret married George Henline; Ben- 
jamin, our siibject, was the next; Jemima became 
the wife of Calvin Adams; Aaron and Moses were 
twins, and Josephine and Constantine complete the 
number. 

Benjamin Patton was the seventh in order of 
birth of his parents' twelve children, and when he 
accompanied them to this county he was twelve 
years old. His education was somewhat limited, 
on account of the necessity which required his as- 
sistance on the farm, and the scarcit}' of the public 
schools in his vicinity. He remained with the old 
folk until he was twenty-three years old, when he 
was married to Mary Ann Connover, the date of 
their marriage being Oct. 13, 1838. She was a 
daughter of William Connover, who was born in 
New Jersey. He had moved to Kentucky, and 
there married Rebecca Hopkins, by whom he had 
twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, 
all of whom lived to attain the age of maturity ex- 
cept one, and all now living witli the exception of 
two. 

After our subject's marriage he settled near the 
old homestead of his father, and improved a farm, 
upon which he lived until his removal to the place 
on section 22, Lexington Township, where he is 
at present residing. This was fift3'-nine years ago, 
consequently our subject has experienced the hard- 
ships common to old settlers. His farm comprises 
140 acres of well-improved land, and he also has 
twenty-six acres of timber. He has a good resi- 
dence, barn and out-buildings, and is meeting vvith 
fair success in the prosecution of his vocation. For 
the last six j'ears he has suffered considerably from 
injuries received by his team running over him and 
dragging him quite a distance. 

Mr. Patton is now in his seventy-first year. He 
has never had any children, and has devoted the 
years thus far in life to agricultural pursuits. His 
good wife is seventy-two years old, and for forty- 
nine years they have together toiled and labored 



i 



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t 



914 



t 



McLean coukty. 



for each other's good as man and wife. They are 
both members of the Christian Church. Our sub- 
ject was converted to the cause of the Master over 
half a century ago, and liis good wife about sixty 
years ago. By their energy and perseverance they 
have secured a competency, and are enabled to pass 
the sunset of life in peace and quiet. In politics 
he is a Democrat. In selecting those to be repre- 
sented in the portrait department of this work, no 
worthier couple could be found within the conlines 
of the county than Benjamin Patton and wife. 



JOSEPH MEINER, a successful farmer and 
stock-raiser of Arrowsmith Township, is a 
native of the German Empire, born in Prus- 
^^ sia, Feb. 13, 1834. He emigrated to this 
country when a young man twenty j'ears of age, 
and from the landing at New York City proceeded 
to Bucks County, Pa., wliere for the following four 
years he worked by the mouth on a farm. With 
genuine German economy and forethought he 
saved what he could of his earnings, and soon after 
coming to Illinois, in l.s,"),S, common('ed farming on 
Iris own hook. His home then was at tlie house of 
a Mr. S. Morgan in Dale Township, this county, 
where he became acquaintc^l with IMiss ]\Iary Ul- 
mer, to whom he was manied Oct. 12, 1802. This 
lady w'as born in Wurtend)erg, (Jerniany, March 3, 
18,')'.), and came to the United States when a young 
woman, in 18t;0, making her home with her brother 
in Dal(^ Townshi|). She was the daughter of Henry 
and Catheruie (Wagner) Ulmer. Her father was 
l)orn Oct. i(), 1800, and died in his native country 
March 14, 1883. His wife ('atherine was born 
Seiit. 1 1, 1811, and departed this life Jidy 3, 1879. 
Of thoii' eleven children, six are now living: Eva 
bccauK! the wife of .Io.sei)li Ditter, now deceased; 
Matthew married Miss Emily Damaska, deceased; 
George married Miss Minnie Miller; Mar^^ of our 
sketch, was the fourth child; .lolin married Miss 
Sarah Eoga, and lv:iti<' hec.'ime Mrs. Van Paign. 
Mrs. Meiner received a line (!crman education, 
and reads and writes lOnglish very well. 

lu 18G4, Mr. Meiner purchased eighty acres of 



land to which he afterward added 160, and the 
whole of which constitutes one of the finest bodies 
of land in this township, comprising a fine farm of 
240 acres. His stock consists principallj' of Nor- 
man horses, of which he exhibits some very fine 
specimens, especially a pair of two-year-olds, which 
he holds at a high price. The children of our sub- 
ject and his wife, seven in number, are George H. ; 
Minnie U., who married Alfred Bane and lives two 
miles west of her father; Arnold B., Katie T., Ma- 
tilda E., P^dward and Aaron G. Mr. Jleiner is 
Republican in politics, and with his wife is con- 
nected with the United Brethren Church at Arrow- 
smith, of which he has been a member twenty 
years. 

Joseph Meiner is the son of Antone and Mar- 
garet (Ueichley) Meiner, who were both natives of 
Germany, and spent their entire lives in their na- 
tive land, where their remains were laid to rest 
several years ago. The father was a warm adher- 
ent of the Catholic faith. The five children of 
the parental family included !\Iagdalena, Theresa, 
Caroline, deceased, Joseph, and (Jeorge, who died 
in 1854, at New Orleans, of yellow fever. 



Jf^^^^J 



^^ LFRED SPRADLING, a resident of the 

*v/ I ■'southeast part of McLean County, is plcas- 
/// 14) antly located in Cheney's (irove Township, 
i^Jfl on section 30. The place of his birth was 

Franklin County, Ind., and the date thereof May 
17, 1823. His parents were John and Betsey 
(Chapman) Spradling, natives respectively of South 
Caiolina and Tennessee. His father was born in 
1780, served in the War of 1812, afterward re- 
moved to I,;i Salle County, III., and died there in 
1801. The mother was born in 1784, and survived 
her husband four years. Both were consistent 
members of the Methodist E|iisco|)al Church for 
many years. Their ten children are recorded 
as follows: Sarah, William, PoUey; Nancy died 
when quite small: .lohn died in 1877; Elizabeth, 
Enoch and .lames died in infancy; Thomas and Re- 
becca were next to the youngest. . 

Mr. Spr.idling rcuiaiiied under the jiaiental roof 
in Indiana until 1852, when he became a resident 



■-►•ji-4* 



i 



^ 



<- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



915 



t 



of Illinois, locating first in JNIission Township, La- 
Salle County, where he made his home about seven- 
teen years. He removed to Champaign County in 
1868, whence he came to this county in 187G. On 
the 12th of October, 188G, he met with a severe 
loss in the destruction of his house by fire, to- 
gether with most of its contents. He soon aftei'- 
ward commenced re-building, and has now nearly 
completed a fine two-story structure with basement, 
covering an area of 24x24 feet. The basement is 
14xlt; feet. 

Mr. .Spradling was married, June 4, 1844, to Miss 
Amy .T. Peterson. Slie was born Jul}' 18, 1827, in 
Franklin County. Ind.,and is the daughter of John 
and Edith (Clifton) Peterson, Ijoth natives of New 
Jersey. The mother was born in Salem County, 
Aug. 21, 1790, and married John Peterson, Jan. 
12, 1812. Altera Cliristian life of nearly sixty- 
seven j'ears, during which period she had been a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, she 
departed this life near Pliihi, 111., in September, 
1877. John Peterson was born in 1794, became 
a man of note in his county and community, and 
was possessed of considerable means. He held the 
office of Trustee in the church, was a farmer by 
occupation, and died in Ciiampaign County, 111., 
in 1873. Theii' fouiteen children were, Mary A., 
Samuel, Benjamin, Henry, Sarah A., Elizabeth, 
John, Catherine, Einma J., Ruth, Charlotte, Clara, 
Annie M. and Hannah. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Spradling are as 
follows: Elizabeth E., born Sept. 4, 1845; Sarah 
A., Jan. 7, 1847; Hartley K., May 7, 1848; Emory, 
Aug. 2'J, 1841); Alpheus, May 18, 1851 ; Albert L., 
Sept. 30, 1854; Ami N., May 10, 1850; Stephen 
H., Sept. 18, 1857; George S., May 10, 1859; Kate 
S., July 25, 1801 ; PVank P., Nov. 30, 1860. Hart- 
ley Siiradling, the eldest son of our subject, mar- 
ried Miss Mary E. IJaker, Jan. 31, 1809, and they 
have six children — Willie II., Lillie L., Emily, 
Claude E., John H. and Archie. Hartley is engaged 
in farming. Emma married Francis L. Harrington, 
Jan. 28, 1872, and both are now deceased; they 
left one child, Claude L. Alpheus married Miss 
Emma Turner, IJec. 25, 1872, and is now deceased; 
he left two children — Emmet T. and Etta M. Sarah 
A. married Harvey Cunningham, March 25, 1877, 

<■ 



and they have two children — Emma J. and Fred- 
die A.; Albert L., born Sept. 30, 1854, married 
Miss Hannah Owens, Sept. 14, 18,S0, ami lives in 
Bellertower Township; Ami N. was l)orn May 10, 
1850, and married Mrs. Ahneda Wimer, July 3, 
1882; they have two children — Jessie M. and Pearl. 
Stephen H., born Sept. 18, 1857, was married to 
Miss Ella L. Phares, Feb. 21, 1882; Kate S. mar- 
ried Frank B. Phares, in 1884; P'rauk P., born 
Nov. 30, 1800, married Miss Bettie J. Taylor, Dec. 
27, 1886. 

Mr. Spradling owns 24H acres of valuable land, 
which is under a fine state of cultivation. He has 
been connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church for a period of forty-six years, and the 
various members of his family belong to the same. 
Politically he is a straight Republican, and uni- 
formly casts his vote in support of the principles 
of his i)arty. 




ETER SCHERTZ, a reprcsent-itive Ger- 
I' man farmer and business man of Cheney's 
^ Grove Township, was formerly a wagon- 
maker by trade, but of late years has 
turned his attention exclusivel}" to agricultural 
pursuits. He was born in the Province of Alsace, 
on the River Rhine, Aug. 18, 1833, and is the son 
of .loseph and Mary (Laman) Schertz, natives of 
the same Province as their son. The father of our 
subject followed farming all his life. He emigrat- 
ed to America in 1842, and at once located in 
Butler County, Ohio. He died in Tazewell Coun- 
ty, this State, in 1880, at the advanced age of 
eighty-seven years. The mother departed this life 
in Butler County, Ohio, in 1842, when l)ut little 
over thirty years of age. The seven children in 
the parental family were Joseph, Christian, John, 
Peter, Andrew, deceased, Andrew [2d] and Nich- 
olas. 

The subject of this history was but nine j'ears 
old when he emigrated with his i)arents to the 
United States. He came to Tazewell County, this 
State, in 1853, where he remained two years and 
then came to McLean County. After arriving at 
years of manhood he was united in marriage with 



i 



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916 



McLean county. 



4 



Miss Catherine Spriuiier, on the 20th of February, 
1SG2, the ceremony being performed by Rev. 
Christian Gingerioh, of the Mennonite Churcli. 
Mrs. S. was born in Butler Comity, Oliio, Aug. 10, 
1839, and is the daughter of Christian and Magda- 
lena (ingle) Springer, natives of France. They 
emigrated to America and located in Butler 
County, Ohio, whence they removed ten years 
later to Illinois. They took up their abode in the 
town of Danvers, this county, where they lived 
about twenty' years. Of their nine children, one 
died in infanc}'. Those living are Joseph, Peter, 
Christian, John, Andy, Melhida, Catherine and 
Mary. Our subject and his wife became the par- 
ents of the following named children: Emma E., 
Mary A., George C, Joseph, William, John E., 
Peter A., Daniel D. and Albert E. 

The homestead of Mr. Schertz includes "200 acres 
of finely cultivated land, with a handsome and sub- 
stantial set of frame buildings and .all the appli- 
ances required by the modern farmer and stock- 
raiser. Of late he has been giving much attention 
to the breeding of Norman horses. His stallion, 
Lewis, is six years old, weighs 1,800 pounds, is a 
bright b.ay in color, and of magnifieent proportions. 
Bob, a three-j'ear-old colt, is a remarkably fine ani- 
mal, of a jetty black, and a model of beauty and 
symmetry. The mare is half-Norman blood. Mr. 
Schertz is in all respects a representative farmer 
and business man of one of the wealthiest counties 
in the State, and has contributed his full share to- 
ward the agricultural interests of his section. He 
is a member of the Mennonite Church at Danvers, 
and contributed generously toward the erection of 
the fine church building there. Politically he is 
an earnest supporter of the Democratic party. 



UGH HENNING. The stdiject of this his- 
tory- has been a resident of McLean County 
since the 1st of March. 18(54, .and during a 
residence of over twenty-three years has 
identified himself with its agricultural and indus- 
trial interests, lie is i)leasantly located on section 
22, Yates Township, where he carries on general 




farming, and is giving some attention to the rais- 
ing of fine stock. 

When our subject came to McLean County he 
purchased the southeast quarter of section 22, in 
Yates Townshi|), which constitutes a part of his 
present homestead. At the time of purch.ase his 
land was but slightly improved. To this he after- 
ward added .and industriously carried on its culti- 
vation, meeting with success in his labors. He now 
owns 240 acres of land, eighty acres of which lie 
on section 25. The farm residence and all other out- 
buildings about the premises are put up in a sub- 
stantial manner and fulfill all the requirements of a 
first-class agriculturist. The buildings and fences 
iire kept in good repair and his farm machinery is 
after the latest and most improved style. 

Mr. Henning was married on the 0th of April, 
18G4, to Miss Elizabeth McK.ay. Of this union 
five children have been born — William, Robert and 
Nettie (twins), Edith and .lames Elmer (twins). 
The residence of our subject and his family is 
finely finished and well furnished, and its inmates 
enjoy .all the comforts of life. Mr. H. is Repub- 
lican in politics and is highly esteemed both as a 
business man and a citizen. 

ETER S. (JERBER, formerly an esteemed 
resident of Oak Grove Vill.age, this county, 
in March, 1887, removed to Woodford 
County, this State. He was born in Mont- 
gomery Township, Woodford County, Nov. 15, 
1840. and is the son of Joseph and Magdalena 
(Sommers) Gerber, the former born M.ay 6, 1806, 
in i^'rance. 

On the 10th of November, 1830, Joseph Gerber 
sailed for America, landing in New York City on 
the 10th of February following. From there he 
proceeded to Canada to visit a friend. Christian 
Farney by n.Tiiie, and ten d.ays later started for 
Stark County, Ohio, where he worked as a w.agon- 
maker. There also he met his future wife. Miss 
Magdalena Sommers, and they were united in mar- 
riage on the 11th of January, 1835. Mrs. G. was 
born on what was called the Sommers' Farm, in 




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McLean county. 



917 



France, Aug. 2, 1815. After their marriage the 
young people moved into Tnsearaw.is County, 
Ohio, where Mr. (;.,in partnership with iiis brother- 
in-law, C. Singerick, purchased a farm which they 
conducted together until 1838. In May of the fol- 
lowing year Joseph Cerber came to Woodford 
County, this .State, and purchased 240 .acres of land 
in Montgomery Township, which he was occupied 
in cultivating and improving until his death, uhich 
event occurred Feb. 21, 1881. He was a man of 
great force of character, became thoroughly Ameri- 
canized, and w.is a stanch Republican in politics. 
Both parents were members of the Meiinonite 
Church. The nntther is still living on the old 
homestead in AVoodford Count}'. They were 
among the earliest pioneers of that section and the 
father of our subject contributed materially to its 
growth and development, witnessing with keen in- 
terest the man}' and great changes which oc- 
curred during a period of over half a century. The 
ten children of the parental family were named as 
follows: Christian, Jacob, John, Anna, Joseph, 
Peter, P^li, Samuel, Elizabeth and Daniel. 

The subject of our sketch was reared on his 
father's farm in \Yoodford County, 111., and re- 
ceived his education in the pioneer schools. He re- 
mained with his parents until attaining his majority, 
and on the 19th of January, 18G9, wa.s united in 
marriage with Miss Catherine Habecker. Soon after- 
ward the young couple came to this county and lo- 
cated on the farm given our subject by his father, 
which they occupied until November, 1879. 
They then sold it and removed to the village of 
Oak Grove, where they lived until March, 1887, and 
from there returned to the Woodford County farm 
of 160 acres, which Mr. G. repurchased at $48.50 
per acre. The Oak Grove farm property was ex- 
changed for a house and lot in town. While a resident 
of Oak Grove Township, Mr. Gerber interested 
himself in its local affairs and was elected to the 
office of Road Commissioner for three years. In his 
late removal the citizens of Oak Grove have lost 
a valued member of the communit}' and Woodford 
County has been the gainer. 

The wife of our subject, also a native of Wood- 
ford Count}', this State, was born June 8, 1818. 
Her parents were John and Magdaleua Habecker. 

4' 



The former was born in the old Province of Pfalz, 
Germany, in October, 1824. He endgrated to 
America in 1832, landing in the city of New Or- 
leans, and from there migrated to Butler County, 
Ohio, and was there married. His wife, M.igdalena 
Habecker, was born in France, in February, 1 823, 
and emigrated to the United States when a young 
girl seventeen years old, landing, as did her hus- 
band, lirst in New Orleans, and thence going into 
Butler County, Ohio. After their marriage the 
young coujilc proceeded westward, stopping first 
in Peoria, 111., and going from there into Wood- 
ford County whence, after a brief residence, they re- 
moved to Tazewell County, and not long afterward 
purchased a farm in McLean County. There the 
old folk lived until the death of the father, which 
took place in the fall of 1878. The mother after- 
ward mari'ied Blr. J. Stuckey, and is still living. 
The six children of the parental household were 
named Barbara, Catharine, John, Christian, Joseph 
and Magdalena. Mr. and Mrs. Gerber of this 
notice, have one child only, a daughter, Erbina. 

UGH ROBB, local editor of the Hey worth 
Standard, has been connected with the 
paper in that capacity since January, 1882. 
^^ The /Standard is a weekly, the mechanical 
work of which is done in the city of Bloomington. 
]\lr. Robb has conducted his department of this 
journal with ability and success. He is a smooth 
and easy writer and is especially successful in col- 
lecting interesting local items. The Standard has 
a circulation of about 500, and has become quite 
indispensable to its readers. 

Mr. Robb was born in W.aynesville, DeWitt Co., 
111., Sept. 3, 184G. He remained in his native 
county until July, 1871, when he became a resident 
of Ileyworth, which has since been his home. He 
received his education in the public schools of his 
native town, where he acquitted himself creditably, 
being a studious youth, fond of his books, and tak- 
ing pride in the acquirement of useful knowledge. 
He first engaged in the grocery trade in Hey worth 
for about four years, afterward becoming drug clerk 
for Mr. Shelton, whose biography appears else- 




n 



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918 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



where in tliis work, imd still linlils that position, 
his editorial duties ocfii|)ying onl}' a part of iiis 
time. 

Mr. Kobb was married in Ilejworth, Feb. 2(1, 
1881, to .Aliss N. J. Scrog'gy, who was born in 
Indiana. Slie came West to Illinois when a young 
woman, and liy her marriage with our subject has 
become the mother of two ehildixin — Earle A. and 
J. H. L. Mr. and Mrs. I»ol)b are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, and have been members of 
the choir since 1878. 

Politically our subject is a solid Republican and 
takes an active interest in the success of his party. 
Socially he belongs to the 1. O. O. F., Heyworth 
Lodge No. 483, of which he is permanent Secretary, 
and at present represents the Grand Lodge. 

—^ ^4^ "^ 



"17 UKE CARNELL, of Blue Mound Township, 
I /^ has been a resident of McLean County 
/I'— ^Vi since 18.54, and is now comfortably located 
on section 33. Here he has a snug farm of eightj' 
acres, under a high state of cultivation, with hand- 
some and substantial buildings, and all the acces- 
sories of a first-class agriculturist. His premises in 
all respects indicates the supervision of a thorough 
farmer and business man, and is one of the spots 
which attracts the attention of the traveler p.issing 
through the county. 

The subject of oui- sketch was born in Hamp- 
shire County, W. Va., Sept. 25, 1825, being the 
son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Parker) Carncll, na- 
tives re.spectively of Maryland and Virginia. They 
settled in Hampshire County, in what is now West 
Virginia, and in 1 83',) removed to Ohio, locating in 
Fayette County. Thence in 1854 they came to 
the Prairie State and took up their abode in Ar- 
rowsmith Township, where they spent the remain- 
der of their lives. Of their ten children, the sub- 
ject of our sketch was the fourth in order of birth, 
and was about twelve 3'ears old when his parents 
removed from his native State to Ohio. He came 
with them to this county and remained under the 
home roof until he was thirty-six years old. He 
then married and located in Arrowsmith Township, 
where he engaged in farming for a time, removing 

4* 



from there to Martin T<)wnship, where he operated 
the " Ilarpole faiin " three years. He came into 
Blue Mound Township in the spring of 1873; here 
he soon erected a good house, which was destroyed 
liy lire March 2(1, 1879, together with the furniture 
and clothing of the family. Mr. Carnell, however, 
did not suffer this disaster to overcome hitn, but 
the following spring erected another and finer one, 
which is universally admired by everyone passing 
through that section. His main barn and other 
out-buildings correspond with the dwelling, and the 
entire homestead forms an attractive spot which is 
at once a delight to the eye, and a testimonial to 
the thrift and taste of its proprietor. A view of 
the place is shown on another page of this work. 

Mr. Carnell was married in Arrowsmith Town- 
ship, May 23, 18i;i, to Miss Harriet O'Neal, who 
was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 1, 1839. She 
was the youngest of eight children of Samuel and 
Martha (Cogel) O'Neal, who emigrated from Ohio 
to Illinois in 1857, settling in West Township, this 
count}', where they died, the fatlier about 1865 
and the mother about 1802. Mr. and Mrs. Car- 
nell have bectmie the i)areuts of seven children, 
namely. Ellen, Armilda, Daniel. Mary E., Frank, 
Willie and Cl.ara B. Daniel and Willie are de- 
ceased ; Ellen is the wife of Smith Bane, and re- 
sides in Arrowsmith Township; Armilda is the 
wife of David Merwin, and lives in Padua Town- 
ship. Mr. Carnell is Republican in polities, and 
has been School Director in his township for many 
years. 



"^ R. HALDEMAN, manufacturer of granite 
and marble monuments, also all kiijds of 
mantels and grates, occupies Nos. 301 and 
303 South Main street, Bloomington, where 
he is carrying on a successful and lucrative busi- 
ness. Our subject is a native of the Buckej'e .State 
and was born July 10, 1830. His parents were 
John and Mary (Jones) Haldeman, his father of 
Pennsylvania ;ind his mother of Ohio, the former 
of stanch German ancestry and the latter of Scotch- 
Irish. In his younger days John Haldeman was 
engaged in general teaming over the mountains 
from Pittsburgh to Baltimore, transporting all 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



919 



kinds of merchandise. lie went to Ohio before 
liis marriage and located upon a farm near Zanes- 
ville. Selling out in l.s:51, in the meantime hav- 
ing been married, he started out with a six-horse 
" prairie schooner," accomiianied by his wife and 
six children, for tlie prairies of Illinois. He made 
his first location in La Salle County, purchasing 
about 1,000 acres C)f Land, near tlie town of Streator, 
where he established a permanent home, and en- 
gaged in general farming until his death, which 
took place in 1837. The mother is still living, and 
at present resides in Missouri. The parental fam- 
ily included six children, only three of whom .are 
now living: James, of Kansas City; Marietta, Mrs. 
Johnson, of Vernon County, Mo., and our subject. 
Mr. Haldeman of our sketch remained with his 
parents until he was twenty-six years old, and dur- 
ing the latter |)art of the time assumed the man- 
agement of his fatlier's farm. In I <S48 he com- 
menced to learn the business of a m.arble cutter, 
and three years later, in company with two broth- 
ers, came to Bloom ington and established the pres- 
ent business. They operated in company for the 
following eight years, when one of the brothers 
withdrew, and the following year the other sold 
out his interest. In June, 1873, having now sold 
out the remaining interest, our subject remoTed to 
the southern part of the State, and for two years 
was engaged in making plows, after which he re- 
turned to Bloomington, and has since been en- 
gaged in his present business. He employs from 
five to fifteen men, and the products of his manu- 
facture are shipped to all parts of the State. In 
addition to his marble business, Mr. Haldeman is 
the proprietor of a snug farm of fifty-five acres, 
two miles from the city limits, which he now occu- 
pies. 

The marriage of our subject to Miss Margaret A. 
Morsman, took place in 1856. Mrs. Haldeman 
was born in Massachusetts and is the daughter of 
Charles S. and Elmira (Lincoln) Morsm.an, the 
mother being a second cousin of the late President 
Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman became the par- 
ents of three children: Ida M.; Revillo P., who, 
although only nineteen years old, is a book-keeper 
in his father's office, and a graduate of Builer Uni- 
r versity and the High School ; Mamie M., the 



eldest daughter, also graduated at the same time as 
her brother. The residence of the family is one of 
the most attractive suburban homes in this locality. 
jMr. Ilaldem.an is a strong Prohibitionist, and with 
his wife is prominently connected with the Chris- 
tian Church. He is a straightforward business 
man, and higlily esteemed .as a neighbor and citizen. 



^<s«-€li!l)>-^>$^ 



t 



■j^EV. ROBERT CONOVER, Pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church of Lexington, 111., has 
been a resident of McLean County thirtj'- 
"^ one years, since the spring of 185G, when 
he located in Bloomington. He was born July 3, 
1823, in "Jersey Settlement," now Carlyle Station, 
Franklin Township. Warren Co., Ohio. 

His parents, Geoi-ge and Mary (Dubois) Cono- 
ver, were among the early settlers of that part of 
the Miami Valley. They were of Huguenot ances- 
try, who came to America and first settled at King- 
ston, Ulster Co., N. Y., about the year 1660, having 
fled from France to escape the religious persecution 
waged against the Protestants by the Roman Cath- 
olics. The family, as it increased, spread out over 
Eastern New York and New Jersey, and finally one 
branch immigrated from New Jersey and formed 
what has ever since been known .as the " Jersey 
Settlement" in the Miami Vallejs where many of 
their descendants still remain. 

Our subject was bereaved of his father when fif- 
teen months old, and of his mother when eight 
years of age. From the death of his mother until 
twenty-one years <>f .age, he lived in the families of 
his uncle and a cousin. He united with the Pres- 
byterian Church of Franklin, Ohio, in his nine- 
teenth year, and at the age of twenty-one com- 
menced studying for the ministry at Centre 
College, D.anvilie, Ky., where he graduated June 
28, 1849. He studied theology two years at 
Princeton, N. J., and one year with Dr. Nath.an L. 
Rice, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was licensed to 
preach the Gospel April 26, 1851, by the Presby- 
tery of Transylvania, Ky. .His first ministerial 
charge was a mission church in Cincinnati. Ohio, 
while he was a student with Dr. Rice. He then es- 
tablished a school and organized a church at North 



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920 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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Salem, Iiul., where he labored for three years, and 
then returned to Cincinnati on :ieet>unt of an afflic- 
tion from which his wife was sntfering. Tliere he 
labored fifteen moliths, a part of the time as tem- 
porary* supply of the Seventh or Broadway CHiurch, 
and the remainder as State supply' of th-t newly 
organized Presbyterian Church of C'uiuuiinsville, a 
suburb of the city. 

Mr. Conover. in June, 1.S5G, came to IJlooniing- 
ton, III., established a female seniinar3', and also 
organized a I'resliyterian Ciiurch at Towanda, 
which he sni)plied while carrying on the school. lie 
continued the school eigliteen years, until 1875, 
then removed to Towanda, where he remained un- 
til February, 1878, having served that church as 
stated supply for nearly tweut3'-two years. Since 
February, 1878, now over nine years, ho has con- 
tinued in the pastorate work with the church at 
Lexington. 

On the 3nth of March, 1852, Rev. Robeit Cono- 
ver was married to Miss Harriet Hilts, daughter of 
William D. Hilts, of Springdale, Hamilton Co., 
Ohio. Mr. Hilts also located at IJIoomington, 111., 
in the spring of 1857, and improved a farm at To- 
wanda, where four of his sons still reside. 

Mr. Conover and wife have been highly favored 
in being permitted to share their labors together 
without interruption for a period of over thirty- 
five years, and still have health and strength for 
active work. He is now the only minister in cou- 
nection with the Presbytery of Bloomingtou [which 
includes the counties of McLean, De Witt, I'iatt, 
Champaign, ^'ermilion, Iroquois, Livingston and 
a |)art of Wo<^dford] who lias been continuously in 
this same field for over thirty-one years. 



<Si IVILLIAM LEiNIKE, a substantial (Jerman 
\/jJl/ '^■''''^■''" *jf Blue Mound Township, owns 
W^ Jind occupies a snug homestead of eighty 
acres on section 24, where he has made his home 
since 18GG. He was horn in Gcirmany, in April, 
18:51, his parents being Charles and Mary Lenike, 
also natives of tile " fatherland," where the}' jjassed 
their entire lives, and where their remains are in- 
terred. 

Mr. Lenike lived in his native countr}' until he 



was twenty-nine years of age, and then emigrated 
to America. After landing in New York he pro- 
ceeded directly westward and worked aljout three 
years in l)u I'age County, then came to McLean, 
which has since been his home. He first rented 
land in (Jld Town Towiishii) five years, then |)ur- 
chased eighty acres in Blue Mound. He has 
br(_)Ught his laud to a good state of cultivation and 
erected a convenient and substantial set of frame 
buildings, and in all respects bears a fair compari- 
son with the other industrious and enterprising 
agriculturists of this section. 

Mr. Lemke was married in Bloomingtou, HI., in 
1860, to Mrs. Rosa (Wolford) Ziegler, widow of 
John Ziegler. .She was born in ( ierniany, July 6, 
1.S28, and came t<i America when about twenty- 
four years of age. Of this union there were born 
three children, all of whom died in infanc3-. Mrs. 
L. is an adherent of the Catliolic faith, and our 
subject is a Lutheran. Mr. Lenike is Iiei)ublican 
in politics, and greatly respected for his sterling 
honesty, and the habit he has of attending strictly 
to his own concerns. A view of .Mr. Lemke's resi- 
dence is shown on another page. 

^ ^^ <^ 




^^ETER FLESHER, a pioneer settler of Mc- 
Lean County, is now a resident of Lexing- 
ton. He was born in Pendleton County, 
Ya., on the farm of his father near Frank- 
lin, on the 7th of December, 1809, and is the son 
of John and Mary (Seibert) Fleshcr. His father 
was also a native of the Old Dominion. His grand- 
father, Henry Flesher, of German ancestry, emi- 
grated to this t;ountry at an early day, and served 
as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 

John Flesher, the father of our subject, emigrated 
from Yirginia to Fayette County, Ohio, with his 
family, in 1835, and resided in the Buckeye State 
for the following six years. Then, in 1841, he 
concluded to move on further westward and, com- 
ing into this county, settled on a farm in Money 
Creek Township. There he pa.ssed the remainder 
of his days, departing this life in 1862, leaving a 
wife and nine children. Of the latter, eight are 
still living, and all residents of this county with the 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



^ 



!)21 a 



I 

I 



exception of n daughter, Alcinda, who married her 
cousin, Perry Flesher, and now resides in Warren 
County, Iowa. 

Peter Flesher came to McLean Count3' with his 
father's family in 1841. lie was married in Vir- 
ginia, May 18, 1834, to Miss Hannah, tlie daugliter 
of James Cani|(l(ell, also of the Old Dominion. 
This lady died in 1842, one ^year after their re- 
moval to McLean County, leaving two children, a 
son and daughter — James and Mary J. 

The second wife of our subject was Miss Julinda, 
the daughter of James Blake, of tliis count}-, to 
whom he was married Aug. 13, 1843. After his 
second marriage Mr. Flesher settled in Gridley 
Township, where he was engaged in farming jjur- 
suits until the spring of 1884, wiien lie abandoned 
farming, and removing to Lexington is now living 
retired from active labor. He still owns the farm, 
which consists of 23i acres well fenced and under 
fine cultivation, with thirty-five acres of valuable 
timber. During his later years on the farm, he en- 
gaged quite extensively in the stock business. 

Mr. and Mrs. Flesher have three children : Susan 
C, the wife of Charles Drury; Sarah L., Mrs. 
George W. Ogden, and Jennie, at home with her 
parents. Our subject and his wife are members in 
good standing of the United Brethren Church and 
are numbered among the most worthy and highly 
esteemed resitlents of Lexington. 

nSAIAH DILLON, importer and breeder of 
French draft horses, at Normal, is the son of 

/1\ Aaron and Melinda (Hodgson) Dillon, and a 
native of Illinois, being born in Tazewell County, 
on the 25th of May, 1834. Two years later his 
parents died, leaving two children, himself and his 
younger brother, Levi. Our subject was reared in 
the family of his uncle, James Fuller, of Tazewell 
Count}', until thirteen years of age and then lie- 
came the inmate of the family of another uncle, 
Prills Dillon. He received a common-school edu- 
cation, assisted in tilling the soil, and as he had the 
care of a large number of horses, became not only 
a lover of that noble animal, but a good judge of 
it as well. 

Our subject remained an inmate of the home of 



Mr. Kllis Dillon until he was twenty years of age, 
and the following year was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Fisher, like himself a native of Taze- 
well County. Mrs. Dillon is the daughter of Jesse 
and Aclisah Fisher, who made that county their 
home for a number of years, and with whom the 
daughter remained until her marriage with our sub- 
ject. They located upon IGO acres of land which 
young Dillon had [ireviously purchased, and en- 
gaged in farming pursuits. Three years later, in 
company with his brother, he purchased a half in- 
terest in " Old Louis Napoleon," the first Norman 
horse brought into the United States from France, 
inijiorted in 1851, by FuUington & Martin, of 
Union County, Ohio. He was sold by FuUington 
ife Martin to A. P. Cushman, of De Witt County, 
111., from w'hom he was purchased by the Dillon 
Bros. He was sixteen hands high, and his average 
weight w.as 1,G50 pounds. He was awarded man}' 
l)remiums and was last exhil)ited at the Illinois 
State Fair in 18G1, together with 112 of his colts 
and grandcolts. When, in 1H58, Mr. Dillon and 
his lirother invested 11,000 for a half interest in the 
horse, their friends were unanimous in declaring it 
a great mistake, which would surely lead them on 
to ruin ; but it was only a few years before othei's 
desired to be "ruined" in a like manner. Mr. 
Dillon subsequently purchased the other half inter- 
est, and then allowed his uncle, Ellis Dillon, an in- 
terest also, and thus the tirm of E. Dillon & Co. 
sprang into existence, although they little susijected 
how extensive and profitable would become their 
enterprise. " Old Louis Napoleon " died Aug. 13, 
• 1871, at the age of twenty-three years. 

In 18G3 Isaiah Dillon sold his farm in Tazewell 
Count}', and the following January purchased IGO 
acres of land near the city limits of Normal, on 
which he resided until 1883, since which time he 
has made his home within the city. He was a 
member of the firm of E. Dillon & Co. during its 
entire existence, and as such made nine trips to 
France after horses. In 1882 he associated with 
him in business his three sons, Melvin F., Leo A. 
and Alpheus A., as partners, but the business is 
being conducted under the name and style of Dil- 
lon Bros. They now have forty-nine full-blooded 
mares, and will, in the future, breed their own 



I 



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f>22 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



stock. Mr. Dillon is .also largely interested in the 
Northwest Texas Norman Horse Company, of Al- 
bany, Tex., where tiie company own 18,000 acres 
of land, and have their ranch stocked with over 
4,f)00 head of liorses. Mr. Dillon has l>een remark- 
ably suecessfnl in business and novv enjoys a com- 
petency, lie has been an upright, useful member 
of society, was formerly a Republican in politics, 
but is now a Prohibitionist. In religious matters 
he gives his princi|>;d sujiport and eneour.agement 
to the Christian Clnncli. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dillon l)(«came the [jarents of six 
children, as follows: Melvin F., Leo A., Alpheus 
A.; Carrie A., now Mrs. Oris Milliken; Jessie IM. 
•and Hoy II. The family residence is beautifully 
located, and both within and without is indicative 
of (•ultivated tastes and ample means. The family 
are highl}' esteemed in the community, and enjoy 
the friendshi|)of the first people of McLean County. 



I- 



-* 



GE0R(;E ^y. KNOTTS, one of the oldest 
merchants of Lexington, has continued the 
longest in this business of any gentleman 
now in the place. He is a native of West Vir- 
ginia, his birthplace being near Clarksburg, Harri- 
son County, and the date thereof March 21, 1814. 
His father, Levi Knotts, a native of JNIaryland, was 
of English ancestry, and engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits the greater part of his life. In early manhood 
he was married to Miss liebecca Fling, a native of 
the Old Dominion, and they located there and 
p.assed the remainder of their lives. They became 
the parents of twelve children, ten daughters and 
two sons, all of whom lived to be men and women, 
married, and had families of their own, and scat- 
tered among different States and Territories. 

George W. Knotts was the youngest of his par- 
ents' family, and spent his childhood and youth 
under the home roof, receiving a fair education in 
the subsciiption schools. When twelve years old 
he began to serve his apprenticeship at the tailor's 
trade in Clarksburg, which occupation he followed 
for twenty-live years. He worked for a time in 
his native State as journeyman, and while a young 
man removed to Ohio in 1838, stopping in Mt. 



Sterling, Madison County. He was there married 
in 1840 to Miss Annis Oregory, and continued at 
his trade until the fall of 1844, when he removed 
with his family to McLean County, 111. Here he 
located in IJloemiington, and was employed Ijy D. 
D. Haggard in the clothing business. He continued 
in Bloom ington about seven years and in the spring 
of 1S52 removed with his family to Lexington, 
where he opened a store and has carried on a trade 
in general merchandise since that time. 

Mr. Knotts, since coming to Lexington, has 
thoroughly identified himself with its business in- 
terests and has taken an interest in ever^'thing per- 
taining to the welfare of the community. He was 
appointed Postmaster liy President Lincoln in 1862, 
serving three years and then resigning the position. 
In 1884 he w.as .ag;iin ap|)ointed under Arthur's 
administration and held the office until the 1st of 
July, 1886. He luas also served as Justice of the 
Peace and in other respects has been prominently 
identified with public affairs. In former years he 
was an old-line Whig but now uniformly casts his 
vote with the Republican party. 

Airs. Annis (i. Knotts was the daughter of Jehial 
(Gregory of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and by her marri.age 
with our subject became the mother of nine chil- 
dren, all of whom arc deceased but two daughters: 
Helen M. is the wife of F. INI. Smith of Lexington, 
and Emmri (!. remains with her i)arents at home. 
Mr. Knotts belongs to Lexington Lodge No. 482, 
A. F. & A. M. He cast his first presidential vote 
for Oen. Harrison and has voted for every Whig 
and Republican candidate for President since that 



time. 



'->^^^:^:i?H^t>^-^ 



(jp^ AIMUEL A. STOOPS is Supervisor of Blue 
^^^^ Mound Township, .and owns a comfortable 
(ll/_^) homestead on section 32. He is the sou of 
John Stoops, who was born in Westmore- 
land County, Pa., and in early manhood married 
Miss Rosanna Kephart, of Maryland. After this 
event thej' settled in Faj'ette County, Ky., near 
Blue Lick Springs, where they lived a few years 
and then removed to Marion County, Ind., settling 
just east of Indianapolis, where the father followed 
agricultural pursuits and where both parents passed 

■» 4 ' 



T, 



'i 



t 



■<^ 



■► ■ 4» 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



923 



'\ 



the reniaiiirlcr of their days. John Stoops rleparted 
this life in 1854, the mother surviving until Feliru- 
ary, 1881. Their eleven ehililren consisted of six 
sons and five daugliters. 

The subject of this history, the third child of his 
parents, was born in Fayette County, Ky., April 
22, 1881, and was but two years old when his par- 
ents removed to Marion County, Ind., where, after 
becoming of snitable age, he attended the common 
schools, receiving a limited education. He remained 
under the parental roof until he was twentj' years 
old, then set out to " paddle his own canoe." His first 
journey landed him in Fidton Count}', 111., where 
he located, and remained twelve months, then re- 
turned home and commenced to learn the trade of 
wagon-making. After gaining a good insight into 
the business he established a shop of his own in 
Ipava, 111., which he carried on for twelve 3'ears, 
then, wishing to change his occupation, he pur- 
chased a farm in Fulton County, which, however, 
he sold after a year, and in the spring of 18G7 
made his advent into McLean County. Here he 
purchased 120 acres of land, to which he has since 
added forty acres, and which constitutes his present 
homestead. This he has greatly improved with 
good fencing and an excellent set of farm buildings, 
and has also brought the land under a good state 
of cultivation. A view of the place is presented 
on another page. 

After going into Fulton County, 111., our subject 
made the acquaintance of Miss Eleanor Clanin. 
which ripened into mutual esteem and affection, 
and their marriage was celebrated on the 21st of 
September, 1854. Mrs.' S. was born April 9, 1834, 
in Hamilton County, Ohio, being the daughter of 
Alford and Edith Clanin, and the eldest of a family 
of five children. Her parents were also natives of 
that county. Of the five children born to our sub- 
ject and his wife the record is as follows : Artha 
A., born June 22, 1856, is the wife of Henry 
Ellington, and lives in Colfax, 111. ; La Salle, born 
Sept. 19, 1858, married Miss Liltbie Brown, who 
died in Colfax in October, 1880; Elma, born Aug. 
31, 1802, is the wife of Frederick Boston, and they 
are residents of Old Town Township; Theodore, 
born Sept. 17, 1867, and Amj' J., July 5, 1871, are 
at home with their parents. Our subject and his 



wife are worthy members and liberal supporters of. 
the Methodist Church. Politically Mr. S. lielongs 
to the Republican party. He was elected to his 
pi'esent office in the spring of 1882. and has held it 
continuously since that time. He has also served 
as School Director, Trustee and Assessor. 



'«'w-'>*a£fi/®^^| 



^yv^^I/d7R''iT^- J\f^-^ 



\\ 



w. 



'/ONES r.HOS. Cyrus H. and Lewis Jones, 
prominent grain-dealers, living at Belle- 
flower, and Percival G., who is located at 
Le Roy, are the sons of Isaac W. Jones, one 
of the pioneers of De Witt County, this State. The 
father was biirn iu Clarke County, Ohio, Nov. 2. 
1811, being the son of Stephen and Jemima Jones, 
who descended from AVelsh and English ancestry. 
The Jones family were early settlers of Clarke 
County, Ohio, whence they removed, in 1821, to 
Indiana, remaining in that State ten j'ears. In the 
S|)ring of 1831 the}' started overland for Illinois. 
They first settled four miles west of the jiresent 
site of AVaynesville, which was then included in 
JNIcLean County. There Stephen Jones purchased 
a tract of land, and established a comfortalde 
farm homestead, where he spent the remainder of 
his days. He lived to see the wilderness transformed 
into smiling homes, and took a deep interest in the 
growth of his adopted State. His death occurred 
in 1855. 

Isaac W. Jones was ten years of age when his 
parents removed to Indiana. He followed them 
when they came to this State, and remained under 
the parental roof until his marriage, in 1834, when 
he located with his young wife three and one-half 
miles northeast of Waynesville, De Witt County. 
There he entered 1 20 acres of wild land, which, 
how(jver, he did not take possession of at once, but 
hired twelve acres broken, and spent the first sum- 
mer after his marriage on the old homestead of his 
father. In the fall he raised a tent on his land, 
which the young couple occupied wliile the hus- 
band erected a log cabin. They lived in this hum- 
ble dwelling three years, and then Isaac Jones 
erected a frame house, the second one in that local- 
ity. His nearest gi-ain market for a number of 
years was Pekin, which involved a journey of three 



1 



f 



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,t 



iL 



!)24 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



and one-half days in niakinj^ tlie mnnd trip. Wild 
game was plenty, deer roamed in sight of the 
house, and the wolves chased tlieir ehickens to the 
door. Isaac Jones lived there witii his family nntil 
lSo7, w'hen he sold ont and I'emoved to Funk's 
Grove Township. lie had been |)rosperous in his 
farm laliors, and now purchased aliout 100 acres of 
land in the latter-named place, which he made his 
pernninent home, iiis death fiecnrring .Sept. 18, 
1808. 

The wife of Isaac W. Jones, who still survives 
iiim, was formerly' jNIi.ss Elniira McLaughlin. She 
was born in Clianipaign Country, Ohio, Aug. 12, 
1817, and was the daughter of James W. McLaugh- 
lin, a native of Sc<itland, who came to America 
with his father, Diuicaii McLaughlin, when a small 
hoy. They located first in Penns3lvauia, whence 
they removed to Ohio, and the father served in the 
War of 1812. James W. McLaughlin was reared 
to manJKiod in the Buckeye State, and was there 
married to Miss Jemima Stretch, a native of Ken- 
^tucky. She died in 1827, and Mrs. Jones, wife of 
Isaac W., then went to live with ;in older sister, 
who afterward married James Cantrill, and with 
them came to Illinois in 183;i. Of her marriage 
with Isaac Jones there are the following-named 
children living: Ann Eliza, the wife of Enoch 
I'asswaters, lives in Randolph Townshi|): Cyrus H. 
is a resident of Bellellower Township; Sylvira is 
the wife of Peter M. Vreeland, and the^y live near 
Gibson, 111.; Lewis lives in Belleflovver; Isaac A. is 
a practicing physician at Uellevuo, Idaho; William 
W. lives in Ford County, 111.; Elmira, Mrs. 
Stei)hen Cunningham, lives at Wichita, Kan. Mrs. 
Jones lived on the old homestead in Plunk's Grove 
Township until 1M81, then removed to Belleflower 
and thence, in January, 1887, removed to Le Roy, 
of which she is now a resident. She has been a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 
a young girl sixteen years of age. Her husband in 
his political views was strongly Democratic. 

Cyrus II. Jones, the eldest of the three sons 
of Isaac and Elmira .lones, was born in De Witt 
County, 111., on the 7th of March, 1841, and was 
sixteen years of age when his parents removed to 
Funk's Grove Township. He attended the pioneer 
schools of De Witt County, and later entered Wes- 



le3'an University at Dloomington. He remained an 
inmate of the parental home nntil 18G5, then pur- 
chased a farm one mile from his fathei''s homestead, 
which he operated until 1871. Then, selling out, 
he purchased a farm in De Witt County, which he 
cultivated and occupied until 1882, then formed 
a partnership with his luother, Lewis, and taking. 
np his abode in Belleflower Tf)wnship, engaged as a 
dealer in grain and stock. He was married in 1885, 
to Miss Tillie Green, of Ohio. He is an active and 
enterprising citizen, highly respected, and with his 
wife is prominently connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

Lewis Jones was born in Waynesville, De AVitt 
Co., 111., Sept. 1. 1845, and was twelve years old 
wlien his p:irents removed to this county. He was 
reared on the farm, and commenced his education 
in the district schools, completing his studies in a 
select schot)l at Hey worth. During the progress of 
the late war he enlisted, in March, l.s(;4, in Co. I), 
145th 111. Vol. Inf., with the 100 days' men, receiv- 
ing his honorable discharge with his comrades in the 
fall of that year. He commenced business when 
twenty-one years of age, as a live-stock dealer, be- 
ing successful from the start. In 1869 he purchased 
a good farm on section 10, Belleflower Townshii), 
but renuiined a resident of Funk's (irove Town- 
ship nntil 1871, then removed to his farm, which 
he still owns and operates. In addition to general 
agriculture he is engaged largely in feeding and 
shipping stock, the proceeds of which furnish 
him a fine income. In 1882 he removed to the 
village of IJelleflower, having formed a partnership 
with his brother Cyrus, and since that time the firm 
has operated extensively in both grain and stock. 

The marriage of Lewis Jones and Miss Ellen 
Moore was celebrated in Mt. Hope Township, this 
county, on the 5th of September, 1871. Mrs. J. 
was born in that township, and is the daughter of 
Jacob and Bethial Moore, who came to this locality 
in the pioneer days. Of this union there have been 
born four children — (Jrace B., Percival A\'., Lulu 
F. and Sarah Edith. Lewis J. is also noted fur his 
enterprising industry, and is contributing his full 
share to the industrial interests of this section. He 
is Democratic in [wlitics. 

Percival G. Jones, the youngest member of the 







t. 



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McLean county. 



925 , L 



firm, was born in Funk's Grove Towtiship, this 
county, Aug. 11, 1858. I^ilie his brothers he was 
reared on the famil}' homestead, pursued his first 
studies in tlie district schools, and completed them 
in Normal Universitj'. He followed farming on the 
old homestead until 1881, then removing to Belle- 
flower, engaged in merchandising with his brother- 
in-law, Mr. Cunningham. lie operated thus until 
the fall of 1885, during which time he also served as 
Postmaster. Then, on account of failing health, he 
sold out his interest in the business, and in January, 
1887, removed to Le Roy, becoming associated 
with his brothers in the grain business, and is con- 
tributing his full share toward sustaining the repu- 
tation of the firm. He was married, Oct. 10, 188'2, 
to Miss Anna E. Loveless, who vvas born in Dela- 
ware County, Ohio, Sept. 2, 18G5. and is the daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Mary J. (Warlord) Loveless. 
They have one child, a daughter, Ethel Elmira, 
who was born in Belleflower, in 1 885. 






-^ ^-^^ ^- 

"^OHN H. MARSH, a young and enterprising 
farmer of Belleflower Township, ,is pleas- 
antly located on section 8, town 21, and has 
(j^!^ already identified himself among the repre- 
sentative and progressive citizens of this locality. 
He is a native of Lawreneeburg Township, Dear- 
born Co., Ind., and was born about one mile from 
the town of that name, April 27, 1853. His father, 
J. Huron Marsh, was a native of the same town- 
ship and county, and his grandfather, David Marsh, 
emigrated to Indiana in an early da}', and was one 
of the pioneer settlers of Dearborn County. He 
purchased a tract of uncultivated land, improved 
the same, and made it his home until his 
death, in 1841. Upon this farm J. Huron, the 
father of our subject, was reared, and remained un- 
der the parental roof until he attained his majority. 
He was married in early manhood and inherited a 
part of the homestead, the whole of which finally 
became his by purchase. Here he spent his entire 
life, his decease occurring Nov. 21, 1869. 

The mother of our subject, before her marriage, 
was Miss Sallie A. Blasdel, a native of the same 
-4*— 



county as her husband and the daughter of Elijah 
Blasdel. Her great-grandfather, .Jacol) Blasdel, a na- 
tive of Massachusetts, removed to Ohio in 1 799, set- 
tling near Cincinnati, then an embryo town, whence 
he removed to the Territory of Indiana in 1805. 
He became prominent among the earlier settlers of 
that region, and it is believed built the first saw 
and grist mill in that State. He soon afterward 
put up a rude school-house, and in 1811, with other 
settlers, built a fort for protection against the 
savages. Before the admission of Indiana into the 
Union Mr. B. was one of the first to circulate a pe- 
tition that it be admitted as a free State, which was 
done by one majority. He improved a farm and 
lived there until his death. His wife, formerly 
Bliss Ruth Morse, was a native of New Hampshire, 
where they first settled after marriage. Here the 
grandfather of our subject, Elijah Blasdel, was born, 
and was quite young when his parents removed to 
Indiana. He was reared in the latter State, en- 
gaged in farming pursuits and there spent the re- 
mainder of his days. The mother survived her 
husband several years and died at the home of her 
son, Elijah B., in McPherson County, Kan., Oct. 5, 
1882. Their five children were all sons, of whom 
three only grew to manhood. David W. lives m 
Bloomington, 111., and the youngest, Elijah B., in 
BlcPherson County, Kan. 

John H. Marsh was reared on his father's farm in 
Indiana, and received a fair education in the com- 
mon schools. He remained on the homestead after 
the death of his father, until 1875, then coming to 
McLean County, 111., purchased 160 acres of land 
on the northwest quarter of section 8, Belleflower 
Township. His purchase included no buildings or 
trees, and he has brought about a great change since 
he took possession of it. He now has a good farm 
residence, with barn and out-buildings, and has 
planted fruit and shade trees. The premises in all 
respects is desirable and comfortable, and indicates 
the enterprise and industry of the proprietor. 

Mr. Marsh was married, Feb. 25, 1874, to Miss 
Lida Leming, who was born in Miller Township, 
Dearborn Co., Ind., April 6, 1857, and they have 
one child, Archie L., born Oct. 20, 1877. Her 
father, Hiram J. Leming, was a native also of Dear- 
born County, and her grandfather, John Leming, 



"^Mf^ 



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926 



A 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



oiR' (if the pioneers of that county, located in Mil- 
ler Townshiii, where he spent the last years of his 
life. There the father of Mrs. M. grew to rnan- 
liood, married and settled, and has always lived in 
his native township. He married Miss Pamelia 
Foster, who was a native of \'irginia, and both par- 
ents are yet living. Mrs. Marsh is a member of the 
Methodist Ei)iscopal Church, and our subject, 
politically, is a stanch Republican. 



j^^HOMAS HATFIELD is one of the most 
thrifty farmers to be found in Towanda 
Township, and has a fine i)lace of 2;^.') acres 
of valuable land on section 7, where he makes his 
home. Ilis parents were Samuel .and Salina (Harris) 
Hatfield, natives of Uhio. Settling in Montgomery 
County, that State, after marriage, they there con» 
tinned to reside until their death, having reared a 
family of three children. 

Thomas Hatfield was the eldest of his [larents' 
children, and was born in Montgomery County, 
Ohio, Aug. 4, 1827. He received a common-school 
education in his native count}' and lived with the 
old folk, assisting in tiie labors on the farm until 
he was twenty-three years of age. He was then 
married, and continued farming in iiis native county 
for about three years, or until IS;');!. During that 
year he came to McLean County, accompanied by 
his wife and one child, and settled in Randolph 
Township, on a farm which he purchased. He was 
engaged in agricultural pursuits at that place for 
eleven years, when he disposed of it by sale and 
purchased another, located in Dry (irove Town- 
ship. On that place he lived and labored for six- 
teen years, and then bought the farm on which he 
is at present residing in T<twanda Township, and a 
view of which is shown on another page of this 
work. The land is und(M- an advanced state of 
cultivation and lie is meeting with financial success. 
Mr. Hatfield was married in Montgomery County, 
Ohio, Nov. 7, !«;■)(), to .lohanna, tiic daughter of 
David N. and Hannah (Mock) (iaff, the former a 
native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Greene 
County, Ohio. The father died in 1.S31 in the lat- 
ter named county, where they had settled after 



marriage. She subsequently married John Calhoun, 
and they emigrated to this State and took up their 
residence at Decatur, where he died. After his 
death she came to McLean County, where she is at 
present residing, having attained to the advanced age 
of eighth-one years. Mrs. Hatfield was the young- 
est of her parents' three children and was born in 
Greene County, Ohio, June 3, 1830. Of her union 
with our subject four children — Didcma, Jose- 
phine, Charles S. and James E. — have been born. 
Didenia is the wife of Charles Strimplo, and they 
are living in Dry (Jrove Township; Josephine be- 
came the wife of L. IL Munsell, and they are living 
at Sedalia, Mo.; Charles S. and Miss Hattie Webb 
were united in nuirriage, and they reside at Bloom- 
ington. 111.; James married Miss Abbie .Tones, and 
is a farmer of Towanda Townshii). Mr. Hatfield 
has held the office of School Director, and relig- 
iousl3' is a member of the United Brethren Church, 
while his wife holds fellowship with the Methodist 
Episcopal. In politics Mr. Hatfield is a stanch 
Republican. 



^j=^j FORGE W. BINGHAM, of Blue Mound 
III ,_-, Township, has been a residence of the Prai- 
^^5J rie State since a I'hild of three years old. 
He was born in New York State, March 22, 
1,S38, being the son of George J. and Amanda 
(Warner) Bingham, of New England, who after 
marriage settled in the Empire State, where the 
father of our subject engaged extensively in the 
lumber business. In about 18 H he came to Lake 
County, III., where he engaged in farming until the 
spring of 18;').'), then removed to tiiis county, set- 
tling in i'adua Townshii>, where he departed this 
life Fell. 22, 187i). The mother died in July, 1K82. 
They had a family of ten children, who lived to 
maturity, while several otiu'rs died in infancy. 

Our subject came to this count}' with his parents, 
and with the exception of three years' service in the 
armv, lived at iiomc until his marriage. He en- 
listed as a Union soldier in August, 18()2, in Co. 
D, 1) Ith 111. Vol. Inf., .serving until the close of the 
warand receiving liis honorable discharge at S|)ring- 
field. III. Upon his leturn from the army, he re- 



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I 






4 



McLean county. 



927 






sumed farming on the old homestead until January, 
187G, when he settled with his wife on section 32, 
Blue Mound Township, where he has since lived. 
He has brought about great improvements since 
taking possession of his farm, the land being under 
fine cultivation, and upon it a good set of farm 
buildings. He is also the owner of forty acres in 
Blue Mound Township and sixty in Padua, all im- 
proved. 

Mr. Bingham was married in Padua Township, 
May 5, 1875, to Miss Hannah J., daughter of 
Henry and Deborah (Searles) Bedell, who were na- 
tives of Greene County, N. Y. They removed 
from the Empire State in the spring of I8G1, and 
settled in Padua Township, this county, where the 
father died March 21, 1884. The mother is still 
living. Mrs. Bingham was the eldest of their 
seven children and was born in Greene County, 
N. Y., March 4, 1841. Our subject has held vari- 
ous offices in his township, .and in politics was 
formerly a Reiiublican, but now is greatly inter- 
ested in the success of the temperance movement, 
and latterly has arraj'ed himself on the side of the 
Prohibitionists. Both he and his wife are members 
of the Society of Friends. 

A lithographic view of Mr. Bingham's residence 
is shown on another page of this work. 

AVID L. MEYERS, Supervisor of Gridley 
Township, is also engaged there as a hard- 
ware merchant, which business he has car- 
ried on successfully and profitably since 
and h.as become one of the important factors 
in the business interests of the town. 

Mr. Meyers is a native of Stettin, (iermany, and 
was born Maj^ 5, 1832. His parents were David 
L. and Barbara (Swartz) Meyers, natives of Ger- 
many, where the father carried on a vineyard and 
dealt largely in the fruit of the vine. The mother 
died in Germany in 1840, and the father in 187(5. 
Of their four children, John and Barbara are de- 
ceased, Christopher carries on a vineyai'd in Ger- 
many, and David L. is the sole representative of 
the family in this country. 

Mr. Meyers received a good common-school 
4 * 




1870, 



education in his native land, and when twenty 
years old set sail for the United States, landing in 
New York City, whence he soon afterward pro- 
ceeded to Wa3'^ne County, Ohio, where he was em- 
ployed .as a farm laborer for four years. In 185G 
he started farther westward, and coming into this 
State located in Will County, where he worked on 
a farm one year and then, renting a tract of land, 
farmed for himself. After two years he rented a 
f.arm in Tazewell County, 111., near Washington, 
which he cultivated three years. He then pur- 
chased a farm in Henry County, this State, upon 
which he lived one year, then sold out and moved 
into the village of Annawan, Henr3' Co., 111., and 
engaged in the luiuber trade, first as an employe 
and subsequently as proprietor of the yard. This 
he operated three years and then, purchasing a stock 
of hardware, engaged in trade at El I'aso, 111., in 
company with George and Samuel Zinser. They 
operated together for six years following, and 
after continuing in business at that pLace for three 
3^ears longer he, in 1874, removed his stock of 
goods to (iriille3', and in company with Henry 
Sneerer carried on the business at that pl.ace. Mr. 
Meyers became sole proprietor of this in 1877, 
since which time he has continued alone. He con- 
trols a good trade and is classed among the model 
business men of the town. 

The marriage of David L. Meyers and Miss 
Catherine Zinser was celebrated in Washington, 
111., on the Gth of January, 1860. Mrs. M. was 
born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and died one year 
after her marriage, on the anniversary of her wed- 
ding day. On the 13th of January, 18G2, Mr. 
Meyers was a second time married, his present 
wife having been Miss Mar3' Zinser, a sister of his 
first wife. Of this latter union there were born 
three children, of whom George and Edwin died 
in infancy. Edward L. lives at home. Our sub- 
ject and his family occupy a good residence in the 
village, and are greatly esteemed 1)3' the people of 
their conimunit3\ He was elected Sui)ervisor in 
April, 188G, and has been a member of the Vill.age 
Board for several years and also served as School 
Director. Both Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of 
the Evangelical Church, and politically our subject 
is a stanch Republican. 



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928 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



t- 



In 1872 Mr. Meyers visited his native land and 
spent three months among his old friends and 
acquaintances. During the war he took two horses 
to Peoria, intending to dispose of them and enlist 
in the army, but not being able to sell them, re- 
tnrned to his home. 

Wj?ILLlAM B. HENLINE. Tiie Henlinc 
property is the i)ride of Lawndale Town- 
ship, and its proprietors are its most valued 
and estimable citizens. The subject of this sketch 
is a son of one of its earliest pioneers, John Hen- 
line, who pushed his wa.y dauntlessly into an uncul- 
tivated country, and has left behind him a record 
of which his descendants ma}- well be jjroud. 

William 11, youngest son and child of John and 
Mary Henline, first opened his eyes to the light in 
Boone County, Ky., Dec. 20, 1823. Five years 
later his parents removed to McLean County, 111., 
where our sul)ject has spent the greater part of his 
life. lie was reared to farming pursuits, received 
a limited education in the pioneer schools and re- 
mained under the h<pme roof until he was twenty- 
seven years of age. He was fond of books, read 
extensively, and became the possessor of a fund of 
useful knowledge concerning matters of general 
interest, and of business especially. In the mean- 
time he became acquainted with the minutest de- 
tails of pioneer life. When first coming to this 
section the Indians were still in the vicinity, and 
the young braves were often the playmates of the 
litth^ llenlines. The family occui)icd the primitive 
log-cabin, were sustained by simple fare, and clothed 
with " homespun ;" but there is no doubt they were 
as hapi)y and more contented than the people of 
to-day with their more luxurious surroundings. In 
the fall of 1H.'50 the family made a brief visit to 
Kentucky after farming implements and other nec- 
essaries, ancl the mother of our snliject put a lot of 
apple sprouts in a stocking with some earth, and 
thus transported the embryo orchard, which was 
afterward of iiiestimal)le service to the family, and 
is still standing on the old Ilcnline place in Lawn- 
dale Township. 

The winter following was made memorable by 



the deep snow. During that fearful season the 
Henlines saw no living person outside their own 
family for six weeks. The j'outh and boyhood 
of our subject and his brother David were filled 
with interesting incidents, enough to make a good- 
si/.ed volume. They remember the vehicles of the 
men who came over the country to speculate and 
buy land — which vehicles corresponded admirably 
with the men themselves; and the latter computed 
distances by tying a rag to a wagon wheel and 
counting the revolutions. 

The youths of those days usually set about the 
establishment of a home and domestic ties early in 
life, but William Henline was behind them in this 
respect — this probably lieing the onl}' instance in 
which he was ever delinquent. He was nearly 
thirty years of age when, in the spring of 1 8.i3, 
he was united in marriage with Miss Jane, 
the daughter of Ilosea Wright, Esq. They settled 
upon a tract of land on section 29, in Lawudale 
Townshij), which our subject had entered from the 
Coverument. This consisted of 320 acres, which 
he improved and cultivated industrionslj- for many 
years, and which has now become a valuable farm. 
Of this he is still the possessor, in company with 
his brother David, the two being joint proprietors 
of 2,500 acres, which they utilize in their business 
as extensive stock dealers. Our subject has been 
engaged thus for thirty-five years past, shipping 
annually from 1,200 to 1,.500 head of cattle. He 
has lieen a successful man in his business transac- 
tions, but in 1870 lost heavily by becoming secur- 
ity for his friends, himself and his-brother having 
to pay on this account $27,000 and interest. Be- 
sides dealing in cattle and hogs, the^' have given 
considerable attention to Norman horses. Of late 
they have rented their farm, and the magnitude of 
I their operations may be the better comprehended 
I when we state the fact that their share of the crops 
frecpieutlN- amounts to 20,000 bushels of corn an- 
nually. They have seven tenants on their land, 
and both l)rothers also live on the farm. 

Of the lirst marriage of Mr. Henline there were 
born two children — John D., now in business for 
himself, and Almira A., the wife of John L. Bo- 
zarth, a resident of Seward County, Kan. The 
mother of these children departed this life in 1861, 

•¥ 



I 








"k 



r 



^ 




^ 




■<^ 






McLean county. 



931 ii\ 



and five years later Mr. H. married his present 
wife, who was formerly IMiss Jane, the daughter of 
Aaron Moon, and born in Madison Count}', Ohio, 
in 1827. 

Some interesting incidents in the parental his- 
tor}' of our subject may be found in the sketch of 
David Henline, on another page in this worl^. 
When John Henline came with liis family from 
Kentucky the country was thinl}' populated, and 
wild game was abundant. The parents were mar- 
ried in the Blue Grass regions. John Henline 
was born Nov. 7, 1787, and died at the homestead 
in Lawndale Township on the 26th of Jul}', 1869. 
His wife, who in her girlhood was Miss Mary Dar- 
nell, was born Jan. 12, 1791, and preceded her 
husband to tlie better land, her death occurring 
Nov. 28, 186.5. 

Mr. Henline, besides being among the first set- 
tlers of this region, Is one of the most valued citi- 
zens of Lawndale Township, contributing his full 
quota toward the advancement of its agricultural 
interests. To such men as himself is due the pres- 
ent status of one of the most wealthy and prosper- 
ous counties of the Prairie State. Mr. H. is now 
in the sixty -fourth year of his age, still hale and 
hearty, with abundant capacity for enjoying the 
good things of life. Politically he is a Jaeksonian 
Democrat, and clings tenaciously to the doctrines 
of the old leader. 

The history of McLean Count}' would be con- 
sidered incomplete without the portrait of William 
Henline, which we here present, and also that of 
his wife, Mrs. Jane (Moon) Henline, who has been 
the kind and sensible companion of her husband 
for over a quarter of a century. 



i-*^- 




.... RTHUR S. CATRON, one of the well- 
■£m known citizens of Towanda Township, and 
a grain and stock dealer at Merna, also a 
farmer and stock-raiser by vocation, is 
pleasantl}' located on his fine pLice on section 25, 
a view of which appears on another page of this 
work. He is the son of Israel M. and Savina 
(Smith) Catron, the former a native of Virginia, 
and the latter of Tennessee. Arthur Smith, father 



of our subject's mother, was one of the early set- 
tlers of Fulton County, 111., and was a soldier in 
the Black Hawk War. Israel Catron and his wife 
both came to that county prior to their marriage 
and while yet young in years. They were married 
there, and lived on a farm in that county until her 
death, which took place in 1844. He is yet living, 
and resides near Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa. Three 
children were born to them — Arthur S., Nancy E. 
and George E. 

Arthur S. Catron was born in Fulton County, 
Aug. 24, 1839. He received his education in the 
common schools of that county, and lived on his 
father's farm until he was nineteen years old, after 
which he followed different occupations until 1861. 
October 11 of that j'ear he enlisted in the 2d Iowa 
Cavalry, and served his country faithfully and well 
for nearly four years. He enlisted as a private .and 
was promoted First Sergeant. On the expiration 
of his term of enlistment he returned to Des 
Moines, Iowa, and shortly afterward engaged in 
mercantile pursuits at Ipava, 111. There he con- 
tinued for about a year, when, disposing of his in- 
terests in the store, he rented a farm, and for 
about a year followed that vocation. In the spring 
of 1868 he came to this county, and purchased 160 
acres of land in Blue Mound Township. He has 
remained a resident of this county since that time, 
and has owned various tracts of land in different 
parts of the county, until he is now the proprietor 
of 233 acres in Towanda and Blue Mound Town- 
ships. 

Mr. Catron w.as married in Fulton County, 111., 
July 12, 1866, to Mary S. Lacey, daughter of John 
and Chloe (Hurd) Lacey, natives of Tompkins 
County, N. Y. Her parents settled in that State 
after their marriage, whence they removed to 
Michigan, and then came to this State, and took up 
their residence in Fulton County. She died there 
in January, 1879, and he is yet living in that 
county, having attained the venerable age of 
eightj'-three years. They had nine children — Ly- 
man, Harriett, Elizabeth, Phebe A., John W., 
Adelia A., Susanna, Richard and Mary S. Mrs. 
Catron was born in Fulton County, 111., April 25, 
1849. Her union with our subject has been pro- 
ductive of eight children — Manning C, Roscoe M., 



i 



■^ 



t 



1= 



=4- 



&32 



McLEAiSf COUNTY. 



Arthur B., Lyman C, Baird D., Mary D., Bruce H. 
and John Norvil. Manning and Lyman are de- 
ceased. Mr. Catron was elected Justice of the 
Peace in the spring of 1 88G. He has held several 
of the minor offices in his township, and in politics 
is a stanch Republican. Socially he is a member of 
the Ct. a. R., holding fellowship with Post No. 
1 46, of Bloomington. Lyman Lacey, eldest brother 
of Mrs. Lacey, of this notice, has held the office of 
Circuit Judge of Tazewell, Mason, De Witt and 
Logan Counties for many years, and is now on the 
Appellate bench. 

WiILLIAM SCOTT ARNOLD, of Blue 
Mound Township, and the second child of 
William M. and Ellen C. (Bull) Arnold, 
is a native of the Prairie State, born in Woodford 
County, Nov. 17, 1843. His parents were both 
natives of Indiana, and after their marriage settled 
in Owen County, where they lived until about 
184.'). They then moved westward and settled in 
Tazewell County, this State, whence they came to 
McLean Count}', in 1852, settling in Lexington 
Township. There the father died the following 
year; the mother still survives. Their four chil- 
dren were, Esther M., William Seott, Missouri A. 
and M inter P. 

The subject of this history was a lad nine years 
old when his parents came into this county. He 
receiveil a common-school education and lived at 
home until he was eighteen years old. Then, the 
late war being in progress, he enlisted in Co. C, 94th 
111. \'(il. Inf., in which he served three years and 
received an honorable discharge at the close. He 
was mustered out at Sjiringfield, 111., and at once 
returned to his home in this county. 

F<jr live years after having been converted from 
a soldier to a civilian, Ml'. Arnold carried on farm- 
ing i)ursuits in this county, and in the fall of 1871 
removed to Bloomington and engaged in mercan- 
tile business. In the latter part of 1872 he en- 
gaged in the sale of agiicultural machinery in 
Bloomington, in which business he continued until 
the fall of 18»;3. He then disposed of his business 



and returned to Blue Mound Township, to his old 
farm, where he has since remained. 

The present homestead of our subject comprises 
one half section of improved laud, upon which he 
has erected a beautiful residence, second to none 
in McLean County. His barns and other improve- 
ments are in keeping with the dwelling. The farm 
operations are carried on systematically, and the 
fences, buildings and machinery kept in good repair. 

The marriage of William Scott Arnold and Miss 
Mattie E. Story was celebrated in Bloomington, 
111., Oct. 25, 1866. Mrs. Arnold was born in 
1846, and is the daughter of Palmer and Mary A. 
(Morris) Storj', natives respectively of England 
and Pennsylvania. They first settled in Ohio, on 
the Muskingum River, whence they emigrated to 
De Witt County, 111., in 1836; and from there, in 
1853, came to Bloomington, where they still reside. 
Mrs. A. was the eighth child of a family of nine 
and was born in De Witt County, 111., Nov. 29, 
1846. 

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have become the parents 
of six children, namely, William L., Hettie M., 
Oliver S., Alfred S., Katie L. and Mattie E. Mrs. 
A. is a member in good standing of the Methodist 
Church, and our subject politically belongs to the 
Republican party. He enjoj'S the confidence and 
esteem of his fellow townsmen, as exhibited in their 
election of him to numerous oflices and places of 
trust. 



■f^;*!^- 



m 



•^5<?>- 



<jt^)LIAS B. JOHNSON, one of the respected 
fe) •'"■"'1 prosperous farmers of Blue Mound 
/r — '^ "' Township, is a native of Saratoga County, 
N. Y., born Oct. 21, 1833. He is the son of Lem- 
uel and Lydia (Rowley) Johnson, the former a na- 
tive of New England, and the latter of New York 
State, in which latter they settled after their mar- 
riage. In 1851 they removed to Fulton County, 
111., when their son, our subject, was about eight- 
een years of age. Lemuel Johnson was a shoe- 
maker by trade, but after locating iu the Prairie 
State, turned his attention to farming. He estab- 
lished a comfortable home in Fulton County, where 



> 



■» ! H<- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



A 



933 ii\ 



his death occurred April 16, 1860; the mother also 
died there in about 1873. 

Of tlie ten children in the i)areiital faniil3' Elias 
B. .lohnson was tlie seventh. He was reared to farm- 
ing |)ursuits, and lived with his parents in Fulton 
County until 18G;(, when lie came into Blue Mound 
Township, this county, and purchased eighty .acres 
of land on section 21, which comprises a part of his 
present homestead. He has brought .about great 
changes in the original condition of his purch.ase, 
and has added to its extent until he is now the 
owner of 240 .acres, all improved and under a good 
stiite of cultivation. He h.as .also erected a fine set 
of farm buildings, which he keeps in good repair. 
Everything about the premises, including the stock 
and machinery', is carefully looked after, and the 
homestead in all respects indicates the supervision 
of an intelligent and [irogressive mind. A view of 
the place is shown on another page. 

Mr. Johnson was first married in Fulton County, 
111., Nov. 27, 18.50, to Miss Ph(ebe L.acey, who was 
a native of Michigan. One of their children, Juliett 
E., died in infancj-; the other, Lj'nian H., is a resi- 
dent of Blue Mound. Mrs. Fha'be .lohnsoii, who 
was the companion of her husband but three years, 
died in November, 1859. Our subject was again 
married, in Fulton Count3', 111., Dec. 31, 1863, to 
Miss Emma, daughter of William B. and fS.abina 
(Rowland) White, who was born in Virginia, Oct. 
24, 1843. Of this m.arriage there were fonr chil- 
dren, one of whom died in infancy ; those surviving 
are Elmer H., Eva S. and Roy W. Mr. .Johnson 
has held various offices in his township, and uni- 
formly casts his vote with the Democratic party. 



I OHN DAWSON, a prominent and successful 
farmer of Lexington Township, was born in 
jMadison Count3', near the village of Mt. 
Sterling, Ohio, on the 4th of December, 
1S20. His father, .lames R. Dawson, was a native 
of Bourbon County, Ky., born in 1794, and fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. The Dawson family 
were of Welsh extraction and emigrated to Amer- 
ica during the first settlement of Mrginia. The 
mother of our subject w.as Miss Mary, the daugh- 



r- 



ter of Albert and Margaret Ogden, an old and 
wealthy family of much influence in New York. 

James R. Dawson became a resident of Madison 
County, Ohio, when a 3'outh of fifteen years, and 
was married in 1817. He first farmed on rented 
land and then purchased 1.50 acres which he culti- 
vated and occupied until 1831. He then removed 
with his family to Illinois, and coming into Mc- 
Lean County in the fall of 1832 settled on a farm 
ne.ar the timber, one and one-half miles southwest 
of what is now the town site of Lexington, where 
he made a purch.ase of 240 acres and began its im- 
provement and cultivation. The purchase of this 
exhausted most of his ready means, Imt he was 
an excellent financier, turning everything to good 
account, and became very successful in his farm- 
ing and l)usiuess transactions. Three years after 
locating upon this homestead the family met with 
a severe affliction in the death of the wife and 
mother in 1837. The children, however, were 
mostly grown to mature years, and were twelve in 
number, nine bo3's and three girls. All are living, 
the 3'oungest being past forty-five years. James 
R. Dawson departed this life April 11, 1848. 

John Dawson was about twelve years of age 
when his i)arents left Ohio for Illinois. Most of his 
education was carried on in the Buckeye State, as 
there w.as no school in this vicinity at the time of 
his coming here, and he early commenced assisting 
his father in the labors of the farm. When twenty- 
two years old he started out in business for him- 
self upon eighty acres of raw prairie, which his fa- 
ther had purchased for him, and at the time of his 
marriage, two 3'ears later, was enabled to offer to 
his bride a comfortable home. This ladj' was Miss 
Arramintia Adams. She w.as born in Boone 
County, K3'., and was the daughter of Mathew 
Adams, who removed from the Blue Grass region 
to McLean County in 1838. Our subject w.as 
prospered in his farming operations and fortunate 
ju his investments, and in due time found himself 
the possessor of 600 acres of valuable land. Of 
this 400 acres was prairie, for which he paid $20 
per acre, and which furnished a fine range for the 
cattle which he afterward dealt in extensivel3', and 
realized a handsome income from his purchases and 
sales. During the first ten 3'ears he worked aim 
_^ 



he 
nd 
nd I 

jstT 

►Hi- 



&34 



~A 



McLean county. 



night and day to establish hiinMll upon a firm busi- 
ness footing and lay up something for a rainy day. 
In 1875, on .account of failing health, he took a 
trip to California, where lie remained four j'ears 
and returned greatly improved, .and since that time 
has lived comparatively retired. His i)ossessions 
now consist of 340 acres of good land, a handsome 
and substantial farm dwelling, with a fine barn and 
all necessary out-ljuildings. Some of his property 
took wings on account of his going security to the 
amount of 18,262.50, of which he had to p.ay 
20 per cent, but he liquidated this debt of honor 
to the last penny, and is now living in the enjoy- 
ment of a competency. 

Our subject and his wife became the parents of 
eight children, four sons and four daughters. Onl}' 
two of the sons survive — Thomas A., who is mar- 
ried and a resident of Clienoa Township, and 
Orlando F., at home. Mr. Dawson politically is a 
Jeffersonian Democrat and uniformly votes to up- 
hold the principles of his party. 

Mr. Dawson is a member of the Christian Church 
and his wife belongs to the United Brethren. 

The brothers and sisters which constitute the 
parental fatnilj' of our subject are recorded as fol- 
lows: Albert is a resident of Del Norte, Col.; John, 
of this county ; Croghan and Samuel reside in Lex- 
ington, and George is in Kansas; Cynthia became 
the wife of Shadrach Kemp ; Margaret married Will- 
iam Wroe, and resides in McLean County near 
Lexington; James M. lives in Chenoa Township; 
Lafayette is a Judge of the Territory of Alaska; 
Philander is in Kansas City, Mo. ; Mary became 
the wife of Daniel Underwood, also of Kansas 
City. 



"HUliZ/lS^^ 



^SfSJx^w*^- 



<;y]AMES V. MrCrLLOUGlI, (me of McLean 
C^ounty's prominent citizens and first-class 
fririners, resides on section 12, I.,exington 
Township. His parents, Robert and Louisa 
(Moore) McCullough, were Ixirn in Washington 
Couiitj-, Pa., where they lived until 1857. In the 
spring of that year they came to this county, first tak- 
ing up their residence at Bloomington, where they 



lived one year, then removed to a farm on section 
1, in Lexington Township. There they lived and 
labored until the spring of 18(38, when they re- 
moved to Normal Township, and after a residence 
there of six years returned to Lexington Township, 
where they made their home until their death. The 
father died in M.a}', 1877, and the mother in De- 
cember, 1882, Their nine children are recorded 
as follows: Obadiah is a farmer of Blue Mound 
Township ; Robert w.as a member of the 20th Illinois 
Infantry, and died of typhoid fever at Mound 
City, III. ; Mary J. is living in Blue Mound Town- 
ship; James V., our subject, was the fourth child; 
Louisa died in Washington County, Pa., in 1856; 
Ard is a resident of Lexington Township; David 
died in Lexington Township in 1883; John is a 
resident of one of the western Territories, and 
Frances died in Lexington Township, in i lay, 1862. 
Our subject w.as born in Washington County, 
Pa., June 2, 1846, and was about eleven 3'ears of 
age when his [)arents came to this county. Here 
he completed his schooling and was reared to the 
calling of a farmer, which vocation he has followed 
thus far in life, with the exception of the time he 
spent in the army. He enlisted Oct. 24, 1863, in the 
8th Illinois Infantry, and served until May 4, 
1866, when he returned to his home in Lexington 
Township and again entered upon the peaceful 
pursuits of f.arming. He is the owner of 180 acres 
of good land and is meeting with success in the 
prosecution of his vocation. Mr. McCullough was 
married in Bloomington, 111., Jan. 23. 1877, to 
Miss Mary A., daughter of William and Eliza J. 
(Moore) Power, natives of Westmoreland County, 
Pa. The parents of Mrs. McCullough moved from 
Pennsylvania to this county in 1856. After liv- 
ing here a year, they went back to the Keystone 
State, where the mother died in 1858, The father 
again came to this county and h.as made tiiis his 
home until the present time. Three children were 
born to ISIr, and Mrs, Power and named, Maiy A,, 
Jane C, .and John M, J.ane died in infancy and 
John is a resident of this count}-. Mrs. McCullough 
was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Sept. 18, 
1845, and by her union with our subject has be- 
come the mother of three children — Fr.ances L., 
Linden, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Me- 



i 



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1 







.t- 



^ ■ <• 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



937 




4' 



Cullough has held the office of School Director of 
his township, and socially is a member of the G. 
A. R., belonging to Post No. "240, of Lexington. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican. 



, EY. FATHER M. WELDON, Rector of the 
Hol3' Trinity Church of Bloomington, is 

one of the most highly respected citizens of 
jlthis locality, and hy his useful life and cour- 
teous demeanor has gathered around him a circle of 
warm friends, not alone including those of his own 
parish but embracing the comnumitj' at large. 

Father Weldon was born in the city of New 
Orleans, La., in 184.5, received his education in 
Grand Seminary of that city, and was ordained in 
1870, his first charge being in Jackson, La. On 
account of failing health he w.as forced to abandon 
it, and coming North, became an assistant in the 
parish of Monmouth, 111., with which he was con- 
nected the following nine mouths. He was then trans- 
ferred to Keithsburg, and after eleven months 
spent there, returned to Monmouth, whence, after 
ten months, he was sent to Bloomington, and has 
been Rector of the Catholic Church in this cit^^ 
since .luly 2, 1879. 

Father Weldon found the church here in a 
gloomy condition, with an indebtedness of $46,000 
and the church building unfinished. Although 
realizing the heav}' burden placed upon him, he at 
once set to work to retrieve the condition of his 
people here. His earnest zeal in the cause to which 
he had devoted his life and his excellent personal 
traits of character paved the way for his complete 
success in his undertaking. During the years fol- 
lowing, besides relieving the church from a part of 
its indebtedness, he has effected the reseating of 
the building, put in steam heating apparatus, laid 
walks around the block included in the church 
property, which contains the parochial residence, 
school, etc., and in 1885 erected the present school 
building with all modern im|)rovements. It was 
built of brick at a cost of $21, .582. 85. In this he 
established a free parochial school, equipped with a 
force of ten Sisters as teachers, and which now has 
an attendance of 600 pupils. Connected with the 



church Is St. Joseph's Academy for girls, under 
the charge of Sister Emalda, Superior. The parish 
now includes about 500 families. Father Weldon 
has two assistants. Fathers (.^uinn and O'Dwyer. 

The original church was built on the ground now 
occupied by the parochial residence, under the 
ministrations of Father O'Gara in about 1868. The 
edifice was destroyed by a hurricane, and the present 
church, commenced by Dr. McGovern, was enclosed 
by Father McDermott in 1878. By private sub- 
scriptions and fairs Father Weldon, after building 
the school-house and adding other permanent im- 
provements, has reduced the indebtedness to $25,- 
015.12. He prepares a general statement each 3'ear 
of the church and school for his people, so that 
they may be satisfied with the disbursement of 
funds and his management. In looking up the 
statements we find the following interesting facts : 
$56,545.92 have been paid on permanent improve- 
ments, interest and old debt, and $10,940 for edu- 
cational purposes, making a grand total of $67,- 
485.92 expended for the work done for seven 
j'ears. The present cost of the church property In 
this city, including the school and residence, is over 
$135,000. A page view of the church, parsonage 
and school buildings is shown on an adjoining page. 
Father Weldon has exhibited more than ordinary 
unselfishness in his labors, and his unostentatious 
life is worthy of the highest praise. 



<^m- 



eROGHAN DAWSON, an extensive land- 
holder of this county and residing at Lex- 
ington, is entitled to a place among the old 
settlers of this county, having come here in Decem- 
ber, 1832, from Madison County, Ohio, where he 
was born on a farm near Mt. Sterling, Oct. 10, 
1822. The father of our subject, James R. Daw- 
son, was a Kentuckian by birth, and first saw light 
in Bourbon County, in 1794. His father, grand- 
father of Croghan, was killed by the Indians while 
on his way from Virginia to Kentucky. The Daw- 
sons were of Welsh extraction and the great-great- 
grandfather of our subject was born in Wales, but 
became a citizen of the United States, locating in 
Virginia. He was twice married, having sixteen 



k 



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938 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



n 






children by each of his two marriages — making 
him the father of thirty-two children. The strange 
part of it is that they all lived to attain the age of 
manhood and wonianliood, and the father at the 
time of his demise h.ad reached the age of one 
liundred and twenty-eight years. He dropped 
dead while carrying a basket of corn to his pigs. 

James R. Dawson, the father of our subject, was 
a soldier in the War of 1812. He reared a family 
of twelve cliildren, all of whom are living at this 
writing. He came to this county with his family 
in tiie fall of 1832, and settled on the south side of 
Mackinaw Creek in Money Creek Township, where 
he purchased two eighty-acre tracts of land. On 
this land he located with his family and engaged 
in farming, where he met with success and where 
he remained until his death, in April, 1848. The 
maiden name of liis wife was Mary Ogden, daugh- 
ter of Albert Ogden, of Ohio. She died in this 
county in about 1834. Of the twelve children, 
two are living in Kansas City; one in Alaska; the 
other nine in this county. La Fayette, the son 
living in Alaska, holds the position of Supreme 
Judge, to which lie was appointed by President 
Cleveland. He is the only lawyer in the family. 

Croghan Dawson is the third child of his parents, 
and was but ten years of age when he .accompanied 
them to this county. His schooling thereafter was 
received in the pioneer log school-house, and his 
years were p.assed on his father's farm until he was 
twenty, when he went to work for himself. He 
had prior to tiiis age, boiiglit small tracts of land, 
and on becoming his own man, woiked his land for 
a time, and finally traded it for an eighty-acre 
tract in Money Creek Township. On this he locat- 
ed and kept "liaeh" witii iiis brother, John, until 
the latter w.as marri(Ml ; our subject then lived with 
him two years, and until concluding that he would 
join the army of benedicts himself, which he did 
on the 2d of February, 1847, being then married 
to Elizabeth Haner. Mrs. Dawson had been 
brought to this county from Oliio, by her parents 
in 1820, when an infant of three weeks old. After 
marriage, Mr. Dawson settled north of Lexington 
on a farm that he had improved vvhile keeping 
"bach." On tills phu-e he eng.aged in general 
farming and stock-raising on a small scale, being 



then the proprietor of but little of this world's 
goods. He soon sold this place to his brother 
John, and then entered 185 acres to which he aftei'- 
ward added forty acres, and where he made his 
home for fifteen years. He subsequently bouglit 
467 acres more adjoining his farm, which gave him 
a total of 842 acres of land all in a body, and 
which he still owns. On this large farm our sub- 
ject has six dwelling-houses. He rents out a por- 
tion of his land, and cultivates the remainder with 
the assistance of his son. 

In 18,58, on the completion of tlie C. & A. K. R. 
Mr. Dawson engaged in the buying and shipping 
of hogs, cattle, sheep and horses. During the war 
he carried on this business quite extensively, and 
gradually increased his exchequer, and was thus 
occupied until 1870, when he settled up his busi- 
ness and abandoned that branch of his vocation. 
In 1877 he emliarked in the breeding of Norman 
horses on a small scale. He now has two imported 
stallions and four imported mares, all registered in 
the National Herd Book, together with some fine 
yearling colts. 

In the fall of 1884 our suliject leased the farm 
and moved into the village of Lexington, where he 
has since resided. Politically Mr. Dawson is a 
Democrat, and voted for Andrew J.ackson. He 
and his wife are devoted members of the United 
Brethren Church at Lexington, and our subject is 
Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday-school at 
that place. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson reared an inter- 
esting family of children, all of whom with one 
exception are living, and are respected members of 
society, living up to the parental precepts in a 
manner refiocting credit upon their early training. 



'iJ'V?< I. 



^^t^j^-sr- 



ELLIS DILLON, importer and breeder of 
French draft horses, is not onl}- a leading 
citizen of McLean County but is numbered 
among the leading stock men of the State. Of his 
ancestors little is known except that the Dillons 
have been residents of the United States for sev- 
eral genei-ations. The father of our subject, Jesse 
Dillon, was a native of North Carolina, but when a 
young man removed with his parents to Clinton 



-p^m^4» 



i 



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" >» ■ 4* 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



939 



i' 



County, Ohio. He was thei-e married to Hannah 
Pugh, who was born in South Carolina, and removed 
with her p.irents to Ohio tlie same year that the Dil- 
lons settled there. Jesse Dillon was a blacksmith 
by trade, and also owned and cultivated a small farm 
in Ohio until 1821. He then took a trip to Illinois 
and traveled over considerable territory, following 
the Indian trail with a pocket compass, and exam- 
ining the country. Returning to Ohio he contin- 
ued to reside there until 18-22, when he again came 
to Illinois and selected Tazewell County as his fu- 
ture home, and the following year, 1823, moved 
his famil}' there. He soon constructed a rude log 
cabin, in which the family passed the winter of 
1823. They had no neighbors except the Indians 
for many miles around and the father hauled corn 
from Elkhart, III., which he crushed and which the 
good wife made into corn cakes for the sustenance 
of the family. They nevertheless had plent}' of 
fish and wild game, and the winter being mild 
they did not suffer. 

In the spring of 1824 Jesse Dillon erected a 
double log house in Tazewell County, which af- 
forded them a convenient and commodious place 
of shelter. The previous summer two brothersi 
Nathan and William, came from Sangamon County 
111., where they had lived one year, and his 
brothers and sisters from Ohio came that year and 
settled in his neighborhood. When the township 
was formed it w.as named in honor of Jesse Dil- 
lon. The first post-offlce in the township was Dil- 
lon, and also a creek in that township bears the 
famil}' name. Jesse and Hannah Dillon were the 
parents of seven sons and four daughters, six of 
whom are now deceased, and of the five sons liv- 
ing, our subject is the oldest. 

Ellis Dillon was born in Clinton County, Ohio, 
March 25, 1816, and at the age of seven years 
came with his parents to this State. His 0nvly edu- 
cation w.as somewhat limited on account of the lo- 
cation of the family in a wild and undeveloped 
country, where no public school facilities existed. 
But Ellis D. possessed ambition, and being en- 
dowed with a good supply of common sense, lie 
not onl}' gained information from practical observ- 
ation, but studied at home. His early life was 
passed on the farm, and on attaining the age of 

4» 



manhood for seven years he was engaged in running 
a sawmill. Abandoning the latter business he en- 
gaged in farming on Dclavan Prairie, Tazewell 
County, in which he met with -success. Like his 
father he was exceedingly fond of horses. In 1854 
he sold his farm and removed to Bloomington. At 
that time he owned a flue imported French draft 
horse and had about $10,000 in cash. From 
the time he made Bloomington his home he has 
turned his attention to the breeding and sale of 
horses. 

In 1866 our subject moved to Normal, but had 
before this time associated himself with his two 
nepliews, Isaac and Levi Dillon, and established the 
firm of E. Dillon & Co. In 1870 this firm im- 
ported four horses, and in 1872 Adolphus Dillon, 
son of our subject, was admitted as a partner in 
the business, and that year the firm imported 
twelve horses. After that they imported eleven 
lots of horses and met with signal success in 
the conducting of their business. Our sub- 
ject has visited France twelve times for horses 
thus crossing the Atlantic Ocean twenty-four times. 
The firm spoken of dissolved partnership in 1883. 

Mr. Dillon is at present the owner of a fine farm 
of 250 acres adjoining the city of Normal, for 
which he paid $22,000. He has added many fine 
improvements to the place since he has owned it, 
and it is now one of the finest farms to be found 
within the boundary lines of the State, and al- 
though he is still a dealer in horses he is enabled to 
live a somewhat retired life, enjoying his handsome 
competency. His business career has been marked 
and successful, and to each of his children he has 
given liberally from his exchequer. Politically he 
was, from boyhood, opposed to slavery, and dur- 
ing the time of the Fugitive Slave Law helped the 
negroes over the Underground Railroad to a place 
of safety. When the Republican party came into 
existence he joined its ranks and is still a stanch 
supporter of its principles. Four years he held the 
office of Supervisor in Tazewell County, and for 
two years held the same office in this county. He 
has been a member of the Christian Church since 
1838, and has never united with any secret society. 

Mr. Dillon has been three times married. In 
1836 Mary J. Fisher became his wife. She was a 




t 



t 



940 



McLEAN COUNTY, 



-^l 



daughter of James Fisher, a settler in Tazewell 
County, and lived only tvvo short years after her 
marriage, leaving one child who died when eleven 
years old. In 1833 Mr. Dillon was married to 
Mary Hodgson, who died in 1844 without issue. 
Feb. 24, 1845, our subject formed another matri- 
monial alliance, Miss Martha Fisher, a sister of his 
first wife being the other contracting party. Of 
this union five children have been born, two dying 
in infancy; one, a daugiiter, .Sarah, became the wife 
of Ruben Bright, and departed this life in 1881. 
The other two were Adolphus, who was married, 
Nov. 20, 1873, to Aliss Paulina Britt, and resides 
in Normal, and Emma, who is at home with her 
parents. 




^;;- 

V 



yr.., LVAN PACKARD, uf Bloomington Town- 
f^LJl, ship, one of the most prominent and suc- 
cessful farmers of this region, is the pos- 
sessor of 167 acres of finely cultivated 
land located on section 11, and near the city limits 
of Bloomington. In connection with his farming 
operations he is giving much attention to the 
breeding of fine stock, in which he h.as been suc- 
cessful, and exhibits some of the choicest animals 
to be found in the county. 

Mr. Packard located on his present homestead in 
1 865, having purchased it the year previous. He 
commenced at the foot of the ladder, and has ac- 
cumulated his present jwssessions solely by the ex- 
ercise of industry and economy. When he came 
to his farm it was a tract of unini|)roved land and 
it has taken years of laborious and persevering toil 
to bring it to its present condition, and he is fully 
justified in viewing the result of his labors with 
pride and satisfaction. 

Our subject was born in Millbury, Worcester 
Co., Mass., Sept. 19, 1821. His father, Job Pack- 
ard, was a native of Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., 
Mass., and descended from one of the prominent 
families of that section who assisted in establishing 
and maintaining tiie independence of the colonies. 
They were originally from England, the first repre- 

4» 



sentatives of the family in this country being 
among the Puritan settlers in Massachusetts, and 
they occupy a position among the most prominent 
of the old families of Plymouth Count}". More than 
1,000 of that n.ame are registered in the town of 
Bridgewater. 

Job Packard, the father of our subject, died at 
his home in Millbury on the 17th of August, 1836. 
He was prominent in the affairs of his community, 
was a Whig in politics, and an active member of 
the Congregational Society. After his decease, in 
1849 the mother of our subject came West, and 
locating at Princeton, Bureau Co., 111., died there 
on the 17th of February, 1868. She was an affec- 
tionate wife and mother and a zealous Christian, 
and left behind her a record of good deeds and 
womanly virtues. Her name is held in kindly re- 
membrance by a large circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances to whom she had endeared herself by 
generous acts of kindness and her excellent traits 
of character. 

Alvan Packard, our subject, was the youngest son 
of thirteen children, of whom four sons and four 
daughters lived to mature years. He remained 
under the parental roof and received his early edu- 
cation in the old academy at Leicester, Jlass. He 
was a bright and studious boy, fond of his books, 
and ambitious to excel, and while yet a young 
man became a civil engineer and a teacher in the 
schools of his native State. At the age of twenty- 
two years he was employed by the Hartford & 
Springfield Railroad Co. to assist in surveying their 
line and subsequently on the Worcester & Nashua 
Railroad, and also the road between New London 
and Palmer. In 1849 he decided to visit the 
Western country, and accordingly started for the 
prairies of Illinois. He purchased a farm in Taze- 
well County, and after working upon it for nearly 
two years, became connected with the Military 
Tract, now the C, B. & 0- K- R-< ^'ifl ^'^s en- 
gaged on a division of that road for some time as 
civil engineer. While thus occupied he was solic- 
ited by Mr. R. 1>. Mason, Chief Engineer on the 
Illinois Central, to take a similar position on their 
road. He was connected with the first division 
during the building of the road, and had charge as 
resident engineer in the spring of 1853. He after- 



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1 






^^ 



V — --^ 



f 









■f^" 




t. 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



943 



r 



ward came to Bloomiiigton, III., and was subse- 
quently employed by the Missouri & Pacific Com- 
pany, who were then tlie managers of what was 
called the Brough Road. Mr. Schuyler, the finan- 
cial manager of the road, failed to meet his obliga- 
tions and business on that line suspended indefinite- 
ly, so that Mr. Packard, with many others, lost his 
situation. He then went to Macon County, and 
while at Decatur was employed for a few months 
on the Great Western Railroad. He subsequently 
purchased a farm in ^Voodford County. 

While in Woodford County, Mr. Packard was 
united in marriage with Miss Estiier J. Rannej', the 
weddiug taking place on the 27th of March, 1855. 
Mrs. P. was born and reared in Stockbridge, Vt., 
and came West with her parents when a child eight 
years of age. Of her marriage with our subject 
there have been born eigiit children, as follows: 
Lenora R., Charles A., Almira E., Luella M., Joel 
R., Joel A., Edith J. and Edwin S. Joel A. is at 
home; Edwin S. is attending the State Normal 
School at Carbondale; the balance of the children 
are deceased. Mrs. P., the mother of these chil- 
dren, has been an invalid for many years, but al- 
though deprived of many of the pleasures of life, 
she bears her affliction patiently and hopes for 
something better in the future. She is a lad3' 
highly esteemed for her many excellent personal 
traits of character, and has a large circle of friends 
and acquaintances in this vicinity. With her hus- 
band she is connected with the First Congregational 
Church of Bloomington, of which Mr. P. has been 
a regular attendant since its organization. In 
politics he is a stanch Republican and heartily 
gives his influence to the support of the principles 
of his party and much of his time to promote its 
welfare in his section. 

In early manhood, before his marriage with his 
present wife, Mr. Packard was united in wedlock 
with Miss Rebecca Newton. She was a native of 
Vermont. Later she became a resident of Worces- 
ter, Mass., where she formed the acquaintance of 
Mr. Packard. After their marriage in 1850, she re- 
moved West with her husband, and died in Taze- 
well County, 111. Of this union there were no 
children, but the young wife is held in kindly re- 

tmembrance for her amiable disposition and lovable 



traits of character, and was deeply lamented by her 
youthful partner. 

Accompanying this sketch may be seen the i)or- 
trait of Mr. Packard, who is a truly representative 
citizen of McLean County. 



v 



ILLIAM H. VICTOR. He who has no 
\/iJf/ ''^S-'i''*' fo'' ^^^ record of the past, no inter- 
est in the present, and no anxiety for the 
future, is scarcely to be named a citizen of the 
world. Few can look back to the history of their 
own lives, family and ancestry, and not discover 
elements which have shaped their destiny. Like 
produces like in the moral as well as in the natural 
world. William H. Victor, of whose life we shall 
give a brief outline, is a gentleman who in every 
way honors the dignitj' of American citizenship, 
and who toils to make the world better and those 
around him happier. 

Mr. Victor has been a resident of the Prairie 
State since 1864. He owns and occupies a fine 
farm of 230 acres, located on section 3, Normal 
Township. His land is all improved, and Mr. V. 
is giving much attention to the raising of fine 
stock. He was born in Nicholas County, Ky., 
June 8, 1830, and is the son of Ambrose D. and 
Eliza (Sturgis) Victor, natives of the same State. 
The father resided there until his death, which oc- 
curred when he was only thirty-three years of age. 
The mother is still living upon the homestead in 
Nicholas County, Ky.. aged seventy-five years. 
Their family included four children : William H. ; 
Edy, the wife of James A. Mathers, who lives in 
Carlisle, Ky. ; Sarah, Mrs. Alanson Brewington, of 
Bates County, Mo.; Martha, Mrs. Robert S. Will- 
iams, of Nicholas County, Ky. 

The subject of our sketch was the oldest of his 
parents' family, and the only son. He was reared 
to farming pursuits, attended the common schools 
and had the advantage of excellent private in- 
struction at home. At the age of twenty years he 
crossed the plains to the Pacific Slope, and for four 
years engaged in mining in California. He then 
returned to Kentucky via the Isthmus of Panama, 
and four years later, in September, 1854, was mar- 



I 



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944 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



ried to Miss Susan J. Wood, a unlive of his own 
county. The father of Mrs. Victor, Niinrod Wood, 
was a native of Kentucky. He was married Feb. 
14, 1831, to iMiss Margaret McClintock, a native of 
the same State; there was but one month's differ- 
ence in their age, and both wei-e horn in 1796. 
They are now deceased. After marriage our 
subje('t .setth'd upon a farm in Kentucky, which 
he occupied and cultivated for the following 
ten years. He then came to Illhiois with his 
famil\- and purchased his present farm. He has 
greatly improved its condition since it came into 
his possession ; has now a substantial dwelh'ng, a 
good barn and all necessary conveniences for the 
storing of grain and the shelter of stock. He is in 
all respects a representative farmer of McLean 
County, one of the best agricuitui-ai counties in 
the Kation, and reckoned among its foremost citi- 
zens. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mctor became tiie parents of the 
following children: Anilirose, Eliza, the wife of 
Albert Kneass; Maggie M.. Annie .1., William .J., 
Mattie, Katie and Nimrod. Our suliject ijolitically 
adheres to the Deraocratic party, and leligionsly 
has been an active member of the Christian Church 
for many years. 

Mr. X'ictor has been fairly successful in his jjres- 
ent occupation, and has shown rare judgment and 
good management in his business and farming 
operations. In the various relations of life he sus- 
tains the char.acter of an estimable citizen, neigh- 
bor and friend, ami enjoys the full conlidence and 
regard of those who know him. The accompany- 
ing poitrait will lie gladly welcumi'd b>- many who 
highly esteem him. 



*i?tJ!>*-j.i>«3.; 



■v?;tf-»»s?*^ 




**HOMAS C. HASTINGS, who has been a 
resident of the Prairie State since 1855, and 
owns and occupies a farm of 240 acres in 
Blue Mound Township, where he has a handsome 
and substantial residence and all modern improve- 
ments, also owns a valuable tr.act of timber land 
and village property in Cooksville. 'i'his farm he 
h.as occupied since 1870, and in.ateriall}- enhanced 
its value. He is a gentleman of great energy and 
-4« 



resolution, and occupies a prominent position in 
the agricultural interests of this section. 

The subject of this biography was bmn in Fay- 
ette County, Pa., Feb. 10, 1828, .and is the son of 
John and Jane (Carroll) Hastings, also natives of 
the Keystone State. They spent their entire lives 
in their native country, and there their remains are 
buried. John Hastings died of Asi.atic cholera Dec. 
14, 1832, when but thirty -seven years of age. Mrs. 
Jane C. Hastings survived her husband twenty-six 
years, her death occurring Dec. 19, 1858, when she 
was sixty-two years of age. The3' were married 
Sept. 23, 1819, and became the parents of five chil- 
dren — William, Mary A., James J., Thomas C. and 
Jane. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his par- 
ents until eighteen years of age, and then was ap- 
prenticed to learn the * plasterer's trade, which he 
followed in his native county until 1855. In 
March of that year he emigrated to Illinois, worked 
one month at his trade in Bloomington, then went 
to Atlanta, Log.an County, remaining there one 
summer, and for three years afterward followed his 
trade in Champaign County. In the fall of 1855 
he purchased 160 acres of land in Chenoa Town- 
ship, this county, which he sold in 1 858 ; he then 
became a resident of Drj' Grove Township, where 
he remained from 1859 until 1870, when he dis- 
posed of his interests there and came into this 
township, locating ujxtn his present homestead, 
which by his industry and good judgment he has 
transformed into one of the most attractive spots 
in the township. 

The marriage of Thomas C. Hastings and Miss 
Rachel Hays took place on the 5th of Jul}', 1860, 
in Champaign County. Mrs. Hastings is the 
daughter of James and Mar}' (Miller) Hays, the 
former a native of Washington County, I'a., and 
the latter of Muskingum County, Ohio. They set- 
tled in the latter State and county soon after their 
marriage, and after a residence there of eight years 
removed to \inton County, where they lived un- 
til 1857. They then came to Illinois, locating in 
Champaign County, where the father spent his last 
days in Homer, dying in .September, 1860. The 
mother afterward removed with her family to Piatt, 
where she has since resided. Their six children 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



945 i k 



were — William, Abraham, Rachel, Sarah. Henry 
aiifl Langartha. Kacliel, Mrs. Hastinns, was Ijorii 
in Muskingum Count}', (Jhio, Ajiril 4, 1S44. Of 
her union with our subject there have been born 
seven children, of whom one, a little dauyhter, 
Ada, died in Blue Mound Township in tiie fall of 
1872, when aliout five years old. The others were 
Henry M., Frank C, William M.. Charles, Odus 
and Elmer. 

IMr. Hastings has held some of the minor offices 
in his township; with his wife he is a member in 
good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and has 
been an Elder since 1872. Political]}' he casts his 
vote with the Democratic party. ■ In all respects 
he is fulfilling the obligations of a good citizen, 
and doing his full share toward building up the 
agricultural .ind business interests of Blue Mound 
Township. A lithographic view of Mr. Hastings' 
residence appears elsewhere in this book. 

^ps^ IMON A. McCartney, Postmaster at 
^^^ Weston, has been a resident of this State 
[fl/\3) since 1875, during which year he located 
at Gridley, in this county, and has been a 
resident of this vicinity, with the exception of 
about eighteen months, since that time. He is 
held in high respect as an intelligent and thorough- 
going farmer, a good citizen and valuable member 
of the community. Mr. McCartney comes from 
excellent Pennsylvania stock, having been born in 
Fayette County, Pa., July 19, 1833. His father, 
William McCartney, was born in Westmi;>reland 
County, that State, and became one of the promi- 
ment boat builders of that section. The mother 
of our subject, who before her marriage was Miss 
Sarah Sadler, was a native of Fayette County, Pa., 
of which she remained a resident during her entire 
life. The parental family consisted of eight chil- 
dren, only three of whom are living; one son, J. T., 
served as a soldier in Co. E, 14th Pa. Vol. Cav., 
during the late Civil War, and received a gunshot 
wound at the battle of Winchester which disabled 
his right arm. After the war, not being able to 
perform manual labor, he educated hini.self for the 
ministry and subsequently became a noted clergy- 

4* 



man in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died 
April 21, 188,5, and his remains are buried in the 
cemetery at Nashville, Ohio. 

The subject of this history was the eldest child 
of his parents. He was reared to habits of indus- 
try, and his school days were limited to a few- 
short terms in the district schools. When nineteen 
years of age, with the permission of his father, he 
commenced the battle of life for himself as a farm 
laborer, receiving the munificent salary of IG jier 
month. Not being satisfied with the results of hard 
labor, he took up the early trade of his father, 
boat building, and located in Monongalia County, 
W. Va. During the late war he enlisted in the 
United States service, becoming a member of Co. 
D, 1 4th Pa. Vol. Cav., with which he remained un- 
til Aug. 28, 1865. Although his term of service 
was not as lengthy as that of some others, yet he 
participated in no less than fifteen battles and skir- 
mishes, among which may be mentioned, Solomon's 
Gap, Harper's F'erry, Martinsburg, Winchester and 
Bunker Hill. After receiving his honorable dis- 
charge and being mustered out, he joined his 
family in West Virginia, and they continued to 
reside there until 1875. They then removed to 
Illinois, locating first in Gridley as before men- 
tioned, and from there, after eighteen months, 
moved to Tazewell County. Thence, in the spring 
of 1878, he returned to McLean County and en- 
gaged in farming in Yates Township. In 1880 he 
removed to Weston and subsequently entered the 
employ of Haynes, Rakestraw & Co., grain mer- 
chants, with whom h(' contiiuied until Aug. 3, 1885, 
when he entered upon his duties as Postmaster. 

One of the most important events in the history 
of Mr. McCartney occurred Oct. 14, 1852, when 
he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. 
AV'ood, in Fayette County, Pa. Mrs. McC. was 
reared in the latter county although born in Mo- 
nongalia County, W. Va. Of this marriage there 
were born six children, one of whom died in in- 
fancy: Clara E. is the wife of Joel R. Maxwell; 
Sarah J. married J. T. Vance; Willliam I., George 
A. and Enoch W. are in charge of two stock farms 
about eight miles from Peoria, 111., owned by O. 
J. Bailey. William I. married Miss Syrenia Smith, 
of Gridley. George A. is single. Enoch W. mar- 



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4 



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946 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



ried Miss Clayinaii, of C'henoa. Mrs. McCartne3' 
has been an .active member of llie liaptist Church 
for many years. 

Our subject, politically, is a stam-h supporter of 
the Democratic party. He has been prominent in 
the affairs of his township, served as Constable 
about four years and was elected Justice of the 
Pe.ace in 18.S;"), :'. position which he h.as held con- 
tinuousl3- since that time, lie is also a member of 
the n. A. R., Post No. I'.)2. 



W)1LLIAM N. McNAUGIlT, senior member 
of the firm of McNaught &. Mercer, is, 
with his partner, carrying on a profitable 
trade in hardware and .agricultural implements at 
Lexington. Mr. McNatiglit is a native of this 
county, having been liorn on a farm in Money 
Creek Township, Jan. 7, is is. He was the fourth 
son and child of George and Nancy McNaught, 
and resided during his boyhood and youth under 
the parental roof, receiving his primary education 
in the district school. Later lie entered Weslej'an 
Universitj' at Ulooniington, where he remained two 
years. His father then died and our subject was 
called home to assist his mother in iicr farming 
business, and here he continued until ISOO, when 
he removed to Lexington and purchased the inter- 
est of his step-father. Dr. J. L. Brooks, and became 
tlie partner of his brother, N. F. McNaught, in the 
drug-store business. Tliis tln^y carried on under 
the firm style of McNauglil Bros, until 1882, with 
the exception of iwv 3ears, during which his 
brother retired, and ids mother became a partner 
in the business. In 1 8S() she disposed of her in- 
terest to John B. Dawson, .and in 1882 McNaught 
& Dawson sold to J. 1). Packard & Co. 

Mr. McNaught after disposing of his drug busi- 
ness engaged in buying and selling horses until 
1881, and then became the partner of John W. 
Pt)wley in the hardware business. After one year 
Mr. Powl('\- sold his interest to Robert F. Mercer of 
the present firm. They are doing a profitable and 
growing business, both being well known and 
highly respected for their straightforward methods 
and excellent personal character. 



Mr. McNaught w.as married, in iiis twentietli 
year, to Mi.ss Theresa L. Dishon, whose mother 
was named Elizabeth, and whose father. William 
Dishon, died when Mrs. McN. was a 3'oung girl 
fourteen years of age. Our subject and his wife 
have become the parents of two daughters — Ger- 
tie and Edna. Their liome on East Main street is a 
model of convenience and comfort, and the family' 
are held in the highest respect in this community. 
Mr. McNaught is a member of McLean Lodge No. 
206, I. O. O. F., and Damon Lodge No. 10, K. of 
P. He has served as President of the Board of 
Councilmen and lias in other respects been identi- 
fied witii the pulilie affairs of the town, and at the 
present time is engaged in the importation of Nor- 
man horses. 



^7 AMES McHl'GH, deceased, was a farnua- on 
section 2, Lexington Township, and success- 
ful in the prosecution of his calling. He 
was born in Harrison Count.y, Ohio, Jan. 13, 
1822, and his parents were William and Anna 
(Lewis) McHugh, of Irish parentage. 

James McHugh was the eldest of seven children 
born to his parents, who died in Monroe County, 
Ohio. Tlie father was a shoemaker by trade and 
our subject was reared partly in the village where 
his parents resided and partly on a farm. When 
twenty-one years of age he settled on a farm in 
Monroe Country, Ohio, which his father had given 
him, and there industriouslj' labored for about nine 
3'ears. He then sold his place and removed to De- 
catur County, Ind., where he purch.ased another farm 
and lived on it for about the same length of time. 
Disposing of this latter place he, in 1864, came to 
this county with his family, consisting of his wife 
■and six children, and .settled on section 2, Lexing- 
ton Tow-nship, where he [)urch.ased 160 acres of 
land. He continued to live and labor on this place 
until summoned to another world, his death taking 
place from consumption, Aug. 6, 1886. He had 
accumulated a line property, including 240 acres 
of valuable and productive land, with all the ap- 
pliances of a modern countr}' homestead. 

James McHugh was married in Belmont County, 
Ohio, Aug. 20, 1844, to Miss Anna Farra, daughter 



r 



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McLean county. 



947 



4 



of Rees and Rachael (Broomhall) Farrar, natives 
of Pennsylvania. Her father was a tailor by trade 
and also carried on farming in Belmont Count}, 
where both parents died. Thej' had five children — 
Lavinia, Milton, Anna, Rees C. and Wilson. Mrs. 
McIIugh was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, 
March 14, 182.3. She lived with her parents until 
her marriage and by her union with Mr. ^McHugh 
became the mother of six children — William R., 
Thirsa, Uriah C, James N., Clinton and Charles 
W. The only surviving child is .Tames N., who 
lives with his mother. William R. was married to 
Anna E. Guy, and at the date of his death was a 
resident of Blue Mound Township. Mrs. BIcHugh 
is a member of the PresJiyterian Church, .as Was 
also her husband and tiiree of the children. In 
polities, our subject was a Republican. Mrs. Mc- 
Hugh controls the estate left by her husl)and and is 
meeting with success in the cultivation of the farm. 

ENRY C. LANGSTAFF, an old and lion- 
ored citizen of McLean County, is a native 
of the Buckeye State, being born near Zanes- 
ville, the county seat of Muskingum County, 
Ohio, March IH, 1816. His father, Asa J^angstaff, 
of New Jersey, was a farmer by occapation and re- 
mained in his native State four years after his mar- 
riage to Miss Lany Boylan of his own State. He 
then removed with his family to a tract of wild 
land in Muskingum County, Ohio, where he opened 
up a farm and established a comfortable home 
where he passed the remainder of his days, dying 
in 18G8, when eighty-five years old. His father, 
the grand father of our subject, was among tlie earli- 
est settlers of New Jersey and a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War. 

The children of Asa and Lany Langstaff were 
eleven in number, seven sons and four daughters, 
all of whom were living at the time of the father's 
death, ten reaching maturity au<l being married and 
having families of tiieir own. Of these, seven still 
survive. The mother died in Union County, Ohio, 
at the home of one of iier sons in 187C, when 
eighty-seven years of age. 

Henry C. Langstaff, of this sketch, was the fourth 




son and fifth child of the p.arental household. He 
passed his boyhood on the farm in his native 
county, and received a limited education in the 
pioneer schools. As soon .as old enough to work 
he piled brush with his lirothers, carried the chunks 
together for burning, and assisted in other waj's to 
cle.ar the land and fit it for cultivation. All the 
boys were taught to work, and our subject remained 
with his parents until he was fifteen years old, when 
he was bound out to learn the cabinet trade, at 
wliich he served four }'e.ars and six months. He 
.afterward tooli up the carpenter's trade. 

In 1839 our subject w.as married to Miss Elsie 
Wintermide, of Muskingum County, Ohio, and 
they remained in that State for ten years following. 
They then decided to remove farther West for the 
establishment of a permanent home. Proceeding 
to Illinois they located in Bloomington, where our 
subject was emplo^'ed. first in the machine-shop of 
Flagg & Ewing for a period of six years. During 
this time he saved his money and was enabled to 
buy a small farm in Martin Township, where he 
followed general agriculture for many 3'ears, and 
occasionally took a contract for putting up a build- 
ing, either a school-house, barn or dwelling. In 
due time he .sold the first farm and purchased a 
larger one in Yates Township, which he occupied 
until May, 1872. He then practically retired from 
active labor and removed into Lexington, where 
he is enjoying the fruits of his early toil, but is by 
no means idle, always finding something useful to 
busy himself about. Mrs. Elsie W. Langstaff, 
after becoming the mother of five children, one 
daughter and four sons, departed this life in April, 
186.3. Their ciiildren are recorded as follows: 
John is assistant cashier in the Harness Bank; 
Leonidas lives in Cameron, Mo., and Brown, at 
Nevada, that State; Rachel became the wife of 
William Beddows, and they reside in Ft. .Scott, 
Kan., being the parents of two daughters; Henry 
W. is a practicing physician of Colfax, this county. 

The second wife of our subject was formerly 
Miss Cynthia A. Smith, tc whom he was married 
Dec. 10, 1868. Mrs. L. is the daughter of Joseph 
and Rebecca Smith, formerly of Ohio, and by her 
union with our subject has become the mother of two 
sons — Frank G. and Oscar P., who are now in 
, .^ 



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!)48 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



school. Mr. L. served as Supervisor six years in 
Martin Township, and one in Yates, lie has also 
been School Treasurer, and for many years a mem- 
ber in good standing of the Christian Church, 
holding the office of Elder. lie has in all respects 
been a good citizen and a worthy member of so- 
ciety and enjoys in a marked degree the respect 
and esteem of a l;uge circle of friends and asso- 
ciates. 



"^3- 



y;lLLL\M D. JOHNSTON, a pioneer resi- 
dent of the Prairie State, is now a citizen 
of Lexington, where he is enjoying his later 
days retired from active lalior. He was born near 
Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, .Ian. .O, 181(5, on the 
farm of his father, Daniel .Tolmston, wiio was a 
prominent man in that vicinity and Justice of the 
Peace for many years. His birthi)lace was in Penn- 
sylvania, whence he came to Ohio wiien a young- 
man, and there married Miss Rachel Scott, who was 
a native also of Pennsylvania and removed to Ohio 
with her parents when a young child, they being 
among the early pioneers of the Buckeye State 
Daniel Johnston served in the War of 1812, and 
his father, William D. Johnston, Sr., was a soldier 
of the Revolution and held odice under Gen. 
Washington, lie was an Englishman by birth and 
ancestry, but sympathized with the colonists in 
their struggle for freedom. 

Daniel Johnston spent his declining years in 
Richland County, Ohif>, and dicil tiiere in 1831. 
His children, six sons and three daughters, all grew 
to mature years, and became established in com- 
fortable homes with families of tluur own. William 
D., our subject, was the eldest son and passed his 
childhood and 3-outh in his native (county, receiv- 
ing a common-school education. After attaining 
his majority he turned his face to tiie farther West 
and coming into Ogle County, 111., took up a 
squatter's claim. In the fall of 1838 he returned 
to Ohio, and was married in Richland County, to 
Miss Mary A. ( iritllth, who was born there and lived 
with her parents until her marriage. Shortl.y after 
the wedding the young couple started for their new 
home which was located near Byron. When the 
land came int<j market our subject secured his claim 



of 160 acres and immediately began its improve- 
ment and ('ultivation, meeting with success. In due 
time he added to his estate until he became the owner 
of 240 acres and employed himself in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, continuing in Ogle County 
until 1856, when he removed with his family to Mc- 
Lean County, settling near Selma, where he re- 
mained several years and then remo\"ed to a farm 
two miles north, w-hieh embraced 240 acres. There 
his wife died in 1871, leaving three children, all 
daughters; Lucretia A.; Alice E., Mrs. George 
Claj'ton of Ogle County, and Mary E., who was 
married to David B. Ralston and is living on his 
father's farm near Lexington, 

Mr. Johnston was the second time married, in 
Sei)tember, 1873, to Mrs. S. R. Sloan of Pennsyl- 
vania. The}' located upon a farm near Lexington, 
remaining thereuntil March, 1880, when they re- 
moved to a homestead of ten acres just outside the 
corporate limits. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are mem- 
bers in good standing of the Baptist Church, of 
which our subject has been Deacon for many years. 

Mrs. Johnston by her former marriage, became 
the mother of Ave children, four now living, as fol- 
lows: Samuel Curtis and Anna, Mrs. Magee, are in 
Pennsylvania; William T., a physician, is practicing 
in Elmwood, 111. ; Mary S. is the wife of E. (iabries, 
a druggist of Elmwood. 



RANCIS V. GODDARD, a native of Mc- 
Lean County, was born on the 23d of Sep- 
tember, 1847. He was the eldest child of 
the second marriage of his father. Dr. Abbott God- 
dard, who was a native of Kentucky. His mother 
was formerly Mrs. Elizal)etli Scott, of Virginia. 
They removed to this county in 18 12, from Indiana, 
to which State they had emigrated from Ohio at an 
earl}' day. The father of our subject was reared 
and educated in the Blue Grass State and practiced 
medicine in Indiana before coming to this county. 
After his removal here his piofessional duties ex- 
tended (vom twenty to twenty-five miles in the sur- 
rounding country, which was new and thinly set- 
tled, with almost impassable roads and unbridged 
streams. Often he was (jbliged to swim the creeks 




I 






Mclean county. 



949 



I 



and always had with him a suit of clothes so that 
he could exchange his wet garments for dry ones 
after reaching the other side. 

In addition to his duties as a physician, Dr. God- 
dard often filled the pulpit of the absent circuit ri- 
der of the Methodist J'^piscopal Church, and was 
possessed of rare talent for either calling. Before 
his removal to Indiana he had had sonie experience 
in merchandising at Cincinnati, Ohio, and after com- 
ing to McLean County resumed this business at 
Lexington, carrying a general stock of the things 
most needed in a new country. By his second mar- 
riage, to the mother of our subject, there were born 
four children, all living, and residents of Lexington, 
namely, Francis F., Wesley W., Hattie E., and Ella 
J., the wife of W. II. (Smith. Of the first marriage 
there were five children : F'letcher, Addison, Frank; 
Lydia became the wife of Milton Smith, and Frances 
M. married Milton Bartholomew. The boys are de- 
ceased. The father died in the sevent3--fourth ^ear 
of his age. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to faiming 
pursuits and after a primary course in the common 
schools, entered the High .School in Lexington, 
where he graduated. During the progress of the 
late war he enlisted as a Union soldier in March, 
1864, in Co. C, 94th 111. Vol. Inf., serving 
twenty-seven months and participating in manv 
important battles. After the battle of Vicksburg 
he was sent to Texas and tlience to the coast. He 
participated in the battle of Spanish Fort and other 
engagements and was finally transferred to the .'57th 
Illinois regiment. He crossed the Gulf seven times 
and received his honorable discharge after the close 
of the war in May, 18GG. He then returned to 
Lexington and engaged in farming for thi'ee years, 
then moved into town and conducted a transfer 
line for five years following. He was then clerk in 
a store and soon afterward embarked in his i)resent 
business where, as a caterer to tlie public appitite, 
he has built up a good reputation and carries on 
one of the best restaurants in Lexington. 

Mr. Goddard was mariled in March, 1872, to 
Miss Maggie Hefner, of Blue Mound Township, 
whose father was Nimrod Hefner, and a resident 
there for many years. Of this union there have 
been born four children — Wesley Milton, William 
^ » 




F., Asa P. and Ora Lawrence. Mr. G. is connected 
with the G. A. R., and both he and his wife are 
members in good standing of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Churcli. 

^ AN FORD R. CLAGGETT, one of the 
prominent and successful business men 
and capitalists of Lexington, is a native of 
Fauquier County, Va., born near Warren- 
ton on the 27th of April, 1822. His father, Sam- 
uel Ciaggett, also of Virginia, was the son of Dr. 
Samuel Ciaggett, a surgeon in the Revolutionary 
War. The latter was a brother of Bishop Ciaggett, 
of Prince George's County, Va.,the first person of 
this distinction who rendered allegiance to the 
United States. The mother of our subject was 
formerly Miss Lucy Sanford, a native of Virginia, 
and his father was engaged in mercantile pursuits 
in the Old Dominion for man}' years. 

The subject of this history received a fine edu- 
cation .and completed his studies in Granville Col- 
lege, Ohio. He began teaching school when nine- 
teen years old. which occupation he pursued after 
coming West, in Iroquois and McLean Counties. 
He came to Illinois in 1841, journeying through 
the States of Ohio and Indiana by wagon, and mak- 
ing his first location in the old town of Bunkum, in 
Iroquois, where he operated first a store and card- 
ing-machine for si.x years, then abandoned the 
carding business but continued merchandising. 
He hauled his goods from Chicago on wagons and 
at the same time bought horses and sold them in 
tiie Chicago market. He was married in Iroquois, 
111., to Miss Amanda A. K.arr, daughter of Adam 
Karr, and in 1854 removed his familj' to McLean 
County. Here Mrs. Ciaggett subsequently died, 
leaving one daughter, Ella, who was married to S. 
J. Van Dyke, the [iresent Postmaster at Lexington. 
The second wife of our subject was Miss Nancy 
Terry. After removing to McLean County he at 
first carried on merchandising in a small way, but 
his business soon increased, and after the first two 
years he transacted an annual business of 135,000, 
which subsequently increased to $110,000. At this 
time he purchased all his own goods, kept his own 



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S50 



A 



McLean county. 



books and accounts, and made his own collections, 
continuing in business until 1882, carrying- on liis 
operations after his physical strength had failed, 
and when he w^as unable to stand and would sit 
down in making sales. His mental vigor, however, 
remained unimpaired and he had always the same 
bright, energetic mind, capable of directing and at- 
tending to all the details. 

Mr. Claggett was one of the charter members of 
the Odd Fellows' Lodge, of Lexington, which is 
now one of the most prosperous in the State, and 
in which order he has always retained an undimin- 
ished interest. When coming into the State of 
Illinois he had i>824 in money and has since turned 
every dollar to good account. When he organized 
and commenced operating his bank he had a capi- 
tal of $50,000 and since it commenced business in 
December, 1882, not a dollar of its earnings has 
been withdrawn, its capital being kept always equal 
to the first amount, and surplus equal to the capi- 
tal, which makes the actual capital of the bank 
$100,000. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON HISER, a pros- 
perous and enterprising hardware merchant 
of Lexington, is a native of Wayne County, 
Ind., and was bcn'n near Centerville, the old county 
seat, on the 2d of October, 184.'i. His father, 
Henry Hiser, was one of the early settlers of In- 
diana, to which he removed from Dayton, Ohio. 
He was born in Loudoun County, Va., Nov. 20, 
1803. The mother of our subject, formerly Miss 
Deborah Coffnian, was a native of Rockingham 
County, Xa.., born April ID, 1808, and removed 
with her parents to Dayton, Ohio, when ten years 
old. She was married to Henr^' Hiser in 1824, and 
they located in Wayne Count}', Ind., in 1841. 
They remained thereuntil August, 18.")(). when they 
came over into Illinois, settling in the small village 
of Selma, this county. They lived in different parts 
of Lexington Township until 18G0, and removed 
from their farm into the village of Lexington, 
where the father died in 187G. The parental fam- 
ily included ten children, of whom three — John, 
Sarah and Amanda — departed this life before the 
death of tlu^ father; James is engaged in farming 



in Lawndale Township, this county; Jacob resides 
in Lexington; Mary lives in Iowa; William is a 
farmer of Anderson County, Kan. ; Martha became 
the wife of Jacob Hiser (no relative); George W., 
of our sketch; Francis is in Lexington, and the 
mother resides here, still a bright and active old 
lady, and a member of the Baptist Church. 

Mr. Hiser of our sketch was thirteen years of 
age when his parents came to McLean County. He 
received a common-school education, and when 
twenty years of age entered the store of S. R. Clag- 
gett as clerk, where he remained six months, and 
then took a similar position for the firm of Goddard 
& McCurdy, dealers in lumber, sash, coal, etc., and 
remained in this business for four years, contin- 
uing after it had changed hands. In 1868 he be- 
came clerk for George W. Knotts, hardware mer- 
chant, and the following year was admitted to part- 
nership, and they continued in business one year 
under the firm name of Knotts & Hiser, when 
our subject sold out his interest to his partner 
and resumed his former position as clerk, where 
he remained for the following four years, dur- 
ing which time the business twice changed hands. 
In 1874 he returned to Mr. Claggett, with whom 
he remained until 1878, and after one more 
year was employed as clerk for Carnahan & 
Poole. He then purchased a farm one mile south- 
west of town, which he operated about three years 
and then sold out. In January, 1882, he formed a 
partnership with J. B. Breneman, and they engaged 
in the hardware trade at Knotts' old stand until 
July, 188G, when they dissolved on account of the 
failing health of Mr. B. 

Mr. Hiser put up his present business house in 
1882. It is a brick building, 24x66 feet in area 
and two stories in height. lie keeps a general stock 
of hardware and farm implements, and has been 
uniformly' successful in his business operations. 

Our subject was married on the 27th of October, 
1864, to Miss Ella R., eldest daughter of John and 
Margaret Popejoy, of Lexington Township, who 
were formerly from Ohio. Of this union there have 
been born four rliildren, two sons and two daugh- 
ters — Claude L., Dotta L., Orrin L. and Maidie L. 
Both daughters are deceased. Mr. Hiser was elected 
Supervisior of Lexington Township in 1879, and 



4 



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**Si.:,. 



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MoLEAN COUNTY. 



953' 



■WV". , ■.A4JiJ2_£/J5^^^^ < 



»,^^gi/S^2r7>v* 'W^ 



; 



/AMES SMITH. Engaged in fanning on sec- 
tion l.'S, Mune^- Creek Township, is an off- 
spring of S3ivester and Catherine (Daily) 
Smith, who is a well-to-do farmer, and a 
most highly esteemed citizen. The parents of our 
subject, after their marriage, settled about thirtj' 
miles north of Toronto, Ont. There the father 
worked at his trade, that of a carpenter, and was 
thus employed until he was accidentally killed bj' 
the falling of brick upon him while he was assist- 
ing in the erection of a building. His wife also 
died in that vicinity. They had three children, 
and only one lived to attain the age of maturity. 
James Smith was born about thirty miles north 
of Toronto, Ont., Nov. 10, 1837, and when about 
two and a half years old was orphaned by the 
death of his father. He was then taken by a fam- 
ily in that neighborhood with whom he lived until 
he was a lad of twelve or fourteen years. At that 
early age in life he began to do for himself bj' 
working at different occupations in the neighbor- 
hood, and continuetl thus to labor until twentj' 
years of his life had passed. In the summer of 
1858 he sailed on the lake, and during the latter 
part of that year came to this county. Locating 
in Money Creek Township, he worked out liy the 
month and was thus occupied until the lu'eaking 
out of the late Civil War. 

In January, 1862, our subject enlisted in Co. K, 
26th 111. Vol. Inf., and served his country faith- 
fully and well for two years in that regiment. In 



served four years in succession. He was a stock- 
holder, Director and Vice President of the First 
National Bank of Lexington, and belongs to the 
G. A. R., in which he served as Adjutant and 
(.Quartermaster for some time. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Hiser are members of the JMethodist Episcopal 
Church of Lexington. 

During the progress of the late war Mr. Hiser, in j 
June, 1862, enlisted in Co. G, 68th 111. Vol. Inf., 
for three months, and was sent with his comrades 
to Alexandria, where he was stationed during the 
second battle of Bull Run. After serving four 
months he was mustered out at Springfield, 111. 



February, 1864, he re-enlisted in the same com- 
pany and continued in the service of the Union 
until the close of the war, when he was mustered 
out and returned to JNIoney Creek Township. At 
the battle of Bentonville, N. C, he received a 
wound in the left arm while bearing the colors of 
his regiment. He was promoted from ]irivate to 
Sergeant, and then Color Bearer f>f the regiment. 
The same bullet that wounded him, struck a small 
pass-book which he had in his pocket, and glancing 
off, left its bloody mark across his breast, but did 
no further damage than that referred to. Mr. 
Smith was a member of the 15th Army Corps, com- 
manded by Gen. John A. Logan, and accompanied 
Sherman in his famous march from Atlanta to the 
sea. 

The regiment in which Mr. Smith so vali.antly 
served, as the history of the late civil strife will al- 
ways show, saw much hard and dangerous service. 
We cannot in this brief sketch rehearse the daring 
deeds of its men, their loyal sacrifices and heroic 
achievements, but all the experiences of the war 
were theirs. Could they lie told, the>' would speak 
of early reverses, sad disappointments, gloomy for- 
bodiugs for the future, of sickness in camp and 
hospital, fearful suspense, of midnight marches, of 
deadly ambuscades, of labor in trenches, and dreary 
and enforced idleness in camp; of escapes, of 
wounds, of imprisonments in foul dens, on the dead 
line, and of death — of all the horrors of fratricidal 
war. But they would speak too, of privations 
willingly endured, dangers voluntaril}' incurred, 
ceaseless labor gladl}' undergone, risks daringly as- 
sumed, and death most chivalrously encountered; 
of dashing assaults, of well contested fields, of the 
enemies' retreat, and of countless victories. The3' 
would speak of disaster, but also of success; of 
doubt, but yet of undying hope; of transient de- 
feats, but still of final and enduring victory. 

After Mr. Smith returned from the army, for a 
time he was unable to do manual labor, and en- 
gaged in buying and trading stock. He then 
rented land, and for two 3ears farmed in tiiis man- 
ner, at the' expiration of which time he was enabled 
to buj' a place in Blue Mound Township. He 
lived on this place for thirteen years, and then, in 
the fall of 1880, moved back to Money Creek 



n 



^f^ 



954 



4. 



McLEAisr COUNTV. 



Township, where he has been continuously occu- 
pied in fanning- and stock-raising, and is the owner 
of 300 acres of vahiable land, and is meeting with 
signal success in his enterprises. 

Mr. Smith was married in Bloomington, 111., Dec. 

7, 18G.5, to Miss Martha E., daughter of Lemuel 
and Nanc_v (Mullen) Biggs. Her father was l)orn 
in I'hiladelphia and her mother in Ohio. They 
were married in this count}' and subsequently set- 
tled in Money Creek Township, where he died May 

8, 1860. She survives at an advanced age, and re- 
sides ill Money Creek Township. Six sons and 
five daughters were born to them, and Mrs. Smith 
was the eighth in order of birth. She was born in 
Money Creek Township, Nov. 1, 1847, and has 
borne our subject three children — Sylvester, Josiah 
and Andrew. Sylvester died in infauc}-, and the 
other children are living at home. 

Mr. Smith has iield the otticc of School Director 
of his township, and in polities is a stanch Repub- 
lican. .Socially he belongs to the (t. A. R., and 
holds fi'llowslii|) with Lexington Post No. 240. 
He and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Accompanying tliis sketch is a 
portrait of Mr. Smith. 



!»^EOR(tE (;RE(tORV. a splendid illustra- 
tion of what may be accomplished in this 
country by an honest, hard-working, ener- 
getic and entei'prising man is given in the record of 
the life of (ieorge tiregory. He is a prosperous 
and prominent farmer of Normal Townshi|), and is 
pleasantly located on section 2.'!. His farm com- 
prises 101) a(M-es of valuable land, which is embel- 
lished with fine improvements, the result of his 
own industry and enterprise. The family residence 
is a model of convenience and comfort. He has 
good barns and ont-buildings, all the appliances for 
the shelter of stock and the storing of grass, valua- 
ble farm implements and the entire paraphernalia of 
a first-class country seat. Besides general agricult- 
ure Mr. (iregory is giving much attention to the 
raising of fine stock, in which department he has 
built up an enviable reputation. Besides his farm 
property he owns valuable real estate in the city of 




Bloomington and in all respects is one of the rep- 
resentative citizens of the wealth}- county of Mc- 
Lean. 

George Gregory was born in Derby, England, 
Dec. 17, 182(j. He was fairly educated in the com- 
mon schools of his native country and served an 
apprenticeship at the blacksmitirs trade. At the age 
of twenty-one years he sailed for the United States, 
landing in New York City, whence he at once pro- 
ceeded to the State of Illinois. He first located at 
La Salle, stopping from June until October with a 
brother who preceded him to this country three 
years. This brother died at Bloomington in about 
1878. 

In the fall of 1848, the 3'ear of his arrival here, 
young Gregory proceeded South to Mobile, Ala., 
where he followed his trade and also steam boating- 
bet ween Mobile and New Orleans. Three years 
later he returned to Illinois and engaged in the 
blacksmith business at Pekin. After a short time 
however, he removed to Bloomington, where he 
became an employe of the Reaper Manufacturing 
Company. In 1 8,')2 he became a partner in the 
plow factory of Bunn it Ellsworth, the firm stj'le 
becoming Bunn, Ellsworth & Co., afterward 
Brokaw, Ellsworth A. Co., and later, Brokaw & 
Gregory. He remained a partner until 1882, when 
he withdrew from the business. He has occupied 
his present homestead about fifteen years and while 
in the plow business went to town daily. He com- 
menced life poor in pocket and did not accumulate 
much until he engaged in the manufacture of 
plows, which business proved remarkabl}' successful. 

Mr. Gregory was inarried in 1850, to Miss Fran- 
ces A., the daughter of Zachariah and W. B. (Shan- 
non) Lawrence, of Bloomington. Mrs. Gregory 
was born at McConnelsville, Ohio, and came with 
her parents to Illinois when but a babe. By her 
union with our subject she has become the mother 
of five sons: William E., a farmer of Normal; 
Edwin L., farming in Buffalo County, Neb., and 
Harry, Clyde and Richard, at home. 

In politics Mr. Gregory is KeiMiblican, and al- 
though having an intelligent interest in all matters 
relative to the public welfare, takes no part in poli- 
tics further than to attend the polls and cast his 
ballot. Mrs. Gregory was reared an Episcopalian, 



■*► 



■ 



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t 



McLean county. 



955 



but has been a member of the Christian Church 
for thirty-nine years and at the present time is con- 
nected with the church at Normal. 

The portrait of Mr. Gregory, whicli is given in 
connection with this brief outline of his life, shows 
the features of a sturdj' and fair-minded man and a 
most excellent citizen. 



W^ILLIAM FOWLER. The Fowler family 
came from Wales to this country previous 
to the Revolutionary ^^M■. They located 
in New Hampshire, where one of the first represen- 
tatives — Lemuel — remained until he became en- 
gaged in assisting the Colonies in tiieir struggle 
for libei'ty. He was by trade a blacksmith, and 
after his retirement from the arm}', located in 
Hillsboro County, N. II., where he spent the re- 
mainder of his days. He was married to an Ameri- 
can lady and they became the parents of five chil- 
dren, of whom the father of our subject, Lemuel 
Fowler, .7r., was the eldest. 

Lemuel Fowler, .Jr., was born In Newbury, N. 
H., and remained undo- the parental roof until he 
became a j'oung man. He followed the sea for 
several years and afterward engaged in farming 
pursuits. For the latter purpose he located in the 
interior of the Old Granite State and in that vicin- 
itywas married to Miss Sarah S. Swett, who was a 
native of the same State and of Irish descent. 
They reared a family- of ten children, in the mean- 
time removing to Ohio, where the youngest child 
w.as born. Of this family, William, our subject, 
was the fifth in order of birth. The family located 
in Marietta in 1819, having been preceded by the 
eldest son. Royal, one year before. They remained 
there, iiowever, only a short time when they re- 
moved to Morgan County, and afterward to Noble 
County. Both counties were then very thinly 
settled and the facilities for market very poor. 
The father of our subject settled upon a tract of 
wild land which he succeeded in transforming into 
a fine farm. At one time he possessed a large 
amount of property, but lost it all on account of 
going security for his friends. He was a public- 
spirited man, a good citizen and valued member 



of the community. He established a comfortable 
home in Noble County, and there, with his wife, 
spent the remainder of his days. 

The subject of this history received only the 
education furnished the sons of the early pioneers 
in a new country. He was poor in purse when 
married, as was also the maiden of his choice, but 
lioth had been trained to habits of industry and 
were willing to work and hope for the result. 
The}' were married in Noble County, Ohio, on the 
14th of December, 1826, the bride being Miss 
Mary Hutchins. She was born in Lincoln County, 
Me., in 1804, and remained in her native State un- 
til nine years of age. Her parents then came to 
Noble County, Ohio, it being then called Morgan. 
They settled in a timber tract and after years of 
hard labor succeeded in opening a good farm and 
establishing a comfortable home. BIrs. Fowler was 
trained to spin and weave and made the cloth for 
many a suit of clothes. 

Upon the marriage of our subject and his wife, 
the}' resolved to " pull together." Mr. F. made 
boots and shoes during the winter evenings, and in 
the daytime worked at whatever he could find to 
do. In summer he manufactured salt from wells 
which contained water impregnated with this min- 
eral. After boiling great quantities of the water 
he obtained a little of tiie commodity so necessary 
.as an ingredient of food. After a few years of 
this incessant and laborious toil, during which he 
and his wife had saved every penny they could 
si)are, he found himself possessed of sufficient 
means to purchase 100 acres of land. This proved 
the turning point in his life, as upon it he found 
an oil well which proved of great value and en- 
.abled him to sell his farm for the sum of $40,- 
000. With this sum in his pocket he then started 
for the West and arrived in this vicinity in April, 
l.sGo. He purchased 400 acres of land in Randolph 
Township, and for several years labored industri- 
ousl}' and succeeded in bringing it to a high state 
of cultivation. Of this he now has but 240 acres, 
having given the balance to his children. Of late 
years he has given much attention to the raising 
of fine stock, in which he has been uniforml}' suc- 
cessful as in all his other undertakings. 

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fowler ten 



I 



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956 



McLEAN COUiSTTt-. 



cliildren, two sons and eight daughters. Of these 
both the sons and three daughters are deceased. 
The jiarents celebrated the sixtietli anniversary' of 
their wedding on the 14th of December, 1886, at 
which there were present alimit 120 grand and 
great-grandcliildren and one great-great-grandchild. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have been connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for the past forty 
years and have built up for themselves a record of 
good and useful lives, filled with kindly and gener- 
ous deeds. Mr. Fowler, in politics, is a stanch Re- 
publican and uniformly casts his vote in support of 
the i)rincipk'S of this party. 



EOHGE W. WHITE, Supervisor of Towanda 

G Township, and one of the large hmd-owners 
of that district, as well as one of its success- 
ful farmers and respected and prominent citizens, 
resides on section 10. He is the son of George C. 
and Julia A. (Noel) White, who were born in 
York State and Ohio respectively, the former of 
(icrinau and the latter of Scotch ancestry. The 
parents of our subject after their marriage, settled 
in Clarke County, Ohio, whence they removed to 
Tippecanoe County, Ind., and taking up their resi- 
dence at Lafayette, made that their home until 
1850. In October of that year they came to this 
county and located in Towanda Township, where 
the fatiier became quite an extensive farmer. He 
continued to reside in that township for several 
j^ears and then removed to Blue Mound Township, 
and there liv("(l for about seven years. His good 
wife clcp.'iitcd tills life in Towanda Township in 
March, 1804, and after hei' demise he spent his 
time at the homes of his children and at present 
resides in Lawndale Townsliip, having attained the 
venerable age of eighty-three years. He became 
the fatlier of twelve children, namely : ^lary, Eliza, 
Harriett, Racliel, Malinda, William, .John, Elleii, 
George W., Ad('liM(\ Kdward and Frank. Mary is 
the wife of .lolni .M. King, and they live in Anchor 
Township; i^ii/.a married Nelson Jones, and they 
are living in Towanda Township; Harriett and Ly- 
man Williams were united in niarri;ige, and he is a 
farmer of Lawndale Townsiiip; Rachel is the widow 



of Sanford Miller and resides in Bloomington ; Ma- 
linda became the wife of John Abbott, a farmer 
of Lawndale Township, and Wdliam married a 
Miss Donovan, and is engaged in farming in Blue 
Mound Township; John married a Miss Hamilton, 
and they reside in Lawndale Township; Ellen is the 
wife of Aaron Conger, a farmer of Blue Mound 
Township; the next in order of birth is our subject; 
Adeline and William Myers became man and wife, 
and are living in Lawndale Township; Edward is 
engaged in business in Bloomington; Frank married 
a INIiss Williams and they reside in Kansas. 

The subject of this notice was born while his par- 
ents were living in Tippecanoe County, Ind. His 
birth occurred Aug. 19, 1842, and when eight years 
of age he came with his parents to this county. His 
primary education was received in tiie common 
schools, which was supplemented by a course of 
study at Wesleyan University, Bloomington. He 
remained at home until he attained his majority, 
but when quite young began the handling of stock 
on his own account. He has been a resident of 
Towanda Township since 1850, and from that time 
until the present has been engaged exclusively in 
agricultural pursuits and in the raising and import- 
ing of stock, and in liolh departments has met with 
more than ordinary success. Mr. W. has on hand 
at present twelve imported and full-blood Norman 
horses and some sixty head of high grades. 

The first pvu-chase of land that our subject made 
consisted of eighty acres and was located in To- 
wanda Township. He has since added to the same 
by subsequent pur(^iiases until he now owns 400 
acres in Towanda Township and 120 acres in Lex- 
ington Township. He has erected a residence of 
modern architecture upon his place, which adds 
greatly to its l)eauty, and is one of the finest farm 
homes, not only of Towanda Township, but of Mc- 
Lean County, and it is with pleasure that we pre- 
sent a view of it in this work. 

In 18G;i our subject met with a serious accident 
which resulted in the loss of his left hand. He was 
in the held husking corn and having his shotgun 
with him, tired il at a hawk, when the gun burst and 
so mutilated his hand that he was compelled to 
have it anqjutated. 

The marriage of Mr. White took place in Lexlng- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



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959 



ton Township, April 0, 1870, and the lady selected 
as his life companion was Miss Flora A. Raridon. Her 
parents were J. S. and Martha (Evans) Raridon, 
natives of Indiana and of Oerman ancestry. The 
parents were married in Morgan County, Ind., 
where they lived until the fall of 1858, when they 
came to this county and settled in Lexington 
Township, where the father was engaged in farming 
until 1878. He then removed to Livingston County, 
this State, where they at present reside. Thej' had 
eleven children, viz. : Samuel, Flora A. (Mrs. White), 
Ella, Dane, Emma, Alice, Etta, Martin L., Daisy, 
Minnie and Ra3'. Samuel is marrried and living 
in Ohio; Flora is the wife of our subject ; Ella is 
the wife of M.artiu Do^'le, and they live in Livings- 
ton County; Dane also lives in that county; Emma 
is the wife of Price Jones, and they are resideuts of 
Towanda Township; Alice married AlonzoPierson, 
and they are living in Livingston County, and the 
remaining children are living with their parents in 
Livingston Count3^ Mrs. White was born in Mor- 
gan County, Ind., March 11, 1855, and came with 
her parents to this county in 1858. She has borne 
our subject four children — Warren T., Emma G., 
Maude A. and Chloe. 

Mr. White was elected Supervisor of Towanda 
Township in April, 1886, and is the present incum- 
bent of that ofilcfc. He has held other minor offices 
in the township, and in politics is Republican. Mrs. 
White is a member of the 3Iethodist Episcopal 
Church. 



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ARMON HEFN ER. Among the large land- 
owners and stock-raisers of Money Creek 
Township, the name of the subject of this 
notice deserves place. He resides on sec- 
tion 14, where he has 447^ acres of land, all of 
which is under an advanced state of cultivation, 
and where, in addition to its improvement, he is 
extensively engaged in the buying, raising aud 
shipping of stock. Tlio father of our subject, 
Peter Hefner, was born in ^'irgiuia, and his wife in 
Ohio. A sketch of the former may be found else- 
where in this work. They had nine children, four 
of whom died in infancy, and five lived to attain 



the age of man and womanhood, namely, Harmon, 
Mary. Adeline, John A. and George M. Blary is 
the wife of J. P. Curry, and they are living at 
Lexington; Adeline and John A. Campbell were 
united in marriage and also reside at Lexington; 
John A. is a farmer of Money Creek Township; 
George M. died in that township, July 4, 1877, 
when about twenty-five years old. 

Harmon Hefner was the eldest of his parents' nine 
children, and was born in the township in which he 
is at present living, July 18, 1834. He was reared 
to farm labor, and received his education in the 
common schools, continuing to remain with the old 
folk until he attained iiis majority. He was then 
married, and settling in Money Creek Township, 
began to do for himself, and has made that his home 
all his life. He has a fine farm in that tovvnship. 
well improved and stocked, and is meeting with 
signal success in conducting his business. He 
keeps about 100 head of cattle aud forty head of 
horses on his place, and fattens from 100 to 200 
head of hogs annually for the market. 

Harmon Hefner was married in the township of 
his nativity, Nov. 15, 1855, to Miss Isabelle Wood. 
She was a daughter of James and Frances (Hart) 
Wood, who after their marriage settled in Tennes- 
see, thence removed to Indiana, and after a resi- 
dence there of several years, in 1850, came to this 
county and located at Lexington. Up to the time 
of his coming to this countj-, he had been engaged 
in farming, but on locating at Lexington, he em- 
barked in mercantile pursuits, which he followed 
at that place for several years, and then going back 
to his first love, farming, he continued at that vo- 
cation until his death. His wife died in Money 
Creek Township, May 11, 1871, and he died in the 
same township Nov. 11, 11S75. They had eleven 
children — Albert A., Rufus, James, Zebedee, AVill- 
iam, Isaac, Mary, Isabelle, Dorcas A., Robert C. 
and Noah A. Albert, James, William, Dorcas and 
Mary are deceased ; Rufus is living at Lexington ; 
Zebedee is a retired f.armer and also living at Lex- 
ington, and Isaac likewise makes that his home; 
Robert C. is at Girard, Kan., and Noah A. is a 
resident of Republic City, that State. 

Mrs. Hefner was born in Putnam Count}-, Ind., 
May 25, 1836, and was .fourteen j'ears old when 



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960 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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she accompanied her parents to this count}', and 
continued to reside witli them until her marriage. 
She ii.as borne our subject five children, namely, 
William A.. Alonzo C. .lames P., Delia M. and 
.Jose))h F. William died in infancy; Alonz(j mar- 
ried Miss Winnie Bush, and they are living in 
Mnne}' Creeii Township; .lames married Carrie 
Carnaimn, and is also a resident of Money Creek 
Township; Delia is tlie wife of Charles C. Busby, 
and they are living in (Jridiey Township; .losepli 
is still an inmate of f lu^ parental household. Mr. 
Hefner has been Collector of his townshij) several 
years, and also School Director for a number of 
years. He and his wife .-ire members of the United 
Brethren Churcli, and is politics he is a Democrat. 
In the illustrated department of this Album may 
be found a view of tlie i)lcasant homestead of our 
subject. 



<|, IVILLIAM D. POWLEY, of the firm of W. 
\/^// D. Powley & Co. of Lexington, deals in 
\^/sf/ stoves, hardware and tinware, and is car- 
r3'ing on a satisfactory and profitable trade. He is 
numbered among the valued factors of the busi- 
ness community and is contributing liis full share 
towards its prosperity and standing. Mr. Powley 
was born in Shiiipcnsburg, Cumberland Co., Pa., on 
the 2Gth of March, l.St2. His fatlier, William Pow- 
ley, was a native of Lancaster, Pa., born ne.ar the 
town of Klizabetli, .July 22, isl 1. Tiie grandfatlier 
of our sidjject, Jol\n C. Powlc}-, w.as of German 
birth and ancestry', and emigrated to America in 
about 1798. He married Miss Catharine Seitz, who 
accompanied him to this country. Tlie voyage oc- 
cupied eight weeivs, during which they lost their 
only child, who died on the Atlantic but was 
buried in Philadelphia. They afterward located in 
Elizabeth, where .John Powley carried on white- 
smithing, and whence lie afterward removed with 
his family, first to Carlisle and then to .Sjiippens- 
burg, in Cumberland County, where he died in 
1840, in the seventy-lirst year of his age. At the 
time of his death his family consisted of his wife 
and four children, two sons and two daughters : John 
('., now deceased; William; Marg.aret, who became 
the wife of Rev. .losepli SUaubridge, of the United 

4» ' 



Brethren Church, .and Wilinena, who married Mi- 
chael Miller. Of this family only two now survive, 
one sister, and the father of our subject, William. 

William I'owley, Sr., s|)ent his early years in 
Cumberland County, and received his primar}' ed- 
ucation in the common schools. I'pon becoming of 
suitable years, lie learned the locksmith's trade, 
then the tinner's, and at the two combined has 
worked over lift}' years. He was married in 1834, 
to Miss Susanna, the daughter of Phillip Rhodes, 
Esq. They located first in Cumberland County, 
where they remained until 1855, and then Mr. Pow- 
ley, with his family, emigrated to Illinois, and com- 
ing into this county settled in the town of Lexing- 
ton, where lie has followed the tinner's trade and 
carried on the liardwaic business until the present. 
Although now in his seventy-sixth year, he seems 
as active and industrious ;is ever and is happiest 
when the most busil}' employed. He has not lost a 
day by sickness in fifty-two years, and there is no 
doubt that his remarkable health and strength are 
due to the correct and temperate habits to which he 
was trained in early youth. 

Jlr. and Mrs. Willi;ini Powie}', Sr., became the pa- 
rents of seven children, four sons and three daugh- 
ters, all living, and of whom the record is as follows: 
Joseph A. is engaged in the hardware trade at For- 
est, 111.; John W. is in the same business ,at Lex- 
ington ; Annie E. l)ecame the wife of Robert Am- 
brose, and they live in Arrowsmith Township; Will- 
iam D., our suliject, was next in order of birth; Al- 
mira, the youngest, married Thomas Henderson, 
and lives in Fairbury, III.; Heniy A. is also in that 
town, engaged in the hardware trade; Susan married 
John W. Elliott, who is telegraph operator for the 
Wabash Railroad at Simerton, 111. ;she was born July 
4. ISKi, and died at the home of her husband in 
Lexington .May 22, ISSO. Mr. Powdej' cast his first 
presidential vote for (ieu. Jackson, but is now a 
stanch adherent of the Reiinblican part}'. 

William I). Powley of this sketch, was about 
twelve 3'ears of age when he came to McLean 
County with his parents. He passed the greater 
part of his time in the town of Lexington during 
his boyhood and youth, and received a fair educa- 
tion in the public schools. When sixteen 3-ears old 
he began his apprenlieeshlp at the tinner's trade, at 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



96 



which he worked for a number of years, and then 
visited the States of Missouri and Kansas, and 
woilced at his trade in those States for about tliree 
_years. He then returned to Lexington, and in 
April, I88G, became a partner uf his father, with 
whom he has continued until the jirescnt. They 
give eraphnnuent to four men, accei)tingonly those 
who are skilled in their business and able to turn 
out tirst-class work. 

Our subject was married in Decendjcr, 1SG4, to 
Miss Carrie Funk, who was born in Urbana, Ohio, 
Of this union there has been born one son, Charles 
E., and a daughter who died in infancj'. Mrs. C'arrie 
E. Powley departed this life in ISTG. 

Mr. Powley served as a Union soldier in the late 
war four mouths, on garrison duty in and around 
Washington City, D. C. He was City Marshal of 
Lexington three _years, and socially is a member of 
the G. A. R. and the Masonic fraternity, being con- 
nected with Lodge No. 482. 



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^^^EORGE SCHLOSSER. a well-known citi- 
zen of Towanda Township, and a prosper- 
ous farmer of the same, is pleasantly located 
on his fine farm on section 24. George and Eliza- 
beth (Smith) Schlosser, parents of our suliject, 
were born in Germany. They emigrated to this 
country in 1853, and located in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, where they died. Three children were born 
of their union, and George was the second in order 
of birth. 

George Schlosser was born in Germany, .Jan. .5, 
1835. He came to this country in the spring of 
1852, and joined his brother. Henry, who had jire- 
ceded him and was residing near Cincinnati, Ohio. 
George lived with his brother for three and a half 
years, and during that time was almost exclusively 
engaged in farming. He then took a trip to New 
Orleans, and after an absence of six months re- 
turned to Ohio and settled in Butler County, re- 
maining there variously occupied until 185'J. 
Then, renting a farm, he cultivated it until 18(J4, 
when he came to McLean County and purchased a 
tract of land in Money Creek Township. This he 
sold the following year, and removing to Bloom- 

-^•~ 



ington made that his home for about three years. 
In the fall of 1867 he settled in Towanda Town- 
ship, on section 24, and has made that his home 
until the present time. He has fair improvements 
on his place, which consists of 244 acres, and is 
doing well in the conducting of his farm. 

Mr. .Schlosser was married in Butler County, 
Ohio, March 9, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter 
of Henry and Caroline (Dasch) Hoffman, natives 
of Germany. Her parents came to the United 
States in 1854, and settled in Butler County, Ohio, 
where the mother died in the fall of 1854. His de- 
mise took place at Columbus, Neb., Feb. 13, 1885. 
They had three daughters, and Mrs. Schlosser was 
the youngest. She was born in Germany in the 
fall of 1838, an<l by her marriage with our subject 
has become the mother of twelve children, ten of 
whom survive. The living are William H., Kate, 
Charlie J.. Andrew C. ,Iohn, Caroline, Louisa, 
Freddie, Henrietta and George. George and Al- 
bert died in infancy. The names of the children 
born to the parents of Mrs. Schlosser are Katie, 
Margaret and Elizabeth, and the children of Mr. 
Schlosser's parents were Henry, George and Jacob. 
George Schlosser, Sr., died at Hamilton, Ohio, in 
Februar3% 1860, and his good wife dei)arted this 
life in the same city in August, 1866. Mr. and 
Mrs. S. are members of the Lutheran Church, and 
in i)olitics he is a stanch Republican. 



ORINUS WILLETT STRAYER, deceased, 
he subject vf this history was formerly 



I 111 an attorney at law of Lexington. He was 
" born in Logan County, Ohio, near West 

Liberty, on the 22d of June, 1S35. His father, 
Nicholas Strayer, removed from Virginia to Ohio 
when a young man, and his mother, formerly Miss 
Esther Kinn.an, was born and reared in the State of 
New York, whence she removed to Ohio and was 
there married. The parental family consisted of 
ten children, seven sons and three daughters, eight 
of whom stdl survive. Morinus W. was the eldest 
of the family and spent his childhood and youth in 
his native county, where he received his primary 
education. 

At the age of seventeen years young Straj'er was 



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962 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



f 



thrown upon his own resources, l)y the death of his 
father. The mother with iier fnniily, in about 1H53, 
removed to Illinois and located in J)e Witt County, 
upon a snuill farm, which they improved and cul- 
tivated, our subject remaining with his mother 
until he had attained his majority. lie then left 
the farm, and coming to Lexington entered the law 
office of Judge Tipton, where he applied himself 
closely to stud}' and was admitted to the bar in 
Chi(!ago in about I860. He commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession in Lexington and was an act- 
ive and clear-headed ox|)onent of law. After a 
successful and praiseworthy career of ten years he 
was cut down in the prime of life, dying on the 
1st of October, 1.S70. His talents and genial dis- 
position had secured fur him a wide circle of 
friends and acquaintances who mourned him ;is a 
useful and valued member of the community. 

The marriage of Morinus W. Strayer and Miss 
Sarah F. Smith was celebrated at the home of the 
bride's parents on the 4th of September, 1862. 
Mrs. Strayer was the se(;ond daughter of Milton 
and J>ydia Smith, of Lexington, who were among 
the first settlers of McLean County. She was born 
in this county in 1842, and received her early edu- 
cation upon its virgin soil. Of this union there 
were born three children, two sous and one 
daughter, the latter d^ing in infauc)-. One of the 
sons, Frank W., is in the employ of the Louisville, 
New Albany & Chicago Hailroad as telegraph 
operator and clerk. The other. Louis B., is assist- 
ant cashier of the First National Hank of Lexington. 

Mr. Strayer was a strong temperance man and 
one of the originators of the charter wliit^h UmI to 
the incorporation of the town of Lexington, which 
had for its [unpose the abolition of saloons. To 
this work he gave much of his time and his talents, 
being a fluent and convincing speaker, whose heart 
was thoroughly in his work. Socially he was a 
mend)er of the L O. O. F., and in all respects ful- 
filled the obligations of a law-abiding citizen. 

W^i ICHARl) BREP:SK, a prominent and wealthy 
Ls^if^ citizen of (iridley, whose portrait is given 
■ilAftl in this volume, with that of his old and 
^^ highly esteemed partner, came to this sec- 
tion in 1857, and by his energy and enter))ri.se es- 

4 » 



tablished himself in a short time as one of its most 
progressive and valuable i)ioneers. He is descend- 
ed from substanti.-d Luglish ancestry', his parents 
having been .John and Aim (Onuton) IJreese, who 
were born in Huntingdonshire, Fugland. where they 
married and settled, and where their children were 
born, and there the old folk passed their lives. Of 
the household circle, which included four .sons and 
three daughters, the subject of this sketch was the 
fourth in order of birth. 

Richard Ureese was born in Cambridgeshire, En- 
gland, Aug. 20, 1824. His father died when he was 
but seven years old, and he was then obliged to 
look out for himself. 'I'his, however, was a good 
school, teaching him self-reliance, and doubtless 
contributed greatly to bring about his later suc- 
cess. He commenced b^' working on a farm, and 
continued in his native iMigland until he was twen- 
ty-eight years of .age. In the meantime he had 
been married, and at the .age mentioned started 
with his wifi' and child for the United States. They 
landed in New Y<uk City, and thence soon pro- 
ceeded to Ihitler County, Ohio. There onr subject 
worked out by the mouth, farming, for two years, 
and until the fall of 18.54. He then rented land 
until the spring of 1857, and at this time decided 
to try his fortunes in the frrther West. After 
completing his preparations he came into Illinois 
and settled first in Waldo Township, Livingston 
County, where he purchased UJO acres of land, and 
ent(M'ing upon its cultivation continued to live 
there until the spring of 1861). 

In the spring of 186',) Mr. Breese came to this 
county and settled in Gi'idley, having the fall pre- 
viously formed a i>artnership with W. H. Boies, for 
the purpose of dealing in grain and live stock. 
They operated together until the spring of 1884, 
under the stjle of Boies & Breese. Our sidtject 
then disposed of his interest in the business, and 
having accumulated a fine i)roperty has since that 
time retired from active labor. He is the owner 
of 360 acres of land in Livingston County, which 
is finely improved, and 240 acres in Gridley Town- 
ship, this county. He also has a pleasant family 
residence in the town of Gridley. 

Mr. Breese was married in England in 1846, to 
Miss Mary Miller, who was also a native of Cam- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



965 



f 



bridgeshire. Of this union there were born two 
children — Eliza and Richard. The latter died in 
infancy. Eliza became the wife of Christian Neu- 
hauser, a resident of (iridley, and the mother of 
eleven children, and departed this life April 14, 
1879. Her surviving eiiildren were Sarah, Katie, 
Lucy L., Minerva, \\'illiainetta and Mary A.; five 
are deceased. The first wife of our subject died in 
England in the fall of 1849, and he was again mar- 
ried in his native count}', Jan. l(j, 1 802, to Mrs. 
.Sarah (Flanders) Harvey, daughter of James and 
Catharine (Gunton) Planders, who were natives of 
Huntingdonshire, England, where the}' spent their 
lives. Her first husband was Richard Harvey, 
who died in 18.51. Of the parents" marriage there 
were born thirteen children, seven daughters and 
six sons, of whom Mrs. B. was the eldest but one. 
Her birth occurred in Huntingdonshire, Oct. .^0, 
1829. Of the present marriage of our subject 
there have been no children. Mi'S. Bree.se is a 
member in good standing of the Congregational 
Church, and politically Mr. B. is a stanch Repub- 
lican. 



^ rt> H. BOIES. The late W. H. Boies was one of 
\/iJ/i ''''^ most prominent and influential citizens 
W^ who was ever a resident of Gridley. He 
was largely engaged as a grain and stf)ck dealer, 
and by his enteri)rise and activity, for many years 
assisted greatly in the prosperity of tlie business 
interests of this section. Mr. Boies was a native 
of Livingston County, N. Y., born in the town of 
Moscow, Jan. 22, 1833. He was the sou of James 
C. and Caroline (Severence) Boies, natives respet't- 
ively of Canada and Vermont. After marriage 
the parents of our subject settled in Livingston 
Count}', N. Y., and there the mother died, about 
1835. James Boies then came to Illinois and made 
his home in Gridley, this county, until his death, 
which occurred in January, 1886. There were 
only two children — Wilber H. and George W. The 
latter was formerly a conductor on the T., P. & W. 
R. R. for twenty-one years, but is now engaged in 
the real-estate business in Kansas Cit}'. 

W. H. received a good common-school educa- 
tion and remained a resident of his native county 



until 1856, five years of that time being employed 
as clerk in a store. In the year named he came to 
Illinois, and made his home in El Paso for about 
five years, where he was engaged in the purchase 
and sale of grain. From there he went to Wat- 
seka, where he was connected with the freight of- 
fice for !i short time, and in the spring of 1862 
came to (iiidley and took charge of the station of 
the T., P. & W. R. R. as their agent, a position 
which he occupied fourteen years; in the meantime 
he was also engaged in the buying and shipping of 
grain. After retiring from tlie employ of his road 
he devoted his entire attention to his grain and 
stock operations, to which lie added that of farm- 
ing. He purchased a tract of land which he suc- 
cessfully operated, and at the time of his death 
was the owner of 4(10 acres in Gridlc}- Township. 
The elevator there, which has a capacity of about 
30,000 bushels, was projected and built by him, in 
addition to a warehouse with a capacity of so, 000. 

Wilber H. Boies was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary A. Taylor, in Perry, W^'oming Co., N. 
Y., Nov. 18, 1857. Mrs. B. was born in Wyoming- 
County, .Sept. 12, 1837, and by her union witli our 
subject became the mother of four cliildren — 
George V., Nettie W., Cliarles C. and Wilber II., .Ir. 

In 1884, Mr. Boies, who had been in partnership 
with R. Breese, purchased the interest of his part- 
ner and afterward carried on iiis business alone. 
He was a member of the Republican party, greatly 
interested in the success of the temperance move- 
ment, and served as a member of the Village Hoard 
for several years. Socially he was connected with 
El Paso Lodge No. 246, A. F. & A. M., also be- 
longed to Cieur de Leon Commaudery at El Paso, 
and the Ro3'al Arch Chapter. 

Ti>e following eloquent estimate of Mr. Boies 
was penned by an old friend, and one who knew 
the man of whom he so feeling! j- writes. Cer- 
tainly no higher tribute could be paid to the mem- 
ory of an}' man than that by this writer to the 
memory of W. H. Boies. 

"Personally Mr. Boies was a man of pleasant 
manners and genial jiresence. None knew him but 
to love him', and to all in this section of the county 
he stood in the light of a personal friend and ad- 
visor. He was the most unselfish of men; his 



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mclp:an county. 



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generosity was almost proverbial ; his kindness of 
heart was extended to ever.ythiiig and everybody; 
and it was impossible to be in his presence withont 
feeling tiiat lie was, in every sense of tiie word, a 
good man. Tliere was aiioiit him no [tretension or 
liypocrisv; his way of life was open and eonid be 
rend by all men. There was in him an overflowing 
ch.-irity, a large-hearteilness, a philosophy and an 
iin|)retending common s(mse that w;is peeidiarly his 
own, that lifted him above the ordinary vexations 
of life, and gave him a serenity anti a eiieerfulness 
that inlhienced all with wliom he came in contact. 
We linew him intimately for many years, and we 
never knew of his doing a s(;lfish, or small, or an 
nngenerous thing, or to make nnchai'itable remarks 
of .anyone. 

"In his death, which occui'red .March !), I .S,S7, 
the citizens of (Jridley and vicinity lost their best 
friend. Words cannot express his worth — kind, 
genial, [)le.'i>;int, loving and .sympathetic, a noble 
mind and a kindl}' heart — he was the friend of ali, 
giving advice when desired, never olHcions, alwa^'s 
obliging. He was to the [icoplc liere a legal ad- 
visor, connselor, banker, helper and friend in time 
of troidile and adversity. Had it not been for his 
kindness and help nine-tenths of the farmers in this 
vicinity conld not have extricated themselves from 
the (inanci.al endiariassnient bi-onght on them by 
the hard times of IST.'i to ISTlt. He aided them 
to ti<le the stream by ailvancing money on |)ros- 
pective crops, and bv giving with a free hand aid to 
those who ciinld onl\' give their word as surety. It 
mattered not whetlier the ai)plicant came in rags or 
clothed in line linen; his noble heart, ever open to 
the cry of distress, turned none away who were in 
need. His was the hand to raise a broken spirit, 
to elieer a disponding 4icart, and bid them be of 
good cheer, foi' lie would help them, and his i)roni- 
ises were made to be kept, not broken, as so many 
are. 

"lb' had executive ability of the highest order. 
He could execute any legal business that w.as 
brought to his notice, or give such .advice as would 
lead loan easy settlement of the dilliculty in ques- 
tion. The people flocked to iiim to execute deeds, 
mortgages, contracts, leases; to write their wills 
and business letters, and to straighten up the lan- 

<■ ! ^ 



gles in their own business ventures; and never was 

he so busy but he would stoj) his own work, which 
was most voluminous, and help them, and do it 
with so much kindness that all were drawn instinct- 
ively toward him. Thus was a bond woven tii;it 
the hand of death can never sever. With s(jmuch 
power given him over the people, never did he 
take advantage of those whose business affairs were 
in his keeping, but gave to all the helping hand of 
the kindest parent. 

■'Since his dcalh men whose heads are stooped b^' 
age and whose liair the hand of time is whitening, 
have come to the writer of this sketch, and with 
tears streaming down their faces, told of how he 
had helped tiicm in sonu' hour of greatest need, 
and bewailed his loss as to them the greatest of all 
calamities. Of such a man volumes could not tell 
his worth, nor words portray his kindness." 

The portrait of Mr. Boies which we give in con- 
nection' with this sketch will be welcomed by the 
many who love his memory so dearl}', 



#•#- 




ENNIS KENYON,an extensive land-hold- 
er and stock-breeder, is a pioneer settler 
of McLean County, who became a resi- 
dent of the Prairie State July 1,H, 1840. 
He is a Mew lOnglandcr liy birth, having been 
born in Coventry, Kent Co., K. 1., on the 24th 
of October, IS.'i.'i. His father, Ezra T. Ken^'on, 
was the son of -bihn Kenyon, vviio was a native of 
.Sterling, Conn., and a farmer bj' occupation. He 
remained a resident of the Nutmeg State until 
18.52, then sold out and came to Mt. Hope Town- 
shi]), this county', and made his home with his 
daughter, Mrs. O. Arnold, the remainder of his 
life. The maiden name of his wife, the grand- 
mother of our subject, was Susan Thurston, also a 
native of Connecticut, and who died at the home 
of her daughter, Mrs. .\rnold before mentioned. 

Ezra T. Kenyon, the father of our subject, was 
reared on his father's farm until he had grown to 
manht)od, and then engaged to work in a cotton 
mill in ins native .State. In due time he became 
forenian of the spinning-room, and remained in 
WiiKlhain County until 1840. He then determined 




t. 



u 



McLEAN COUNTY 



067 



to visit the western couiitrj% and on April of iihat 
yen.r, started with his wife and two children on a 
steamer from Norwich to New York City, thence 
by the Hudson River to Albany, from there by the 
Erie Canal to Bnffah), and around the lakes to 
Chicago. Arriving in the latter cit}' they hired a 
l)rivate conveyance to a point in Indiana fifty miles 
distant. After visiting there with friends a short 
time, the father pnrehasod a yoke of oxen and a 
wagon and started for Illinois, arriving after nine 
days' travel, in McLean County, and landing in 
Mt. Hope Township on the 18th of July, ill with 
the agne. Mr. Kenyon had previously purchased 
IGO .acres of land on the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 32, which, before it was named Mt. Hope, was 
township 32, range 1 west. The land was still in 
its original condition, and there were no buildings. 
Mr. Kenyon rented a house in the vicinity of his 
property, and the following year built a frame 
dwelling on his own land. He had broken eleven 
acres the first year, and he i>roceeded with the im- 
provement and cultivation of his land with perse- 
vering industry, living to improve his entire farm, 
and adding to his real estate as his means per- 
mitted, until he was finally possessed of 400 acres. 
Upon this he erected a substantial set of frame 
buildings comprising a handsome farm residence 
with good barns and outhonses, and all the con- 
veniences for the storing of grain and the shelter 
of stock. He also planted fruit and shade trees 
and lived to see the country developed and settled. 
He contributed in no small degree to the in'os|)er- 
ity of this section, and was a remarkable illustra- 
tion of what can be accomplished by resolution 
and perseverance. He finally closed his ej'es to 
the scenes of his earthly labors on the 21st of July, 
1880, and his name is held in kindly remembrance 
by all who knew him. His aged partner still sur- 
vives him, and lives on the old homestead. Be- 
fore her marriage she was Miss Susan S. Rathburn ; 
she was born in Exeter, Washington Co., R. I., Oct. 
4, 1809. Her parents were .John and Annie Rath- 
burn, natives of Rhode Island and New York re- 
spectively. The parental household consisted of 
two sons — Dennis and Ezra W. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kenyon were devoted members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and the former, in early years a 



Whig, latterly became a member of the Repub- 
lican party, and uniformly cast his vote in sup- 
port of its principles. 

Dennis Kenyon was in his seventh year when he 
journeyed with his parents from Connecticut to 
the prairies of Illinois, and has consequently been 
a resident of McLean County for a period of forty- 
seven years. In youth he attended the subscrip- 
tion schools and assisted his parents in the duties 
around the homestead. In 18.52 he went to C.'ili- 
fornia, via the Isthmus, and entering the mines, 
was engaged for the space of eighteen months in 
searching for the j'ellow ore. Then, being satisfied 
with his far western experience, he returned to Mt. 
Hope, of which he has been a resident continuously 
since that time. 

The marriage of Mr. Kenyon'and Miss Adeline 
G. Peck, was celebrated on the l.ith of August, 
1854. Mrs. Kenyon was a native of Dighton, 
Mass., and was born Jan. 30, 1827. She is the 
daughter of William and Lemira (Mason) Peck, 
both natives of the Bay State, and descendants of 
Joseph Peck, of England, who came to America 
previous U> 1738, and settled in Hingham, Mass. 
The father of Airs. Kenyon was a Brigadier-Gen- 
eral in the .State Militia. 

During his long residence in this section Mr. 
Kenyon has fully established himself in the confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. As a 
farmer he is skillful and judicious, and as a busi- 
ness man he is upright and straightforward in his 
transactions. ()rompt to meet his obligations, .and a 
man whose word is considered as good as his l)ond. 
He is the owner of nearly 2,000 acres, all l.ying in 
Mt. Hope Township, and besides this has valuable 
property in K.ans.as. He is also extensively en- 
gaged in the feeding and shipping of stock, and his 
various interests yield him annually a handsome 
income. He has filled various offices of trust in 
his township, having been Supervisor of Mt. Hope 
Township, and also Trustee. 

During the progress of the late war, Jlr. Ken- 
yon enlisted as a soldier of the Union in Co. A, 
1 17th III. Vol. Inf., of which he w.as commissioned 
Lieutenant, and served until 1864. when he re- 
signed and returned home to resume farming. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon are members in gooil 



f 



■^►-ll-^ 



i 



1 



968 



,t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



standing of the IMethodist Episcopal Church, and 
socially Mr. Kenyon is a Knight Templar, lielong- 
ing to lAIcLean Lodge No. 4(!;i, A. F. & A.M., De- 
Molay Couiniandory No. 24. K. T., and Oriental 
Consistory, S. P. H. S., Chicago, being a .'i-id de- 
gree Mason. In |Hilitii's lie is a standi Repiililican. 



El'EU HEFNER, retired larnier, residing 




at Lexington, 



d familiarly known as 



r 



"Uncle Peter," was born near l-'ranklin, 
Pendleton Co., W. Va., April 20, 181:!. His 
father, Michael Hefner, was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, a native of Virginia, and of (iernnxn ancestry. 
Onr sul)jeefs mother, wliose maiden name w.as 
Harbara Flesher, was also a native of Virginia, 
and likewise of (ierman ancestry. Miciiael Hefner 
and family moved from Virginia to Fayette Coun- 
ty, Ohio, in ISUi, and made that their home until 
ls;!(). During that year they moved to the Mack- 
inaw limber, Illinois, and settled in Money Creek 
Township. There JUchael Hefner entered a tract 
of 240 acres of Government land, with no im- 
provements upon it. His lirst house was a log- 
cabin, and it was in tliis rudely constructed dwell- 
ing that the family [lassed the winter of the deep 
snow in 18;i0-31. AHch.ael Hefner was in every 
sense a pioneer, and lived on the land which lie 
located in Money Creek Township, engaged in tiie 
cultivation of the same until his death, which oc- 
curred some ten years after his location there. His 
family consisted of eleven diildren, six sons and 
five daughters; two died in infancy. Seven of the 
number are still living. 

Peter Hefner was the oldest of liis parents' chil- 
dren. He passed his boyhood days in Fayette 
County, Ohio, receiving luit a limited education in 
the common schools, and coming to tliis county 
with his parents when seventeen years of age. 
There were no schools here at that time, .and our 
snl)jeet, to his knowledge obtrdned in the common 
schools in the East, a<lded a fund of jiractical in- 
formation, and is well jiosted to-day on affairs of 
State and Nation. 

One of the imp(;rtant events in the life nf our 
subject occurred on March 27, 1833, when he was 

<^ 



married to Miss Betsey Flesher. The parents of 
Mrs. H. moved into this county about the same 
time that the Hefner family l)eca,me residents here. 
After his marriage our subject settled on a new 
tract of land and began farming for himself. He 
was the proprietor then of a capital of ^H, but he 
went to work with a will and improved his land, 
and during the late Civil War bought and shipped 
cattle and hogs to the Chicago market and made 
nH>ney quite rai)idl\'. At one time he was the 
owner of 1,700 acres of land in iMoney Creek 
Townshii), and also 040 acres in Martin Township, 
making .-i total of 2, .'MO acres, and all i)aid for. He 
contiiuied to reside on the home farm in Mone}' 
Creek Township until 1H70, when he sold it to his 
son Harmon, and movctd iv Lexington, where he 
has since lived retired from active labor. 

Air. and Mrs. Hefner reared a family of nine 
children, five sons and four daughters, four only 
now living. These are, Harmon, who occupies the 
old i)lace in ISIoney Creek Township; Mary, the 
wife (if .T. I). Curry, and Adeline, wife of John 
Campliell, residents of Lexington, and .lohn A., 
living on a farm in Money Creek Township, 
(ieorge M. died in .July, l<s7!). 

Mr. Hefner has a commodious residence in Lex- 
ington, and is passing the sunset of life in the en- 
joyment of a well-earned competency. He is a 
man of great strength and nerve, and the exposure 
of a countiy life has mA injiu'cd his constitution in 
the least. He is a str.-ughtforwanl man in his deal- 
ings, and prom[)t to meet all his engagements. He 
and his wife are members of the United Urethren 
Church, in which he has served many jears as 
Class- Leader. Politically he is a stanch Repub- 
lican. 






-rs. 




LLTON SMITH, a pioneer of this county 
of 18;i.'), was born in Franklin County. 
Ky., Fell. 1!», 1 S08. His father's name 
was William Snnth, and his mother's maid- 
en name. Obedience Brown. The former died 
when our subject was but eight 3-ears of age. He 
was born in Penns3"lvania, and had emigrated to 
Kentucky when a j'oung man. Obedience Brown 
was the daughter of George Brown, who moved to 




I- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4- 

969 , i \ 



-I 



Kentucky when Obedience was a little girl, and 
lived in that State until 1818, when he came to 
Illinois and made this State his home until his 
death. William Smith became the father of six 
children: John W., who died at Lexington; 
James IL, deceased; Milton, the subject of this 
biography ; Joseph G., deceased ; Matilda V. mar- 
ried Patrick Hopkins, and died at Lexington some 
years ago; Sarah married Henry Hayes, and is also 
deceased. 

Milton Smith was the third in order of birth of 
his parents' children. He grew to manhood in liis 
native county on a farm, and attended a subscrip- 
tion school in which he received his education. At 
the age of eight years he was orphaned 1)3' the 
death of his father, who left to the care of the 
mother, six children. The family had sixty acres 
of land, but it required a goodly portion of their 
personal property to pay their debts, and young 
Smith, realizing how hard a time it was for liis 
mother to get along with the children, went to 
work with a will to aid in the support of the fam- 
ily. He continued a resident of Kentucky until 
the fall of 18.35, when he came to this county. 
Here he bought a claim of eighty acres of land 
which had been pre-empted and on which he erect- 
ed a log-cabin. It was located in Lexington 
Township, and is the same tract on which he lias 
lived until the present time. Soon, however, after 
coming here he entered about 500 acres of land 
from the proceeds realized from the sale of the 
little farm in Kentucky, wiiich they h.ad disposed 
of at $40 per acre. The mother of our subject 
and two sisters accompanied Milton to this countj' 
and located with him on the land purchased. The 
mother died on the farm some thirty years ago. 

Nov. 23, 1837, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Lydia A. Goddard, eldest daughter of 
Dr. Abbott Goddard. After their marri.age they 
settled on Mr. Smith's land, and he began its im- 
provement and cultivation, and they have made \ 
that their home until the present time. He ii.as 
been a successful agriculturist, and has added to 
that department of his vocation the raising of cat- ' 
tie and hogs. He has experienced all the trials in- 
cident to tlie settlement of a new country, and j 
hauled his pork to Chicago when the present me- i 

4* 



tropolis was but a hamlet. He was economical 
and energetic, and kept adding to his landed inter- 
ests until at one time be was the proprietor of 
1,500 acres. A portion of this he has given to his 
children, !in<l yet retains 400 .acres in his own 
name. 

Mr. Sn]ith and wife are tlie parents of eleven 
children, seven sons and four daughters, and nine 
of the number lived to attain the age of man and 
womanhood. Ann M. married George Okeson ; 
Sarali is the wife of M. "\V. Strayer; William A., 
Fletcher M. ; Carrie, wife of V. U. Piersou; Kate 
L. married D. Poole; Lewis H., George J. and Es- 
stelle are single and living at home. 

Mr. Smith is now in his seventy-ninth year, hale 
and heartj', and superintends tlie cultivation of his 
farm. Mrs. Smith is a lady of culture and refine- 
ment, witii a kind and loving heart, and is able 
even in her old age to attend to her household 
duties. Mv. Smith, under the old law, was one of 
the County Justices who constituted the County 
Court. He lield this office for some eight years, to 
the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He also 
served as Supervisor of Lexington Township for 
two years. He and his wife are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, and he has been one of its 
Elders for about twent3'-flve years. Politically, 
our subject was an old-line Whig, but on the birth 
of the Republican party joined its ranks, and has 
since voted for its success. He is nevertheless a 
strong temperance man and hopes to see the day 
when the sale of intoxicating liquors shall be pro- 
hibited by law. His temperance ideas are also 
against the use of tobacco and he neither chews nor 
smokes the filthy weed. 




ON. JOHN M. SCOTT, Chief Justice of the 
|j Supreme Court of Illinois, and a resident 
of the city of Bloomington, is a native of 
the Prairie State, and was born on a farm 
near Belleville, in St. Clair Country, Aug. 1, 1823. 
He is the son of Samuel and Nancy (Biggs) Scott, 
the former a native of ^'irginia, and the latter of 
Illinois. The mother of our subject was born Jan. 1, 



-^- 



t. 



-4^ 



t 



••^-■-4« 



iw(i 



McLEAN COtTNTV. 



1779, neai- Kaskaskia, and was the daughter of Hon. 
William Biggs, one of the earliest pioneers of Illi- 
nois, coming with George Rogers Clarke, in 1778. 
He selected a location near Kaskaskia, and soon 
afterward sent for his family. The family is de- 
scended from Scotch-Irish ancestry, and possesses 
in a marked degree the characteristics of their fore- 
fathers. 

The subject of this biography spent his childhood 
and youth under the parental roof, receiving a 
common-school education, which included private 
instruction in the English branches, and later, Latin 
and the higher mathematics. He remained a resi- 
dent of his native town until 1848, then commenced 
the study of law in the office of Hon. W. C. Kenney, 
and iminediatel}' after being admitted to practice 
opened an otHce in Bloom ington, where he has since 
remained. In connection with his law business he 
has been honored with various responsible positions. 
He served first as School Commissioner of McLean 
County, the duties of which he has discharged with 
much credit, and in 18.52 was elected Judge of the 
Count.y Court. He steadily grew in public favor 
until in 1862 he was elected Judge of the Eighth Ju- 
dicial Circuit, and served with such abilitj' that he 
was unanimously re-elected, in 1867. In all re- 
spects, both as jurist and as a citizen, he has been 
an honor to the community, and has received an 
ample reward in the universal respect and esteem 
with which he is regarded. 

In 1870 Judge Scott was elevated to the Supreme 
Bench of the State over Hon. E. S. Terry, of Dan- 
ville. In 1879 he was re-elected against Hon. B. S. 
Edwards, iiy allotment he became Chief Justice 
of the Supreme Court, first in 1875, and again in 
1882, also receiving a Iik(^ distinction in lS8{i. At 
the expiration of his pres(!ut term he will have been 
eighteen years on the Supreme Bench, thirteen of 
which he has served as Chief Justice, and eight 
years as Judge of the Circuit Court. 

Judge Scott possesses a mind exceedingly well 
adapted to judiciary positions, and during his long 
term of service has distinguished himself for his clear 
analysis of legal [)oints, and his decisions will be 
used as authoritj' in the State as long as courts are 
I held. His first decisions appear in N'olumo ,04 of 
the Illinois Reports, which now^ comprises 118 vol- 
•W ^ ^ 



umes, and in sixty-five of which may be found his 
clear and concise views. His name appears in the 
April volume of Gillman's, which is the eighth series 
of Illinois Reports. In most of the volumes since 
that time his name will be found either as an At- 
torney*, Circuit Judge or Justice of the Su|ireme 
Court. 

In i)olitics Judge Scott was originally a Whig, 
but after the abandonment of that party cordially 
endorsed the principles of the Republican, with 
whom he has cast his lot since that time. He has 
never held any political office, although, in 1850, 
he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for 
State Senator, being defeated by Hon. Joel S. Post, 
of Decatur. 

The marriage of Judge Scott with Miss Charlotte 
A. Perry was celebrated in Bloomington, in 1853. 
Mrs. Scott is the daughter of Rev. David I. Perry, 
a minister of the Presbyterian Church. In personal 
appearance Judge Scott is prepo.ssessing, in man- 
ners courteous and dignified. He is five feet, eight 
and one- half inches in iieight, with dark complexion 
and hazel eyes. His hair, which was almost bl.ack 
when young, is now nearly white. He has to this 
da\- in his writing mostly used the old-fashioned 
(|uill pen. In temperament he possesses a happy 
mien, being neither boisterously merry nor mor- 
bi<lly melancholy. In short he is a finely balanced 
specimen of manhoo<l, both physically' and men- 
tally, and with his devoted partner is surrounded 
by a large circle of congenial and faithful friends, 
who experience no greater pleasure than meeting at 
the delightful home of Judge Scott, talking over 
the early days, and congratulating him upon the 
success which has followed his earnest and worthy 
efforts. 

--^ ^#^ ^ 

■jips) BENEZER B. MITCHEL, a retired farmer 
l^] now living in the enjoyment of a compe- 
IjL^J toncy in the village of Danvers, came to 
Illin<_)is with his parents before it had been admit- 
ted into the Union as a State. He was born in 
Morganfield, Union Co., Ky., on the 17th of Au- 
gust, 1813, his parents being Pej'ton and Elizabeth 
(Briggs) Mitchel. His father was born in Virginia, 
Aug. 20, 1791, and died April 4, 1853. He enii- 



! 



i 



i 



.J- 



a 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1)71 



\ 



grated to Illinois from Virginia, arriving here in 
November, one month prior to the time when the 
Territory became a State. It is believed that lie 
was the fifth man to settle north of the Sangamon 
River, and he located in what is now Sangamon 
Connty. He was a farmer by occiiiiation, and also 
officiated as a minister of the Cnniberland Presl)y- 
terian C'hnrch. His time w.as abont eqnally divided 
between the farm and pnlpit, and sometimes he 
would ride on horseback over 100 miles to his 
charge. He was a natural orator, having great in- 
fluence over his audiences, and was very successful 
in making accessions to the Church. Upon one 
occasion, when his appointment lay in Putnam 
County, being late in his arrival one Mr. l^yne es- 
sayed to occupy his pulpit until he should arrive. 
When the regular incumbent c;ime, however, Mr. 
P. vacated, and Mr. Mitchel taking up the subject 
of the latter, treated it vvith such force that one 
young man became converted, afterward joined the 
church, and in due time was ordained a minister of 
the same. At another time, in Logan County, 
while filling an appointment at a iJi'ivate house, 
eight or ten people were converted. One young 
mail hurried to the minister and warmly embraced 
him, addressing him in very forcible language and 
evincing great emotion. Our subject estimates that 
his honored father followed the ministry as oppor- 
tunity offered, for a period of thirty-live years. 
His services were given gratuitously. 

The parents of our subject were married on the 
3d of September, 1<S12. The mother was born 
Aug. 10, 1795, and departed this life Jan. 12. l.s.'/O. 
The household circle included eight children, vi/,. : 
Ebenezer B. of our sketch; .Tohu E., William M.. 
Samuel R., James M. C, Louisa A., Mary Jane and 
Ph(ebe E. Of these only three are living: E. B., 
onr subject; Dr. Robert Mitchel, and Louisa, now 
Mrs. Vance, of Danvers. 

Ebenezer Mitchel came to lUinoi.s with his par- 
ents, and remained with them until he was twenty- 
three years of age, his childhood and youth being 
employed in attendance at the common schools and 
assisting his parents around the farm. On the 2Gth 
of May, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Rachel Vance, who was born and reared in Ken- 
tucky, and came to Illinois the 3' ear before her 
4' 



marriage. The birth of Mrs. M. occurred Nov, 23, 
1813. She is the daughter of James and Jane 
(Hay) \'ance, natives respectively of Kentucky and 
\irginia. Her mother was born in 1794, and died 
in 1S21. James Vance died in 1859, when seventy- 
two years of age. Their family consited of four 
children, two sons and two daughters, viz., Eliza- 
beth, Rachel, Peter and Andrew. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchel became the parents of 
seven children, three now living: James P. was 
born April 30, 1S37; John O., Sept. 30, 1839 : Eliz- 
abeth M., July 16, 1842; Mary L., July 1. 1845; 
Emeline M., Aug. 28, 1M49; Virginia B., April 30, 
1853, and Ebenezer B., Jr., Nov. 23, 1855. 

After his marriage Mr. Mitchel followed farming 
until 1854, when he removed to Bloomington, 111., 
where he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and occu- 
pied the ppsition for ten years following. In the 
meantime, however, he had taken the census of the 
county, completing the task in fift3--eight days, a 
feat which was unprecedented in the annals of the 
county. After his term of office had expired he 
became the agent for II. B. jNIetcalf & Co., of 
I'rovidence, who were engaged as grain dealers, in 
whose enqiloy he remained for ab<^ut three years. 
He had removed to Bloomington for the purpose of 
securing good educational advantages for his chil- 
dren. This having been accomplished he returned 
to the farm, and from 1870 to 1.S85 was engaged 
in the breeding of fine horses. Mr. Mitchel was at 
one time the owner of 909 acres of land in McLean 
County. In 1885 he divided his real estate among 
his children, and removed to Danvers, where he is 
now enjoying the fruits of his early labors, and 
also the pi-ofound respect and veneration which is 
tacitly accorded the honored pioneers. 

Mr. Mitchel is not connected with an^' secret or- 
ganization. When twenty-three years of age he 
professsed religion and united with the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church, of which he was a Ruling 
Elder for a period of twenty years. He was elected 
a delegate to represent the church at the Ecclesias- 
tical Syndicate, a general assembling of the synods 
of the United States, several times, and was other- 
wise very prominently identified with the denom- 
ation. Since that time, however, his religious 
views have experienced a change in regard to those 



•►-»-♦• 



i 



t 



t 



-¥-m^4» 



972 



McLean county. 



requirements which constitute tiic tnio eliurch, of 
wliich he claims tiiere is but one. lie believes that 
by the atonement of Christ all infants will be 
saved, ami tiiat n.aiiy so-called church organizations 
are unauthorized liy tlie Scriptures. He believes 
also that water bai)tism is an institution of man 
and not essential to salvaticin. 

Politically, Mr. Mitchel, during the existence of 
tlie Whig party, warml.v indorsed its views, but 
when the old party was abandoned Ijy the organi- 
zation of the new Kei)ublicau Jiarty, he cordially 
indorsed the principles of the latter, and with it 
uuiforndy casts his vote. 



3 — mr^^- 




f 



\*^-. AVID II. YANDOLAII, importer and 
dealer in Fercherou and Korman horses, 
owns and occupies acomfortable and hand- 
some home in Lexington, and is meeting 
with success in iiis calling. He is a native of Money 
Creek Township, this county, and was born Nov. 8, 
liS41. His fatlier, .lames Vandolah, was one of the 
early pioneers of Mcd.ean County, coming here in 
18.'5.'), from Ohio, to which he had removed from 
his native State of Pennsylvania when (piite young. 
He was married in Ohio to Miss Nancy Nntt, lat- 
terly of Fayette County, Ohio, but who w.as born 
in \'irginia. Upon their removal to McLean Coun- 
ty, 111., they permanently located in Money Creek 
Township, where James Vandolah improved a farm 
and engaged extensively in stock-raising. In due 
time he became the pi'oprietor of «()() acres of land, 
and continued his stock business until he retired from 
active labor, when he was succeeded by his son 
David II. His family consisted of seven sons and 
two daughters, of whom four sons and one daugh- 
ter are living, David H. being next to tlie youngest. 

Our subject remained on the farm until fourteen 
years of age and then started out with his father 
and assisted him in the handling of stock and buy- 
ing and shipping, and for a mere boy developed un- 
usual business talent. These early experiences 
served to make him self-reliant, and were of great 
advantage to him in all his after years. 

Mr. Vandolah was married, March 22, 1864, to 
Miss Britania, daughter of Siou Br.ay of Lexington, 



and continued his occupation as a stock-dealer, mak- 
ing his residence in Lexington. In 1879 he be- 
gan the importation of French draft horses, and in 
1885 shipped sixty-seven head of magnificent ani- 
mals to different parts of the United States. He 
has displayed rare talent and genius as a judge of 
horseflesh, and exhiliits some of the finest animals to 
be found along the Mississippi Valley. For the ac- 
commodation and comfort of these he erected a 
line barn, which is es|)eeially arranged for tlie pur- 
|)ose and equipi)cd with all modern appliances. His 
name has become familiar in this section of coun- 
try as one of the leading horsemen of the Prairie 
State. Ilis two sons, James W. and Sheridan, are 
assisting their father in his business and bid fair to 
develop his own talent and genius in this direction. 
Mrs. Vand(»lah is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. In politics Mr. \andolah is a He^iub- 
lican. 

' — -^^^"^^---^ q, . -^^^^~— 9 

ICIIAEL II. MILLER, of Randolph Town- 
ship, owns and occupies a comfortable 
homestead on section 25, which comprises 
IGO acres of land, a good farm-house and 
other buildings, and all the necessary appliances for 
carrying on agriculture in a progressive manner. 

The subject of this history was born in Hagers- 
town, Washington Co., Md., being the son of Joseph 
Miller, who was of English and Irish parentage. 
Joseph Miller was a farmer by occupation and lo- 
cated in \\ ashington County, Md., after his mar- 
riage with Miss Margaret Hager, whence he re- 
moved to I'ennsylvanla where he farmed, first in 
Fayette and then in Westmoreland County'. Mrs. 
Miller was of Oerman ancestry, and born in Mary- 
land. Of their five sons and four daughters, 
Michael H. was the youngest and was born Sept. 1, 
1810. When he was five years of age his paients 
removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and there set- 
tled in Montgomery County, where they spent the 
remainder of their lives. Joseph Alillcr was suc- 
cessful in his farming and business transactions and 
accumulated considcralile means, providing a com- 
f(jrtable home for his family, of which all members, 

; with one exception, accompanied their parents upon 

I their removal to Ohio. 




i 






#" 



% 



'^. 



< 







iMf 



u 



->-^m^* 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



975- 



Michael H. Miller was reared to manhood in 
Montgomery County, Ohio, whence he afterward 
went to Indiana and was there married in l>ear- 
born Count}' to Miss Matilda Colwell on the 2d of 
April, 1832. Mrs. Miller was born in about 1810, 
in Indiana, and died at the home of her husband in 
Randolph Township in about 18.t3. Of her union 
with our subject there were born ten children, six 
now deceased. The living are, Frank, fSanuiel, 
Mary and Minerva, all married and settled in com- 
fortable homes of their own. 

Mr. Miller after his marriage located in Dearborn 
Count}', Ind., whence he removed after one year to 
Hamilton Count}', living there until in October, 
1839. He then came into McLean County, and set- 
tled on the farm which he now owns and occupies. 

For his second wife Mr. Miller married Mrs. 
Martha (Miller) Daniels, in Funk's Grove Town- 
ship, in 1855. Mrs. Martha IMiller was born near 
New Albany, Floyd Co., Ind., where she was reared 
and educated, and there married to Mr. Dan- 
iels. They became the parents of five children. 
By her marriage with our subject there have been 
born two children, a son and daughter. Josephus and 
Ellen, who are both now married. Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller are greatly respected in their community, and 
our subject is in all respects fulfilling the obliga- 
tions of a law-abiding citizen. He is an extensive 
reader, well informed, liberal in religion and Demo- 
cratic in politics. He possesses great force of 
character and takes an intelligent interest in current 
events. 



-~^/\--vtliCi2/®-^^| 



*^.a/37r2r»v. -Wv 



/^URTIS BATTERTON. This old and hon- 
//( ored citizen of Martin Township came to 

^^^' this vicinity in the pioneer days, and with 
others who ventured upon the territory of a new 
country, endured bravely the difficulties encoun- 
tered before the advance of civilization had con- 
tributed so much to make life more pleasurable 
than toilsome. He was born near Richmond, in 
Madison County, Ky., Jan. 11, 1810, and is the 
descend.ant of a family well known in the early his- 
tory of this country. His grandfather, a native of 
North Carolina, served as a soldier in the Revolu- 



- ■ 4 i 



tionary War, and at the close of that conflict be- 
came a resident of Kentucky. There he reared a 
family of sons and daughters, among whom was 
Abraham, the father of our subject. The latter 
after arriving at years (.)f manhood married Miss 
Sus.'in, daughter of (ieorge Henline, Esq., of North 
Carolina, who also was a Revolutionary soldier. 
Of this marriage there were born eight children. 
The parents spent the greater part of their lives in 
Kentucky, there died, and there their remains are 
buried; 

Curtis Batterton, who was the third child of his 
parents, passed his earlier ye.ars in his native county 
and came to this State in about 1837. He had 
previously purchased eighty acres of timber land 
in this county and now entered 240 acres, and later 
he purchased thirty-five acres more, and now owns 
355 acres. Upon the former, for which he paid 
1500, he erected a small log cabin and began to 
open up a farm. The following summer he was 
married to Miss Melinda, daughter of William 
Henline, a resident of McLean County. The 
young couple went to housekeeping in the humble 
cabin and bravely encountered the many hardships 
and privations incident to the development of a 
new country. The nearest market at that time was 
Chicago and the milling for the family was done at 
Peoria. The hogs and cattle were driven to the 
market, a week's time being often occupied in 
reaching the place of destination. Many of the 
streams were unbridged, which rendered crossing 
difficult and dangerous, and teamsters were fre- 
quently compelled to go a long distance out of 
their w.ay to reach the other side in safety. In ad- 
dition to this, farm [)roduee at best only commanded 
a low price. As time progressed, however, and the 
population began to increase, their difficulties and 
labors grew less and the products of the farm 
brought a better price. Mr. Batterton being lo- 
cated in one of the finest corn regions in this State 
raised this cereal in large quantities and fattened 
large numbers of hogs annually, shipping them by 
rail to Chicago. By this means he m.ade the larger 
p.art of his little fortune and was enabled to effect 
the necessary improvements upon his farm, adding 
both to its beauty and value. The shapely brick 
residence which the family now occupy was one of 



-^ 



t 



t 




976 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



the first of its kind erected in Martin Township, 
and surrounding it are the necessary barns and 
out-buildings, conveniently arranged ft)r the shelter 
of stock and the storing of grain. It must not be 
imagined, however, tiial ho has not encountered 
reverses as well as others, but he has ever met mis- 
fortune with a philosophic spirit and never allowed 
it to dismay or discourage iiini. lie has always 
taken an active interest in the welfare and progress 
of his adopted State, and has been prominent in 
the counsels of his fellow townsmen. Politically, 
he is an earnest Republican and fully believes in 
the rectitude of the principles of that party. He 
has not tasted liquor for thirty-five years and does 
not smoke or chew tobacco. 

Mr. and Mrs. Batterton became the parents of 
four sons and one daughter, namely : John, Will- 
iam, Franklin, Albert and Telitha. The latter is 
the wife of Miles Waybright, of Lexington ; John 
died of measles in the army. Our subject is now 
in the seventy-eighth year of his age and is in pos- 
session of a sound mind in a healthy body. He 
still loves to recall the incidents of the old pioneer 
days and can relate many an interesting story of 
earl}- life in Martin Township. 

In the galaxy of portraits of the leading men 
and pioneers of McLean County given in this Al- 
miM, none will receive a warmer welcome than that 
of Curtis Batterton. 



.~3»;JS*-^Si^-«^ 



>^i^-*<^;tf^ 



"iflOIIN KLESHER, one of the numerous suc- 
cessful agriculturists of McLean County, is 
living on his fine farm on section 3, Money 
Creek Tt)wnship. The father of our sul)ject, 
John Flesher, and ills wife, ISIary (.Seybery) Flesher, 
were natives of Pendleton County, W. Va. The par- 
ents were married and settled in their native 
county, whence the}- removed to Fayette County, 
Ohio, in 183.5. The}' made the latter county their 
home for about six years, and then, in 1841, came 
to this county and took up their residence in 
Mone}' Creek T()wnship, where they lived and la- 
bored until their death. His demise took place in 
the latter i)art of the spring of 1863, and she died 
about 1873. Of their union were born the follow- 



-n^ 



ing-named children : Jesse, Elizabeth, Peter, Polly, 
Catharine, John, (ieorge, Aleinda, Andrew and 
William. 

John Flesher was the sixth child born to his par- 
ents. He first saw light in Pendleton County, W. 
Va., July 1, 1816, and at the time of his parents' re- 
moval to Ohio, was about nineteen years old. He 
lived with them in that State until their emigra- 
tion to this county, when he accompanied them. 
Mr. Flesher was reared on a farm, and in fact all 
his years until the present time, have been devoted 
almost exiilusively to agricultural pursuits, al- 
though he has followed shoemaking in connection 
with his calling. He has resided in Money Creek 
Townsliip since 1S41, and is now the owner of 100 
acres, the major portion of which is under an ad- 
vanced state of cultivation. 

May I'J, 184'J, in McLean County, our subject 
was united in marriage with Frances J. Eckels, a 
native of Indiana. She bore him five children — 
William P., Alex S., Andrew W., Oscar E. and 
Levvis D. A. William P. was suited in marriage 
with Miss Clara Stretch, .and is a farmer of Money 
Creek Township; they have one child, Ethel A. 
The remaining four children are deceased. Mrs. 
Flesher departed this life June 14, 1862, and our 
subject was a second time married in Money Creek 
Township, Nov. 26, 1865, Miss Catherine E. Bar- 
nard being the other contracting party. Of this 
union one child, Viola A., was born, and is now the 
wife of Edward Murphey, who resides in Money 
Creek Township. Mrs. Catherine Flesher died Oct. 
31, 18C6, and April 1, 1867, in the latter-named 
township, Mr. Flesher formed another matrimonial 
alliance. The lady of iiis choice was Vesta A. 
(Potter) Fultz, daughter of Samuel and Nanc}' 
(Berger) Putter, and widow of Henrj^ Fultz. Mr. 
Fultz was a soldier in the late Civil War, belong- 
ing to the 124th Illinois Infantry, and lost his life 
at the battle of Champion Hills. By his marriage 
with Miss Potter he had three children — Mary C, 
Lucy A. and Sandi !•;. JMary is the wife of Thomas 
Richards, and they are living in Money Creek 
Township; Lucy married A. M Flesher, and they 
live in Gridley Township; Sarah is the wife of 
George W. Curry, and tiieir home is in Morton 
Count}', Kan. Mrs. Flesher was born in Floyd 
•¥- 






*► M '^- 



.t 



MCLEAN COUNTY. 



977 




1 ' 



County, Ind., April 17, ,1836, and with her hus- 
band is a member of the United Brethren Church. 
In polities Mr. Flesher is Republican. He has 
held the office of Highway Commissioner, and is 
one of the foremost citizens of his township. 



ORREL F. BUNDLE, proprietor of 380 
acres of valuable land on section 1, To- 
wanda Township, and an energetic and 
thorough-going farmer of this countj', as 
well as a progressive and successful one, is the son 
of Noble and Margaret (Wright) Biddle, natives 
of Ohio. Noble Biddle and wife settled in Fayette 
County, Ohio, after their marri.age, whence in 18.50, 
they came to this county and settled in Lexington 
Township. Tliere the good wife died, Sept. 7, 
1858. Mr. Biddle yet survives. Seven children 
were born to tliem, three sons and four daughters, 
and Dorrel was the second in order of birth. 

Oui- subject was born in Fayette County, Ohio, 
Nov. 3, 183(). He attended the eomnion schools 
of his native county, and received such education 
as was to be obtained therein, and also assisted his 
father in the labors on the farm. In 1850 he ac- 
companied his parents to this county, and lived 
with them until lS5(i. when he worked one season 
i)}- the month. He tlien rented land in Lexington 
Townsliip, which he farmed for two years, when he 
was enabled to buy eighty acres on section 1, To- 
wanda Township. On this place he erected a resi- 
dence, which was destroyed by fire in the fall of 
18G6. He has since rebuilt his house, and sur- 
rounded it with good .and substantial out-buildings, 
and to-day has one of the finest farms in Towanda 
Township, and is meeting with signal success in 
conducting it. A view of the place is shown on 
another page of this volume. 

Mr. Biddle was married, in Lexington, 111., Dec. 
22, 185!), to Miss Rebecca A., daugliter of John 
and Rachel (McDorman) Lambert, natives of 
Clarlvc County, Ohio. Mrs. Biddle was born in 
Fayette County, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1836, and has borne 
our subject seven children — Melissa E., ^^'illiam O., 
Noble AL, Edna M., Elmer F., John P. and Wil- 
mer O. Melissa is tlie wife of William Merna, and 



they are living at Bloomington ; William died in 
infancy; Noble was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary R. Fletcher, and thej' are living in Money 
Creek Township; Edna is the wife of David C. 
Fletcher, and they are residents of Normal Town- 
ship. For eight years Mr. Biddle has held the of- 
fice of Justice of the Peace, and for six years has 
acted in the capacity of Road Commissioner. He 
has also served as Township Trustee, and in politics 
is Republican. He and his wife are members of 
the United Brethren Church. 

'JY/AMES H. LINCOLN, deceased, was one of 
the earliest pioneers of McLean County and 
a resident of the Prairie State from 1836 to 
Jj his demise. He was a gentleman of fine 
education and in early life took up the study of 
law, being admitted to the bar at Bloomington in 
184!), and commenced practice at Le Roy. Three 
years later he opened a drug-store, which he oper- 
ated in ciinnection with his practice, carrying these 
on together for about sixteen years, and remained 
a resident of Le Roy until his death, which occurred 
on the 6th of Marcli, 1877. 

Mr. Lincoln was born in Greene County, Pa., 
Feb. 15, 1815, and was the son of Thomas and 
Mary (Jones) Lincoln, natives of that State. The 
grandfather of our subject, Mordecai Lincoln, was 
boi'u in Lincolnshire, England, and ujion emigrat- 
ing to America settled in Pennsj'lvania. There the 
father of our subject was reared upon a farm, 
worked for a time in a woolen-mill, and spent his 
entire life in his native county. The parents of 
James H. desired him to become a minister but he 
preferred tiie law, and at an early age commenced 
studying 'vith tliis end in view. When nineteen 
jears of age he taught school in Pennsylvania two 
years and pursued this occupation after coming to 
Illinois, at Ottawa. 

In 1837 Mr. Lincoln came to Le Roj^ which was 
then but a hamlet with one hotel and store. Young 
Lincoln conducted the first school in Le Roy and 
soon afterward entered upon tlie practice of his 
profession as stated. He was married, Sept. 12, 
1841, to Miss Ellen INIerrifield, who was born in 



-^1 



h 



I 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Greene County, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1820, and was 
the daughter of Jiinies and Hannah (Haines) Merri- 
field. Her father was of Pennsylvania and her 
mother of English parentage, the hitter born in 
Virginia. The seven ehiklren of Mr. and Mrs. L. 
are: Thomas Abraham, of Ridgeway, Mo. ; Ben- 
jamin F., of Farmer City, III; Mary E., Mrs. 
Alexander Dixon, of Le Roy; Mordeeai, of Kan- 
sas; Edgar C, of Farmer City; James T. of Le 
Roy, and Eliza E., who married (i. B. Dougherty, 
of Leon, Iowa. 

The parents of Mrs. Lincoln came to McLean 
County in 1832, spending the following winter in 
Downs Township. In the spring of 1833, they re- 
moved to the grove near Le Roy, being the third 
family that settled there. The father improved a 
farm and lived there with his fanuly until 1857. 
He then spent five years in Missouri, after which 
he returned to Le Roy and remained until his death 
in 186-2. The mother died in 1838 in Buckles 
(irove. 

Mr. Lincoln in early life was a member of the 
Whig party but Later a Republican. He was up- 
right in his business transactions, a valued member 
of the community, and his name is held in kindly 
remembrance by a large circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances. 



1 

w 



OHN LAWRENCE, a prosperous farmer of 
Hudson T(nvnship, who owns and occupies a 
fine homestead on section 24, where for 
many }'ears he lias been engaged in the 
peaceful pursuits of agriculture, has established for 
himself the reputation of an honest man and a good 
citizen. He comes from that Empire upon which 
the sun never sets, having been born in Gloucester- 
shire, England, un the 8th of .June, 1828. His par- 
ents were William and Ann (Lewis) Lawrence, who 
had a family of seven children, two of whom died 
while young and one w.as lost by shipwreck on the 
voyage from Jamaica to Quebec. Two, Edvvard 
and Clara, reside in England ; Ann, the wife of John 
Langley, lives in Nance County, Neb., the remain- 
ing one being the subject of our sketch. 



John Lawrence received a good business educa- 
tion, his earlier studies being pursued in a board- 
ing-school for boys. At the age of sixteen years 
he boarded the ship Water Lily with the purpose 
of learning to be a sailor, the brother who was lost 
being then Captain. The ship was wrecked upon 
Europee Point, Gibraltar. After this sad occur- 
rence our subject completed his four years' appren- 
ticeship as a sailor upon other vessels. The first 
year of his sea life he received the meager com- 
pensation of $1.25 per month; the second, $2.50 
per month; the third, $3.75, and the fourth, $5. 
He followed the sea for ten years, during which 
time he visited different ports on the American 
coast from Quebec to LaPlatte, S. A., and the West 
Indian Islands, also the ports of Western Europe, 
sailing the Mediterranean, the Black and the Baltic 
.Seas. During this time he served in every capacitj' 
up to chief mate. Sept. 20, 1853, the ship was 
capsized by a tornado and became water-logged, in 
which position they left her, after five days and 
nights, during which time the crew was without 
food. They were picked up by another vessel and 
carried to Newry, Ireland. 

In 1854, while at home, he met some friends from 
America who had come to England after blooded 
cattle, and through their persuasions, as well as be- 
ing tired of sea life, he sailed with them for the 
United States, accompanied by his brother who is 
now in England. After reaching American shores 
he went to Clinton County, Ohio, with his friends, 
and there assisted in taking care of cattle. His 
knowledge of farm life was very limited at that 
time, he never having h.arnessed a horse. He 
worked for various parties until early in December, 
1857, and then came to Hudson and worked for 
different parties until the spring of 1859. 

On the lOth of February, 1859, Mr. Lawrence 
was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Drew, the 
wedding occurring in IJloomington. Mrs. L. is a 
native of the same country as her husband, having 
been born in Gloucestershire on the 21st of March, 
1824. She was one of a family of ten daughters 
and one son, the children of William and Mary 
(Cowley) Drew, .and came to the United States in 
1854. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Law- 
rence located upon a tract of rented land, where 



-•►•-^ 



i 



i 



t 



■» ■ ^« 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



981 a 



our subject engaged in fanning and his wife in all 
necessary household duties. Tiiey had but $300 
in cash, but were rich in hope and courage, and 
pulled together with the resolution of making for 
themselves an honorable name and a comfortable 
home. 

In the spring of ISGo Mr. Lawrence i)ui'ehased 
160 acres of his present farm, which was unim- 
proved and for which he paid $17.50 per acre. He 
at once entered upon its cultivation, was prospered 
in his farming and business transactions and added 
to his landed estate as time passed on. He is now 
the owner of 240 acres which constitutes the home 
farm and has given to his son eighty acres of valua- 
ble property. Of late he has given much attention 
to stock-raising and exhibits some of the finest ani- 
mals in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence be- 
came the parents of five children, two of whom 
died in childhood. One son, Matiiew, at the age of 
fifteen 3'ears, was killed by tlic kick of a horse, 
this sad accident occurring in the summer of 1882. 
The two surviving are William and John D. 

The subject of our sketch is a liberal Republican 
in politics and in religion a Baptist. He has never 
been the incumbent of anj'' office although re- 
peatedl}' solicited to do so. He is essentially a 
self-made man, one who commenced life at the 
foot of the ladder and has climbed up to his pres- 
ent position solely through his own honest and per- 
severing efforts. 

McLean County is noted for her elegant farm 
residences, and among those illustrated in this 
Album as worthy of prominence in this respect, is 
that belonging to John Lawrence. 



-^»»^ 



-^l!{^» 



!^5<^,. 






SjNOS A. TRIMMER. Among the well-to- 
|-^ do farmers of McLean County, those who 
\Ls^ have succeeded through individual effort 
and economy in acquiring a handsome property, 
both real and personal, Enos A. Trimmer deserves 
prominent mention. He is living upon his large 
and productive farm on section 17, Money Creek 
Township, and in addition to the cultivation of the 
cereals, is extensively' engaged in stock-raising. 

4' 



Success in both branches of his vocation is crown- 
ing his efforts. 

Mr. Trimmer is a son of Jesse and Amanda (Gil- 
more) Trimmer, the former a native of New Jer- 
sey and the latter of Ohio. Coming to this coun- 
ty, the parents located in Money Creek Township, 
on the same section on which our subject now re- 
sides, and made that their home until they passed 
to the better land beyond. The demise of the 
former took place in 1876, and his wife joined him 
two years later. The father was very successful 
in life, and at the time of his death was the owner 
of about 2,400 acres of valuable land. He erected 
a large brick house on his farm, together with other 
good and substantial improvements, and at the 
date of his death his land was under a high state of 
cultivation. He became the head of a family of 
seven children who lived to attain the age of man 
and womanhood, namely : William, Eliza A., John 
F., David F., Sarah A., Mary and Enos A. Three 
died in infancy. William was a soldier in the 33d 
Illinois Infantry. He enlisted in 1861, and died 
at his father's home in Money Creek Township of 
disease contracted while in the army ; Eliza A. is 
the widow of John McNaught, and is living at 
Normal; John F. also lives at Normal; David F. 
is a resident of Lexington; Sarah A. is the wife of 
Joseph Scott, and they are living in Howard Laiie, 
Minn.; Mar^' and Frank B. Ilobart became man 
and wife and are living in this township. 

Enos A. Trimmer was born in M(jney Creek 
Township, this county, Oct. 13, 1856. He was 
reared to manhood on his father's farm, and has 
known no other home since his birth than the town- 
ship of his nativit}'. All his years thus far in life 
have been passed in agricultural pursuits and stock- 
raising, and he is at present making a specialty of 
fast stock. He is the owner of 642^ acres of valu- 
able land, and keeps about 100 head of cattle and 
200 head of sheep, and fattens for the market an- 
nually from 100 to 200 head of hogs. 

IMr. Trimmer was married in Money Creek 
Township, Sept. 4, 1879, to AuraO. Ogden, daugh- 
ter of Albert and Sarah (Pirtle) Ogden, whose 
sketch is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Trim- 
mer was born in Money Creek Township, Dec. 9, 
1860. and by her union with our subject three chil- 



t 



:)82 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



*T* 



dren have been born — Elden, Leslie and Fleeta E. 
Mr. Trimmer has held the ottice of School Director 
for several yeai-s, and in [jolitics is a stanch Repnb- 
lican. One of the Hnest views presented in this 
volume is that of tiie farm-house of Mr. Trimmer. 



•€-*-!■ — ^ 



eHRISTIAN WAULS, a prosperous (ierman 
farmer of Yates Township, owns and occu- 
pies a good homestead on section 19, where 
he carries on general agriculture, and by his indus- 
try and straightforward business methods, has se- 
cured for himself the respect of all who know him. 
Mr. Wahls was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, 
May 8, 1830. His parents were Jokin and Doro- 
thea Wahls, who spent their entire lives in their 
native country, where their remains were laid to 
rest. Five of their children emigrated to the 
United States: John, who settled in McLean 
County, is now deceased ; Dorothea, the wife of 
John Seeman, resides in Cheuoa; Sophia, Mrs. 
Chris Jacobs, lives in Yates Townsiiip; Frederick 
lives in Le Roy, and Christian, the subject of this 
sketch, was the youngest. 

Mr. Wahls resided in his native country until 
twenty-five years old. He then came alone to the 
United States, being the first of the family to seek 
the New World. He sailed from Hamburg, and 
after a voyage of seven weeks, landed in New York 
City, and at once [jroceeded westward to the Prai- 
rie vStatc. His first stopping- place was at Bloom- 
ington, where he engaged as a common laborer. 
He continued working at wlialever iiis hands could 
find to do, lived plainly and economically, and in 
time found himself possessed of a sutlicient amount 
of means to invest in a small tract of land. This 
he did not occupy until 1872. It was located in 
Yates Township, and comprises a |)art of his pres- 
ent homestead, but he has made great additions to 
the first purchase, and brought about a great 
change in its condition. He is now the owner of 
400 acres in a tine state of indtivation, and supplied 
with ail modern improvements. Of late years he 
has given considerable attention to the breeding 
of fine stock, and exhibits some of the finest ani- 
mals to be found in tiiis part of the county. 



r 



Mr. Wahls was married after corning to this 
country, in 1856, to Miss Sophia Victi Boldt, who 
was a native of the same Province as himself, and 
born Dec. 26, 1831. They have four children: 
Sophia, born Jan. 4, 1856, is now the wife of Fred 
Brum, of Chenoa; Minnie, born March 5. 1858, 
married William Schultz, of Chenoa Township; 
William, bin-n Sept. 18, 1860, is a resident of Yates 
Township; John, born March 18, 1865, is living 
with his parents at home. Our subject politicallj' 
is Democratic, and religiously is a member in good 
standing of the Lutheran Church. 

<iT/OSEPH M. WEAKLEY, a resident of Lex- 
ington, and a practitioner of law at that 
place, was born in Licking County, Ohio, 
_ near Newark, Sept. 23, 1843. His father, 
Thornton We.akle.y, was a farmer by vocation, and 
born in Mrginia in 1817. He married Barbara 
Jenkins of that State, and soon afterward emigrated 
to Licking County, Ohio, where he settled on a 
farm, and followed his calling there until 1856. 
During that year he journeyed West and located 
at Lexington, in Money Creek Township, this 
county. From tiiere he moved to Gridlej' Town- 
ship, and then into the village of Lexington, where 
he and his good wife both died. His demise oc- 
curred June 2, 1882, and hers Jan. 5, 1861. While 
a resident of Lexington, the father was engaged in 
the grocery business, and lived to attain the good 
old age of eighty-six years. He was the father of 
seven children, four sons and three daughters, and 
Josepli M. is the youngest living. 

.Joseph M. Weakley was about fifteen yc:irs old 
when he acconip:inie<l his parents to this county. 
He received his primary education in the common 
schools of Ohio, and on coming to this county he 
attended Eureka College, Woodford County, this 
State for two jears, and then entered upon the du- 
ties of a ped.agogne, and followed that profession 
for upward of thirteen years. During tlie last 
three years of his teaching, he read law in the oflice 
of M. VV^. Stra3^er, attorney at Lexington, and in 
1871 was admitted to the bar. After he was ad- 
mitted to i)ractice, he opened a law office in the 

■» 






" •» '■ <* 



MoLEAN COUNTY. 



983 



rooms of his preceptor, he dyins' that year, and at 
once entered uiwii the active practice of his pro- 
fession, and has continued in the same until the 
present time, in all the courts, and has Imilt up an 
excellent practice. 

]Mr. Weakley was married, in 1>!72, to Miss 
Louisa Waybright, of Lexington. .She is a native 
of Virginia, and came to this countj^ in 1858. 
Three children have been born of this union, two 
daughters and a son. They are, Shelton, Hattie 
M. and Minnie May. Mr. Weakley is a member 
of the I. O. 0. F., and holds fellowship with Lodge 
No. 206, of Lexington. He has been City Attor- 
ney and Clerk of the city of Lexington for twelve 
years, and has likewise been clerk of Lexington 
Township. He and his wife are members of the 
United Brethren Church. 




I 



)ERNARU J. CLAGGETT, Cashier of the 
First National Bank of Lexington, is the 
son of Sanford R. Claggett, who established 
that institution in December, 1882. The 
latter was also President, and is widely and favora- 
bly known throughout the eommuuity as a man of 
remarkable energy and business foresight, and vrho 
was uniformly prosperous in all his business under- 
takings. A more extended sketch of this gentle- 
man will be found in another i)art of this work. 

The subject of this sketch was the second son of 
his parents' family, and was born Feb. 12, 1861, in 
the village of Lexington, where he passed his bo_y- 
hood and received his primary education. In 1876 
lie attended Wesleyan University at Bloomington 
for one year and then went to Indiana and pursued 
his studies at Notre Dame University for three 
years. He then entered Jones Commercial Col- 
lege at St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1880. 
Returning to Lexington he entered his father's 
store in the capacity of clerk, continuing thus em- 
ployed until March, 1882, when he was admitted 
as a partner, and the firm became Claggett Bros. 
& Co., and thus continued its operations until De- 
cember, 1882. The bank was then opened for 
business and Bernard was made its cashier, which 
position he has since held. 



Mr. Claggett was united in marriage with Miss 
Nettie McCurdy, of Bloomington, on the 13th of 
December, 1882. This lady died Dec. 27, 1886, 
leaving one son — Ralph B. Our subject has largely 
inherited the business talents of his father and has 
before him the prospect of a successful future. He 
is a Director and stockholder of the First National 
Bank and otherwise identified with the business and 
industrial interests of Lexington. He is Treasurer 
of Lodge No. 206, I. O. O. F., having succeeded 
his father in the ofBce, and is Senior Deacon in Ma- 
sonic Lodge No. 276. 



VfjONATHAN L. RALSTON, a resident of 
I Lexington, is engaged as a contractor and 
builder, and is classed among the enterpris- 
ing business men of this vicinity. He is a 
native of Beaver County, Pa., and was born on a 
farm about forty miles from the city of Pittsburgh, 
Aug. 21, 1837. His father, Adam Ralston, also a 
native of the Keystone State, was a blacksmith by 
trade. He was married in early manhood to Miss 
Elinore McNabb of Ohio, and afterward served as 
a soldier in the War of 1812. After their marriage 
the young people settled in Beaver County, Pa., 
where Adam Ralston presided at the; forge for 
many years, and during the latter part of his life 
lived retired from active labor. The parental 
household included twelve children, six sons and 
six daughters, of whom five sons and four daugh- 
ters are yet living. 

Jonathan L. Ralston was the eighth in order of 
birth of his parents' children. His boyhood was 
passed in his native State and he was deprived of 
the affectionate care of his mother when twelve 
years of age. He was then thrown mostly upon his 
own resources, and employed himself for a few years 
at wliatever his hands could find to do. When eight- 
een years old he commenced to learn the carpen- 
ter's trade, which he subsequently followed in Penn- 
sylvania and C)hio. He was married in the latter 
State, in 1851, to Miss Elizabeth McNary of Trum- 
bull County, where he afterward settled and re- 
mained until the spring of 1857. He then, with his 
family, removed to this State and county, locating 



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!»84 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



*► ■ < * 



in Lexington, and engaging.it his trade until his re- 
moval, in 1865, to his farm in Lexington Town- 
ship. This comprises 120 acres of valuable land in 
a high state of cultivation, whicii is principally de- 
voted to stock-raising. 

Mr. Ralston left the farm and removed with his 
family to Lexington in the fall of 1883, since which 
time he has tViUovved his trade there with success. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Ralston departed this life on the 
farm in Lexington Townshii), in Feliruar}-, LSTG, 
leaving seven children : Mai y K. is now the wife of 
James Arnold; .lohn M. was the second born; 
Rosalia .J. married L. H. .Smith, of .Selma; Cora M. 
and Clinton A. are deceased; Lillie and Grace are 
at home. 

The present wife of our subject was Mrs. Margaret 
Miller, widow of William Miller, and her marriage 
with our subject took place in 1879; there have 
been no children. Air. Ralston was President of 
the village Council, to which office he was elected 
in 1885, and with his wife is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Their town residence 
is a tasteful structure, handsomely furnished, and 
the i'.amil}- enjoy the respect and esteem of the best 
people of the community. 



^ ^-^P ^ 






7/REfiMAN E. HL'DDLE, editor of the Odd 
Fellows' Herald in l!lo<.imington, was born 
March 6, 185G. A child of misfortune 
with some gocxl points and a, few bad ones in his 
character, but nothing in his purse. 

The Odd Fellows' Herald was first issued Aug. 
2'J, 1878, at Springfield, 111. It was devoted to the 
interests of Odd Fellowship, and during the first 
year of its existence was adopted .as the official or- 
gan of the Grand Lodge of the State. It was 
established by A. 1). Sanders, and was a five-column 
folio. In 1881 it was moved to Bloomington and 
enlarged to a five-column (juarto, with F. E. Huddle 
as editor. In 1882 it wjis (lurchased by the Bulletin 
Company. In is.sl, when the Bulletin Company 
was dissolved, M. T. Scott became the proprietor, 
and Mr. Huddle editor and manager, under which 
arrangement it is at present conducted. It is now 
tiie official organ of the Grand Lodge of three 



States — Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. Its cir- 
culation is about 5,400. It is neatly got up, and 
is well edited. 

^ I^ILLIAM A. SMITH, a prominent citizen 
\/iJi/ ""'^ successful and progressive farmer of 
^^/^ Lexington Township, was bom in the 
township in which he is at present residing, near 
Selma, Sept. 27, 1846, and is the eldest son of Mil- 
ton and Lydia Ann (Goddard) Smith. Milton 
Smith was born in Franklin County, Ky., Feb. 19, 
1808. His father's name was William Smith and 
his mother's maiden name Obedience Brown. Mil- 
ton's father died when he was eight j'ears old and 
he grew up in Fi'anklin County. In the fall of 
1835 he came to Selma, this county, and locating 
on a farm in the neighborhood of that place, he has 
made it his home until the present time. He helped 
to build the first house in Lexington. The mother 
of our subject, Lydia Ann Goddard, was the daugh- 
ter of Dr. Abbott Goddard, one of the early phy- 
sicians and ministers of this county. 

Williani A. Smith was reared on his father's 
farm and educated at the district schools, supple- 
menting his education received therein by a course 
of study at VVesleyan University, Bloomington. 
After leaving that institution he returned to the 
farm and carried on that industry until September, 
1870. He was then married to Miss Tinnie Daj', 
daughter of Rev. Allen Day, a Methodist minister 
of note. After his marriage our subject settled on 
the farm on which he is at present living, on sec- 
tion 32, Lexington Township, where he has 160 
acres of good farm land. He also owns fifty acres 
on section 31, making his landed interests in the 
county 210 acres, most of which is under an ad- 
vanced state of cultivation. He has a good two- 
story franie residence on his place and sub- 
stantial bain and out-buildings. In addition to the 
cultivation of the cereals, our subject has devoted 
considerable attention to the raising and feeding of 
cattle. He is at present feeding thirty -six head of 
fine steers, also has a fine lot of hogs and is meet- 
ing with success in his vocation. Two children 
have been born to our subject and wife, a son and 



n 



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•►-■-^^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



985 



4 



daughter, and named Albei't A. and Maiy V. Our 
subject has always been identified with every inter- 
est that was calculated to benefit his community, 
and has never been Ifuown to turn a deaf ear to 
true charity. Mrs. Smith is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics INIr. 
Smith is and always has been a stanch Republican. 

-,-S- ■.o*o.-g^><;;^..o*o V— 



^ AMES WOODARD. Among the well-to-do 
and prosperous farmers of Lexington Town- 
ship, residing on section 27, is the subject 
of this notice. In addition to the cultiva- 
tion of his land, he is and has been, to no inconsid- 
erable extent, occupied in the raising, trading and 
shipping of cattle, in which department of his 
vocation he has met with signal success. Mr. 
Woodard was born in Morgan County, Ind., Jan. 
22, 1833. The father of our subject, Benedict 
Woodard, was a farmer by occupation, and born in 
Maryland, and was an early settler in Indiana. He 
was married to Elizabeth Wright in Kentucky*, 
whence they removed to Blorgau County, Ind., 
where he and his good wife both died. They were 
the parents of ten children, five sons and five 
daughters, all of whom lived to attain the age 
of man and womanhood, with the exception of one 
who died aged twenty years. Six are still living, 
and James, our subject, is the 3'oung'est of the fam- 

James Woodard was reared to manhood on liis 
father's farm, and received his education in the 
common schools. He remained witli the old folk 
until he was twenty-three years old, when he was 
married to Miss Luany Evans, daughter of Samuel 
Evans, of Morgan Countj', Ind. After his mar- 
riage he settled on a farm in tliat county, and there 
lived until the fall of 18G0, when he removed to 
this county and located on the farm on which he is 
at present residing, on section 27, Lexington 
Townshij). The place was then owned by Jlrs. 
Smith, and contained only uinetj'-eight acres. Our 
subject purchased it, and has added to the same 
until he is now the proprietor of .540 acres of ch(jice 
land, 300 of which is in a body. He has two good 
I y barns on his place and a comfortable residence, 



and is at present the owner of a handsome and 
valuable property. When Mr. Woodard first came 
to this county he had but little means, and ran in 
debt for two-thirds the value of the farm he pur- 
chased. In addition to the cultivation of his land 
he embarked in the raising of hogs, and met with 
signal success in this branch of his vocation, and 
has really made more money in that manner than 
he has by the cultivation of the cereals. To his 
hog-raising he has added that of bu3ing and feed- 
ing cattle, which has also proved a successful un- 
dertaking. During the year 18SG our subject 
shipped four carloads of cattle and three of hogs 
to the Chicago market. The cattle numbered 
sixty-four head, and averaged 713 pounds, and he 
thinks that it is as large an average as any ship- 
ment ever made from this county, for three-year 
olds. His hogs are of the Poland-China breed, and 
he is perhaps the most successful cattle buyer and 
feeder in this county. His horses are of the Per- 
cheron and Clydesdale breed. 

Mr. Woodard's marriage has been blest by the 
birth of four children, two sons and two daughters: 
Kansas A. is the wife of AVilliam Pattou; Sarah 
married John Shafer; Wesley and Alexander are 
at home. Politically Mr. Woodard officiates with 
the Democratic party. He and his good wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



,1/ E^'I DILLON, importer ami breeder of 
I ((^ Erench draft horses and a resident of Nor- 
J *— ^\ mal, was born in Tazewell County, 111., 
Oct. 15, 1835. He is a son of Aaron and Melinda 
(Hodgson) Dillon. Levi Dillon was orphaned 
when only one year old and immediately thereafter 
became an inmate of his uncle's familv, Ellis Dil- 
lon. He continued to reside with his uncle until 
manhood, engaged the while in farm labor. His 
uncle alwaj's kept a large number of horses, but no 
matter how large the herd, Levi could always tell 
which of the number possessed the greatest speed. 
In fact, from early youth our subject formed a 
likeness for horses which has never left him. 

In 1857 Levi Dillon was married to Mar}', 
daughter of James Wright, in Randolph County, 



•►■-4« 



i 



i 



t 



t 



986 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



r 






Iiul. After his in:iiriase he purchased 160 acres 
of land, located in Hoynton Township, Tazewell 
County, and on which he settled and engaged in 
farming. In 18o!S, in company with his brother, 
he purchased a one-half interest in "Old Louis Na- 
poleon," the first Norman horse imported into the 
L'nited States, and thus, unawares, laid the founda- 
tion of a future conii)etency and a successful busi- 
ness career. No breed of horses lias attracted 
more attention in this countr}' during the last fiftj' 
j'ears, than the Norinan horses from France. 

"Louis Naiioleon" was the first of that breed 
owned in Illinois or west of the Alleghany Mount- 
ains. In 18(!1 a gentleman from California visited 
Tazewell County, and portrayed the advantages of 
his Slate in such ghjwiug terms as to induce Mr. Dil- 
lon to sell his farm, preparatory to moving to the 
Pacific Slope. His brother also sold out, and to- 
gether they purchased a large number <>i horses 
which they intended to take to California. But 
just at this juncture the late Civil War caused the 
price of horses to advance and tiiey disposed of 
their herd, realizing a handsome [jrolit. and as the 
finances <.;( the country were in a depressed con- 
dition, thej' gave up the idea of emigrating to 
California. Our subject invested a portion of his 
means in an eighty-acre farm in the neighborhood 
of Normal. 

In liSCi;', ^fr. Dillon removed to Bloomington, 
anil tlie following year located on his farm near 
Normal, and there liveil until 188-1, engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. He made two trijjs to 
France after iiorses and while in Europe visited 
ICngland. During the ^years lie was connected with 
tiie linn of K. Dillon A Co., he also handled stock 
individually and in 1 8.s:5 erected his present barn 
at Normal, which was the lirst stock barn erected 
at that i)lai^e. He then a.ssociated his son, Ellis E., 
and two sons-in-law, J. C. Duncan and .lames 
Railsback, with him ;is pai'tners, and has since con- 
ducted thi^ business .-is Levi Dilk)n A- Sons, but all 
advertising .Mnd exhibitions made are in the name 
of Dillon i'.ros. In 1 ss:! this lirm imported twentj' 
horses; in 18X1 twenty-live head; in LS8.') twenty 
heads and in 1 8S6 sixteen head. Thej^ have also 
imported twenty mares for breeding purposes and 
now own over forty full-blo<^ded mares. Mr. Dil- 



lon has exhibited horses at every State Fair in Illi- 
nois since 18,i8, besides many local fairs, and has 
never lost a horse while in transportation, .illhough 
frequently exhibiting as high as fifty head at <jne 
time. 

The agricultural reports of Illinois show that the 
Dillons have taken more premiums than all other 
importers of horses combined. In 1884 Dillon 
Bros, exhibited fifty horses at the New Orleans Ex- 
position and received thirty premiums. The}' lost 
three horses at that time owing to the sudden 
change of climate. Our subject has been exceed- 
ingly successful in business and yet owns the farm 
he purchased in 1863, together with an additional 
eighty for which he paid 1125 per acre, and also 
another eighty that cost him $100 per acre. In 
politics he is an earnest worker for the success of 
the Prohibition party, which ranks he joined after 
leaving the Republican party. He has been a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church from boyhood and has 
been a zealous worker for the promotion of the 
cause of the Master. 

Ten children have been born of the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Dillon. One died at the age of two 
years, another was accidentally drowned in a well 
when three 3-cars of age; Ida died while on a visit 
to Europe, and is buried at Havre, France. The 
seven living are. Flora, wife of J. C. Duncan; Lillie, 
wife of .1. Railsback; Ellis E., Willie, Frank, Mabel 
and Guy. 




ETER H. JANES. Among the large land- 
owners of INIcLean County, as well as suc- 
cessful and [jrogressive farmers who have 
succeeded in life through their own energy 
and good judgment, the name of Peter H. .Janes 
deserves place. He is following his avocation in 
life on his fine farm on section 22, Monej' Creek 
Township. The p.irents of Mr. .Janes, .lohn S. and 
Sarah (Dunkle) .lanes, were born in West Virginia 
and Ohio respectively. They settled in Fayette 
County, Ohio, .after tlwur marriage, and there the 
father followed farming until his emigration to 
this county, which took place in the fall of 1851. 
Arriving here, he settled in Money Creek Town- 
ship, and continued to labor at his vocation until 



-4^ 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY, 



987 



t 



his death, being at that time proprietor of upward 
of 500 acres of land. His good wife survived him 
until Feb. 13, 1887, her demise taking place in 
Money Creek Townshi[). Eight cliildren were lioru 
of their union — Peter II.. Dona M., Laura, Jacinta, 
Joseph, Elizabeth, .Serena and Barbara E. Dona 
M. is the wife of Oscar Redding, a resident of 
Chenoa; Laura and Edward M. Brown were united 
in marriage, and ai'e living in Money Creek Town- 
ship; Jacinta died in childliood; Josepli isafarraer 
of Money Creek Township; Elizabeth married 
Patrick Larkin, and departed this life in Money 
Creek Township; Serena is tiie wife of William 
Douglas, and they are living in Money Creek Town- 
ship; Barbara and Adam Carnahan became man 
and wife, and are living in Lexington Township. 

Peter H. Janes was born in Fayette County, 
Ohio, Dec. 27, 1834, and lived there until 1851, 
when he came to this county with his parents. 
Here, in Money Creek Township, he was reared to 
manhood on his father's farm, receiving his educa- 
ti(m in the common schools, and continued to live 
at home until his marriage, which event occurred 
when he was twenty-three years of age. He has 
always followed farming, and made INIone}' Creek 
Township his home since he first settled there with 
his parents. He is now the owner of G40 acres of 
valuable land, the major portion of which is under 
an advanced state of cultivation. He keeps about 
thirty head of cattle and forty head of Norman 
horses on his farm, and fattens from seventy-five to 
100 heads of hogs for the market annually-. 

Mr. Janes was married in the township in which 
he resides, Dec. 31, 1857, to Miss Louisa Crose, 
daughter of William and Eliza A. (Busick) Crose. 
William Crose was born in Pickaway Count}', Ohio, 
and his wife was also a native of that .State. They 
emigrated from their native State to this count}' 
in 1837, and settled in Randolph Grove, whence 
they removed to Smith's Grove, Towanda Town- 
ship, and later, to Money Creek Township. Going 
to Kansas they remained a short time and then re- 
turned to this county, and settling in Towanda 
Township, lived there until their death, his demise 
occurring July 24, 1880, and hers, Dec. 13, 1883. 
Eleven children were born to them, namely, Har- 
riet, Rebecca, Louisa, Elijah, Termon, William, 

4' ■ 



Eliza A., Emma, George, Sarah and Philip. Har- 
riet and John Padget are man and wife and living 
at Saybrook; Rebecca died when about four years 
old; Elij.ah is a farmer of Towanda Township; 
Termon is a resident of Kansas; William lives in 
Bloomington : Eliza A. is the wife of George Janes, 
a farmer of Lexington Township; Elmma married 
David T. Turnipseed, and the}' reside in Lexing- 
ton Township; George is living in Kansas; Sarah 
is the wife of David Wisuer, a farmer of Towanda 
Township; Philip is a resident of Wilson, Kan. 

Mrs. Janes was born at Randolph Grove, March 
22, 1839. Her union with our subject has been 
productive of the birth of six children — Annetta, 
Laura O., Sarah E., Allie M., Barbara E. and Min- 
nie E. Annetta is the wife of John W. Brown, 
living in Normal Township; Laura and James S. 
Beasley became man and wife, and reside in Money 
Creek Township; Allie M. married B. B. Francis, 
a farmer of Monej' Creek Township. Mr. Janes 
has been the incumbent of the office of School 
Trustee for upward of twent}' years, and is much 
respected for his many good qualities, pleasant dis- 
position and kindness of heart. In politics he is a 
Republican, and his good wife is a member of the 
LTnited Brethren Chui-ch. A handsome view of 
the home of Mr. Janes, with its pleasant surround- 
ings, is given in this work. 




(fJ^^JiOMAS CHAPMAN, who has been a resi- 
dent of McLean County since 1863, occu- 
pies a comfortable homestead in Y.ates 
Township, on section 24. where he has carried on 
farming intelligently and successfully for over 
twenty years. Our subject comes from excellent 
.ancestr}', and w.is born in Lincolnshire, England, 
Dec. 14, 1830. He is tlie son of William and Fran- 
ces (Wilkinson) Chapman, and w.as the eldest of 
four children born to his parents, all of whom, ex- 
cept himself are deceased, namely : John W., P' ran- 
ees and Edward W. 

Mr. Chapman spent his childhood and youth 
upon his father's farm in England, and in 1852, 
accompanied by his brother, John W., emigrated 



I 



7f^ 



988 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



t 



I 



to llie United States. They first stopped near Roeh- 
ester. N. Y., where they remained the two years 
following, with the exception of the time spent in 
looking up a i)ernianeul location. They first went 
to Wisconsin, which they did not like, and after- 
ward to Michigan, where they followed farming and 
Inmhering, settling down near lona, that .State. In 
185.') they were joined by their parents and the re- 
mainder of the family. The parents died there, the 
father .Alay l'.i, 18G2, and the mother, March 30, 
1868. 

In 1858, Thomas Chapman, who was not satisfied 
with the ontlook in Michigan, went sonthwest into 
INIissonri, where he first engaged in Innibering, and 
afteward in the Merrimae Iron Works in Phelps 
County. He then tried farming near Sedalia, 
whence in .Inne, 1863. he came to Illinois and 
stopped for a time in Blue Mound Town.ship, this 
county. In 186.i he purchased eighty acres of his 
present farm, which was mainly unimproved. Upon 
it, however, was a house 14x20 feet in area, which 
he repaired and put in good order, and in due time 
brought about other improvements, which aided in 
giving the place a homelike appearance. He 
worked early .'iiid late, and by the exercise of per- 
severance and economy, in due time ailded eighty 
acres of land to his first purchase, ami put up a fine 
set of farm buildings. The last residence, erected in 
1 883, is finely hjcated, and is one of the most at- 
tractive and convenient farm dwellings in this part 
of the count}'. His barn and outhouses are put up 
in a substantial manner, and his stock and machin- 
ery are of that order which indicates the progressive 
agriculturist and intelligent business man. His land, 
originally ver}' wet, is now drained ])y nearly 
1,300 rods of tile, and with its rich soil and excel- 
lent cultivation produces generous crops. Of late 
years he has given much attention to the raising of 
stock, and has produced some of the finest animals 
in this part of the county. 

The marriage of Thomas Chajjuian and Miss Ma- 
randa Buell took place on the 1 Htli of July, 1857. 
Mrs. C. was born in Cattaraugus Count}', N. Y., 
April 13, 1S36, being a daughter of Benjamin and 
.Susan (Smith) Buell, the former a native of Con- 
necticut, and the latter of Otsego County, N. Y. 
The family finally removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., 



where the parents spent the remainder of their days. 
Mr. and Mrs. Chapman became the parents of four 
children, one of whom died in infancy : Fannie S. 
is the wife of William E. Brown, and resides in 
Kent County, Mich.; Austin E. is a resident of 
Yates Township, and Lizzie J. lives with her par- 
ents. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have been active 
members of the Baptist Church for nearly twenty 
years; politically our subject adheres loyally to the 
Republican iiart}*. 



^OHN B. CARSON, a well-to-do farmer and 
goodly land-owner of Lexington Township, 
resides on section 16. He is the son of .Sam- 



uel and Abigail (Black) Carson, natives of 
Pennsylvania, the father of Lancaster, and the 
mother of what is now Perry Count}'. The parents 
removed from their native State to Ross County, 
Ohio, at an early day, and in 18-21 to Delaware 
County, that State, where the}' lived until their 
death. Nine chiUlren were born to them, two of 
whom died in infancy; five sons and two daughters 
lived to attain the age of man and womanh(/od. 

.lohn 1>. Carson was the seventh child born to his 
parents, and first saw light in Ross County, Ohio, 
March 31, 1817. He followed farm labor until he 
was twenty-one years old, having in the meantime 
received an education in the common schools. He 
then taught .school for about fourteen years, most 
of the time at Dublin, Ohio. The father of our 
subject owned a large tract of land, 1,0(10 acres, 
and after his death the estate was divided, and our 
subject receiving his jjortion married and settled 
upon it. His farm was located in Delaware Coun- 
ty, and from the time he first located upon that 
place until the present he has followed agricultural 
pursuits. Living in Delaware County until Janu- 
ary, 1805, he came to this county and settled in 
Lexington Township, where he pnrcha.sed ■25'J,V 
acres on .section 16. He now owns 320 acres on 
the same section, and his farm is under an ad- 
vanced state of cultivation, and has gt)od and sub- 
stantial buildings upon it. He also has seventy- 
three acres of timber huul on the Mackinaw, on 
section 28. 

Mr. Carson was married in Ross Couiity, Ohio, 



I 



t 



^ 



t 



McLean county. 



►^*Pr^ 



989 



\ 



Nov. 13, 1851, to Miss Nancy .Jane, daughter of 
Hugh and Elizabetli (Berry) Carson, natives of 
Penns3ivania. Her parents settled in Ross Coun- 
ty, Ohio, after their marriage, and there reared a 
family of eleven children, seven girls and four 
boys, and Mrs. Carson of this notice was the sixth 
in order of Iiirth. She was born in Ross County, 
Ohio, Oct. 2.3, 1817, and by her union with our 
subject has become the mother of four children — 
Elizabeth, Abigail, Samuel B. and Frank Henry. 
Samuel B. was united in marriage with Miss Etta 
Brown, and the3'are living in Lexington Township; 
Fi'ank Henry died when two years old; the other 
children are unmarried and reside at home. Mr. 
Carson in politics was an old-line Whig, and on 
the organization of the Republican party became 
identified with it. He and his wife are members of 
the Presbyterian Church. 



"if/ACOB CURTIS MAHAN. the oldest mer- 
chant of Lexington, is one of its most sub- 
stantial and prominent business men, and 
!^)i has aided materially in its advancement and 
importance as a town. He is a native of the 
wealth3' and populous Buckeye State, having been 
born in Highland County, Ohio, near the line of 
Brown County, on the 21st of .Inly, 1826. His 
father, William Mahan, was born in Kentucky and 
lemoved with his parents to Clermont Count}', 
Ohio, when a mere lad. and there grew to manhood. 
His father, also .J.acob Mahan, is supposed to have 
been a native of Pennsylvania, and w.as for many 
years a minister of the United Brethren Church, 
and was among the pioneers of that denomination 
in Indiana. His earthly career closed in abmit 
1830. 

The Mahan family came originally from Ireland, 
and possessed in a remarkable degree the generous 
traits of the warm-hearted Irish race. William 
Mahan, the father of our subject, was married to 
Miss Cas.sandra, the daughter of Jephtha Curtis, 
Esq,, >>f Penn.sylvania. Her mother's name was 
Mary. Her father was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War, who, after his enlistment, never re- 
turned to his home, and it is supposed was killed 



in some of the numerous engagements of that un- 
happy period. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. 
William Mahan settled in Highland County. Ohio, 
where they continued until 1842, and then with 
their family emigrated to Illinois, first settling in 
Lexington Township, this county, on section IG, 
wheie the father engaged in general farming. In 
1804 they removed from the farm into the village, 
where they spent the balance of their daj's, the 
father dying in 1883, in the eighty-first year of his 
age, and the mother the year following, aged 
eighty-four. Their family included six sons and 
four daughters, of whom five grew to mature years, 
and four sons still survive, .Tacob C. being the eld- 
est; Isaac S. lives in Champaign, 111.; Erasmus, in 
Greenwood County, Kan., and William Quuicy in 
Lexington. Paulina became the wife of R. H. 
McLean, and died in 1881, leaving three children. 

Jacob C. Mahan was sixteen years of age when 
he came to McLean County with his parents. His 
education, begun in Ohio, was completed in Cherry 
Grove, near Abingdon, this State, and he after- 
ward taught school for two years. Then, with a 
capital of |!20(), he opened a small store in Lexing- 
ton, which he carried on until 1<S48, and then en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising. After the 
completion of the C. & A. R. R. he put up an ele- 
vator and engaged extensively in the purchase and 
sale of grain. He was greatly prospered in his 
farming and stock operations, and in 1867 put up 
one of the best business blocks in the eit}', and 
afterward built the business house now occupied 
by the First National Bank. He was one of the 
original and principal stockholders of the J. C. 
Mahan ct Co. Bank of Lexington, which was car- 
ried on for fifteen years and of which our subject 
was President. After retiring from the bank he 
turned his attention to merchandising and f.arming, 
and also to the shipping of grain. He h:is a large 
and valuable stock of goods and has Iniilt up an 
extensive and lucrative trade. 

Ml', Mahan was first married in 1849. to Mi.ss 
Ann E. Brown, the daughter of Robert Brown, for- 
merly of M(jney Creek Township, and they have 
become the parents of seven children, six living, 
three sons and three daughters: Charles K. died 
when fourteen years old; George S. is a resident 



n 



t. 



l' 



■<^ 



990 



A. 



McLean county. 



of Fhjrida; William R. is manager of his father's 
store; Francis E. is farming in Money Creek Town-, 
ship; Ella G. married N. K. Jones, of Lexington; 
Permelia C. is a teacher in the public schools; 
JNIaude F. lives with her father and assists in the 
store. The mother of these children departed this 
life at the home of her husband in Lexington, in 
1872. 

The second wife of our subject was Miss Susie 
F. Pot)re, to whom he was married in 1873. Mrs. 
INLihan was tiie daughter of I'rof. Daniel J. Poore, 
now deceased, and by her union with our subject 
became the mother of three children, of whom only 
one, Angle V., is living. The others died when 
quite young. Mr. Mahan has been a member of 
the School Board in Lexington for ten successive 
years, and also served as Councilman. He and his 
family are members of the I'resbyterian Church, 
Mr. Mahan being a Trustee and Ruling Elder. He 
was the first Supervisor of Lexington Township, 
and has been Justice of the Pe.ace and Police M.ag- 
istrate, which latter position he has held since 1884. 
He has in all respects been a useful and valued cit- 
izen, and has contributed his full share toward the 
development and prosperity of this section. 



'if/ OHN POPEJOY, a retired farmer, now liv- 
ing in pe.ace and quiet at his home in Lex- 
ington, settled in .Mcl^ean County in the 
(^^; pioneer days, and has contributeci his full 
quota t<»ward its develoiiment and progress. He is 
a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and was born 
nine miles east of Washington, the count}' seat, on 
the 9th of Xovend)er, 182.'). His father, who was 
a fanner by occupation, was by birth a Mrginian, 
and fust opened his eyes to light in Rockingham 
Count}', in January, 1795. He served in the War 
of 1812 about six months, and for his wife chose 
Miss Nancy Wile}', a maiden of sixteen summers, 
.and who w.as born in ISO I, licing the daughter of 
William Wiley of Virginia. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, John Pope- 
joy, Sr., was of English birth and parentage, and 
married an h'ish lady. He served .as a soldier in 
the Hevolutionary War after coming to this conn- 



i 



try. His son, William Wiley, the grandfather of our 
subject, also served in the Revolutionary War, and 
the name of his wife was Margaret. The families 
were widely and favorably known in many sections 
of the Old Dominion, being represented by a numer- 
ous following. The father of our subject, after his 
marriage, settled on a farm in Fa3ette County, 
Ohio, and remained there until the fall of 1834, when 
he removed his family to McLean County, 111. The 
household included seven children, and the}' loca- 
ted upon :i claim in Lexington Township, two 
miles south of the first town site. Upon it stood a 
small round log house with a mud and stick chim- 
ney, and in this Ihej' spent the winter. The fol- 
lowing season this was repaired and otherwise im- 
proved, and the father engaged in general farming. 
The nearest mill was then at Ottawa, and when short 
of flour they pounded corn on a block, with which 
to make bread. After several years spent on the 
farm ilr. I'i>|iejoy removed to Lexington with his 
famil}', where he died on the 29th of August, 1801. 
The parental household included the following chil- 
dren: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Rev. 
Robert Baker; William, who lives in Nebraska; 
Margaret, who married Isaac Haner, of Harrison 
County, Iowa; John, our subject; Henry is a resi- 
dent of Warren County, Iowa; Harrison, of Lex- 
ington Township, this county; Sarah married Allen 
McMuUen. now of Wilson County, Kan.; George 
lives in this county; Commodore Perry is in Lex- 
ington; Edward is deceased, and one died in in- 
fancy. 

.lolui P<i|)ej<iy of this sketch was a little less than 
nine years old when he came to McLean County. 
His childhoiid and ymitli were passed on his fa- 
ther's farm, and he attended the suliscription 
schools two months in each ^ear. He remained 
with his parents until twenty 3'ears old, and was 
then married to Miss Margaret Hefner, sister of 
Peter Hefner, and daughter of Michael Hefner, who 
came with the deep snow of 1830, and were styled 
the "snow birds." After marriage Mr. Popejo}' 
and his liride settled on a farm of 140 acres near 
his father, which he had purciiMsed and to which he 
afterward added 300 ;icres, making a fine and val- 
uable tract of land. He then began trading in 
stock, cattle and hogs, which he fed and disposed 
•¥ 



i 



t 



-4^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



991 



of on the farm, and the proceeds of which yielded 
him a handsome income, especially during the war, 
Mr. Popejoy occupied this homestead with his 
family until in June, 188G, when he and his wife 
moved into Lexington, the children all being 
grown. Of these there were seven in number, three 
daughters and four sons, five of whom still survive: 
Ella B. is the wife of George Hiser, and lives in 
Lexington; Manford P. died in 1870, aged twenty- 
eight years; Peter L. is in Lexington Township; 
Frances A. became the wife of William Hefner, of 
Lexington Township; Ida J. married Robert W. 
Ambrose, of Lexington Township; Edward G. 
married Miss Emma McGilvra, and lives on the 
homestead ; -Michael W. died in infancj-. 

Mr. Popejoy served as School Director in Lex- 
ington Township for a period of thirtj' years. Both 
he and his excellent wife are active members of the 
United Brethren Church, of which Mr. P. has 
served as Trustee since its organization fortj'-four 
years ago. He has also been a Class- Leader for 
many years, and one of the pillars whom it will be 
hard to replace when he shall have been gathered 
to his fathers. 



~v-v/^ -veiiaz/®^^ 



>-»^^^i/U7rff*^^\/\/>^ 



t 



•j^^^OAH FRANKLIN, a prominent and highly 
I /// ''espected resident of Lexington Township, 
W^JlL) and one of its most extensive farmers and 
stock-growers, owns and occupies a beautiful home- 
stead. He is esteemed as one of the most valued 
members of the farming and business community 
of that section. He was born in Owen County, Ind., 
near Spencer, the county seat, in June, 1831. His 
father. Col. John Franklin, was of English ances- 
try, and his grandfather, John Franklin, Jr., a na- 
tive of England, emigrated to this countr)' and lo- 
cated in North Carolina. 

John Franklin, Jr., the father of our subject, was 
born in North Carolina, whence he emigrated to 
Indiana at an early day. He was married to Miss 
Mar3' Puette, a native of his own State, and they 
became the parents of eleven children, six sons and 
five daughters, all of whom, except the youngest 
child, a son who died when two years old, lived to 
maturity, and seven still survive. The father of 



our subject left Owen County, Ind., in May, 1855, 
and coming into this county settled on a farm near 
the village of Lexington where he died two years 
later. After the death of his father, the son Nel- 
son remained with his mother, assisting her in the 
labors of the farm until attaining manhood. 

The education of Noah Franklin, begun in Indi- 
ana, was completed in the public schools of Lexing- 
ton. In 1854, when twenty-three years of age, he 
was married to Miss Sarah, the tlaughter of Jacob 
Spawr, who was among the first settlej's on the 
Mackinaw River. Her mother was formerly a Miss 
Trimmer, and her father died shortly after his re- 
moval to McLean County. After their marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin settled on a new farm which 
our subject had entered from the (ioverment and 
began making improvements and feeding and ship- 
ping stock to Chicago. He dealt in hogs and cat- 
tle and met with success, and as his means increased 
extended his operations until he became one of the 
largest cattle feeders of Lexington Township. He 
has now a farm of 1,200 acres in a high state of 
cultivation, with a fine extent of blue grass pasture. 
He feeds annually about 300 head of cattle, and on 
the farm are three fine barns, also three dwelling- 
houses. The land is well fenced and all the build- 
ings neat and tasteful and kept in good repair. He 
raises about lifty calves every year. His home, 
however, since 1877, has been within the limits of 
Lexington, where he occupies an elegant brick res- 
idence which he purchased from the Trimmer 
heirs at a good round sum. He still superintends 
the operations of his farm and for many 3-ears has 
been classed among the leading breeders of Short- 
horn cattle in this pait of the State. He now 
breeds altogether for full blood males, believing 
that a good calf will not eat any more than a poor 
one, and the gain in nu'at and milk will more than 
counterbalance the first c<.ist of the introduction of 
the high grade. 

C)f the union of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin there were 
bore five children, three daughters and two sons: 
Ida M. is the wife of C. D. Bush, a native of Roches- 
ter, N. Y. ; Lola died at the age of four 3-ears; 
Minnie was married to Harry L. Fell of St. Louis, 
Mo., who was formerly of Normal ; the sons are, 
Noah E. and Bertram A., living at home. Mr. 



'^ 



t 



992 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



?. 



Franklin was Snpervisor of Monej' Creek Town- 
ship two terms before locating in Lexington. His 
aged mother still lives on tiie homestead there, be- 
ing now ninety-two years of age. Our subject and 
his family are members in good standing of the 
Christian Church of Lexington, and number their 
friends and associates among the best residents of 
tiie township. 



->«Jil<j2-'©*5-"— 1^|;| 



~^:^'crj-o»- 



^] OHN SPA WR, known througliont tlie ei;>unty 
as " Uncle John," is one of the "snow birds" 
of tills county, he having located here some 
(j^j// tlu'ee years before the big snow, in 1827. 
Uncle John Kpawr was born in Pickaway County, 
Ohio, April 15, 1812. His father, Valentine Spawr, 
was born in Pennsylvania, and w.as of German ex- 
traction. \'alentine Spawr was united in marriage 
with ^Margaret llichy, who was born in German}-. 
She was brought to this countr}' by her parents when 
three years old, and on the voyage the good mother 
died and her remains were consigned to a watery 
grave. The father with his little children arrived at 
New York City, whence they went to Pennsylvania 
and settled in that State, ^'alentine Spawr emigrated 
from Pennsylvania to Ohio in about ISOO, and 
made settlement in Fairfield County. Later he re- 
moved to Pickaway- County, where our subject 
was born, and made that his home until the fall of 
1827. During that j'ear he came to this county 
and took up his residence in Money Creek Town- 
ship. Living there three years he moved to Lex- 
ington Township and located on section 25. The 
children of our subject were ten in inimber, four 
brothers and six sisters. They ••ire as follows: 
Margaret, wife of Francis Lucas of < )hio ; Catherine, 
wife of Roliert (luthrie; Susan A., wife of Zacha- 
riah .Mcl>ean of Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of William 
Kobbins of Ohio; .Mary, wife of Charles IJeers of 
Ohio; Sarah, wife of Harrison Flcsher of this 
county ; Jacob, living at Lexington; George, who 
was united in marriage with Rhoda Waldon; Peter 
married Elizabeth Messer, moved to Iowa and then 



to Kansas, where he died, and John, our subject, is 
the remaining child. Valentine Spawr died on the 
old home farm in tiiis count}', Feb. 5, 1855, aged 
eighty-five years. His good wife died March 1, 
1852, aged eighty-one years. 

John Spawr was fifteen years of age when he 
came to this count}' with his parents. He received 
what education he acquired in schools in Pickaway 
County, Ohio. Coming to tins county ■with his 
parents he worked on the farm and until he was 
twenty -two years old. when he was married to Miss 
Rachel Higgs, daughter of John Higgs. After his 
marriage Mr. Spawr continued to remain on the 
old homestead and cared for the old folk as long 
as the}' lived. His occupation has always been 
that of a farmer and he has carried it on in all its 
different branches, adding to the cultivation of the 
cereals that of the raising of hogs and cattle. He 
has fed large numbers of steers on his farm and 
getting them in good condition for the market, 
drove them to Chicago where he sold them. All 
of the improvements on his fine place he has 
placed there himself. He became the head of a 
family of thirteen children, ten of whom lived to 
attain the age of man and womanhood. The record 
is as follows: Catherine, wife of James R. Moon; 
Rebecca married Lewis Whittaker of Indiana; 
Mary is the wife of .lames Golden; Thomas .1. was 
a soldier in the late war, in Co. C, 94th 111. \'ol. 
Inf., and died in Missouri in 1862; John M. mar- 
ried Emily Golden, and they are living in Kansas; 
JIartin X. married Elizabeth Hedrick and they are 
also living in Kansas; William P. was married to 
Charity Larkey, and they are residents of this 
county; Isabella is the wife of Charles Smith, also 
a resident of this county; Joanna was united in 
marriage with Simon Wouerliu, a farmer of this 
county. The three last mentioned children are by 
the second marriage of our subject. Mr. Spawr's 
first wife died May 7, 1845, and in Iis4(i he was 
again married, Mary A. Pickering being the other 
contr.'ictiug party. She is a daughter of John L. 
Pickering and has borne our subject three children 
as named. Mr. Spawr held the ofliee of Justice of 
the Peace in his township for eight years. He was 
School Trustee for some fourteen years and School 
Direct(ji' about twenty years. Mr. Spawr was for 



i 



* 






.^ 



l\ 




■^^ 



,t 



McLean county. 



995 iL 




t 



many years a member of the United Brethren 
Church and his wife, who was born and reared a 
Quaker, still holds fellowship with that sect. 



ENRY MOATS. The wealth and magnifi- 
cence of this county to the early pioneers 
grew from its beautiful groves as much as 
11^ from any other one thing. These goodly 
forests in their primeval beauty drew the pioneer 
as the magnet does the needle. No other consider- 
ation overbore the generous shelter which these 
islands of shade and cool streams gave— about the 
only comfort these early settlers found in their new 
home; all others were surroundings of discomfort. 
The cramped cabins, tlie absence of schools and 
markets, sickness — always the attendant of new lo- 
cations — severe storms, depredations of wild beasts, 
fires, snakes, poorl}' paid toil and the uncertainty 
of the future — all gave way to the supporting 
shelter of the grove. Our sul)ject, who is one of 
the oldest pioneers in this county, can more fully 
appreciate this statement than tiiose who see 
the fertile prairies of to-day so well settled and 
carefully tilled. 

Henry Moats is a progressive farmer and resid- 
ing on section 81, Mone}' Creek Township. lie is a 
son of Jacob and Sarah (Ilinthorn) Moats, the former 
a native of Maryland and the latter of West Vir- 
ginia, and early pioneers of this county. After 
their marriage they settled in Licking County, 
Ohio, whence they came to this countj' in the fall 
of 1829, and in February, LS30, took up their resi- 
dence in Money Creek Township, wiiere they con- 
tinued to live and labor until their death. 

Ilenr}' Moats was the eldest of his parents" nine 
children and was born in Licking County, Ohio, 
Nov. 26, 1810. He was nineteen 3'ears of age when 
he accompanied his parents to this county and has 
been a resident of it since that time. Mr. Moats 
was reared to manhood at farm labor and while a 
young man employed his time during the spring 
seasons in splitting rails. Thus growing up into man- 
hood and passing onward in the rugged [jathway 
of time, disciplined in the stern school of experi- 
ence, he was prepared to meet any emergency with 



a steady and ready hand. All his years thus far in 
life have been devoted to agricultural pursuits and 
he is at present the owner of 293 acres of land, 100 
of which is in timber. He has held the office of 
Justice of the Peace for four years and also that of 
Road Commissioner for several 3'ears, and has been 
the incumbent of the ofHce of School Director of 
his township. In politics he is a Jacksonian Demo- 
crat and cast his first presidential vote foi' Old 
Hickory. He is a good farmer and has succeeded 
in that calling. 

Mr. Moats was married in Money Creek Town- 
ship, Nov. 2, 1837, to Elsie, daughter of Thomas 
and Ruth (Haines) Van Buskirk. Her father was 
a native of Maryland and her mother of Virginia, 
and after they were married they settled in Licking 
County, Ohio, whence thej' removed to Pickaway 
County, that State, and in 1829, came here and lo- 
cated in Money Creek Township, where thej' died 
at an advanced age. Eleven children were born 
to them, four sons and seven daughters, namely: 
Isaac, Mary, Sarah, Thomas, Elsie, Jesse, William, 
Eliza, Susanna, Lucinda and Mahal.a. Mrs. Moats 
was born in Pickavvay County, Ohio, July 26, 1816, 
and lived in that county until she came here with 
her parents. Four children have been born of her 
union with our subject — William J., Francis M., 
Mary J. and Thomas B. William J. died in in- 
fanc3'; F. M. married Miss Rebecca Arbuckle and 
they are living in Money Creek Township; Mary 
is the wife of John Rankin, also of Money Creek 
Township; Thomas died when two years old. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jloatsare members of the United Brethren 
Church and much respected for their kindness of 
heart liy all who know them. 

As one of the venerable and respected pioneers 
of this county we present the portrait of Henry 
Moats in this Ai.nuji. 



< 



^©•^ 



^ 



<0|;OIIN FliLWILER,an old resident and mer- 
chant of Lexington, fust visited McLean 
County in 1842, having made the trip from 
^^// Cumberland County, Pa., where he was 
born in December, 1810. His father, Abraham 
Fulwiler, was also a native of the Keystone State 



t 



t. 




996 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



and a man prominent in the affairs of his cuiiuty, 
being one of those who assisted in its division when 
a part of Cumlierhiud Count}- was laid off into 
Perry Coiintj', of which he became the first Regis- 
ter and liecorder. He also engaged in mercantile 
pursuits, and at one time cunducted three stores in 
Perrj' County. 

The Fuhvilers were of German ancestry, and the 
motlier of our subject was formerly iliss Mary, the 
daugliter of James Black, whose family originated 
in Scotland. Tlu- piii-cuts of <nir suliject both died 
in Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Fulwiler reniaiiiod with his parents during 
his boyhood and youth, receiving a common-school 
education. When eleven years of age he entered 
bis father's store, in which he remained for about 
three 3'ears, and was then placed upon the farm 
w'here he lived four years, and then returning to 
the store was there occupied until he became of 
age. Then, desiring out-door pursuits, he took a 
contract for grading and lajing ties and rails on 
the Cumberland V.alley Railroad, which occupied 
him about three years. He then went into part- 
nership with McGowen & McKeehan, and operated 
what was then known as the Juniata Furnace until 
1812. He then sold out and made his western trip 
to McJ^can County. Upon returning to Cumber- 
land County, Pa., he engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits in Slii|)pensbtirg, where he lost heavil}' liy in- 
dorsing for some iron men. In IS.'iS he returned 
to the West and made his arrangements to engage 
in the dry-goods business at Lexington. The fol- 
lowing year he renioved his family here, and has 
since been eng.aged in general merchandising with 
fair success. 

Mr. Fulwiler was married in Shippensburg, Cum- 
berland Co., Pa., on the l.ith of .January, 1834, to 
Miss Mary, the daughter of I);ivid Mahou, of Cum- 
berland County. Pa. The sons and daugiiters of 
Mr. and Mrs. V. are recorded asfoUovvs: William 
is engaged in building railroads in Arizona, and 
the Arizona Canal on Salt River; Anna became 
the wife of Henry Robinson, and the mother of 
tlu-ee children, two sons and one daughter ; she is 
now deceased; Laura .1. is the wife of William J. 
Murphy, President of the Arizona Canal and Land 
Company; David is a graduate of the State iS'or- 



t* 



hial School at Normal, and now resides in Lexing- 
ington; John A. is a lawyer in Bloomington; J. 
Alvin is a residentof Lexington; Julia, the young- 
est daughter, resides at home with her parents. 

In 1856, Mr. Fulwiler was elected Justice of the 
Peace of Lexington, which otllce he held four 
3'ears. He has served as Supervisor of the Town- 
ship, and was one of the delegates to the Bloom- 
ington Convention at the time of the organization 
of the Republican party in this .State. Mr. and 
Mrs. F. are members in good standing of the Pres- 
b3'terian Church, with which they both became 
connected before their marriage. Our subject is 
seventy-seven 3'ears of age, and his wife a few 
months older, and they iiave lived hapi)il3' to- 
gether for over fifty-three 3^ears. They are great- 
I3' respc'ted in this communit3' on account of the 
excellence of their character and the genuine good- 
ness of heart which has enaljled them to S3'mpa- 
thise with the atllicted and distressed, and to exert 
their influence whenever possible in the cause of 
truth and justice. 

<j||OHN A. UFFNER, a resident of Money 
Creek Townsiiip, is a farmer by occui)ation 
and also Justice of the Peace, and the son of 
/ Peter and Betsey (Flesher) Hefner, the foi-- 
mer of whom has a sketch elsewhere in this work. 
John A. Hefner w.as born in the township in which 
he is at present residing, Sept. 10,1814. He was 
brought upon a farm, attended the common schools, 
and has known no other vocation in life than that 
in which he is at jireseut engaged. He remained an 
inmate of the parental household until twent3'-two 
years of Ids life had passed, when he settled on a 
place of his own in Money Creek Township and be- 
gan to do for himself. 

Mr. Hefner is now the owner of 272 acres of 
valuable and productive land and is meeting with 
far more than ordinar3' success in the prosecution 
of his calling. We give a view of his residence 
and surroundings in another part of this work. He 
was married in Money Creek Township, Feb. 14, 
18(i7, to Miss Mar3' E., daughter of William and 
Elizabeth (Shook) Stewart, the former of Scotch 



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i 



a 



A 



McLean county. 



997 



aud the latter of Genuaii ancestry. After their mar- 
riage they lived in Monroe County, Ind., where the 
father followed farming until 1S;V2, when they 
came to this county and settled in Lexington 
Township. They are at present residing at Lexing- 
ton, where tiiej^ are passing the sunset of life in 
pe.ace and quiet and enjoying the accumulations of 
years of labor .and economy. Nine children have 
been born of their union, five sons and four daugh- 
ters, and Mrs. Hefner was the eighth in order of 
birth. She was born in Monroe County, Ind., 
April 7, 1850, and was about two years old when 
her parents came to this county. Her union with 
our subject has been blest by the birth of four 
children — Joseph H., Ida, Andrevv P., and one who 
died in infancy. Ida is the wife of J. B. McNaught 
and they are living in Gridley Township. Mr. 
Hefner has held the ottice of Justice of the 
Peace for several terms and in politics is a stanch 
Republican. In M.ay, 18GI, lie enlisted in the 
l-toth Illinois Infantry and served for something 
over three months, when he was honorablj' dis- 
charged and returned home and again entered 
upon the peaceful i)ursuits of life in jMoney Creeli 
Township, which he has since made his home. 
Religionsl}' he and his wife are members of the 
United Brethren Church. 



t 



j^^ AMUEL F. BARNARD. Among the well- 
^^^ to-do farmers of Money Creek Township, 
Ifl/^) and who are successful in the prosecution 
^ of their calling, we take pleasure in men- 
tioning the name of Samuel F. Barnard, who is 
living on section 21. He is the son of Milman N. 
and Linias (Philpot) Barnard, natives of North 
Carolina and Virginia respectively, and the former 
of Scotch-Irish descent. The parents were married 
ill Tennessee, and soon thereafter removed to this 
county, making the journey overland with an ox- 
team. The date (jf their arrival in the county was 
1826, and they consequently were among the very 
early settlers. Their first location was in Dr3' 
C4rove Township, but the}' made that their home 
only a short time, when the}' removed to Money 
Creek Township and -located on the same section 



on which our subject now lives. She died therein 
the fall of 1874, and his demise took place on the 
same farm, Sept. 24, 1877. 

Milman and Linias Barnard had eleven children 
— Frances J., Martha E., Adelphia, James O., Cath- 
erine; Samuel F. and Elizabeth M., twins; Willram 
I., Austin Y., <ind Ely and Levi, twins. Frances 
J. is the wife of S. S. Scott, a resident of Lexing- 
ton ; Martha married Arthur A. Busick, who died 
in Money Creek Township about 1875; Adelphia 
is the wife of William Gilmore, and they are living 
at Lexingt(.)n ; James O. is engaged in the real-es- 
t.ate business in Kansas; he married Miss Phebe A. 
Weakley. Catherine became the wife of John 
Plesher, and died while a resident of Money Creek 
Township, about 1874; Elizabeth is the wife of E. 
S. Busick, and tliey are living in Money Creek 
Township; William I. married Miss Ellen McMul- 
len, and they are residents of Lexington ; Austin 
Y. and Miss Tobitha Trimmer became man and 
wife and live at Normal; Ely married Miss Cerilda 
Shaw, and they are living in Money Creek Town- 
ship; Levi was united in marriage with Miss Caro- 
line Morris, and is also a resident of Money Creek 
Township. 

Samuel F. Barnard w.as born in the townshijo in 
which he is at present residing. May 31, 1837. He 
was reared on a farm and obtained his education in 
the common schools, and has known no other occu- 
pation than that of a farmer since childhood. He 
is now the owner of 1.51 acres of land, all of which 
is under an advanced state of cultivation. Mr. 
Barnard was married, in Lexington, this county, 
Nov. 28, 1859, to Miss Nancy Paulson, a native 
of Ohio. She bore him four children — Dora A., 
John M., Sherman E. and Ethel. Miss Paulson's 
parents were John and Mary A. (Stumpff) Paulson, 
natives of Ohio. ]\Irs. Barnard departed this life 
in Money Creek Township, Feb. 28, 1871. Dora 
A., eldest chilil of our subject and wife, died when 
two years old; Joliu M., second in birth, married 
Miss Susan Mathias, and is living in Money Creek 
Township; Sherman E. married Miss Delia Z. Hey- 
worth, and Ethel is living at home. 

The second marriage of our subject occurred in 
Hudson Township, Nov. 2, 1872, and Miss Ruth 
A. Wilson, daughter of Henry and Nancy (May- 



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998 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



'i 



hew) Wilson, was the other contracting party. 
Her parents were natives of Pennsjivania, and she 
was born in Washington County, tliat State, July 
12, 18;")!. Mr. Barnard held the offices of Town- 
sliip Clerk, Highway Commissioner and School Di- 
rector, and in politics is a stanch Republican. Mrs. 
Barnard is a sincere Christian lady, and holds fel- 
lowship with the Christian Church. The comfort- 
able residence of Mr. Barnard and its surroundings, 
will lie presented to the eye of the reader on au- 
otlior paue in this wurk. 



^|OHN W. RITTER. Martin Township is 
fortunate in having been settled by a re- 
markably enterprising, industrious and intel- 
ligent populatit>n. I'rdinincnt among its 
early pioneers is the gentleman whose name heads 
this biograjihy. He is a n.ative of Ross County, 
Ohio, where be was born on a farm near Chillieothe, 
on the Sth of January, I.S21. He comes of an ex- 
cellent family, his grandfather, John Ritter, who 
was born in Mar3'land, having been among the 
prominent and highly respected men of that State. 
Jn eai'ly life he married Miss Eleanor Burke, and 
reared (juitc a large family. Among their sons was 
Joshua, the father of our subject. He was reared 
under parental care, trained to ha))its of industry 
and iionesty, and after reaching manhood was 
united in marriage with Miss Harriett, the daughter 
of .ludah Cadwallader, who was a (Quaker of the 
old style. The children of tiiis household, five in 
luimber, included two sons and three daughters, of 
whom .lohn W., our subject, was the eldest: Phebe 
A., now deceased, became the wife of a Mr. Kern; 
William C. is living in Martin Townslii|); Hannah 
E. and Martha iM. are deceased. The parents re- 
moved from Maryland at .in early day, and were 
among the pioneer settlers of the Buckeye State. 
The father died in Pickawaj' County, and the 
mother in Ross County, Ohio. 

The subject of this history lived in his native 
county until he reached the age of eighteen years, 
then went to Indiana and spent four years. Subse- 
quently he returned to Ohio, where he lived until 
1S4'.), when, l)eing seized with the gold fever, which 
was then prevailing, he joined hundreds of others 



going to California. He went by the way of Cape 
Horn. He engaged in mining on the Pacific Slope 
for a period of three years, and was quite success- 
ful. Returning to his old home in Ross Count3', 
Ohio, he again took up his residence there until the 
fall of 18.54, when he once more set his face west- 
ward, and coming to Illinois purchased his present 
farm on section 34, Martin Township. It bore no 
resemblance to the homestead which is now so at- 
tractive, being then but an unbroken prairie, no 
part of which had been turned b}' the plow. His 
first purchase consisted of eight}" acres, upon which 
he built a small cabin and a cattle pound. He then 
began his farm o|)ei'ations in earnest, .and by de- 
grees gathered together a fine assortment of hogs, 
cattle, horses iuid mules. As soon .as possible he 
opened up an active trade in stock, and was re- 
markabl}' successful in his agricultural operations 
from the st.art. As time progressed and his means 
accumulated he added to his real estate until he is 
now the owner of ()40 broad acres in one body, but 
which lies upon three different sections. His aim 
has been to build up oue of the handsomest home- 
steads in his township, and in this he h.as succeeded 
remarkably well. In liS83 he put up a fine resi- 
dence. Before this he had his land all enclosed 
with substantial fences, and lias built a good barn 
and other necessary farm buildings. The premises 
in all resi)ects are aljout as complete as the industry 
and ingenuity of man could make them. He has 
kept up his stock operations, and of late ^ears has 
given much attention to the breeding of blooded 
ro.adsters. After many years of intermittent La- 
bor, both of brains and hands, he h.as availed him- 
self of the leisure affoided by .ample means. Dur- 
ing the last three years he h.as spent considerable 
time in Kansas. His three daughters some time 
since took up a homestead and timber tract of 1,400 
acres in Rollins County, in which speculation their 
father also joined, and which liids fair to prove 
very successful. 

The marriage of Mr. Ritter .and Miss Maria 
Dawson was celebrated at the home of the bride's 
parents, Nov. 13, 18;')'), in Padua Township. Mrs. 
R. is the daughter of AVilliam H. Dawson, who was 
one of the pioneers of Old Town Township, where 
his daughter w.as burn. Mr. D. is a native of Ohio, 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1001 



and came with his parents to this county when a 
lad seven years old. The parents of Mrs. Ritter 
are both living, and are residents of Nebraska. The 
six cliildren of Mr. and Mrs. Ritter are William II. ; 
Harriett A., now Mrs. William Winger, of Rollins 
County, Kan.; Mattie; Nellie; John W., Jr., and 
Mary. The four latter are at home. 

William C. Ritter, a younger brotliei' of our sub- 
ject, was the second son and third child of the fam- 
ily, and was born in Ross County, Ohio, Dec. '2o, 
1823. He was educated in the district schools of 
his native connty, and when about seventeen years 
old, his father having died, he commenced the bat- 
tle of life for himself. The first property he owned 
was a colt, which he purchased with money he had 
saved little by little. He afterward worked by the 
month, practicing a most rigid economy, and in 
due time found himself in possession of $1,000 as 
the result of his savings. With this, which was a 
fine capital in those days, he began trading in horses. 
In partnership with our subject he came West, and 
to this county, in 18.j4. Since that time he has 
been buying, feeding and shipping cattle, for a 
period of twenty-three years. They continued in 
partnership until the marriage of John W., and 
then dissolved by mntual consent. William C. 
afterw.ard did business on his own account. A part of 
his time has been spent in Arrowsmith Township, 
where, during some winters he had fed from 200 to 
300 head of cattle. He took a trip to Connecticut 
in 1876, and returned in the spring of 188G, since 
which time he h.as made his home with his brother, 
John W. A handsome lithographic view of Mr. 
Ritter's residence is shown on another page of this 
win-k. 



-*- 




LFREI) HARPOLE, one of the most en- 
ergetic and enterprising farmers of Martin 
Townshii), is the descendant of a family 
which has been distinguished for many 
generations for their uniform success, both in trade 
and in agricultural pursuits. Our subject is the 
eldest son of John and Mary (Slaughter) Harpole, 
and was born m Greene Count}', Ohio, Nov. 13, 
1840. It will thus be seen that he is in the prime 



of life, and in the full strength of his physical and 
intellectu.al powers. 

Alfred's grandfather, William Harijole, who was 
of German ancestry, was born in Virginia and mar- 
ried Miss Betsey Peterson. Their son .John, the 
father of our subject, married Miss Marj' Slaugh- 
ter, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Cooper) 
Slaughter, Mr. S. being of German descent. After 
marriage John Harpole and his bride located in 
Greene County, Ohio, where he became an exten- 
sive cattle-breeder, and built up for himself an en- 
viable reputation in this branch of agriculture in 
the Buckeye State. He was remarkablj' successful 
in his business and stock operations and accumu- 
lated a small fortune. His father, William Har- 
pole, was also the owner of a line estate, including 
a tract of 5,000 acres of valuable land in Ohio, in 
Madison, Greene and Clarke Counties. On the 
other side of the house, the Slaughters were also 
people of means, the maternal grandfather of our 
subject being the proprietor of 3,000 acres of land, 
and also engaged in stock-raising in JNIadison 
County, Ohio. In 1806, Peter Harpole purchased 
1,035 acres of land in this county, lying along 
Mackinaw Creek and which was formerly owned 
by George W. Funk, of Bloomiugton. Later, 
William Harpole purchased 640 acres of Peter 
Hefner, of Lexington. John Harpole, the father 
of our subject, was one of the pioneer cattle deal- 
ers of Illinois, having first herded cattle in Logan 
Count}', in 1838. He was thus engaged in this 
State for a number of j'ears, but finally returned to 
Ohio, and died there in 1849, at the early age of 
twenty-nine years, having been born in 1819. The 
parental household consisted of six children, four 
girls and two boys. After the death of the father, 
the mother of our subject was married to E. Bo- 
zarth, and took up her residence with him in Greene 
Count}-, Ohio. 

The subject of this history was hut eight years 
old at the time of his father's death, and even at 
this early age it became evident that he had to a 
remarkable degree inherited the business talents of 
his parent. When nine years old he commenced 
trading in calves, and continued his stock opera- 
tions until arriving at the age of sixteen. He then 
came into this county in company with his step- 



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f' 



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<l^ 



1002 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



father and lici-dcil cattle diiriiig' tlK'siiiinnor season. 
Ill tlic winter they gathered tliese up and fed them 
with corn, large qnantities of which was raised by 
Mr. Bozarth. 

In 18.')H, young Ilarpole visited the State of 
Kansas, and two years hxter, in .lanuar}', liSGO, was 
there married to Miss .lane JMiiler, of C'iiase Cmin- 
ty. Mrs. II. was born and reared in Ohio, to 
which State Mr. H. and liis young wife returned 
after tlicir marriage, in order that our subject 
miglit take charge of the estate, a portion of which 
had become his on reaching liis majority. This 
consisted of a farm, upon wliicii lie settled and re- 
mained until ISG:]. They tiien removed to Logan 
County, 111., where he purchased '2G0 acres of land 
upon wliich he lived for two years, when he sold 
out and thereby cleared ^4,000. He then bought 
another lOO-acre farm near Elkhart, when, owing 
to tiie depreciation of property at the close of the 
war, he became financially embarrassed by having 
invested too largely in cattle and hogs. 

Mr. Ilarpole farmed in Logan County' for nine 
j'ears, then removed to McLean ('ounty and rented 
the Teter Uarpole farm in Martin Township, which 
he has occupied for the Last twelve years. He is 
the owner of 171) acres in Lawndaie Township, and 
this, together with tiic land he rents, comprises an 
extent of 1,500 acres, upon which he raises thous- 
ands of busiiels of corn each year. A large jxir- 
tion of this lie sells, and feecls the remainder to his 
stock, which includes cattle and hogs. He takes a 
genuine delight in his stock operations and con- 
tinues a personal oversight of the whole business, 
being rarely found out of the saddle either in rain 
or shine. At present Mr. Ilarpole has three fami- 
lies of cattle, vi/ : thoroughbred Short-horn, the 
Hereford, and the I'olled Angus, and two families 
of horses, the driving horse and the heavy draft 
horse. Some splendid specimens of these are 
shown in the view of his place. Besides these he 
has a large selection of Poland-China hogs, and at 
present has about .'iOO head of swine. Mr. H. has 
oOO acres of corn planted, and about 320 acres of 
oats sown, which gives an idea of the magnitude of 
his operations. 

The wife of our subject, Mrs. .lane Ilarpole, de- 
parted this life on the 2(;th of .May, Kssr). leaving 
4* 



nine children, namely : Mary E., the wife of L. 
n. Wiley; Ciistie, Phicbe .T., Archibald, Sarah R., 
Gillette, Nellie, Alfred an<l Pearl. Mrs. Ilarpole 
was the daughter of .John and .lane Miller, who 
were n.atives of Ireland, but who diecl in McLean 
County. 

At the early age of nineteen years, Mr. Ilarpole 
had already saved .ii!l,000 as the result of his stock 
operations, which commenced with the buying and 
selling of calves, starting out with an assortment 
of one pig and one calf. Those early traits of self- 
dependence and enterprise have followed him all 
through life. He is a man of decided views, and 
takes an active interest in current events. He is 
an uncompromising temperance man, and has never 
used whisky or tobacco in any form. He has 
been public-spirited and lil:ieral, readj' to assist by 
his means and influence in eveiy enterprise calcu- 
lated to further the pnjsperity and welfare of his 
township and county. He is widely and favorably' 
known, and held in the highest respect as a neigh- 
bor, friend and citizen. He is a member of the 
Methodist Kpiscopal tMiurch at Evergreen, and also 
an Odd Eellow, belonging to the lodge at Elk- 
hart, Logan Co., 111. A handsome lithographic 
view of Mr. Ilarpole's residence and fine herds of 
stock is shown on another page of this work. 



^- 






EAVIS .1. WILLHOITE, the proprietor of 
I ((^ " "^ acres of valuable land in Martin Town- 
l*— ^ ship, has been a resident of McLean County 
since the fall of IHo'). He is one of the self-made 
men who started out b}' himself earl}' in life and by 
his peivscverance and industry has accumulated a 
fine competency. His farm is furnished with all 
the modern appliances required by the first-class 
agriculturist. The residence is a model of taste 
and convenience, and his barns, farm machinery 
and stock all show the superintendence of the Intel- 
ligent and progressive business man, who knows 
by what means his possessions have been secured 
and has a proper realization of their value. When 
he took possession of his prairie land there was 
nothing upon it but a small shanty, and the re- 
markable changes which he has brought about are 



t 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1003 a 



silent but forcible witnesses of the character of the 
man. 

Mr. Willhoite is a native of Kentucky, and was 
born near Owenton, the count}' seat of Owen 
County, on the 24th of April, 1829. His grand- 
father, John Willhoite, of Virginia, removed from 
his native State to the lilue grass regions when a 
young man, where he married and raised a family. 
Among his sons was Lewis, the father of niii- sub- 
ject, who was born in Owen County, Ky., was there 
reared to manhood, and married iNIiss Patsey Tay- 
lor, a native of his own State, who became tlie 
mother of two children — William and Louisa. The 
latter died in girlhood. The mother of these chil- 
dren departed this life in Owen County, Ky., at 
the home of her husband. The second wife of 
Lewis Willhoite, Sr., was Miss I'olly Sheets, also a 
native of his own county, and of this union there 
were born four cliildi-en, three of whom — Henry A., 
James Franklin and Lmily — arc deceased, Lewis J. 
of our sketch being the only survivor of the family. 
Lewis J. Willhoite passed his childhood and 
youth in his native county and was educated at a 
private school under the oversight of his excellent 
mother, his father having died when he was but 
five years of age. He remained with his mother 
until he was twenty-three years of age, and was 
then married to Miss iSIary A., daughter of Willis 
C. Willhoite, of Kentucky. Mrs. W. was born in 
Owen County, that' State, A i)ril 27, 1829. After 
mai-riage the young people settled on a farm in 
their native county, where they lived until the 
fall of 1855. They then gathered together their 
household effects and came North to Illinois, lo- 
cating first in Downs Township, this county, where 
Mr. W. purchased eighty acres of laud ujiou which 
he operated until the purchase of his present farm 
on section 21, Martin Township. Of this they took 
possession in 187.3, and since that time Mr. W. has 
devoted his entire attention to beautifying and im- 
proving the homestead, which from the first he had 
decided should be a permanent one. He and a part 
of his family now live here surrounded by all the 
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 

The household circle was completed by the birth 
of five children, three sons and two daughters, as 
follows: Maria I. is the widow of W. S. Horner, 



<^m^^ 



who died in 1882; Henry L., Willis and Franklin 
are residents of Sumner County, Kau.; Mary K., 
Mrs. Joseph Arnold, lives in this county; Ellis L. 
is at home with his parents. To the children who 
are married Mr. Willhoite has given a good start 
in life and still has a fine property to enjoy in his 
old age. Himself and the v.arious members of his 
family are connected with the Christian Church, 
and attend religious services in Blue Mound Town- 
ship. 

Politically Mr. Willhoite takes pride in the fact 
that he is a stanch adherent of the reliable old 
Democratic party, although in e.arly years he sup- 
ported the principles of the old-line AVhigs. He has 
served four years as Justice of the Peace, was Asses- 
sor of his township one year, and in 1884 was 
elected a member of the Board of Sui)ervisors from 
Martin Townsliip. He has also served a number 
of terms as Sch(,)ol Director, and takes a genuine 
interest in the establishment and maintenance of 
edncational institutions. 




ILES WAYBRIGHT, engaged 



the 



butcher business at Lexington, first estab- 
lished himself in tr.ade at that place in 
1860. He was born in Pendleton County, 
Va., Feb. 17, 1827, on his father's farm. He is the 
seventh in order of birth of his parents' family of 
ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of 
whom lived to attain the age of man and woman- 
hood. The father of onr subject, Daniel Way- 
bright, was likewise a native of Virginia. Our sub- 
ject's mother, whose maiden name was Rachel 
Arbogast, was the daughter of John Arbogast, 
an early settler in Virginia, and of German an- 
cestry. Daniel Wa^'bright removed vvith his fam- 
ily to Ohio, and after a year's residence in that 
State went back to Virginia and there lived the re- 
mainder of his days. 

Miles Waybright passed his youth on his father's 
farm and attended the common schools of the 
neighborhood. He remained at home until he was 
twenty-two years old, when he left the parental roof 
tree and went forth in the world to do for himself. 
In the fall of 1857 he came to this county, and 

. — •►- 



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1004 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



stopping in Money Creeii Township, spent that 
winter there, and then went to Old Town Town- 
ship and made that his home until the following 
March. In 18;");) ho leiiiovod to Mackinaw Creek 
and in l.S(;i took up his residence at Lexington, 
where he lived for several years, at first engaged in 
farming. He then opened his meat market at tiiat 
place and has continued in the business until the 
present time, with tlie exception of a short interval. 
Mr. Waybrightisa practical bulchcrand thnroiighly 
understands the business in which he is engaged. 
He is the proprietor of a good residence and other 
town i)roperty and has met with linaiicial success 
in his enterjjrise. 

Miles Wa^'briglit was iirst mari'ied ti) Miss Re- 
becca Nicholas, a native of Virginia. Slie became 
the mother of seven children, four sons and three 
daughters. The record is as follows: Louisa, wife 
of J. I\L Weakley ; Catherine, Amos, Noali F., Wil- 
lis jNL, Edward, Jennie, wife of L. H. Hefner. The 
mother of these children died at Lexington, and 
our subject was married to his present wife, whose 
maiden name was Tabitlia Battertou, daughter of 
Curtis liatterton, in 1871. Of this lattei' union, 
one child, :i daughter, Delia, has been born. 

--^ ^-^ ^ 




▼ sisi 

MM* 



11. HEWITT, capitalist, and one of the 
eading linanciei's uf the county, lives at No. 
8 Locust stre(U, iUoomington. He was 
)) born in Saratoga C'oiinty, N. Y., in 1839, 
and is a son of Edmnn<l and Lydia (Mund) Hewitt, 
natives of that count}'. The fallier was a large and 
extensive farmer and successful in folhjwing his 
calling. The old folk were married June 18, 182o, 
and came to Illinois in 1 s(>.'), settling in l-^l I'aso, 
Woodford County, where the father lived a retired 
life until his demise in 18(;8, aged eiglity 3'ears. 
Tiie mother is still living aud makes her lionic wilii 
the subject of this notice. 

The grandfather of our subject was a soldier in 
the Kevolntionarj' War and a native of Connecti- 
cut. Early in life he moved to Saratoga County, 
N. Y., of which he was one of the pioneers, and 
there [jurchased a liact of (ioveriunent laud con- 
sisting of 120 acres, on which he erectetl the cus- 



tomary log cabin, and entered upon the improve- 
ment of his land. He lived on that place until his 
death, in 1836, aged eighty-one years. His good 
wife, Hannah Peckham, was also l)oru in Connecti- 
cut, and bore him seven children. 

The fatiier of Mrs. L^dia Hewitt, our subject's 
mother, was Thomas Moon, a native of Rhode Isl- 
and, as likewise was his wife, Deborah (Hoxie) 
Moon, and they were also early settlers of Saratoga 
County, N. V. 

Edmund Hewitt was a soldier in the War of 
1812, and was often called upon to fill positions of 
trust and honor in the county where he resided. 
He was a strong advocate of temperance and was 
much interested in education. He and his wife 
were members of the Baptist Church, in which he 
was a Deacon. They had Ave children, three of 
whom are now living: Hattie, now Mrs. O'Brien, of 
Lawrence, Kan.; Rev. Charles E., pastor of the 
First Bajitist Church at Peoria, 111., and our subject. 

II. II. Hewitt was reared to farm labor until he 
attained the age of fourteen years. He then sui)- 
plemented his education which he had received in 
the common schools, by a course of study at Ft. 
Edward Institute, Washington County, N. Y. 
Leaving the latter school he came to Illinois and 
settled at El I'aso, Woodford County, in 1857. 
Tiiere he taught the Iirst public school tli:it w;is 
ever taught in El P.aso. In 18ti0 he opened the 
first hardware store in El Paso and continued the 
business with signal success until 1869. Disposing 
of his interests at El Paso, Mr. Hewitt; came to 
Bloomington, and for two years was engaged in 
the book business. In 1873 he embarked in the 
hardware trade at Bloomington and occupied his 
time and atteuiion in this direction for about ten 
\'ears, when he retired from active labor, and has 
since lived upon his handsome compctencj-, which 
has been acquired mainly through his own energy 
and good judgment. 

In 1881 Mr. Hewitt erected a store building at 
No. 417 North JNIain street. He purchased his 
handsome residence in 1869, and has since his resi- 
dence in Bloomington, operated to no incousidei'a- 
ble extent in city properly, and also has become a 
stockholder in the National State Bank. He like- 
wise has a tile factory near McLean, in which he em- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1005 



ploys from fifteen to twenty men and where he has 
invested about |!lO,000. In addition to his posses- 
sions in this State, Mr. Hewitt is the proprietor of 
an orange grove in Florida, and interested in prop- 
erty at St. Paul, Minn., and holds numerous mort- 
gages. He was among the largest subscribers to the 
fund for building the Baptist Church at El I'aso in 
18(54, and was also one of the building committee. 
He was a Deacon in a congregation at that place 
and was also Sunday-school Superintendent and 
chorister there. Since coming to Bloomingtou he 
has been twice elected Superintendent of the 
Sunday-school of the First Baptist Church, and 
was also the incumbent of the ofBce of Superin- 
tendent of the Mission School for five years and 
connected with it for nine years. He is a member 
of the Board of Missions and Treasurer of the Illi- 
nois (ieneral Baptist Association. 

Mr. Hewitt was married to Miss Hattie G. 
Barker, daughter of James M. and Emily (Gere) 
Barker, Jan. 17, 18G5. She was born in Saratoga 
County, N. Y., as likewise were her parents. Her 
father was a farmer and manuf.Tcturer, and by his 
union with Miss Gere, became the head of a family 
of four children : Jennie, Mrs. Larned, of Chicago; 
Hattie G., Mrs. Hewitt; William and Julia. The 
father departed this life in 1877. He was a consist- 
ent Christian gentleman, holding fellowship with 
the Baptist Church, and was a Deacon in a congre- 
gation of that denomination. His widow is yet liv- 
ing and resides at Albion, N. Y. Our subject is 
Republican in jjolitics, and he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. 



'i2-«4 






^i^rt.*^ 



yMLLlAM McCRACKEN, engaged in mer- 
/ cantile pursuits at Selma, was born in Nor- 
WW wich, Franklin Co., Ohio, July 28, 1828. 
The father of our subject, Henry McCraeken, was 
by birth a Pennsylvanian, and born in CumVierland 
Valley in 1796. His ancestors were from Ireland, 
the grandfather of Henry having been born in that 
country, and came to the United States while yet a 
single man. Henry McCraeken was married three 
times. His first wife was Rebecca Black, daughter 
of William Black, and the family of Blacks were of 



Scotch extraction. At the time of his first mar- 
riage he was living in the Shenandoah or Cum- 
berland Valley, Pa., and after the marriage they 
continued to live there for a short time, and then 
removed to Franklin Countj', Ohio. This was 
about 1821, and the}' located in what is kuovvn as 
Old Franklin on the west bank of the Sciota River. 
There Henry helped to clear up the forest where 
the thriving city of Columbus now stands. He 
was a stonemason by trade and worked in the vil- 
lage for a while when he moved onto a farm and 
followed that calling. He reared a family of four 
children, three sons and one daughter. David is 
deceased; George is living at San Jose, Cal. ; Will- 
iam, our subject, was next in order of birth, and 
Margaret, wlio married Tliomas E. Scrimger, is de- 
ceased. 

William McCraeken passed his .youth in liis na- 
tive county, and there in the common schools re- 
ceived his education, supplementing the same by 
an attendance of one term at Delaware College. 
In 1.S52 our subject came to this county and 
stopped at Selma, where at first he was emplo3'ed 
in a grist and saw mill, and subsequently engaged 
in farming and followed that calling until the 
breaking out of the late Civil War. In August, 
1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 33d 111. Vol. Inf., and 
his regiment was assigned to the Western army. 
He served there until February, 1803, when he 
was transferred to a gunboat under command of 
Commodore Foote, and took part in the bloody 
conflict of Donelson. His boat ran a blockade at 
Island No. 10, and at the bombardment of Ft. Pil- 
low. After this, in July, 1863, he was discharged 
from the service on account of disability and re- 
turned to Selma, where after convalescing he en- 
gaged in the mercantile business. He engaged in 
partnership with William Bratton, and they opened 
a grocer}' store and continued the business for 
about three years. Mr. McCraeken then purchased 
the interest of his partner and carried it on alone, 
and by honest dealing has built up an excellent 
trade, and is yet engaged in the same enterprise 
and is meeting with success. 

Our subject vvas united in marriage with Nancy 
J. McKee, in July, 1864. She is a daughter of 
James W. McKee, and by her union with our sub- ^ f 



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i 



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1006 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



ject has becoino the mother of six ehihlrcn, four 
daughters and two sons — Maggie C, .lames li., 
George VV., Nellie, Bessie F. and Josie R. Mr. 
MeCracken served as Postmaster of Selma under 
the administration of President Lincoln for six 
j'ears, and is one of the foremost and i)roniinent 
men of that place. In politics he is and always has 
liccii a stanch UepuMican. 



#-^ 



KN'IN P. SCli<)(ilN, a [jiominent and suc- 
cessful farmer and business man of Lexing- 

— '^'^ ton, first opened his eyes to light near Paris, 
Bourbon Co., Kj'.. on the .'iOth of March, 1823. 
His father, .lohn Scrogin, w.as born in .Maryland, 
and his mother, formerly Miss Patsey .Mills, w.as a 
native of \'irginia. .John Scrogin wjus a farmer b}' 
occupatit)n. and of Scotch parentage and ancestry, 
with an admixture of tiie German. .lohn Scrogin 
went to Kentucky when a young man, and from 
there emigrated to Morgan County, HI., with his 
family, in the fall of 182.S, and located upon wh.at 
is now the site of .Jacksonville, where he died about 
two years later. 

Our subject was one of a family of two sons and 
two daughters, only two of whom survived — our 
subject, and hi.s youngest sister, who is now a resi- 
dent of Cliico, Butte Co., Cal. lie was but six 
years of age at the time of his father's death. He 
retnained with his sister and attended the pioneer 
schools, .and after becoming of suitable age was 
employed by .Jacob Strawn, the then " cattle king" 
of Illinois, in looking after his herds on the prairie, 
remaining with him two years, and was then occu- 
pied in driving stock. 

Mr. Scrogin was m.arricd in I s bs, to Miss Sarah 
E. Holmes, who was born in Morgan County, 111., 
and was the daughter of Peris Holmes, of that 
county. Her mother was formerly Miss Lois Sweet, 
who with her parents were nundicred among the 
pioneers of Morgan County". Mr. Holmes was born 
in Connecticut and his wife in New York. After 
his m.arriage our subject located in this county, on 
his present farm in Lexington Township, which 
consisted of 523 acres, an<l for which he paid 
$1 ,000, which at that day was considered a high price. 



It is now one of the finest farms in the townshiii, 
and has doubled its first value many times. To 
this Mr. S. subsequently added until he is now the 
owner of 870 acres, all in one body. It is well 
fenced and highly cultivated with a substantial and 
handsome residence and two good barns. Of l.ate 
3'cars he has given much attention to the cattle 
trade, of which he ships annually large numbers to 
the markets of the East, and which has yielded him 
a handsome income. His herd now averages ninetj' 
head, and he raises from ten to twenty calves every 
year. He .also deals in Norman horses, and the se- 
cret of his great success is that he has lieen enabled 
to do business on his own capital, and has been en- 
abled to meet his obligations promi)tly and without 
enibarrassnient. 

Mr. Scrogin has lieen largely identified with the 
business and agricultural interests of this section 
since he l;>egan business on his own account, and 
has contributed his full quota to the wealth and 
prosperity of McLean County. He was one of the 
stockholders of the bank of ,J. C. Mahan & Co., at 
Lexington, with which he was connected for four- 
teen years and until it was closed, and owns the 
buihlirtg in which the National 15ank is now carried 
on. 

The family of our suliject consisted of nine chil- 
dren, of whom five ;irc still living: Arthur .1., 
Austin IL, Cariie K., Charlie P. and Emma L. ; the 
others died in infancy. Both parents and children 
are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Scrogin 
has served .as Justice of the Peace, and in all re- 
spects is an esteemed and v.alued citizen. 



EINHOLI) GRAFF, a jirosijcrous and wide- 
awake grocer of Bloomington, is located on 
the corner of Fast Grove street, where he 
^is conducting his business in an intelligent 
and successful manner. He is a native of the (ier- 
man Empire, having been born in Halle, on the 
Saale River, Prussia, May L5, 1840. He came to 
America with his mother, Amelia (Krapfft) Graff, 
in 18.52, his father, Ferdinand (i raff, having died in 
Germany. Mrs. (iraff with her five children, 
crossed the oce.an. Landing in the city of New York, 
whence they proceeded to Buffalo, thence to Chi- 




"t-* 



i 



^ 



t 



-4»- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1007 



I 



cago and from there by canal to LaSallc. 111. They 
afterward wen't to Peoria, wlieiice they caine to 
Bloomington by wagon, and settled on a farm near 
Old Town, which remained the home of the family 
for sixteen 3'ears. 

The subject of this history received a limited ed- 
ucation, being but eleven years of age when he 
came to America, and since which time his educa- 
tion has been the result, princiiiall}', of his own ex- 
ertions. He remained ui)on the farm of his mother 
until twenty-five years old, then entered the store 
of Ollis Evans & Co., with whom he remained two 
years as clerk, and until they sold out, when he oc- 
cupied the same position with their successors for 
seven years. In 1879 Mr. Graff engaged in the 
grocery business on his own account. He com- 
menced on a sm.all scale and w.as successful from 
the start. As his business increased he was obliged 
to enlarge his stock and for this purpose put up a 
good Ijuilding 30x45 feet in area, and two stories 
in height, and in which he keeps a full assortment 
of everything required in his line. 

Mr. Graff was married, in 1800, to Miss Marga- 
ret Leiser, of Bloomington, and they have three 
children — Albert W., Benjamin F. and Anna Bell. 
The family residence is pleasantly located, and our 
subject and his family enjoy the association of a 
large number of friends. Mr. Graff is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., holding fellowship with Lodge 
No. 305, Bloomington, and also belongs to the 
Turner Society of that place. 

The mother of our subject is still living .and 
m.akes her home in Wilson Count}', Kan. She is 
now over eighty-one years of age, but is hale and 
hearty, and in the enjo.yment of all her faculties. 

•^1 AMES M. McGINNIS, one of the prosper- 
ous and progressive farmers of Lawndale 
_ Township, is ple.as.antly located on section 
(^^ 10, on the farm of which he took possession 
in the spring of 1884. His homestead includes 
120 .acres of valuable land, upon which he has 
erected a first-class set of farm buildings, which 
bear fair comparison with any in the count}'. He 
is in all respects a valuable citizen, and by his en- 

4« 



ergy and enterprise h.as already proved himself an 
imi)ortant factor in the agricultural interests of 
Lawndale Township. 

Mr. McGinnis was born in P.trke County, Ind., 
.Tul3'20, 1824, being the son of .John and Elizabeth 
(Wolf) McGinnis, the father a native of Tennessee 
and the mother of New Jersey, of Irish and Hol- 
land-Dutch descent, respectively. The}' came into 
Butler County, Ohio, soon after their marriage, 
where they lived about three years, and thence re- 
moved to Parke County, Ind. The father w.as en- 
gaged in farming and teaching alternately. They 
lived in Indiana until in November, 1834, and 
thence removed into T.izewell County, this State, 
settling near Groveland, where they spent the re- 
mainder of their days, the father dying in Febru- 
ary, 1800, and the mother April 5, 1881. Their 
family consisted of nine children, as follows: 
George I., deceased; Temperance, James M., John 
F., N.ancy and Martha, deceiised ; Mary A., Andrew 
J. and Kizzie. 

Mr. McGinnis was a boy of ten years when his 
parents removed into Tazewell County. They 
made the trii) overland with horses and wagons. 
He w.as reared on his father's farm and remained 
under the parental roof until he was thirty-three 
years old. He was then married and continued to 
live in Tazewell County until the spring of 1859, 
when he took a trip overland to California, the 
journey consuming about five months. He re- 
mained on the Pacific Slope two years following, 
and engaged in mining, with fair success. After- 
w.ard he took up his home in Nevada with his fam- 
ily, where he lived twenty-three years, coming to 
this county in the summer of 1884. His home- 
stead consists of 120 acres on section 13, Lawnd.ale 
Township. 

The subject of this history was married in Meta- 
mora, Woodford Co., 111., March 7, 1858, to Miss 
Patience J. Nesmilh, daughter of Cyrus A. and 
Marinda (Ilurlbut) Nesraith. Her father, a n.ative 
of Antrim, N. H., was born in 1801, .and her 
mother in Ontario, in 1810. After marriage they 
located in INIedina County, Ohio, where Mr. N. 
pursued the occupation of a farmer. In 1847 they 
left the Buckeye State for the prairies of Illinois, 
arriving in Peoria County in November. They 1 ' 



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1 



t. 



1008 



I 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






lived there until the s[>iiiig- of 1.S41), then removed 
to M(^l:unora. Woodford County, and in 1877, to 
Washinj-ton, 111., where Mr. X. died in January, 
1884. The niotlier still survives, and makes her 
home in the latter place. Their seven children 
were Arthur K., Patience .)., Milton W., Mary A., 
George W., John 1). and Ciiarles L. Arthur E. is 
deceased; Milton resides in Nehraslca; Mary is the 
wife of E. 8. Corpe, of Lawndale Townshii) ; George 
and Jolni are deceased, and Charles L. resides in 
Washington, 111. 

l\Irs. Mc(Jinnis was born in Medina County, 
Ohio, Sept. 21, 18;3,'j. She received careful pai-- 
ental training, a good common-school education, 
and remained with her parents until her marriage. 
Mrs. McGinnis taught school a number of years, 
and also taught the first public school in Lyon 
County. Nev., it being the first public sciiool taught 
in the State. This was in 18G2. Of her union 
with our subject there has been born but one child, 
who died in infanc^y. Mr. Mc(;innis, while a resi- 
dent of Nevada, was honored with various otiices, 
having beeii County Commissioner for eight years 
and was Sch(H)l Trustee for seventeen j'ears, and is 
iiighly respected as a business man and a citizen. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
politicall}' an active Republican. A handsome 
litiiogra|)hic vic^v of Mr. iMcGinnis' residence is 
shown on another page. 



A. LASSWELL, editor and proprietor of 
tiie Colfax Chronicle, published at Colfax, 
is a native of the Prairie State, having been 
/ born in Fulton County, May 22, 1861. 
He is tiie son of William and Mary E. (Lippy) 
Lasswcll, natives respectively of Illinois and Penn- 
sylvania. His fatiier is a farmer bj' occupation, 
and is now carrying on agriculture in Peoria Coun- 
ty, this State. The four children of the parentid 
household were Alice, George, William P. and our 
subject, John A. William Lasswell is Democratic 
ill politics, and the mother of our subject is prom- 
inently identified with the Christian Church. 

The subject of this biography spent his child- 
hood and youth on his father's farm, and when 



'^ 



•►-■-4^ 



sixteen yeai-s of age engaged to learn the printer's 
trade, at which he served four years. He then 
abandoned tins temporarily and commenced rail- 
roading on the Illinois Central as brakcman and 
express messenger, which he followed for four 
years. Then in company with D. A. Creed he es- 
tablisiied the Vhrotiicle, at Colfax ^^illage, on the 
oth of June, 188G. This is a six-column folio, a 
spicy and independent sheet, and has already a 
good circulation. Mr. Lasswcll is ,'l free and easy 
writer, and in the conduct of his paper gives abun- 
dant satisfaction to its patrons. 

Our subject was married on the 4th of April, 
I88(i, to Mrs. (J race H. Webster of Michigan, but 
who since a chilil has made her home in Woodford 
County, tnis State, whence her jiarents came and 
settled on a farm while she was quite young. She 
is the third of four children who completed the 
househohl circle, and her parents now reside at 
El Paso. Mr. Lasswell belongs to the Democratic 
party, and occupies a good position in the editorial 
fraternity of this section. 



-r- 







''*?«, R. NELSON LOAR, a prominent physician 
and surgeon of Bloomington, has his ofHce 
at the intersection of Front and Lee streets, 
and enjoys an extensive and lucrative 
practice. He is a native of Greene County, Pa., 
and was born April 1, 1840. His parents were Ja- 
cob and Maria (Nelson) Loar, natives of the same 
State, where his father carried on an extensive farm, 
but is now i)ractically ri^tired from active labor. 
His grandfather, John Loar, was a native of Mary- 
land, and married a lady from Pennsylvania, in 
which latter State thej^ settled and passed their last 
days in (Jreene County. Their son Jacob, the 
father of our subject, was a Justice of the Peace 
for twenty years in Greene Count}', and was fre- 
quently called upon to administer upon large es- 
tates. He was a capable business man, intelligent 
and well educated, and possessed a large amount 
of industry and enterprise. The parental family 
included ten children, six now living, as follows: 
John remains in his native State of Pennsylvania; 



i 



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t 



<^ 



McLean county. 



1009 ti 






Nelson, our subject, is the second son ; Margaret, 
Mrs. Allen, lives in Jasper County, Iowa, as does 
also Dr. George W. ; Hester, Mrs. Gribben, lives in 
Greene County, Pa., and Anna, Mrs. Burns, lives 
in the same county. 

Dr. Loar of our sketch, spent his jounger d.ays 
on his father's farm, and in attendance at the dis- 
trict school until he was about twenty-two years 
old. He then took a course of study at Mt. Pleas- 
ant College where he remained two years, and soon 
thereafter commenced the study of medicine. In 
November, 1864, he entered the Cincinnati Medi- 
cal College, from which he graduated in 18G7, and 
began his practice in Mt. Pleasant, Pa. After one 
year he turned his face westward, stopping for 
awhile in Knox County, Ohio, and then came to 
Bloomington, where he has continued pr.actiee 
since that time. He was successful from the start, 
and in due time purchased a house on West Wash- 
ington street, which he occupied with his family 
for twelve years. He then purchased two lots on 
Front street, and erected his present residence and 
ortice in 1881. He also purchased ground at the 
corner of Jefferson and West streets, where he built 
a fine brick hotel 48x60 feet in area, two stories, in 
height, and equipped with all modern improve- 
ments. This now yields him a handsome income, 
being conducted in a manner pleasing to both per- 
m.'inent guests and travelers. The hotel is con- 
ducted by Mrs. M. A. Baird, on the European plan. 

Dr. Loar was married, in 186G, to Miss Olive 
Rinehart, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, 
and was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth 
(Ewalt) Rinehart, natives respectively of New Jer- 
sey and Ohio. Her patern.al grandfather was Chris- 
tian Rinehart, of New Jersey, and her maternal 
grandfather, John Ewalt, of Pennsylvania. Both 
gentlemen purchased large tracts of land near Mt. 
"Vernon, Ohio, where they spent the last years of 
their life. Samuel Rinehart was also an extensive 
f.armer, but is now retired from active labor. His 
family included ten children, eight now living, and 
the record is as follows: Sarah, Mrs. Bonuett, lives 
in this county; Marj% Mrs. Rightmire, is in Potta- 
watomie County, Kan.; Christian D. is also in 
that State; Olive is the wife of our subject; Clem- 
entine, Mrs. Myers, lives in Knox County, Ohio; 
4* 



Emeline, Mrs. Edwards, in Fredericktown, Ohio; 
William H., in California, and Frank E., in Knox 
County, Ohio. 

Our subject and his wife have become the p.ai-- 
ents of five children — Eva, Ira, Ada, Anna and 
Arthur. In politics Dr. Loar is a stanch Prohibi- 
tionist, and with his wife is a member in good 
standing of the Christian Church. Dr. Loar de- 
serves credit for the position he has won, not only 
as a physician and surgeon, but in having the con- 
fidence of the people whom he serves. As a phy- 
sician he is patient, constant, sympathetic, yet in 
the hour of extremity cool, calm and courageous, 
thus inspiring the sick with feelings of safety in 
being carried through the scenes of impending 
danger. 



^ AMES OSBORN BARNARD. The name of 
James Osborn Barnard was familiar to all 
the pioneers of McLean County, and his 
_ history, from beginning to end, was full of 
interest. He was a remarkable man in many re- 
spects, being from his earliest childhood of an .act- 
ive, stirring disposition, inquisitive and acquisitive, 
always re.ady to make an honest penny at a trade, 
bearing losses and crosses cheerfully, and never 
discouraged under adverse circumstances. 

Mr. Barnard was born July 16, 1800, in States- 
ville, the county seat i>f Iredell County, N. C. He 
was the son of Francis and Jane (McCord) Barnard, 
the former of English-Quaker descent but Ameri- 
can born, and the latter, partially at least, of Irish 
ancestry. The paternal grandfather of James O., 
being a Quaker, did not take part in the Revolution- 
ary Wai-, but his mother's father was a very differ- 
ent man. He was no Quaker, but on the contrary 
considered it his duty to harrass the British at 
every opportunity. He was not a regular soldier 
but was in every scrimmage in which he could find 
a chance to engage. The British took revenge by 
sacking iiis house, tearing everything to pieces, and 
driving off his live stock. Mr. McCord afterward 
made many of them pa}- with their lives for the de- 
struction of his property. 

The early youth of James Barnard had been dis- 
tinguished by many social pleasures after the man- 



'i 



t 



A- 



lOlO 



McLean county. 



ner of the young men of tliat period, mid he had 
leai-ned to dance and play the violin, performing to 
audiences at home and elsewhere, for which he | 
was paid small sums of money and which he in- 
vested, sometimes fortunately and sometimes other- 
wise. His business talents wore conspicuous at .an 
early .age. Later his mind took a more serious turn 
and underwent a radical change. He abandoned 
his social pleasures and turned his attention more 
to religious matters, and sought to work a simi- 
lar ciiange in tiie minds of his companians. In 
early youth he had been .a<l verse to schotil but 
his natural habits of observation enabled him to 
transact business in a very creditable manner. 
When eighteen years of age he joined Briar Creek 
Baptist Church, and was baptized in the Yadkin 
River. His twenty-first birthd.ay was celebrated 
by taking his gun to the same river, where he killed 
a deer, which was quite an event at that time as 
the.se anim.als were liecoming scarce. After reach- 
ing his niiijority he entered school at Wilksboro, 
which, however, he attended but a short time as 
the teacher refused to give his pupils a holiday on 
Christmas. 

Soon afterward young Barnard went to learn the 
saddler's trade winch, however, he only followed a 
short time, and the family soon removed to Ten- 
nessee, where they rented a farm. In the meantime 
James engaged as a trader in salt and groceries, do- 
ing his own teaming and meeting with fair success. 
Shortly afterward he revisited his native State and 
from thence went into Alabama and afterward to 
Ohio and Indi.-ina. Returning afterward to his 
home in Tennessee he was appointed Postmaster 
under Andrew Jackson, but resigned the ollice in 
1829, to come to Illinois. In the meantime he had 
taken a load of provisions and live stock to New 
Orleans, this trip and the return being filled in with 
many interesting incidents and hairbreadth escapes. 
In his absence his father's house with all its contents 
was consumed bj' fire. The family soon afterward 
removed to Illinois, where they were joined by 
James O. The latter [jurchased IGO acres of land 
near Dry Grove which, however, he did not take 
possession of until the following year. The city of 
Chicago was then only known as Ft. Dearborn, of 
^ ' which Mr. Barnard and some of his friends had 



heard much but had never seen, and in company 
with two of his friends, e.acli with an o.x-team, they 
set out to find it. After reaching tiie fort and re- 
maining a short time they invested in a load of 
provisions and returned home. 

On the 14tli of September, 1837, Mr. Barnard 
was married to Miss Lydia Swallow, and they com- 
menced housekeeping after the fashion of those 
days. Mr. B. became prominent in the affairs of 
the county before many years, and in 1834 was 
appointed I)e|iuty Sheriff and Tax Collector, which 
positions he held for several years. He identified 
himself with the .Masonic fraternity at Bloomington 
on the 18th of April, 184.S, of whose principles he 
remained an admirer until his death, which oc- 
curred Oct. 17, 1873. 

After becoming a resident of jMcLean County 
Mr. Barnard crossed the Mississippi, visiting Iowa 
and Kansas, where he had a brother and daughter. 
After coming to Illinois he severed his connection 
with the Baptists and became a member of the 
Christian Cluirtii. He was very conscientious, de- 
liberate in forming his opinutus, and adhered to them 
with great decision. He was of that magnetic 
temperament which attrsicted to him hosts of friends, 
.and his record was that of a usefidand honest citi- 
zen who performed his whole duty in assisting to 
build up the country around iiim, and by his in- 
fluence encouraged the march of emigration and 
the establishment of e<lucational and religious in- 
stitutions. « 



JOHN BKRTELS is senior member of the 
firm of Bertels & StoU, tile manufacturers of 
Lexington. The Lexington Tile Works, by 
which name this business is familiarly known, 
was established in the spring of 1883. The factory 
is one of the best of its kind in this part of the 
State and equipped with the latest improved ma- 
chinery. The propelling power is a forty-horse 
power engine which was manufactured in Peoria 
by Nicholas Burr, and the capacity of the works is 
about 750,000 feet of tile annually. They have 
three kilns, each holding about 12,000 feet of four- 
inch tile. There is a constant honu' demand for 



i 



* 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1011 



I 



the products of the factory ami it will bear fair 
comparison with any in the West. 

Mr. Bertels was formerly engaged in the manu- 
facture of brick, his yards being located in the 
south part of the town, and he furnished material 
for the construction of some of the most important 
buildings in and around Lexington. His systematic 
methods of doing business and his excellent per- 
sonal traits of character have gained him many 
friends in this vicinity and he is widely known as 
a valuable factor in the business and industrial in- 
terests of this p.art of McLean County. 

Our subject is a native of the (German Empire 
and was born ou a farm May 4, 11S37. His father, 
Henry B. Bertels. also of (German birth and an- 
cestry', and his mother, Lovisa (Jravelok, were the 
p.arents of three children, two sons and one daugh- 
ter, our subject being the second born. Thej' were 
all placed in school when six years of age and con- 
tinued for a number of years. 

When fourteen years old our subject began to 
learn brick-making, serving an apprenticeship of 
three 3ears. At the age of twenty he embarked 
upon the sailing-vessel "Von Stine," bound for New 
York Cit3', and after a voyarge of seven weeks ar- 
rived at his destination and at once set out for the 
West. After arriving in McLean County he was 
out of funds, but that did not frighten him .as he 
had his strong hands and his willing and courageous 
spirit, and soon found employment with a farmer, 
Jacob C. Mahan, where he remained for six yeais — 
a good recommendation botii for master and man. 
Here our subject w.as principally engaged cultiv.at- 
ing the soil in summer and feeding cattle during 
the winter. In the meantime he had been married 
to Miss P^liz.abeth Helnier, a native of his own 
eountr}- and the daughter of John Helmer, also of 
German birth and ancestry. Mrs. B. came to this 
countrj' with her parents when a young girl. Mr. 
Bertels then removed into the town of Lexington, 
where he opened a brick-yard near where the C. & 
A. R. R. crosses Mackinaw Creek. He began in a 
modest way and was prospered in his undertaking, 
his business some years aggregating 1,. 500, 000 brick 
annually, which he shipped to Chicago and other 
points. In 1871 he shipped 300,000 brick, for 
which he received ^IG per thousand delivered in 
4* 



the city. He continued his manufactory until 1883, 
and then established the tile works which he now 
operates, their manufacture at present being mostly 
for home use. 

Mr. Bertels, besides his town property, has a 
neat little farm of fifty-five .acres, upon which is lo- 
cated his residence and where he uses four teams in 
carrying on its operations, and that of the f.actory. 
The family of our subject and his wife at present 
consists of three sons: August, now of Nebraska; 
Edward, a clerk in the store of J. C. Mahan in 
l^exington, and Benjamin, who does business with 
his father; one child died in infancy. 

Mr. Bertels and his wife are members of the 
Catholic Chni'ch, and socially our subject belongs to 
McLean Lodge No. --'OC, I. O. O. F., and to the 
Encampment. 

— =- "• — .— tS»— . — ■ •■' - ~~ 



EV. HENRY O. HOFFMAN, pastor of the 
'V^-^ Independent Church of Bloomington, is a 
l41s \\\ native of Ohio, and was born in the vill.age 
^^of Birmingham, Erie County, July 18, 
183G. He is the son of Henry Hoffman, Esq., an 
attorney at law and Justice of the Peace, and his 
mother was, before her marriage. Miss Frances 
Reid, .also a native of the Empire State. Tlie 
Iloffmans were of (iermau extraction, the grand- 
father, Peter II., having been a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. The Reids were of New England and of 
English descent. 

The father of our subject removed from Ohio to 
Indiana, when Henry of our sketch w.as about 
eleven j'ears of age, and settled in Crawfordsville, 
where he followed merchandising, but subsequently 
removed to Alontgomerj- Count3', where he died in 
1882. The affection.ate wife and mother had closed 
her eyes to earthly scenes while still a young woman, 
her husb.and surviving her thirtj'-flve years. Their 
family included five children, four sons and one 
daughter, all living. 

Henry O. Hoffman was the third child of his 
parents and passed his youth in Montgomery 
County, Ind., where his father owned a farm. With 
his brothers, he was reared to agricultural pursuits 



i 



t 



<^ 



1 



1012 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



and received his primary education in the common 
schools, after which he entered Thorntown Academy, 
where he pursued a thorough course of study for 
two years. Tiieii, in 1855, he entered the ministry, 
his first experience being on Lei^anon Circuit, in 
Boone County, Ind. He was next sent to the Nor- 
thern part of the State, and after making several 
removals, was appointed Cluiphiin of the 17th In- 
diana Infantry. 

At the close of the war he was sent .South to 
assist in the reconstruction of the ISIethodist Epis- 
copal Church and was tlius occupied for three 
years, being afterward appointed general agent of 
the Freedman's Aid Society, which duties led him 
over a large liact of territory. He was then trans- 
ferred to tlic Illinois Conference aTid stationed at 
Stapps C'hai)el, in Decatur, whence, after two years, 
he was appointed to Rushville, and the following 
j'ear to Cjuincy, next to Hillsboro, and finally to 
Bloomington, his iiresent charge. 

In early manhood Mr. Hoffman was married to 
Miss Anna Perry, a desci^ndant of Commodore 
I'erry. Tiiis lad_y died in 1882, leaving two sons — 
II. II., who is one of the staff of the ErciiiiKj Jmir- 
nal of Detroit, and II. K., at home. 

Mr. Hoffman was married to his present wife, 
Mrs. .Jeannctte Raymond, on the 1th of January, 
188(;. She is the daughter of E. Burdette of Litch- 
field, 111., and the widow of George M. Raymond. 



■«~'\>T.-vtiJ£a-i5-^^-J' 



i^g|,5)/J3?r>\^ -WN/v 




TIMOTHY KRAFT is another of those 
thrifty German citizens who have done so 
much toward the progress and advancement, 
not only of this county, but of the different States 
of the I'liion. Coming to this county poor in 
pocket and homeless, as a rule their aim has always 
been to procure a home for themselves and fami- 
lies, and in a majority of cases they have suc- 
ceeded. Our suliject is a self-made; man in every 
respect the word implies, and what he has of this 
world's goods has been acquired through his own 
indomitable energy and perseverance. He is pleas- 
antly located on his large, productive am) valua- 
ble farm on section 3, Towanda Township, where 
he is surrounded by everything necessary for the 



carrying on of his vocation, and where he also has 
a pleasant home. His parents, Joseph and Mary 
(Fordenbarch) Kraft, were natives of Germany. 
The father was a weaver by trade, and in accord- 
ance with the laws of his country, served six _vears 
in the army, as a cavalryman. Both heads of the 
family died in their native land. They had fonr 
children who lived to attain the age of maturity, 
of which number our subject was the youngest. 

Timothy Kraft was born in Attenau, Baden, Ger- 
many, July 2, 1832. He lived in his native land 
until twenty-two years of age, and there learned 
the potter's trade, working at the same for about 
five years. In 1854 our subject, hoping to better 
his financial condition emigrated to the United 
States, and for five years thereafter was a resident 
of Montgomery Comity, Ohio. The first year of 
his residence there he worked out by the month, 
but the second year rented a small farm, and con- 
tinued farming in that county until the fall of 
1860. During the fall of that year he came to 
McLean County, and buying eighty acres of land 
on section 3, Towanda Township, settled upon it 
and has since made it his home. Since his first set- 
tlement in Towanda Township he has labored hard 
and economized, .•nid in consequence thereof was 
enabled to add to his original purch.ase until he 
owned COO acres, of which he still retains 440, hav- 
ing recently sold 1 (!() acres to his son. He is one 
of the most progressive farmers, not only of To- 
wanda Township, but of McLean Comity. He 
keeps about fifteen hcnd of horses and eighty head 
of cattle on his place, and fattens some forty head 
of hogs annually for the market. He also raises 
about 7,000 bushels of (H)rn besides several tlious- 
and bushels of oats on his place every year, and is 
meeting with signal success in the prosecution of a 
vocation he has followed thus far in life. A view 
of his residence and surromidings is shown in this 
work. 

Mr. Kraft was married, March 5, 1850, in ]Mont- 
gomery County, Ohio, to Miss Walburg, daughter 
of (,'ornclius and Noteburg (Schneider) Hurley, na- 
tives of Baden, Germany, in which country the fa- 
ther was engaged in the lumber business, and where 
both died. The parents had four children, and 
jNlis. Kraft was the third in order of birth. She 



-► ^ ■» 



i 



i 



J, 



t 



<^ 



•McLean county. 



1015 



first saw light in Germany Nov. 28, 1836, and her 
union with our subjeet lias been blest by the birth 
of seven children — Sarah A., Charles, Daniel W., 
Cornelius, Frank, William and Lula M. Frank 
died when three years old; Sarah is the wife of Lee 
Hase, and they are residents of Towanda Township. 
]Mr. Kraft has held the office of School Director, 
and he and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he has been Trustee 
for inanj^ years. In jtolitics he is a stanch Repub- 
lican. 



^- 




•"t 



jOBERT M. HOPKINS, a prominent and 
successful farmer of Lexington Township, 
is pleasantly located on section 3'2, where 
)he is following his peaceful calling in a 
satisfactory and advantageous m.anner. Mr. Hop- 
kins was born in Owen Count^^ Ind., Feb. (J, 
1830, on the farm of his father, Patrick Hopkins. 
The latter was a native of Sussex Count}', Del., 
born June 7, 1799, being the son of Rol)ert Hop- 
kins, Sr., who was of Welsh descent and married 
Miss Nancy Spence, a lady of Scottish ancestry, 
and they were among the early settlers of Dela- 
ware. The mother of our subject, formerly Miss 
Mar}' Bartholomew, of Chirk County, Ind., and the 
daughter of Joseph Bartholemew, was married 
to Patrick Hopkins in 1 820. She departed this 
life when her son Robert, of our sketch, was but 
nine years of age. The grandfather of our subject 
was a General under Wayne in the Black Hawk 
War and being well versed in Indian warfare w.as 
given a responsible position on the frontier, where 
most of his life was spent and where he obtained 
an intimate knowledge of Indi.an customs, trickery 
and cunning. 

Patrick Hopkins, the father of our subject, re- 
moved from his native State to Kentucky with his 
parents when but seven years of age. When fifteen 
years old, he went to Indiana, where he remained 
for three years, and then returned to Kentucky, 
where he engaged as a brick-mason until 1820. He 
then returned to Indiana, where lie married as be- 
fore stated and remained in Owen County for ten 
years following. Then, in 1830, lie pushed further 



westward into Illinois and settled on the Mackinaw 
River in this county, where he remained until his 
death, which occurred in 1874. During his resi- 
dence here he had engaged in farming and working 
at his trade alternately. His first wife had preceded 
him to the better land thirty -five years, her death 
occurring in 1839. Of this marriage there were 
born five children, two sons and three daughters: 
Joseph H., who was married three times, died in 
1878 in Missouri; Nancy A. married William M. 
Smith of Lexington; Elizabeth became the wife of 
Henrj"^ Hefner and they live in Seattle, Wash. Ter. ; 
Robert, of our sketch, was the fourth child; Mary 
E. married F. M. Bowers, and died in Febru- 
ary, 1885. 

The subjeet of this history was an infant of six 
months old wlien he was brought by his parents to 
McLean County. He was reared on his father's 
farm and attended the pioneer schools, and when 
twenty-six j'ears of age was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary L., the daughter of John W. and 
May (Harper) Smith, a niece of Milton Smith, Esq. 

Tiie father and mother of Mrs. Hopkins were na- 
tives of Ohio. The father was born in Madison 
County in 1815 and the mother in Fairfield County, 
in 1821. They came to McLean County in 185G, 
locating first in Bloomington, thence to Livingston, 
where they departed this life, the father dying in 
1883 and the motlier in February, 1885. The 
maiden name of the mother was May Smith, 
daughter of Benjamin and Rachel (Thistlewood) 
Smith. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. II. set- 
tled upon the present homestead of our subject. 
Mrs. Hopkins died in 1863, leaving two children, 
one of whom, William G., died in infancy ; Charles 
C. married Miss Ettie Lily, and lives in Lexington 
Township. 

Mr. Hopkins was a second time married, to Miss 
Letetia Lily, in December, 1865. She is the daugh- 
ter of John and Mary Lily, witii whom she came 
to McLean County when a maiden of sixteen years. 
She was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1847. 
Of this marri.age there have been born five chil- 
dren — Orange J., Mary E., Ann E., Theodocia E. 
and Bertha. The homestead of Mr. Hopkins and 
his family is finely located, with good farm build- 
ings whicii are kept in fine repair. The farm is 



-^r 



t. 



■<' — 

i016 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



well stocked witli the good grades of domestic 
aniranls and Mr. H. of late has turned his attention 
to the breeding, purchase and sale of Norman and 
Clydesdale horses, keeping an average of about six- 
teen head. 

Mr. and Mrs. II. are members in good standing 
of the Metliodist Episcopal Church, of which our 
subject is a Steward. Politically Mr. H. affiliates 
with the Republican party, having been formerly 
an old-line Whig. He is a strong temperance man 
and casts the weight of his influence against the 
sale and manufacture of spirituous liquors. 

Mr. Hopkins is worthy to be cl.assed among the 
representative men of McLean County, notwith- 
standing that no district in this State contains a 
better social and business element than it does, 
Being a man of such character and reputation, we 
take pleasure in presenting his portrait in this 
volume. 



--j»»^- 



<^*c^ 



I 



VP. BROPIIY, Treasurer and (ieneral Super- 
intendent of the Bloomington Stove Com- 
pau}', is not only an important factor of 
tlie business of that concern, but is recognized as 
one of the most cnteri)rising men of the city. The 
company over which he presides was established in 
1870, and is located on the " Y " of the C. & A. 
R. R. ; it manufactures all kinds of cooking, heat- 
ing and parlor stoves. 

Mr. Brophy is a native of P^ast Dorset, Benning- 
ton Co., \'t., and was born April 1), 1S27. lie is 
the son of Patrick and Lydia (Albee) Brophy, na- 
tives resi)ectively of Ireland and X'ermont. The 
father of our subject was sent as asoldicr to Canada, 
and ordered back after a service of one or two 
years, lie remained in the army live years alto- 
gether, being then only eighteen years old. After 
leaving the service he returned to America as a 
private citizen, in about l.SKi, and settled in Ben- 
nington County. Vt., where he engaged in f.arming 
pursuits nn.,il his dcatii in l.S(i2, and there the 
mother died six jears later. Their family included 
seven children, six of whom are still living: John 
M., of West Troy, N. Y.; Alonzo and Harvey A., 
of East J^orset, N't. ; Mary, Mrs. William H. 



Lampher, of Land Grove, Vt. ; Rhoda E., Mrs. 
James E. Frazier, of Londonderry, and W. P., of 
our sketch. 

The time of our suliject up to the age of four- 
teen years was spent on the farm and in attendance 
at the district school. He then went to Troy, 
N. Y., and learned the stove-foundry business, 
after which he worked a short time as journej-man, 
and in 1859 accepted a position as Superintendent, 
where he remained until the spring of 1867. He 
then went to .Salem, Ohio, and established a stove 
foundry, which he operated for three j'ears. He 
then sold out there and came to Bloomington, 
where he was iiistruraental in organizing and estab- 
lishing the present comp.any, .and has contribnted 
materially to the subsequent success of the under- 
taking. The works employ about forty men. The 
original building, which was built of brick, was 
68x48 feet in area, and three stories in height; the 
foundry, 4<)xl20 feet. To this w.as afterward added 
a building 40x60 feet, and for the offices and ware- 
house they put np another 48x60, with three sto- 
ries. The [lattern storeroom is 2.5x50 feet, also 
of brick. All the buildings are good and substan- 
tial structures and finely adapted to the business. 

Mr. Brophy was married in 1850, to Miss Mary 
K. Brower, of Troy, N. Y., and they became the 
parents of two children — Dora and Isabel. The 
foriner, Mrs. Harvey Butts, of Green Bay, Wis., is 
the mother of one child, Willie; Isabel is the wife 
of George Ijams, of Dodge City, Kan. The pleas- 
ant home of our subject and his f.amily is located 
on Division street, where he owns six lots with 
good improvements. He is prominently connected 
with the business affairs of this communit}', and 
the encourager of every enterprise calculated to 
advance its importance and prosperity. In July, 
1886, he was elected as a Director of the Building, 
Saving and Loan As.sociation. He was one of the 
original organizers of the same in 1882, and n stock- 
holder. Socially he belongs to the IMasonic fra- 
ternity, ijolilicall^- a Republican, and religiously is 
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Cluircli, 
and is one of its most worth}" members. 

An excellent type of the business man of to-day 
is fc>und in the person of Mr. Brophy. He is known 
to be a man of undf)ubted integrity ami substan- 




-•►■-^ 



a 



<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



101? 



N 




tial business ability, and we take pleasm-e in pre- 
senting his portrait in this volume, whicii is made 
from a recent photograph. 



*-J»t^;^^ 



,,,, DOLPIIUS DILLON, of the firm of Dill(m 
WRM & llriglit, importers and lircoders of 
Frencli draft horses, is a prominent mem- 
ber of that well-knovvn family. The firm 
are widely and favorabl.y known as being skillful 
in their business, and furnish to this and various 
other States some of the Hnest horses bred in the 
United States. 

Tlie subject of this history is the son of Elias 
and Martha (Fisher) Dillon, and was born in Taze- 
well County, 111., Oct. 2.s, 1849. Ilis boyhood and 
youtli were passed upon llie farm, and he attended 
tiie common schools until 18G4. Then, when a 
youth of llftccn years, the family removed to 
lih.xjmington, where our suljject for a time at- 
tended the city schools, and began to turn his at- 
tention to Inisiness matters. In 1872 he lieeame a 
member of tiie firm of E. Dillon & Co., who were 
engaged in importing French draft horses, and this 
partnership continued for ten .years, after which 
our subject continued alone, although ostensibl}' 
operating as Dillon & Bright. 

Mr. Dillon in 1873 took a trip to France, where 
he obtained a valuable acquisition to his store of 
knowledge concerning the treatmentand develop- 
ment of the noblest animal which treads the face of 
the earth. He takes pride in his achievements as 
connected with his particular branch of business, 
and is ambitious to excel. Aside from his prop- 
erty in Normal, with its convenient stables and 
otiier appliances necessary to ids business, he owns 
a fine stock farm of 130 acres, his landed area in 
all embracing 500 acres. Of this ICO acres lie in 
Logan County, 210 in McLean, and a quarter sec- 
tion in the State of Nebraska. 

The subject of our sketcli was married in No- 
vember, 1873, to Miss Paulina, daughter of Will- 
iam S. Britt, Esq., of Logan County, 111., in which 
county Mrs. Dillon was born, in 1850. Of this 
union there are three cluldren — Ilarlen, Myrtie and 
Bessie. Mr. D. and his family occupy a beautiful 



I 



residence, and are surrounded by all the comforts 
and many of the luxuries of life. They are regu- 
lar attendants of the Christian Church, and politi- 
cally our subject simply goes to the polls and casts 
his vote for the men who, in his judgment, pos- 
sess the qualities best fitted to make them honest 
and conscientious offlee-holders. Mr. D. quietly 
observes that his own business keeps him constantly 
emjjloyed, and he has little time to attend to that 



of others. 



--^>-^^^>^^i;^^^^^7<^^ 




\f54^ ENIS MULCAIIY, deceased, was a pros- 
perous and prominent farmer of Bloom- 
ington Township, of which he had been a 
resident for a period of thirty-five years. 
He was a man of great energy and industry, honest 
and upriglit in his transactions, and possessed in a 
marked degree the impulsive and generous character 
whicli is a characteristic of the Celtic race. Besides 
the homestead whicli he had established by the ex- 
ercise of his native energy and industry, he was 
also the owner of valuable property one mile from 
the city limits of Bloomington. 

The sul^ject of this history was born in Water- 
ford County, Ireland, and departed this life in 
Bloomington Township on the 'jth of March, 187C, 
at about the age of seventy-three years. He was 
reared in his native county, received a limited edu- 
cation in the common schools, and after attaining 
to years of manhood was united in marriage with 
Miss Catharine Fitzpatrick, of Tipperary County, 
and of pure Irish ancestry. After the birth of 
several children Mr. Mulcahy, not being satisfied 
with his condition or prospects in his native Ireland, 
determined to seek Ins fortunes in the New World, 
and accordingly set sail for the United States, ac- 
companied by his wife and children. Tiiey made 
their first location in Oliio, about sixteen miles 
from Cincinnati, where they remained for four 
years and then moved to Illinois, locating at once 
in Bloomington Township, this county, and here 
the mother is yet living with her children. 

The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Mulcahy 
included four children, one of whom is deceased. 
Bridget, the wife of M. Donohue, is a resident of 
Bloomington, her husband having been connected 



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4 



1018 



McLean county. 



with the Illinois Central Railroad but is now re- 
tired from active labor; Micliael M. married Miss 
Ellen M. Welch, a natives of the South of Ireland, 
and they have become the parents of two children — 
Katie and Denis; tliis son was born in Tipperary 
County. Ireland, March C. 1849. and was but a 
child when his father and mother came to the 
United States. Denis A. is engaged in farming 
and lives on the old homestead with his brother; 
he was born in McLean County, April 10, 1858, 
and on Christmas Day, 1 882, w.as married in Blooni- 
ington to Miss Anna Farrel,a native of Westmeath 
County, Ireland. She was twenty years old when 
she came to the United States with her uncle. 
They have become the parents of one child, a 
daughter — Agnes. The family are all ailherents 
to the Catholic faith of their fathers. In politics 
Michael M. is Republican, and Denis A. afliliates 
with the Democracy. 

The mother of the family by her first marriage, 
with Joseph Maxey, became the mother of four 
children, two of whom, Bridget and Joseph, are 
living; the former was married to P. 15. Welch, 
who is carrying on the grocerj' trade in Blooming- 
ton ; Joseph married Miss Cathrena Lahey, and is 
employed in the shop.s of the Chicago & Alton 



Railroad. 



-J»t>*^>s3>>^^<^;*f-.<5c^ 



I 



'\~] RA MUNSON, a prominent and intlucntial resi- 
dent of Randolph Township, has been closely 
identified with its histor}' for a period of fifty 
years, anil has full}' established himself in the con- 
fidence and est('(^ni of his fellow-townsmen. The 
Munson family came from England, first settling 
in Connecticut, and from a few descendants the 
family became one of tlie largest and most [iromi- 
nent in New England. They came over to the 
New World many yc^.ars before the breaking out of 
the Revolutionary War. The great-grandfather of 
our sul)ject, whose name is believed to have been 
Stephen, went from Connecticut to New Jersey in 
company with another brother. 

Stephen Munson was the father of a large family, 
who were mostly l)oys, and when the war was de- 
clared between the Colonies and England he and 
his sons, five or six in nund)er, were among the 



first to enlist in the cause of liberty. Stephen 
Munson w.as given a Captain's commission, and 
with his sons remained in service until the success 
of the Colonies was assured. They alj escaped un- 
harmed and lived to return to their home. Capt. 
Munson afterward engaged in farming i)ursuits, 
and remained in New Jersey until his death. One 
of these sons, Solomon, was the grandfather of our 
subject. He located in Morris County, N. J., near 
his father's old homestead, and died about the age 
of fifty-five. His wife, formerly Miss Lucy Ball, 
w.as of New England birth and parentage, and by her 
union with Solomon Munson became the mother 
of nine children, seven sons .and two daughters. 
John, the second child, w.as the father of our sub- 
ject, lie was reared and married in his native 
county. His wife, formed}' Miss Sus.an Hopping, 
w.as born of parents who were natives of Long Isl- 
and, as were her grandparents. They all after- 
ward removed to Morris County, N. J., being 
among its early settlers, .and there their lives ter- 
minated. 

The father of our subject, John Munson, w.as a 
plasterer, stonemason and brickl.ayor, and fc^llowed 
his trade in New York City some time before his 
marriage. He removed from the city, however, 
on .account of yellow fever, and returning to his 
native county in New Jersey w.as there soon after- 
ward married. In Morris County, also, six chil- 
dren were bt)rn, our subject being the second, and 
his birth occurring Fel>. l;i, 1808. The family 
emigrated from New Jorse\' to Hamilton County, 
Ohio, in 1818. This section of country w.as then 
mostly in its original condition, and their journey 
Lay over rough and muddy roads, with sonu^times 
no road at all. The father w.as poor in purse hut 
possessed a resolute and determined disposition, 
.and by following his trade and keeping a house 
open to travelers, provided a comfortahie home for 
his family and saved up something for a rainy day. 
There he p.assed the remainder of his life and died 
in White Water Township in 1840, aged about 
fifty-five years. The faithful wife and mother, who 
had cheerfully shared the labors and anxieties of 
her husband, removed after his death to Illinois, 
and died in ISinniinglon in October, 1862, at the 
age of seventy-seven years. In addition to the six 



•^■-4« 



I 



t. 



-^•- 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



1019 






children born in New Jersey tliree daughters were 
added to tlie iiousehold circle after they removed 
to Hamilton County, Ohio. There are yet living: 
Ira, our subject; Malinda, who lived with her 
lirother and sister several years, being unmarried ; 
Ludisa, the wife of Aaron Kitchell, of Blooming- 
ton, and Ann is married to Thomas J. Lucas, of 
Lawrenceburg, Ind. The average age ()f these is 
seventy-two years. 

The subject of this history was a lad ten years 
of age when his father removed from New Jersey 
to Ohio, lie remained under the parental roof un- 
til twenty-nine years old and learned the trade of 
his father wiiile yet a youth. On the 1st of March, 
1837, he left liis home and came to Illinois, locat- 
ing in Randolph Township, and on the 10th of De- 
cember, 1847, was united in marriage near Hey- 
worth, to Miss Sarah J. Noble, who was a native of 
Hamilton County, Ohio, and born Feb 11, 1820. 
.She came to Illinois with iier parents, David and 
Rebecca (Karr) Noble, in 1831. Her father was 
one of the first white children born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio. Her mother was a native of New Jersey, of 
New England ancestry. After coming to this State 
they settled on a farm in Randolph Township, and 
passed the remainder of their days near Heyworth. 

Mrs. Munson was the second child of a family of 
four sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet 
living except one who died in infancy. By her 
union with our subject she became the mother of 
eight children, tlie record of whom is as follows: 
John died at the age of twenty-six years : the next 
was an infant who died unnamed; William married 
JMiss Amanda J. Scogin (see sketch); Henry died 
at the age of twenty-two years; Charles married 
Miss Anna McCarty, and they live in this town ■ 
siiip; an infant girl also died unnamed; Ann be- 
came tlie wife of Isaac Stround, who is now de- 
ceased, and she lives with her parents; George is 
unmarried. 

The homestead of our subject and his family is 
one of the best in Randolph Township. It is beau- 
tifully located and commands a fine view of the 
surrounding country. The farm estate consists of 
403^ acres, finely improved and cultivated, em- 
bellished with a good dwelling, and compact and 
tasteful out-buildings. In politics Mr. Munson is 

-4^ 



a Republican, strong and steadfast in the principles 
of the party. Mrs. Munson is a memlier of the 
Christian Church. 

The grandmother of our subject was formerly 
Mrs. Betty (Looker) Hoi)pin, whose brother, Otho 
Neal, was elected Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, 
and became Governor by the death of the reg- 
ular Executive. 




OSES COCHRAN, a well-to-do and suc- 
cessful farmer, living on section 10, Lex- 
ington Township, is a son of George and 
Catherine (Hoe) Cochran, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. The parents were married and set- 
tled in Shippensburg, Pa., whence in- December, 
1828, they removed to Clarke County, Ohio, where 
they continued to reside until their death. The fa- 
ther was a farmer by occupation and followed his 
calling during life. He and his good wife were the 
parents of four children — Aaron, Moses, Samuel and 
George. Aaron is a farmer and resides in Cedar, 
Mo. ; Samuel is an attorney at law and engaged 
in the practice of his profession at Chicago; 
(ieorge died in Ohio when in his twenty-third year; 
his demise was caused by an accident while gath- 
ering apples, he falling from the tree and receiving 
such serious injuries as to cause his death. 

Moses Cochran was born in Clarke Count3', 
Ohio, April 15, 1829. He received his education 
there in the common schools, and was there reared 
to manhood on a farm. On attaining his majority 
in 1850 he came to this county, and for two years 
worked out by the month, at % 12 per month. He 
then bought forty acres of land in Lexington 
Township, on which he settled and where he has 
since lived. He is now the owner of 280 acres of 
valuable land which he has acquired through his 
own energy and good judgment. When he liought 
his first forty acres, which cost him $400, he only 
had $300 with which to make a payment upon it, 
and he made the trip back to Columbus, Ohio, on 
horseback during the winter season to borrow the 
other $100 with which to finish paying for his land. 
Mr. Cochran of this notice was married in Lex- 
ington Township, June 15, 1852, to Miss Margaret 



i 



u 



i '1020 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






J., daughter of Perry and Sarah (Smalloy) Listen, 
natives of England and Ohio respectively. Her 
parents died in Ohio, and Mrs. Cochran came to 
IMcLean County with the late David Smalley, lier 
uncle. She was born in Adams Count}'. Ohio, Fi^b. 
C, 1831, and by her union witii our subject has be- 
come the mother of nine children, seven of whom 
are living, namely, Martha ,T.. Ilasconi, Kate, Sam- 
uel, John W., M. Grant and \Villiani. Martha is the 
wife of William Crum, and tiiey are living in Lex- 
ington Township; Bascom was married in Dakota, 
and is a resident of that Territory ; Kate is living 
at home; Samuel is a farmer in Ncbr.aska, as 
likewise is .John W. ; iNL (irant and William are 
living on the old homestend. Mrs. Cochran de- 
parted this life in Lexington Township, May 2, 
1881. Our subject has held the ollice of School 
Director for nine years, and that of Road Commis- 
sioner for six years. He is Republican in politics. 
Religiously ho holds fellowship with the Methodist 
Episcop.'d Church, as likewise did his good wife. 



^I^^'-* 



^ j^Hd.IAM 11. SIH'.IMIKRD, editor and i)ro- 
\^// l)rietor of the Lexington J{i'uivii\ which 
V^ was established by himself and S. A. Stark 
in April, 1883, is conducting this journal with abil- 
ity' and success, so that it has become an indispens- 
able factor in the business interests of the town. 
Our subject puichased the interest of his partner 
at the end of tiie lirst year, and has since conducted 
the paper alone. It is a neat .and handsomely 
printed folio of seven columns, has a good circula- 
tion, and is high-toned and lirsl-class in every re- 
spect. In conneclioM with (his he has one of the 
best eipiipped country job ollices in the State, and 
turns out annually a t;()odl3' amount of job [iriut- 
ing. The paper is independent in politics and de- 
voted to the interests of the town and the section 
of country from which it receives its patronage. 

At the time Mr. Sliepherd beg.'in the iiublication 
of the ReoiPir he had no exjierience as a writer or 
publisher, and the newsi>aper business at Lexing- 
ton having met with f.iilurcs heretofore, was at a 



f 



-^^ 



low ebb and regarded with little favor. It had 
been undertaken by parties who possessed l)oth ex- 
perience and ability, and when the lievieir was es- 
tablished its early failure was predicted. Mr. Shep- 
herd, however, was possessed of great energy and 
resolution and deterinine<l to profit by the mistakes 
which had caused the failuios of his predecessors. 
It must not be supposed that he met with no dilli- 
culties and that all was plain sailing, but he de- 
serves great credit for the determination which has 
led him to success. He has proven himself a 
writer of force and abilit}', and in the mechanical 
de|)artment has proven himself erpial to most [irac- 
tical printers. His job department is crpiipped 
with all necessary material and machinery for the 
execution of plain and fancy printing, and his 
patrons receive jiiompt service and courteous 
treatment. Socially he is one of those genial and 
whole-hearted men who make friends wherever 
the}' are, and in all respects he occupies an enviable 
position in his conimuuity. 

Mr. Shci)lierd w;is born in Sardinia, Brown Co., 
Ohio, April (i, IS,")"). His [larcnts were David D. 
and Margaret .1. Shepherd, and the former died 
when William II. was but eight years of age, leav- 
ing the mother with three boys. The youthful 
daj's of our subject were passed partly upon the 
farm and partly in town. Two years after the 
death of his father he went to live wilh Mr. .-uid 
Mrs. John McNeely, near Sardinia, with whom he 
remained al)out three years and attended the com- 
mon school, and two years afterward he lived with 
a relative on the farm. In the spring of 1870 his 
mother with her three l)oys came to Illinois, and 
settled in Lexington, where our subject resumed 
his school studies during the winter seasons and 
worked on a farm in summer. In 1872 he entered 
the law ollice of I.saac S. Malian, where he was clerk 
for one j'car, and was then eniplojed in the dry- 
goods store of Dement i\r Co. for the following 
j'car. He then I'ctin'ued to Mr. Mahan's ollice and 
began reading law, and was afterward taken into 
partneiship with .Mr. Mahan and engaged with him 
in the real-estate, loan and insurance business. 
The}' operated together for two 3' ears, and then 
Mr. Shepherd carried on business for himself in the 
same line for three j'cars. He once nH)re returned 



i 



1 



' ^m ^* 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1021 




to Mr. Mahaii, witli whom lie reiiuuiicd until he 
decided to estnblish his newsiKiper. 

Mr. Shepherd was married in Decemlier, 18S3, 
to Miss Edith Mahan, who was fornunly a resident 
of Lexington, but later of Kansas. They have a 
pleasant and attractive home and enjoy the society 
and esteem of many friends. 

^^IIOMAS J. GRIMSLEY, one of the early set- 
tlers of Lexington Township, and yet a resi- 
dent of the .same, where he is engaged in 
general farming and the raising of stock, was born 
in Boone County, Ky., May 15, 1832. His father, 
John B. Grimsley, was born in Culpeper County, 
Va., May 16, 1800, and the patern.al grandfather 
of our subject was .James G rimsley. The Grimsley 
family are of Irish descent, and were among the 
first settlers of Virginia. Our subject's father was 
united in marriage with Miss .lulia A. Johnson, of 
Boone Count}-, Ky. Her father was Ilezekiah 
Johnson, a native of Maryland, whence he removed 
to Kentucky when a young man. The Johnson 
family were of F'rcnch extraction, and after John 
B. Grimsley had married Miss .Johnson he settled 
in Boone County Ky., and engaged in farming. 
He had, however, during his younger days been 
engaged as a pilot on tlie Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers. He reared a family of six children, two 
by his first wife and four by his second marriage. 

Thomas J. Grimsley was one of two children 
born to his father by his first marriage, Elizabeth 
J. being the other. Of the second marriage three 
of the children are living, namely, Russell R., jMary 
E. and William W., all of whom reside in Ken- 
tucky. Our subject was educated in the common 
schools of Boone County, and was reared to man- 
hood on his father's farm. In September, 1852, 
he came to this county yet a single man. The 
journey was made in company with his brother-in- 
law, William K. Smith, with whom he made his 
home until 185G. He was then married to Martha 
A. Fowler, the daughter of Washington and Martha 
L. Fowler, whose mother had emigrated from Ken- 
» tucky to this county in 1854, her father having 
, T died in the latter-named State. After our sub- 

T 



ject's marriage he settled where he is at present liv- 
ing, on section 26, Lexington Township. At that 
time he had but a little improved land, but now 
has three forties, one on section 23, one on 25 and 
one on 2G, all of it being in a body and under an 
advanced state of cultivation. After improving 
his farm he began buying hogs and cattle, and has 
been more or less connected with that industry 
since he has resided here. 

Mr. Grimslc}' .and wife had nine children, six 
s<;)ns and three daughters, live of whom are living at 
this writing. Charles C. married Louie Wondorlin, 
and they have a daughter, Iva; Mary E. died when 
thirteen months old : Richard W. married Laura .1. 
Williams, and they have a son, Benona; Nathaniel 
died when almut a year and eight months eld; Ben- 
jamin A. is deceased ; Fannie L. is the wife of Bazil D. 
Starkejsand they have a daughter, Delia; William I. 
is deceased, and John B. and Nannie A. are living at 
home. Mr. ( irimsley and wife are members of the 
Baptist Church, having joined that denomination 
some twenty-five years ago. In politics he is a 
Democrat. 



LBERTOGDEN, a progressive farmer of 
McLean County, and living on section U, 
Money Creek Township, is the son of 
Samuel and Nancy (Vandolah) Ogden, the 
of whom has a sketch elsewhere in this 
Albert Ogden is a native of this count}' and 
was born in Money Creek Township, Jan. 9, 1838. 
Here he received his education and continued an 
inmate of the parental home, engaged the while in 
farming, until his marriage. His }• ears thus far in 
life have been devoted to agricultural pursuits and 
he is at present the owner of 100 acres of valuable 
and productive land where he is living. He has 
first-class improvements on his place, and as a tiller 
of the soil is meeting with that success which ener- 
getic effort is sure to bring. A good view of his 
residence is given in this work. 

INIr. Ogden was married in Bloomington, March 
8, 18G0, to Miss Sarah C, daughter of Thomas and 
Elizabeth (McNaught) Pirtle. Her parents settled 
in Money Creek Township at an early day and 
there lived until their death, his demise occurring 




former 
work. 



■^•- 



->-*-^ 



I 






1022 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



I 



Dec. 12, 1865, and hers J.-in. 25,188.'). Mr. and 
Mrs. Pirtle became the parents of the following 
children: Ezra S., Hariett A., .John M., James B.. 
Sarah C, Mary E. and Thomas M. Mrs. Ogden 
was horn in Owen County, Ind., Jul}' 21, 1843, 
and by her union witli our subject has become the 
mother of twelve children. They are named, Aura 
O., Ella E., Elmon ()., Dolly E., Mary J., Stella A., 
Nora E., Pearl A., Coral A., \'ern:i, P^arnest and 
Tressie C. Aura istiie wife of Enos Trimmer, and 
they are living in Money Creek Township; Ella was 
united in marriage with Manford Trinnnor, and thej' 
also reside in Mone}' Creek Township; Mary J. 
and Verna are deceased. Mr. Ogden has been 
the incumbent of the office of Overseer of High- 
ways, School Director and Highway Commissioner, 
and in politics is a Democrat. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternitj' and in religion his 
good wife holds fellowship with the Christian 
Churcii. 

i^\ TEPIIEN B. HOUGHTON, a retired far- 
mer of McLean County, is now a resident 
(if Bloomington, occupying a handsome 
and commodious dwelling on East Eront 
street. No. 009. He is one of the representative 
men of this locality who have worked their way up 
to an enviable position in the community and 
acquired a competency throiigli tiieir own merits 
and by the exercise of industr}- and perseverance. 
He has been a resident of the Prairie State since 
1845, and h.is watclicd its prosperity with the 
greatest satisfaction while mX the same time he h.as 
contributed his share toward advancing it to its 
present position among tlie commonwealths of the 
West. 

Mr. Houghton is a native of Muskingum County, 
Ohio, and was born May 12, 1.S27. His parents 
were Richard and Sarah (liurkley) Houghton, na- 
tives of Virginia, where they were reared and mar- 
ried, and whence tliey moved to Ohio in about 
1825. There the father engaged in farming, but 
twelve years later eanie witii iiis family' to Illinois, 
settling in Clark County, ujjon a farm which he 
had purchased. The_y lived there until ISliO, and 
tlieucc removed to Bloom inglon, where they spent 







their declining years, the fatlier dying in 1875, and 
the mother in 186G. Of their family of fifteen 
children, eleven lived to become men and women 
and seven still survive. These are, Joseph, Stephen 
B., our subject: Samuel, Delia A., Elijah, Emily 
and Mahala. 

Stephen B. Houghton was reared on a farm and 
when old enough went out to work. He made his 
home with his jiarents until he was nineteen years 
old and removed from Clark to McLean County in 
1845. lie was employed for a short time in a mill 
at Bloomington, then eng.aged as a farm laborer by 
the month for six months, when he came to Bloom- 
ington and was employed at whatever his hands 
could find to do. lie was finally employed ])y 
Judge Davis to superintend the farm of the latter 
and was occupied four years. When he went there 
the Judge had one cow and one horse, and when 
our subject left the farm it was supplied witii large 
numbers of cattle and between fifty .and sixt}' 
mares. 

Mr. Houghton soon afterward jiurchased a f;irm 
in Normal Township. This consisted of seventy 
acres, which he cultivated for two 3'ears and then 
removed to Jefferson County, Iowa. He there 
purch.ased KiO acres, and after remaining upon it 
eighteen months, returned to this county and pur- 
chased ten acres, one and one-half miles south of 
the court-house square in Bloomington. He after- 
ward added sixty acres and then traded his latter 
purchase for the Miison farm of 180 acres. Six 
years later, in 1873, he purchased the AVaiker farm 
consisting of 100 .acres, and the following j'car two 
flats on South Main street in Bloomington, upon 
which he built a dwelling. He purchased hisjiresent 
home in 1885. Besides the above he owns the old 
home place of 100 .acres, one and one-half miles 
south of the court-house. 

Our subject was married in 1849 to Miss ^^^shti 
O. Sumner, who was the daughter of Caleb and 
Rachel (Farmer) Sumner, natives res()ectively of 
New York and \irginia. They were married in 
Indiana, to which .St;ite both had been taken by 
their parents when (piite young. JMr. S. after mar- 
riage engaged in farming pursuits upon a tr.act of 
land whicii he had purchased in Coles County, III., 
and which contained IGO acres. He sold this in 



I 



t 



■<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1023 



1 849, and purchased another northeast of Bloom-' 
ington, which he occupied two years and then re- 
moved into the city, where the mother died in 
1801. Mr. Sumner then made his home witli his 
daughter, Mrs. Houghton, until his death, in 1882. 
Three only of the seven children are now living — 
Alford, Mrs. Houghton and Horace. Our sul)ject 
and his wife also became the parents of seven 
children, only three living. James married Miss 
Lorinda Gardner and lives on the old lioraestead; 
Richard married Miss Katie Harmon and they have 
two children, Grace and Mabel; Alice L., now Mrs. 
H. P. Hazel, has one son, Stephen B. 

Mr. Houghton is Republican in politics and with 
his wife is a member of the First Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. He gave 11,100 toward the erection 
of the church building .and has always contributed 
liberally and cheerfullj' to the maintenance of the 
society. 



eHARLES M. BEEBE. Perhaps no county 
in the United States of equal size with Mc- 
Lean can boast of so many enterprising and 
wealthy farmers. One of this number and who 
has displayed a proportionate degree of enterprise 
with his brother farmers is C. M. Beebe, who resides 
on section 32, Lexington Township. Mr. Beebe 
was born in Madison County, Ohio, near Pleasant 
Valley, Sept. 2, 1831. Chailes Beebe, Sr., died 
when our subject was but four days old. He was 
born in New York, Feb. 19, 1799, and his demise 
occurred near Pleasant Valley, Ohio, Sept. 6, 1831. 
The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Eliza McDowell. She was the daughter of Eber 
McDowell, born in Montpelier, Vt., May 11, 1801, 
and of Scotch-Irish extraction. Charles Beebe, Sr., 
after his marriage settled in Ohio, where he en- 
gaged in farming, and followed that occui)ation in 
Madison County until his death. He became the 
father of two children, a son, Sylvester, who died 
in infancy, and the subject of this notice. The 
mother subsequently married Henry McCracken, 
and they removed to this county in 1852, and set- 
tled at Sehna, where her demise took place in De- 
cember, 1859. One child was born of the latter 
union, who died in inf.incy. 



Our subject on first coming to this State located 
in Henderson County in the spring of 1852, where 
lie taught school one term and then returned to 
Franklin County, and then with teams made his 
way to this county, coming with his mother in the 
fall of 1852. His means were limited, in fact, they 
were exceedingly so, and the first yeai' he worked 
at whatever he could find to do. 

He was married in April, 1859, to Miss Matilda 
B. Hayes, a daughter of Henry Hayes, a native of 
Virginia, and who removed from that State to Ken- 
tucky with his parents when a boy. Henry Hayes 
was married in Kentucky to Sarah B. Smith, sister 
of Milton Smith, one of the prominent early set- 
tlers of this county, who located at Selma. Henry 
Hayes came to this county in company with Mr. 
Smith in 1835, and Mrs. Beebe is the oldest daugh- 
ter of his family now living. 

After his marri.age our subject located in Lex- 
ington, where he lived one winter and then, dispos- 
ing of his interests there he, in 1863, moved on the 
farm where he is now living. This farm was 
known as tiie Harrison Sowards Place, and was one 
of the first to be improved in that part of tlie 
neighborhood. It is located on section 32, aud 
contains 105 acres. Since our subject has resided 
upon it he has been engaged in general farming, 
and not long since turned his attention to tlie rais- 
ing of fine horses and other stoclc. 

Three children have been born of his union with 
Miss Matilda B. Hayes, two sons and one daugliter. 
Luetta is the wife of Thomas P. Owens, and they 
reside in Blue IMound Township; Charles 1. is re- 
siding in Harper County, Kan., and Rule O. Mr. 
and Mrs. Beebe are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a stanch 
Repulilican. 




EN J AM IN C. S. OWENS, who is prosper- 
ous as a farmer and stock-raiser of Lexing- 
ton Township, is a native of the Buckeye 
State, having been born near Circlevillc, 
Pickaway County, Sept. 25, 1825. His father, 
George T. Owens, was a cooper by trade and died 
in the prime of life when his son, our subject, was 
a child three years of age. The mother of Jlr. 



-•►-ei-^ 



i 






,t 



1024 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Owens, who was foriiu'rly Miss Mary Town, was a 
native of Pennsylvania. Her parents were froin 
tVninocticut, whence they removed to Pennsylvania 
and afterward to Oiiio, setllinj)- on wiiat was called 
the Darba Plains. After her marriage with Mr. 
Owens the j'onng people settled in Pickaway' 
Count}', where the mother remained for some j'ears 
after the death of lier hnsliand, and later removed 
with her family to Clinton County, Ohio, whence 
slic came to McLean County. She had six chil- 
dren, four of whom lived to mature years: Har- 
riet became the wife of James Finley; Benjamin 
C. S., our subject, was the second child; Archibald 
is deceased, and Ruth A. married William Pendry. 
She died in Clinton County, Ohio. The grand- 
father of our subject was Archibald Owens, who 
followed through life the occupation of a farmer 
near Circleville, Ohio, aiul there died. 

Benjamin C. S. Owens grew to manh 1 in ()hio 

and obtained a fair education in the district schools. 
Being the eldest son many responsiliilities fell upon 
him as the assistant of his widowed mother in pro- 
viding for lier family .•ind keeping them together, 
and he remained witii her until twenty-two 3'ears 
of age. lie was then m.irried to Miss Elizabeth 
Pendry, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, 
Aug. 7, 1826, her father being William Pendry, of 
that county. After marriage the young people 
settled in Clinton County, wherc^ our siilijeet en- 
g.-iged in farming until the fall of is.'i,"i. He then 
decided to move further westward, .-ind coming 
into Illinois reacIuHl BIcLean CountT on the 1st of 
October. 

Mr. (Jwens piueliased his present farin of (ieorge 
A. Creanu'r. It includes 127 acres .and is locate(l 
on sections 28 and .'i.'i. There were very few im- 
provements on the place when he took possession, 
but he industriously set himself to work and in due 
time was rewarded with success. He now has a 
good residence, barn and out-buildings, and all the 
appliances of a (irst-class agriculturist. He raises 
large numbers of hogs aud cattle aniuially, which 
he feeds and dispos.ses of on the farm, having ready 
for siiii)inent at the close of each year one or two 
carloads. In later 3'ears he has given much atteu- 
^ tion to the breeding of Nornnui and Clydesdale 
horses, of which he has some fine specimens. His 



^^ 



stables and outhouses are kept in first-class order 
and cver3'thing about the ])remises is indicative of 
cidtivated tastes and ample means. 

Mr. and Mrs. Owens became the i)arents of seven 
children, five now living, as follows: Mar}' .1. is 
the wife of Squire Heller, and resides in Chester, 
Neb.; Susan I!, married llcrljert Bliss, and they 
live in Blue Mound Townshi|); Thomas P. and 
John B. are also in Blue Mound Township; Ida 
Al.ay became the wife of A. J. Kamey, and they are 
living in Chester, Neb.; Sarah A. became the wife 
of John W. Davis, and died Nov. 21, IS.SG. 

Mr. Owens has been iironuuent in the affairs of 
his township and served as Pathmaster and School 
Director for many years. He prides himself upon 
being an old-fasliioned Jeffersonian Democrat, and 
in all respects has earned for himself the reputation 
of an honest man and a good citizen. 

The mother of .Mrs. Owens before her marri.age 
was Miss INIary Slocum, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., aud 
departed this life in Logan County', III., in Sci)tem- 
ber, I. si;."). Mr. and Mrs. Owens take pride in the 
rcrtectiou that they are alread3' the parents of eight 
grandchildren who are .as hopeful specimens of 
Young America as can be (iroduced in the State of 
Illinois. 



-^IJOIIN W. 4 LKKU, deceased. Among the early 
and enter|>rising citizens of Lexington Town- 
ship, the subject of this history was widelj' 
and favorably kiu)wn. A native of AVest- 
nujreland County, Pa., he was born near McCon- 
nellsville, on the 9th of March, 1804. His parents, 
John and Barbara (Rice) Walker, lived on a farm 
in Westmoreland CJonnty, Pa., and there their son 
was reared to manhood, remaining under the home 
roof until he was married. The Walker family was 
of Irish descent, and the [)arental household of our 
subject included five sons and two daughters, of 
whom John was the eldest. On the 29th of Sep- 
tember, l.s;3(), he was married to Miss Catherine 
Rubey. a native of Bavaria, born .Tune 11, 1817, 
aud danghler of Michael and Catherine (Martyl) 
Rnbey, who emigrated to America when Catherine 
was about nine years of age. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. W. settled on a 



f 



'^-f^^ 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1025 



farm in Westmoreland County, Pa., whence they 
removed, in 1852, to this State, and located on a 
farm near the city limits of Bloomington. From 
(here, in 1855, they removed to the homestead 
where Mrs. Walker now lives. It consists of eighty- 
seven acres of finely improved land, located on sec- 
tion 2. Mr. Walker devoted his time and attention 
to the cultivation of his land, and the establishment 
of a permanent and comfortable home. He de- 
parted this life on the 18th of February, 1886, leav- 
ing his wife and seven cliildren tf» mourn the loss 
of a kind husband and father. The children, all of 
whom are living, are recorded as follows : Mar}', 
the eldest, became the wife of Joseph M. Ilart, and 
they are residents of Minier, III.; Nancy married 
J. B. Forbes, of Kumler, 111.; Thomas, Anna, John 
and Katie are at home with their mother; Jessie R. 
is the wife of R. G. Jones, of Lexington Township; 
John, wild is an intelligent and industrious young 
man of more than ordinarj' ability, manages the 
farm, and is the chief assistant of his mother in the 
transaction of their business. In jiolitics Mr. 
Walker was a stanch Kei)ublican. He was reared a 
Quaker, but the family now attend the Presbyterian 
Church. 

* — ^ ^ * 'i^^tj*^* *^^'^ — * 

y ^ypAH N. WILSON, one of the prominent 
farmers, stock-raisers and feeders of Lex- 
ington Township, is also one of the self- 
made men of this count}', lie was born near 
Brookville, county seat of Franklin County, Ind., 
Sept. 18, 1828, and is a son of John Wilson, a 
farmer, on a small scale, of Indiana. The father 
was born in South Carolina, and moved to Indi.ana, 
in 1812, with his parents. Our subject's paternal 
grandfather, William Wilson, married Patsey 
Charles, a native of South Carolina, and they reared 
a family of five sons and three daughters, all of 
whom lived to attain the age of man and woman- 
hood, and were married and had families of their 
own. John Wils(in and Marv .lones, daughter of 
James Jones, were united in marriage in Indiana. 
She was l>orn in West Mrginia, and her father was 
a native of that State, and by his mairiage became 
the head of a family of four children, two sons and 
two daughters. The children born to the parents 




of our subject were seven in number, five sons and 
two daughters. They are Elizabeth, wife of Will- 
iam Warren; Noah N., our subject; Oliver, living 
near Brookville, Ind.; William, also a resident of 
Indiana; James, who died in 1857; George, who is 
living in Indiana, and Nancy, deceased. 

Noah N. Wilson passed his boyhood days in his 
native county, where he w<:)rkcd on his father's farm 
and attended the common schools, and developed 
into manhood. On attaining his majority he was 
united in marriage with Susan P. Coalscott, a na- 
tive of Philadelphia, and daughter of Othniel Coal- 
scott. He was born in Maryland, and married 
Rachel Booth, a native of Delaware, and whose 
parents moved from that State to Philadelphia, Pa. 

After our subject's marriage he located in Indi- 
ana, whence he removed in the spring of 1857, to 
Ford County, this State. Living there until the 
spring of 1864 he came to this county, and in 
1865 moved on his present farm on section 22, 
Lexington Township. The place contains 151 acres 
of choice land, and has upon it a good residence 
and barn, together with numerous out-buildings. 
Since his residence there he has been engaged 
quite extensively in the raising of stock, in which 
department of his vocation he has met with suc- 
cess. 

Nine children have l)een born to our subject and 
wife, of whom four are deceased. The living are 
Henry C, Ralph C, Charles C. Edwin M. and Jen- 
nie F. Mr. Wilson has held the office of Road 
Commissioner for some twelve years. He has also 
been School Trustee, and is the present incumbent 
of that office. Religiously he holds fellowshi|) with 
the United Brethren Church, of which he is one of 
the Trustees, and his wife is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a 
strong Republican. 

W)ILLIAM I. BARNARD, junior member of 
the firm of Stevenson & Barnard, grocers 
of Lexington, is, with his partner, carrying 
on a profitable and steadily increasing trade. Mr. 
B. is a native of McLean County, and was b()rn in 
Money Creek Township, on the 1st of January, 



•^m-^^ 



i 



i 



t 



1026 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






1839. His father, Mclinau N. Bariiaril, removed 
from Tennessee to McLean County in the winter 
of 1828, being- classed among the "snow birds." 
He was born in North Carolina in l.S06,and died in 
Money Creelv Township, on the 23d of September, 
1873. He married in early manhood Miss Sinia, 
the daughter of Samuel Pliiipot, Esq., of Virginia, 
who subsequently removed from the Old Dominion 
to West Tennessee, and thence emigrated to Ma- 
coupin County', 111., where he died. The mother of 
our subject was born in Virginia in 1804, and died 
in September, 18(58, at the honu' of her husband in 
Money Creek Tovvnship. The parental family in- 
cluded eleven children, six sons and live daughters, 
nine of whom still survive. 

William I. Barnard was the third son ami eighth 
child of his parents, and passed his boyhood and 
youth under the parental roof and in attendance at 
the district schools. He remained on the farm un- 
til his marriage, on the 14th of January, 1804, to 
Miss Lydia K., daughter of Samuel McMullen, of 
Money Creek Township. He then settled on a part 
of the old homestead of his father, and engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising until the winter 
of 1880. Renting his farm that year he removed 
to Lexington, and became interested in the grocery 
business, with his present partner, Richard Steven- 
son. Both gentlemen are well known in this local- 
ity, and long years ago, by their upright manner of 
living, established themselves in the confidence of 
this community. Besides the propcrtj' already 
mentioned Mr. Barnard owns a good farm of 120 
acres in Money Creek Township, on section 21. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barnard there were 
born four children, one of wluun died in infancy. 
Those surviving are Walter K., Ilattic E. and 
Daisy D. 

The grandfather of our subject, Erancis Barnard, 
was born on the Island of Nantucket, and became 
a (inartermaster in the War of 1812. He afterward 
went to North Carolina, whence he removed to 
West Tennessee, and from there came North into 
McLean County, in 1828, and died in about 1856. 
The Barnards were of Scotch-Irish descent, and an 
active and energetic race of people, who made good 
citizens and useful members of societ}'. The Phil- 
pots were among the earliest settlers of Virginia, 



but the origin of the family is not known. The 
politics of William I. Barnard is that of a stanch 
Republican; he and his wife are both mend)ers of 
the Christian Church. 



~vv-'*e££7®i@»'| 



|■>»^^Si'OT7l'»^••W^/v 



\T' EONARD A. CRUMBAUGH, who is at the 
I (^ head of the Citizens' Bank, of Le Roy, is 
/l^^ one of the early pioneers of McLean 
County, and located here in the fall of 1 830, since 
which time he has been intimately identified with 
the industrial and agricultural interests of this sec- 
tion. Within its limits he received his early train- 
ing and inusued his studies in the humble log cabin, 
which served as a temple of learning for the chil- 
dren of the early settlers. He was born at Elkhart, 
Sangamon County, III., Nov. 13, 1829, being the 
son of Daniel Crumbaugh, wdio was a native of 
Erederick County, Md. The grandfather of our 
subject, Solomon Crumbaugh, was also a native of 
Erederick County, Md., and his great-grandfather, 
Conrad Crumbaugh, was a native of Germany, who 
emigrated to America with his family, and locating 
in Maryland si)eut the remainder of his days in 
Erederick County. 

Daniel Crumbaugh, the father of our subject, 
left the parental roof when fourteen years of age 
and joined an elder brother in Kentucky. In 1812 
he enlisted in the army, serving under Gen. Harri- 
son, and at the close of the campaign returned to 
Kentucky where he remained a short time, then 
went north into Greene County, Ohio, where he 
operated a distillery for a number of years, (ioing 
back to the Blue Grass regions, he was married, 
and opened a hotel which he conducted until 1829. 
In the spring of that year he proceeded northwest 
to Illinois and rented a farm near Elkhart, Sanga- 
mon County, whence he removed .after a few months 
to that part of Tazewell now included in iMcLean 
County, and made a claim on section 14 of what is 
now Empire Township, but was then designated as 
tovvnship 22. In the fall of 1830 he built a cabin 
of round logs, into which he removed with his family. 
In the winter following (wcnrred the deep snow 
which is remembered by all the old settlers, and 
which resulted in so much privation and distress to 

»► 



.t- 



McLean county. 



1027 



i^ 



them. They were confined in their cabins for sev- 
eral months and could do little but chop wood and 
keep warm. Many of the domestic animals per- 
ished from the cold, and hunger made the wild ones 
tame, especially' the wolves, who became altogether 
too neighborly to suit the pioneers. 

Daniel Crumbaugh and his family pulled through 
safely, however, and when spring finally opened he 
hired a team to turn a portion of the sod, and upon 
this planted his corn. Before the new crop was 
ri])ened, however, a frost came on and destroyed It. 
He had plently of corn in Sangamon County but 
the deep snow had prevented him from hauling it 
home. This state of weather had also prevented 
the distant journey to a mill, and the meal for the 
family' was manufactured from corn pounded in a 
mortar, the latter being made by digging out a log. 
This constituted the principal article of food dur- 
ing that long and tedious winter. The nearest 
markets for some years were at Ft. Clark, the pres- 
ent site of Peoria. Each fall, for a number of 
years, Mi'. Crumbaugh, Sr., made nine trips to 
Chicago, taking away a load of wheat and bringing 
back supplies of provisions and dry-goods. He 
was a man of great ingenuity and made all the 
shoes for his family, shaping his own lasts and manu- 
f.acturing his own pegs. Through diHiculties that 
would appall tlie people of the present day in this 
region, he lived to improve a farm of 450 acres 
and to see the wilderness developed into smiling 
fields and growing grain. Upon the homestead 
which he thus established he p.issed his declining 
years in peace and quiet, enjoying the reward of 
his early toils and patient, resolute spirit. He 
folded his hands for his final rest and left behind 
him a record of a useful and worthy life. 

Daniel Crumbaugh was twice married, and by 
his first wife became the father of three children, 
of whom only one is now living, William H.,a resi- 
dent of Johnson County, Mo. The second wife, 
formerly Miss Martha Robinson, was the mother of 
our subject. She was born in North Carolina, and 
died on the old homestead in Empire Township, 
this county, in 1856. Of this second marriage 
there were born ten children, seven now living, as 
follows: Leonard A. was the eldest born; James 
T. and Daniel T. were twins; the former lives in 

4» 



Le Roy, this county, and the latter is living in Em- 
pire Township on a farm ; Emily, Mrs. Reese, lives 
in Missouri; Martha, Mrs. Bartlett, in Brooks 
County, Kan. ; Nancy, Mrs. Hamilton, in Le Roy, 
and Francis M., on the old homestead. 

The subject of our sketch improved his early 
opportunity for study in the subscription schools, 
walking a distance of four miles and return. As 
soon as old enough his services were required upon 
the farm and he lived with his parents until twenty- 
one years of age. He then purchased ■240 acres of 
land and commenced business for himself. This 
was located on section 24 of Empire Township. 
He labored for a few years incessantly, imiiroved 
his land, and added to it until he became the pos- 
sessor of 700 acres, upon whicli he farmed continu- 
ously until 1 882. He then came to Le Roy and 
engaged as a banker until February following when, 
in company with his brother, J. T. Crumbaugh, he 
opened the Citizens' Bank, and since that time has 
been the .active manager of the business. 

Mr. Crumbaugh was married, Sept. 27, LS.OG, to 
Miss Sarah M. Wiley, a native of Le Roy and born 
Dec. 18, 1837. Her father, James Wiley, was a 
native of County Tyrone, Ireland, where he lived 
until sixteen years old, attending school and re- 
ceiving a good education. He then went to the 
Island of Jamaca and became book-keeper for a 
large sugar and rum plantation, which positi(^n he 
occupied for several years following. The slaves 
being then limited and business practically at a 
standstill, he returned to Ireland, whence he soon 
afterward emigrated to America, and located in 
Vermilion County. 111., at an early period in the 
history of that section. In 18:34 he removed into 
McLean County, stopping at Lytlevilie for over a 
year. He then came to Le Roy and opened up a 
stock of merchandise, engaging in tr.<i<le until 1848. 
Subsequently hei)urchased a farm in Empire Town- 
ship which remained his home until he departed 
this life in 1 8G0. His wife who, before her marriage, 
was Miss Permelia Waters, was a native of Ken- 
tucky. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Crumbaugh of 
this notice there were born five children ; I'ermelia 
J. who died when two years of age; William Frank- 
lin, who lives in P^mpire Township; one son who 

.^ 



'i 



t 



«'^-l 



■<' — 

1028 



^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




died in infancy; Charles and (iertnide, wlio are at 
home with their parents. Mr. Crumbaugh, relig- 
iously, is connected with the Universalist society. 
He is Democratic in politics, and socially belongs to 
Le Roy Lodge N'o. 221, A. F. & A. M. He is es- 
sentially a self-made man and has accomplished a 
vast amount of work and l)usiness during the 
changes of an .active and busy life. He has con- 
tributed his full quota toward the development of 
the industrial interests of this section and has ful- 
filled ail his obligations as a good citizen. 

ILTON TOLBERT, oocuiiicd in. general 
farming in Downs Township, owns eighty- 
five acres of improved land on section 4, 
where he is living in a manner becoming a 
worthy and useful citizen, and following the peace- 
ful pursuit of agriculture with uniform success. 
Mr. Tolbcrt has been a resident of this county since 
the time when a child three years of age he was 
Itrought here with his parents. They first located 
in Randolpli Towiisliip, where ourswljjeot remained 
until lie took possession of his present homestead 
in .lanuary, 187.3. 

The subject of this history was born noarTlioni- 
towii, Hooiie County, Ind., .Iiuie 2.'!, IS^i). His 
father, William Tolbert, was also a native of that 
county, where he was reared and educated, and 
after arriving at years of manhood, was married to 
Miss Caroline INIcDaiiiel, of \'irginia, of Scottish 
ancestry. She came to Indiana with her parents 
when nine years of age, and is yet living near Hey- 
worth, Randolph Townsiiip. The father died in 
Randolpli Townshij) in l.S,")!», of consumption, and 
three children were also taken from earth at about 
the same time. 

Milton Tolbert was one of the elder members of 
the family. He was reared and educated in Ran- 
dolph Township, !ind after attaining to manhood 
was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Cook, 
Dec. 29, 1870. Mrs. Tolbert is the daughter of T. 
N. and Elizabeth M. (IngersoU) Cook, natives of 
Ohio, who came to this county with their parents 
and hjcated in Randolph Township, where they 
were married in December, ISIH. The father fol- 



lowed farming pursuits, and Ijoth parents are now 
living in Downs Township. Mr. Cook was for- 
merly a merchant in Lytleville, 111. 

Mrs. Tolbert was born in Randolph Township, 
April 20, 1851. She was educated in the public 
schools of Downs Township, and by her union with 
our subject has become the mother of six children, 
one of whom is deceased. Those living are Lulu 
Belle, Elizabeth C, Eva E., Ada and Ernest M. 

After raari^age, Mr. and ISIrs. Tolbert located 
upon rented land in Randolph Township. Our 
subject purchased his present homestead in 1873. 
Mr. and Mrs. T. are active and useful members of 
society, prominent in religious and social matters, 
and i)olitically Mr. T. uniformly casts his vote in 
support of the princi|)les of the Democratic party. 




(^ ON. .TOHN EDDY. The hardy growths of 
nature are those that battle the storms. 
The fiercer the conflict the more robust be- 
comes the trunk, and the deeper down the 
roots descend. Man is liut a part of nature. The 
successful man is not he who dreams, Imt he who 
does, and when w-e see a man who has hewn his 
way through dilliculties and enduring the storms of 
life ill cliildhood and youth, he is the strong 
growth; the man of mark. Such has been the ex- 
perience of Hon. .I()lin Eddy, Representative from 
McLean County to the Illinois Legislature. He 
has been a resident of Bloomington since l.s71,and 
has built up for himself a reputation as one of its 
most valuable citizens. 

The subject of this history was born in New 
York City, on the 28th of August, 1852, and is the 
son of David and Ellen (Ten Eyck) Eddy, natives 
respectively of Massachusetts and Greene County, 
N. Y. His father was the owner of a barge on the 
North River, but resided with his family in New 
York City, and died there in IS-Oo. The motlier 
survived until 1801. Their family consisted of 
three children, two now living — Edgar, a resident 
of Oregon, .'uid wIkj served in the Union army, and 
our subject. 

.bihii I'.ddy remained in the home of liis p.arents 

until the death of his mother, which occurred when 

a^ 



i 



i 



h 



■► " B r 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1029 



^ 



he was a lad of only nine years old. Then, an or- 
ph.an without means or friends who could materi- 
ally' assist him, he was thrown upon the euld world 
to battle for himself. He was indiistriousl.y in- 
clined, however, and was willing to he employed at 
whatever his hands could find to do. For three 
years he was employed as otHee and errand bo}' 
and was then engaged to collect freight bills. At 
the age of thirteen he became check liaggage clerk 
on the side-wheel passenger steamer " Wyoming," 
which position he occupied for three y(;Mrs. In the 
meantime he had obtained a fair education by at- 
tending night schools, and improving other oi'por- 
tunities for reading and study. 

In the spring of 18GS, .John Eddy wvut to De- 
troit, Mich., where he engaged as brakcman on a 
freight train of the Detroit and Milwaukee Hailioad 
for two years, and afterward going to Chicago, 
served in the same capacitj' on the C. & A., until 
1 876. At this time he was accidentall}' shot through 
the left arm, necessitating amputation above the 
elbow. After recovering from this terrible afflic- 
tion, he was given a position at the Union depot of 
the same road as flagman, which he retained four 
years. 

Mr. Eddy engaged in the cigar trade at the Ash- 
ley House in 1880, and has continued to hold his 
interest in that business until the present time. His 
manly and straightforward course obtained him the 
confidence of his fellow-citizens, and he was elected 
Alderman of the Second Ward for two years. In 
1885 he was appointed Post Trader of the Indian 
Territory for the 8ac and Fox Agency, and in the 
same year was a candidate for Mayor of Blooni- 
ington on the Democratic ticket. In 1880 he was 
elected Representative to the General Assembly of 
the State, and in the duties of this position has 
given general satisfaction to his constituents. 

Aside from the duties of his otlice, Mr. Eddy is 
engaged as a general speculator. He takes an act- 
ive interest in everything relating to the public 
welfare, Ijeing the supporter and encourager of 
every measure tending to its intellectual and moral 
advancement. Socially he is a member in good 
standing of the I. O. 0. F., with which he has been 
connected since 1877. 

The marriage of .John Eddy and Aliss Nellie 



Long was celebrated at Bhx-mington in 1871). 
Mrs. E. is the daughter of .John and Nora Long, 
natives of Ireland, and was born in 1860. They 
occupy a handsome residen(^e at No. 501 West 
Washington street, and number among their friends 
and associates the cultivated pe(,)ple of the city. 



-€-*-^ 



w 



^OllN AUvISON, ime of the honored pioneers 
of McLean County, arrived here in 1818, 
and soon afterward took possession of the 
laud in Dale Township, on section 15, which 
he has since transformed into a comfortable home- 
stead. . He traces his descent from a long line of 
excellent Scottish ancestry, both his gi-andfathers 
being of pure Scotch blood, and noted for their 
sterling qualities of head and heart. The first rep- 
resentatives of the family in this country probably 
settled in Pennsylvania, of which State our subject 
is a native, born in the town and county of Bed- 
ford, on the 5th of October, 182'J. He is the sec- 
ond sou of .Ifmathan and Ilaimah Allison, and re- 
moved witii his parents from his native State to 
Ohio when a boy ten years of age. His father's 
family then consisted of the parents and five chil- 
dren, and the journey was made overland with 
three horses and one wagon. They took their house- 
hold goods and provisions with them, camping out 
at night and cooking by the wayside. They locat- 
ed in Miami County, where the father rented a 
tract (jf land and engaged in farming, and there our 
subject attended the common schools and assisted 
his parents in the lighter labors around the home- 
stead. 

The [larents of Mr. Allison remained in (Jhio un- 
til 1848, and then again started overland for the 
farther West. John, of our sketch, was then in his 
nineteenth year. He came with his parents to this 
county, and remained with them until he was 
twent3'-three years of age, when he settled ou the 
place which he now owns and occupies. 

The father of our subject, Jonathan Allison, was 
born in Bedford County, Pa., in November, 1800, 
and was the son of .James and Sarah (Bowen) Alli- 
son, wh(j became residents of Bedford County dur- 
ing the pioneer days. Jonathan Allison spent his T 
.» 



"i 



t. 



o^m^^^ 



1030 



A 



McLean county. 




boj'hood and youth in his native county, and was 
there married to Miss Hannah Stiger, who was of 
German descent, and the daughter of William Sti- 
ger. After leaving Ohio and coming into this 
county, in 1848, they located first on the north side 
of Twin Grove, whence the following year the^' re- 
moved into Dale Townshii), settling on the east 
half of the northwest quarter of section 15. There 
in duo time they erected a frame house and estab- 
lished a comfortable home, which they occupied 
until called to mansions in another world. The 
father passed away on the 4th of November, 1853; 
the mother survived him twelve years, her death 
occurring Sept. I'l, 18(;,'). They are remembered by 
those who knew tliem as people of most exemplary 
character, both lieing memliers of the Friends' 
Church, and carrying out in their daily lives the 
simple and worthy practices peculiar to the O'l'^ker 
sect. 

.lohn Allison [)lo\ved the first furrow of his i)res- 
ent farm of 132 acres in April, 1851, and after the 
lapse of years in which he has labored industriously 
he is rewarded with the possession of a good home- 
stead, witli fertile fields and pasture lands, and, 
standing upon tlie most desirable location, a set of 
farm buildings whicli are a credit to their owner. 

Tiie wife of our subject, to whom he was mar- 
ried in .Januar}', 180.'), was formerly Miss Christina 
Kent, a history of whoso parents will be found in 
the sketch of William B. Kent, published elsewhere 
in this volume. Mi's. Allison is the daughter of 
Nathaniel and Annie (Hawk) Kent, and was l)orn 
in Hancock County, Ind., Feb. 1, 1842. Our sub- 
ject and his wife have but one child, a daughter, 
Kva Caroline, born Oct. 5, 18(!5. It is scarcely 
necessary to state that this daughter, now an inter- 
esting young lady of over twenty years of age, is 
the light of the household, and is receiving all the 
benefits which good society and a sujjerior educa- 
tion can bestow. The father, mother and daugliter 
are members and regular attendants of the Chris- 
tian C'hurch of Dale Township. Mr. A., formerly 
a Whig, of late years has given his vt)te and iiillu- 
ence in sup])ort of the Democratic part^'. 

As an important factor, socially and financially, 
of Dale Township, and one who has contributed 
materially to its excellent re|)utation as a farming 



section, it is but proper that the partial result of 
Mr. Allison's labors should be illustrated by the 
artist's pencil, and we herewith present a view of 
the residence and its surroundings, which admira- 
bly assists in embellishing the history of McLean 
County, and delineates perhaps in the most effect- 
ive manner the character of one of its most worthy 
citizens. 



<^i^ LIADA DICKINSON, of Le Roy, is one of 
fe] those men we find so thickly scattered over 
If' — ^ the county, and who are from the best 
element of her society, and were reai'od under 
the beneficent infiuences of the schools, religious in- 
stitutions and the culture and refinement of the so- 
ciety of the older settled States. Such men were 
well equipped to go forth and open up a new em- 
pire. Tliey could lay its foundations, broad, deep 
and solid, so that the colossal edifice of a great com- 
monwealth might be reared upon it without haz- 
ard to the highest pinacle to which government or 
human society reaches. To these people Illinois 
largely owes her greatness, and to this class the sub- 
ject of this sketch belongs. 

Mr. Dickinson has been for many years promi- 
nentl}' identified with the agricultural interests of 
this section and is now living in retirement at his 
comfortable home in the village. He is .an extensive 
reader and possesses a valuable fund of general in- 
formation. He is public-spirited and liberal, tak- 
ing a broad view of life and tolerant in both his re- 
ligious and political opinions. In religion he has 
endevored to adhere strictly- to the Golden Rule, 
and in politics has, of late years, afflliatod with the 
Republican party, although he east his first vote for 
Andrew Jackson and in early j'cars upheld the 
principles of Democracy. 

Mr. Dickinson was born in Marlborough, Hart- 
ford Co.. Conn., Sept. 1, 1810. His father, Jesse 
Dickinson, was a n.ative of the same town, and it is 
believed that his grandfather, Nathan Dickinson, 
was also born there. The great-grandfather of 
oursid)jeet engaged in farming pursuits and spent 
the last days of his life in Marlborough, and this 
also comprises in brief the history- of his son Nathan. 
— «^ 



^ 



'i 






\ 








"*»», 



til- 




A 



McLean county. 



1033 



Jesse, the son of Nathan, and tlie father of our sub- 
ject, was also rearerl to farming pursuits and in- 
herited the homestead of liis father, spending his 
entire life on the farm where he was born. His wife, 
formerly Miss Annie Welch, was born in East 
Hampton, Conn., and became the mother of eleven 
children, nine of whom grew to mature years. 

Eliada Dickinson was the fifth child of the par- 
ental union and received careful home training, 
wliile at the same time he pursued his earl3' studies 
in the jniblic schools. He remained under tiie liome 
roof until he had attained his majority and then 
going into a foundry, learned to be a molder, 
which trade he followed until 1836. He then went 
via the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound 
to New York; thence by canal to the mountains of 
I'ennsylvania, proceeding from there b}' rail, canal 
and river to Naples, in .Scott County, 111. 

After a short stay at the last mentioned place he 
proceeded to Pike County, and by entr3' and pur- 
chase secured possession of 400 acres of land in 
Flint Township. Upon this he erected a log cabin 
after the primitive style, and in process of time 
had improved about 300 acres of the land. He lived 
here until 1S57, with his family, then sold out and 
purciiased a foundry at Perry, in the same count}', 
which he sold the following j'ear. In the fall of 
18.58 he purchased a stock of goods and engaged 
extensively in general merchandise, dealing in 
about every article then in use in the country. 
Three years later he sold this .also, and having pur- 
chased iOO acres of land in Sangamon Count}', re- 
moved to it. It was unimproved and lay about one 
and one-half miles northeast of Mechanicsburg. 
With characteristic industry he set about the im- 
provement of this also, and in 186.5 sold it at a 
good price and came into McLean County. Here 
he had previously secured 280 acres in West Town- 
ship to which he added 140 acres, and occupied this 
until the return of his son from the army, when he 
deeded to him 280 acres, and devoted his time to 
tlie improvement and cultivation of the latter pur- 
chase. In 1876 he came to Le Roy, and two years 
later purchased tweut}' .acres, ten of which are in the 
corporate limits. Upon this are a good set of frame 
buildings, with all the appliances of a comftirtable 
homestead, nicely fitted up and furnished. 



The subject of our sketch w.as united in marriage 
with Bliss Lois B. Fancher on the 24th of Novem- 
ber, 1833. Mrs. D. was born in Bristol, Conn., 
Sept. 9, 1812, .and departed this life at the home of 
her husband in Sangamon County, Nov. 10, 186"J. 
They became the parents of three children, as io\- 
lows : Sarah A. became the wife of Isaac P. Cook, 
now deceased, and is keeping house for her 
father; David Monroe lives in Bloomington; Mary 
Thalia married .James C. Williams, and lives in 
Blanchard, Iowa. Mrs. Dickinson was a member 
in good standing of the Baptist Church and a lady 
highly respected. Our subject has held the various 
oflices of his township in Sangamon and McLean 
Counties and served five years as Justice of the 
I'eace. A portrait of Mr. Dickinson is shown on 
another page. 



\Tp=<) LEAZER MUNSELL, a highly esteemed ag- 
|U) riculturist of Dry Grove Township, and 
IlL^ J whose portrait we give in this volume, has 
been a resident of McLean County since 1837. 
He was tlien a lad of thirteen years and came with 
his parents. They located on the tract of land 
which constitutes a part of his present homestead, 
his father at the time making a purchase of 400 
acres. Here both parents remained the balance of 
their lives, the mother passing to the better land in 
1850, and the father four years later, being flfty- 
nine and sixty-nine years old respectively. Both 
were active members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Chui'ch, and the father of our subject, in politics, 
was an uncompromising Democrat. 

Eleazer Muusell was born in Seneca County, 
Ohio, July 28, 1824. His parents, Roswell and 
Sarah (Austin) Munsell, were natives of Vermont, 
where they were married. They emigrated to 
Ohio about 1814, and located in Seneca County, of 
which they remained residents until the fall of 
1830. They then removed to La Porte County, 
Ind., whence, after a residence of seven years, they 
came to McLean as above stated. Their famil}' of 
three children included Roswell. who married Miss 
Mary A. Perry ; Sybd, who married Jesse T. Spit • 
zer, who died in April, 1869; she died in 188.5 



r 




f 



t 



■<^ 



■*► 



ik 1034 



IM.T.EAN COUNTY. 



A 



aiifl Eleazer. The iwients of Eleazer Munsidl had 
both previously been married, and both had chil- 
dren by their I'ornici' partners. 

The subject of this liistory was reared on his 
father's farm, and received a common-school edu- 
cation. He remained under the parental roof nntil 
twenty-seven years of age, when he formed a mat- 
rimonial alliance with Miss Zcrelda Perry, the wed- 
ding occurring on the 24th of October. l.S.JO. Mrs. 
Munsell was liorn in .U'ssamine County, Ky.. Jan. 
15, 1S27, and was the daughter of John and Char- 
ity (I'ugh) Perry. Mr. Perry was a native of 
Massachusetts; the mother of Kentucky, of Ger- 
m.an descent. John Perry was liorn in 1792, and 
the parents were married about IS IS. He was a 
shoemaivcr by trade, and served his a|)prentieeship 
in Philadelphia. After tlieir mari'iage they located 
in Jessamine County, Ky., and in 1836 came to 
McLean Count}', 111., and engaged in farming pur- 
suits, and the father died in ISO.'i, in Dr}' (Jrove 
Township. The mother was born aliout ISDi in 
Kentucky, and sui'vived her husband about six 
years. In religious bc^lief he was a, I'resbyterian, 
and .Mrs. Perry a devoted member of the Cliris- 
tian Church. Their family of seven i-hildren in- 
cluded the following: Nathaniel, who married 
I'olly M. McCuUough; Mary A., who married Ros- 
well Munsell; .bilin, who married Aliss Susan Iliatt, 
who died about 1872,' and his second wife was 
formerly Mrs. Sarah (Noble) Bethel; Zerelda was 
nl^\t in ordei' of birth; Susan b(;canie the wife of 
Jose[)li Myers; Loui-sa lirst married Steiilien Mc- 
Ouarter who died two years afterward, and her 
secon<l husliand is Edward \\ilson, of Dah- Town- 
shi|); S:unuel married .Miss Kebccca Iliatt, who 
died in September, 188(i. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Munsell are the [larents of seven 
childi'en, as follows: Milon, born Junc^ 2(t, 1S;J2, 
married Miss Emm.a .Strimple; Stephen A. was 
born Dec. 22, ls.',(;, luarried Augusta Staubus; Ze- 
rilda, born March (1, IS.OiS, married Andrew Short- 
h(jse, and thej' livi' in Dry drove Townshij); John 
R., born .Vug. 2'.), 1 s(i(). and lives in Sedaiia,, iMo. ; 
Josephine II., .Sept. (i, 18(12; Minnie W., Se|)t. 10, 
ISUl; Austin E., .huie 15, I8(;7: the three lattei' 
ai'e at lionie. 

Mr. Munsell came to Illinois in I .s;J7, with Ids 

^« 



parents, and is a line representative of a widely 
known family containing many prominent citizens. 
He has held the various offices of his township for 
several years, having been Assessor, Road Commis- 
sioner and School Trustee. In politics he is a con- 
scientious Democrat, in support of which party he 
uniformly casts his vote. His stock operations 
embrace trans.actions in Norman and Clydesdale 
horses, and he has had an experience in the busi- 
ness of over thirt3'-two years, having commenced 
in 1854. The home farm comprises about 400 
acres, while his total acreage runs up to GOO. 

Mr. Muusell h.as been a devoted member (jf the 
Christian Church for a jieriod of over thirty years, 
and has officiated as Deacon for the last twenty- 
two years. 



■>-j»t^ - 



m 



•<^=«f^- 



'OHN T. IjUOKAW, who is the owner of a 
snug farm in Belleflower Township, is a na- 
tive of New Jersey, born in RaritangTown- 
shiji, Hunterton County, Jan. 4, 18.'3G. He 
is the son of Abraham IJrokaw, a native of the 
same .State. The latter learned the trade of a tan- 
ner'and weaver in his younger days, and spent the 
greater part of his life in his native State. He in- 
herited a tract of land from his father in Karitan 
Township, ui)on which he estalilished a tannery and 
carried on the business there nntil his death, which 
occurreil in l.s7(i. Abridiam Brokaw w.as married, 
earl}' in life, to iMiss Rachel Stivelle, also a native 
of New Jersey, and who died about 1845. The 
parental household included six children, four of 
whom lived to mature yt^ars. 

The subject of this history was the third child of 
his parents, and was rc.'ired under the home I'oof, 
receiving a jjartial education in the subscription 
schools, and completed the same in the free schools 
after their establishment. When not in school he 
assisted his father in the tannery and on the farm, 
remaining at home until 18()1. Then desiring to 
see something of the great \\'est, he came to the 
Prairie State and located in this count}^ where he 
worked as a farm laborer for two years, then 
rented land and engaged in farming on his own .ac- 
count. He was industrious and economical, ;ind in ^ ' 



■•► 



i 



-U 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1035 



h 



187;5 purchased the farm which he now owns and 
occupies, consistiug of 307 acres. There was upon 
it at the time a log house and stable. These have 
been replaced liy a fine set of frame buildings, 
which are pleasantly located upon a rise of ground, 
and invariably attract the attention of the passing 
traveler as being the home of a modern and tlirifty 
farmer, who takes pride in his estate anil its be- 
longings. The land is tile drained and piincii)ally 
devoted to grain and stock-raising. 

The marriage of our subject with INIiss Ada L. 
Easterbrook took place on the "iTth of March, 1.S73, 
in Belleflower Township. Mrs. B. was born in Fay- 
ette County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Joseph 
M. and Hannah (Middletown) Easterbrook (see 
sketch). Of tiiis union there have been born two 
children, daughters — Adelaide, and Beatrice, de- 
ceased. Our subject and his wife are members in 
good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at S.aybrook. Mr. Brokaw was formerly a Demo- 
crat, but of late years has cast his vote in support 
of the princii)les of the Republican party. 

'Sp^OBERT SEABORN, an influential business 
IL^ man and farmer of West Township, is a na- 
/4i\\\ tive of Ohio, and was born Oct. 15, 1828. 
^^ His father, Robert Seaborn, born Oct. 11, 
1804, in the State of New York, grew to manhood 
in his native county and was there married to Caro- 
line Beckford, a native of the same State. They 
soon afterward removed to Oiiio, where they only 
remained until 1834, then started for Illinois, via 
the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The3' took with 
them their three children, but before their journey 
was completed, met with a sad calamity, the boat 
being l)urned and the _voungest child, eighteen 
months old, perishing with it. The}* lost all their 
household goods and clothing at the same time. 
I'rocuring passage cm another boat, they proceeded 
to their destination, first locating in Maples, where 
Mr. Sanborn woi'ked at his trade of blacksmithing-. 
After a few years they removed to Griggsville, 
Pike County, where he followed his trade until be 
had secured enough money to buy a small tract of 
and near (Jriggsville, paying 11.25 per acre for it. 



There he erected a log house and devoted his atten- 
tion to the pursuit of agriculture. There he lost 
his homestead and furniture by fire. When arriv- 
ing in Illinois he had nothing but the clothes upon 
his back, and when he died his property was esti- 
mated at $100,000. He was essentiall}' a self-made 
and self-educated man and by his own efforts ac- 
quired a remarkably good insight into the best 
methods of doing business. Seven of the children 
of this family lived to become men and women. 

Robert Seaborn was but six years old when he 
came to Illinois with his parents. As soon as large 
enough he began to assist in the labors around the 
homestead. The nearest mill where his father first 
settled was at Exeter, twenty miles away, and the 
nearest market at Jacksonville, twenty-eight miles 
distant. Our subject remained with his parents un- 
til 1849, and was then attacked with the gold fever, 
which was taking so many men, young and old, 
across the plains to the Pacific Slope. He started, 
in company witii twenty-seven others, their outfit 
consisting of thirty-five pairs of oxen and seven 
wagons. In this manner they made the entire 
journey to California. They arrived .-vt Oregon in 
October, after a journey of six months and twenty 
days. Mr. Seaborn remained there nearl}' one year, 
variously employed. He afterward went to San 
Francisco, and thence to the Sacramento River, 
where he engaged in the mines until the fall of 
1856, then longing for a sight of "the old folk at 
home" he set his face toward the East, coming by 
w.ay of the Isthmus, Cuba and New Orleans. He 
landed in Griggsville, this State, in January, and 
in the spring resumed farming pursuits on prairie 
soil, having settled on a tract of land by himself 
and keeping bachelor's hall until his marriage. After 
this important event he purchased 120 acres of land 
in Pike County, this State, upon which he resided 
with his family until 1874. In that year he sold 
out, and coming to ^^^est Township, purchased the 
place which he now occupies. This farm is finely 
improved and furnished with a good set of frame 
buildings, pleasantly located and kept in the best of 
repair. 

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married 
Nov. 27, 1851, was formerly Miss Nancy Duff, a 
native of Franklin County, 111., and who was born 



* 



t. 



*»- ji ^- 



t 



1036 



McLEAiSf COUNTY. 



May 22, 1833. Her father, Asahal Duff, and her 
graiidfatlier, I'liillip Duff, were natives of South 
Carolina. The latter was among the earliest set- 
tlers of Southern Illinois, having emigrated from 
South Carolina before there was even a wagon road, 
the journey being made on nack-horses, and before 
Illinois was organized as a Territory. He took up 
a tract of Government land in Franklin County, 
improved a farm and established a comfortable 
home, where he [lassed the remainder of his days. 
The fathei- of :Mrs. S. was a small boy when he 
came to Illinois with his parents. He grew to man- 
hood in Franklin County and was married to Miss 
Abagail jMiligan in what is now Williamson County, 
111., in I.SIO. Tiiis lady was the daughter uf Will- 
iam Miligan, who served as a soldier in the War of 
1812, and there contracted a disease from which 
he never recovered. He also settled in Southern 
Illinois at an early period in the history of that sec- 
tion. The grandparents of Mrs. S., both maternal 
and paternal, spent the last years of their lives in 
Southern Illinois. Her parents removed to Pike 
County in 1834, and were the tenth family to set- 
tle in that locality. Their nearest neighbor was six 
miles distant. Her father si)ent the last years of 
his life in that county, dyiiig in 18G1. He was a 
natural mechanic and et)uld manufacture a wagon, 
spiuning-wheel or wash-tuli, and with equal facility 
repair a gun. For the first few years he was kept 
busy in this line, people coming from long dis- 
tances in order to have him do their work. His wife 
survived him for more tlian twenty years, her 
death taking place in 18!S4. 

Mr. and Mrs. Seaborn have three children: Celia 
was first married in Tike County, 111., to John Phil- 
lips, Oct. 8, 1871 ; by this union there was born a 
daughter, Carrie A., who was given to her grand- 
mother, Mis. Seal)orn, when Init three jnonths old. 
She then became the wife of Newton Barnhart, and 
she and her brother William live in West Town- 
ship. Mary E., Mrs. Frank Jennings, lives in Da- 
kota. Mrs. S. has been a memlier of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church .since thirteen years old. Both 
our subject and lii.s wife are held in tlu; highest re- 
spect l)y all who know tluMu, possessing those ami- 
able and excellent traits of character which make 
them valuable members of the (community. Their 



attractive home is the resort of the cultured peo- 
ple of West Township and its hospitable doors are 
always open to their hosts of friends, while the dis- 
tressed are never tinned emijty-handed away. 



'^ OHN M. AIITIS, a prosperous farmer of 
Danvers Township, is pleasantl}' located on 
section 24 and has been a resident of the 
Prairie State since 1859. He first opened 
his eyes to the light in Clark County, Ky., on the 
12th of September, 1840, his parents being Robert 
and Fannie (McDonald) Artis, natives respectively 
of Delaware and Kentucky. The former was 
brought to Kentucky when only three years of age. 
Robert Artis was orphaned when a child of ten- 
der years and never had much recollection of 
his parents. He was reared in Kentucky by Mr. 
George Cramler and was there married. In the 
fall of 1859 he cauje to Illinois and located in 
Bloomington Township, whence, after three years 
he removed to Danvers Township and established 
a comfortable home, where he passed the re- 
mainder of his days. The affectionate wife and 
mother departed this life in 1864, having been a 
consistent niemlier of the Christian Church since 
1840, and the father of our subject died ten years 
later, in 1874. He was a Democrat in politics and in 
allrespectsa valued member of the community. Of 
the children included in the parental family one 
died in infancy, and later, Marid, P^lizabeth and 
Emily also passed to the Silent Land. Those now 
living are: Robert, Parker, William, Harriet, Nancy, 
John M. and Heiny. 

The subject of our sketch received a common- 
school education and after lU'riving at years of man- 
hood was united in marriage with Miss Nancy A. 
Barnard, on the 3d <)f Novemlier, 1864. Mrs. A. 
was the daughter of James O. and Lydia (Swallow) 
Barnard, and was born Jan. 1, 1841, in a little vil- 
lage then known as Wilkesboro, in Danvers Town- 
ship. The Barnards were of English stock, and the 
tradition runs that Francis liarnard, the great-great- 



T 



--i' 
i 



1 



■^^ 



McLean county. 



— «^ 

103!) 



I. 



I 



grandfather of Mrs. A., w.is carried away in a vision 
while at sea on a whaling- voyage. The wife of our 
subject has an old printed copy of said vision, 
wiiich speaivs of the wars tiiat should come on 
the nations of the New World, and of the overthrow 
of the nations who to<)l< arms against it, which proph- 
esy has thus far been fulfilled U> tlie letter. James O., 
the father of Mrs. Artis, was b(,irn in 1 HOO, aud when 
a lad of twelve years old became a member of the 
Baptist Church, with whieli lie was connected for 
manj' years, but subsequently became a member of 
the Christian Church, with which he continued until 
his death, which occurred in this township on the 
1 7th of October, 1 87o. The mother was born in Ohio, 
Sept. 15, 1820, of English parentage. .She was 
married to Janies 0. Barnard, Sept. 1 4, 1 837, and 
died in this townshii) April 20, 1847. They became 
the parents of two children, both daughters, .J.ane 
E., who married Mr. F. M. Hall, of IJanvers, and 
Nancy A., now Jlrs. Artis of our slietcli. For fur- 
ther mention of Mr. Barnard see his slvctcli given 
in this volume. 

Our subject and his wife liave l)ecome the jiar- 
ents of seven children, of whom one, Robert P., is 
deceased ; John W. w;is born Dec. 19, 18tj.5, and 
received a good education, completing his studies 
at Eurelva College; Nancy A. was born Feb. 13, 
18G8;Irvin M., July 30, 1870; Robert P. was born 
Aug. 5, 1873, and died wlieu two weelis old; Har- 
vey C, June 21, 187G; William B., Aug. 30, 1878, 
and Nettie, April 24,1881. 

Tlie homestead of our suliject comprises 238 
acres of fine farming Land, and in 1883 he erected 
a handsome and substantial dwelling at a cost of 
$2, .500. It is two stories in height, 50x36 feet in 
area, handsomely finished and furnished, and forms 
an attractive ornament to the surrounding land- 
scape. A view of his comfortable and elegant 
home is given in this volume. He has a good barn 
and all necessary out-buildings, aud is carrying on 
his agricultural operations in a skillful and success- 
ful manner. Mr. Artis, politically, is a reliable 
Democrat, and has been a member of the Christian 
Church since 1863. Mrs. A. united with this church 
in 1852. The family is higlily esteemed in the 
community, and our subject in all respects is a good 
citizen and valued member of society. 
<■ ' 




LFRED FAGERBURG, for years master 
mechanic of the boiler department in tlie 
construction of locomotives at Mobcrly, 
Mo., and Bloomiugton, is now a prominent 
farmer of Dry Grove Township, and is pleasantly 
located on section 11. He is a Scandinavian by 
birth and parentage, and first opened his eyes to 
the light in the eastern part of Sweden on the 6th 
of January, 1836. His father, George Fagerburg, 
died in his native country. The maiden name of 
the mother was Eve Skogbreg. She is living in 
Sweden at the ripe old age of about seventy-five 
years. 

The subject of this biography emigrated to Amer- 
ica in 1854, when a youth of eighteen years, the 
voyage consuming seven weeks. He had served 
an apprenticeship at carriage-making and black- 
smithing in his native country, but after coming to 
America engaged iu the manufacture of steam 
boilers, aud after a brief experience was considered 
one of the most expert workmen of the craft. 

After a short time spent in the young city of 
Chicago, Mr. Fagerburg went to Galesburg, 111., 
and for three and one-half years was employed in 
the shops of the C, B. & Q. R. R. Co. From there 
he went to Aurora, and lived in tiiat city four and 
one-half 3'ears, when he came to Bloomiugton, 
which remained his home for the following eight 
years. He then crossed the Mississippi to Moberly, 
Mo., where he w.as given charge of the boiler de- 
partment of a large manufactory which he super- 
intended for a period of six years, in the mean- 
time receiving many proofs of the high estimation 
in which his skill as a workman aud his character 
as a man, were held. In 1878 he was recalled to 
Bloomiugton where he again took charge of the 
same department he had been at the head of when 
here before. Two and one-half years later, how- 
ever, he resolved to change his occupation and resi- 
dence, and leaving the dusty shops for the green 
pastures and yellow fields of grain of the country, 
tool? up his abode on his present farm in Dry Grove 
Township. His rural property consists of 1.60 acres 
of finely improved land, upon which he in 1885, 
erected a handsome dwelling at a cost of $2,100. 
In 1886 his barn was destroyed by lightning, but 
he at once set about the erection of another, which 
— •► 



1- 



u 



KIK) 



McLKAN COUNTY. 




he completed at a cost of *l,600,^and which in 
point of convenience and shai)eliness is scarcely 
ccpialed in this connty. The liomcstead in all its 
appointments denotes the thrift and intelligence of 
its owner, and presents one of the jjrettiest pictures 
in the landscape of McLean Connty, and it is with 
pleasure that we include it in the pictorial depart- 
ment of this work, as representing one of the many 
splendid farm residences in the connty. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
Mr. Fagerburg, and which doubtless had mueh in- 
f!\ience in shaping his course in life, was his mar- 
riage, which occurred soon after reaching his rna- 
j(n-ity. The lady of his choice was Miss Catharine 
Jolnison, and their wedding took i)lace on the 21st 
of April, 18o7, in Rockford, 111. The wife of our 
subject is a native of his own country, .■iiid came 
to the United States the same year he did and lo- 
cated with her parents in Canada. .Siie is the 
daughter of John and Kllen (I'arson) Johnson, na- 
tives of .Sweden. The father die<l tiiere in 1811; 
the mother died on the ocean while coming to 
America, in 18.54. 

To the household of jNIr. and Mrs. Fagerburg in 
due time there came a family Of bright children, 
only four of whom are now living: William died 
at (ialesburg at the age of seven months; the sec- 
ond child died unnamed ; Albert ]'. married Miss 
Cora, Kcu\p; Frank 15. received a collegiate educa- 
tion, and is Assistant I'Mymaslcr of the C. & A. R. 
K. Co. ; Kdward is also finely educated ; (ieorge A. is 
a l)right and interesting youlii of sixteen years, 
well advauci'il in ids studies. Mr. and Mrs. Fager- 
burg are mendjcrs of the r>ai)tist Church, and in 
politics our subject is one of the most reliable 
members of the Republican parly. 



•Sp^DWARl) SCIIKLL, of Hloomington, is fore- 
1^ man of the C. A' A. R. R. Round-llonse 
It' — ^ and Engine Dispatcher, under William ^\■il- 
son, .Superintendent lA machinery. lie has the 
requisite knowledge of tiie duties of his position, 
which he is lilling with credit to himself auil sat- 
isfaction to all concerned. Mr. .Scliell is a native 
i[il)eeanoe County, Intl., and was born in ISIO. 






Mis parents were James and Rebecca (Dye) Schell, 
natives of Ohio, where the father engaged in farm- 
ing. The latter left Ohio and came to Iniliana at 
an early day, where he cultivated the soil and es- 
tal>lished a comfortable home, and where he spent 
his declining years, dying in January, 1850. He 
was a soldier in the War of 1812, and after his 
death his sons received a IGO-acre land warrant as 
a pension. The nnjther departed this life in Indi- 
ana, Dec. 2.'5, 18(18. The i)arental household in- 
cluded eight children, of whom only two are liv- 
ing — Sarah, Mrs. Wainscott, of Crawfordsvillc, 
Ind., and our subject. Sarah was first married to 
James Sj>arks, of Lafayette, Ind., and became the 
mother of one child, Olive K. Mr. Sparks enlisted 
as a Union soldier in the late war, and was killed in 
battle. Mrs. S. afterward married James ^^'ain- 
scott, and has one child, a son, Edward. 

The subject of this biograph.y was eleven years 
old wdien his father died. He worked on the farm 
until I8.')(;, and then served three years at the 
blacksmith's trade at Lafayette, Ind. In the fall of 
1859 he engaged as a brakeman on the F. W. & 
Western R. R. until 1800, and then accepted a po- 
sition as fireman until August, 18G2. The late 
war being then in progress he enlisted in the 1 Itli 
Indiana Battery and served until July 2, 1865. He 
was engaged in the liattles of Chickamauga, Look- 
out Mountain and Mission Ridge, together with 
many skirmishes, until they arrived at the Chatta- 
hoochee River, where ensued a heavy eng.agemcnt 
with the enemy across the river. Afterward the 
regiment moved on to Atlanta, fighting for thirl^'- 
one days, the next regular engagement being .at 
Jonesboro. Then they marched back to Atlanta 
and Nashville, where they were transferred to the 
18th Batter}' of Indiana, and starting once more 
through the Southeast, wintered at Waterloo, Ala. 
In the spring, with Gen. Wilson in command, they 
marched to Selma and thence to Maytown, Ga., 
where the}' captured a rebel hospital, disarmed the 
soldiers, and remained there until Ma}', 18(15, near 
the clo.se of the war. Our subject was soon after- 
ward mustered out, and returning to Lafayette, 
Ind., again engaged in railroading, as fireman 
on the same roa(L Tlie following year he com- 
menced running extras until 18(17, and then took 



-» ■ M» 







MoLEAN COUNTY. 



1041 



1 ' 

1 



the position of engineer, being thus emplo.yed un- 
til 1872. He then engaged witli tlic I^ake Shore 
& Michigan Southern, with which he i-eniaincd un- 
til February, l.sTo, and then went on the Wabash 
Railroad as engineer till August, IHSO. Then engag- 
ing with the C. & A. Company he continued as engin- 
eer until 1881, when he accepted his jiresent posi- 
tion. He lias the .supervision of about 200 nicii. 
Mr. Schell was married, in 1805, to Jliss Laura 
Trenary, of Lafayette, Ind., who was born in Indi- 
ana, and is tiie daughter of .lames and Rebecca 
Trenary, natives of Ohio, who are now engaged in 
farming near Lafayette, Ind. Of this union there 
were horn three ciiildren — Edgar F., Mamie K. and 
John C. They occupy a pleasant home on Mul- 
berry street, and c'ujoy the friendsliip and associa- 
tion of the cultnicd peojjle of tiie ciimniuuity. Mr. 
S. is Republican in |)olitics, and socially bclnngs to 
the Brotherhood of Engineers, the I. O. (). F., and 
K. of P. 

B. FUNK, a member of the family which 
WuM is so widel_y and favorably known in the 
Prairie State, and a resident of Blooming- 
ton, was liorn in Funk's Cirove, this coun- 
ty, c)n the 4th of March, 1841. He is the son of 
Hon. Isaac and Cassandra (Sharpe) F'unk, natives 
respectivcl.y of Kentucky and Maryland, and was 
one of a family of ten children luirn to his excel- 
lent and worthy parents. 

The subject of this sketch was the eightii child, 
and while at home, in company with his brothers, 
herded his father's cattle on the broad jirairies. He 
would start out in the morning, taking his liuich in 
a basket, and returned home at night with the cat- 
tle, who freciueiilly roanuid a distance of from live 
to ten miles in their grazing. Our subject being 
among the younger members of the familj', only 
once enjoj'ed the privilege of an overland trip to 
Chicago, assisting to drive his father's hogs to 
market, as a few years later the building of the 
railroads did away with the necessity of going on 
foot and horseback. A. B. remained on the farm 
until 1868, having received a practical education 
in the common schools and two years' instruction 
at Weslej'an College. After tiie outbreak of the 




war he enlisted in 18G4, in Co. K, 145th 111. Vol. 
Inf., and with his regiment was detailed for duty 
in Southwestern Missouri, guarding the railroad 
for five months, and then at the close of the war, 
received his honoralile discharge. 

After he had attained his majority, Mr. Funk re- 
ceived as his portion of his father's estate 2,280 
acres of land, to which he h.as since added yOO 
acres. He has also a cattle ranch in Montana, 
which is stocked with an average of from .oOO to 
2,000 head of cattle. Ui)on his home farm are 
four tenement houses, occupied bj^ men who lo<;ik 
afU^r his stock, which here consists of 400 head 
of cattle and fort.y horses, the latter being Clydes- 
dale and Norman, which he sells when four years 
ol.I. 

Mr. Funk removed to Bloomiiigton in lS(i,S,and 
has proved a valued addition to its business inter- 
ests. He is a stockholder and Director of the 
F'irst National Bank and a stockholder in the Oas 
Company. He contributes cheerfully and liberally 
to every worth}' enterprise, .and in all respects is 
the worthy son of his honored sire, whose name 
will be handed down to future generations as a 
man whose example was worthy of their imitation. 

The beautiful family residence of our subject, 
which was erected at a cost of i>2.i,00(), is located 
on East Grove street, and commands a fine view of 
the surrounding country. It is in every respect, 
with its appurtenances, an ornament to the city 
and a credit to its builder and projector. The 
grounds are beautifully laid out with winding 
walks and shrubbeiy, and in all resjiects give evi- 
dence of cultivated tastes and ample means. 

The marriage of our siiliject and Miss Soplironia 
\'andevender was celebrated at the home of the 
bride's parents in Bhjomington, in 1870. Mrs. 
Funk is a native of Bloomington, and the only 
daughter of James and Emeline (Smith) Vande- 
vender, who were natives of Ohio, whence they 
came to IMcLean County, in 184G. They first set- 
tled ill Le Roy, where Mr. V. engaged extensively 
in the buying and selling of stock. Onr subject 
and his wife have two children, a son and daugh- 
ter, Lyle and p]nieline. 

Mr. and Mrs. Funk, after their marriage, made 
a trip to Europe, visiting France, Switzerland, 



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1042 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



f 



Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, England, Scot- 
land and Ireland, spending about one year abroad. 
Mr. Funk uniformly casts his vote with the Re- 
publican party, and is a member in good standing 
of the G. A. R. and of the Royal Arcanum. His 
business office is at No. 210 North Center street, 
where he overlooks the details of his transactions. 
Me is in all respects one of the solid men of the 
county, and an important factor in its business and 
agricultural interests. 

v|^^ATIIANIEL BECKHAM, who owns a com- 
[[ jjj fortable farm homestead on section 21, 
1\^J^; West Township, is a native of Kentucky, 
born in Warren County, Ma}' 11, 183G. His father, 
Nathaniel Beckham, Sr., was a native of the same 
State, and his grandfather, John Beckham, of Vir- 
ginia, was one of the early pioneers of the Blue 
(irass regions. He removed from Virginia to Ken- 
tucky before even the day of wagon r(jads, the 
journey through the trackless wilderness being made 
with pack horses. John Beckham v^as a skillful 
surveyor and civil engineer and f(jllowed his pro- 
fession successfully for a number of years. After 
becoming a resident of Kentucky, he obtained pos- 
session of a large tract of land in Warren County, 
where he cleared a farm and rcniaiiuMl until his death. 
Nathaniel Beckham, the fatlier of our subject, 
was reared on the farm in U'arren County, Ky., 
and was there married t<^ Miss Elizabeth Low, a 
native of that county, and daughter of William 
J.,ow. one of its earliest pioneers. After marriage 
Mr. Beckham purchased a quarter section of land 
twelve miles oast of Bowling Green, where he es- 
tablished a permanent li<inie and p.assed the remain- 
der of his days, his death occurring while he was 
still in the prime of life, Aug. 31, 1844. His aged 
wife still survives and lives with her daughter in 
Warren Countv, Ky., being now eighty-four years 
old. The record of her eight children is as fol- 
lows: Anderson lives in Warren County, Ky. ; 
Isaac W. is also a resident of that county; Eliza- 
beth and Sarah A. are deceased; Susan .1., Mrs. 
(Jardener; Nathaniel is our sul)iect; .lulia K., Mrs. 
^ Dodd, and .lohn \\'.. live in Warren County, Ky. 



The subject of this history was the sixth child and 
third son of the parental family. He was I'eared 
by his parents on the farm and pursued his early 
studies in the old log school-house. When twenty- 
one years of age he started out for himself, first 
turning his face toward the great West. He spent 
one season in Illinois, then returned to the vicinity 
of his old home and worked out by the month for 
three years following. Then wishing to see some- 
thing more of the world, he started South, trav- 
ersing the States of Tennessee, Alaliania, Misssis- 
sippi, Louisiana, Texas, the Indian Territory, Ar- 
kansas and Missouri, whence he recrossed the 
Father of Waters and landed in this county on tlic 
23d of April, IHGl. He worked as a farm laborer 
for two years, then rented a tract of land upon 
which he operated until 1870. Subsequently he set- 
tled on the farm which he now occupies and which 
his wife inherited from her father. It is a tine 
tract of laud, comprising 320 acres, all enclosed and 
with good improvements. 

Mr. Beckham was married on the .5th of ,lan- 
uary, 1868, to Mi.ss Rachel, daughter of James and 
Margaret Bishop, of whom mention is made in the 
sketch of J. Q. Bishop, published elsewhere in this 
volume. The ten children born of this union are as 
follows.- Charles II., Margaret E., Susan A., Anna 
M., Eliza J., James B., Edward W., Sarah A., and 
Mary A. (twins) and Francis Keys. Mr. Beckham 
is Democratic in politics and is in all respects en- 
titled to be classed as an honest man and a good 
citizen. 



^ — €-^B- — ^ 




»^m^4^ 



~^. AMUEL PERRY is a representative of a 
class of men who are to-da}' active in carry- 
ing on the business of the county, who were 
lirought here b}' sturdy pioneer parents, 
and who were reared, educated and entered u|)on 
life's labors here. He is now a prominent and 
highl}- respected farmer of Uanvers Township, oc- 
cup3'ing a comfortable homestead on section 25. 

Mr. Perry was born in Jessamine County, Ky., 
April 24, 1834, and is the son of John and Charity 
(Pew) I'erry, natives also of the Blue Grass State, 
who were reared there, and married July 25, 1815. 



i~ 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1045 



JoLn Perry was of Welsh descent; w.as born in 
Phihulelphia, Pa., Feb. 22, 17!>0, and remained in 
his native State until 1830. His wife, C'iiarit}' Pew, 
was l)orn March 10, ISOO, in North Carolina. The 
former came to Illinois in 1836, and locating in 
Dry Grove Township, this county, soon afterward 
purchased 107 acres in Danvers Township, where 
he improved a farm and established a comfortable 
home, which he occupied the remainder of his life. 
In early manhood he had learned the slioemaker'.s 
trade, in Philadelphia, which he followed for a 
time in Kentucky, and also after coming to this 
State in connection with his farming. He received 
but a limited education, and was of a quiet and re- 
tiring disposition. He departed this life Aug. 18, 
1865, and the mother, March 24, 1873; the latter 
was a member of the Christian Church at Twin 
Grove. In politics the father of our subject was a 
conscientious Democrat. The parental familj- con- 
sisted of nine children, as follows: Nathaniel; 
Mary A.: William W., who died in Kentucky 
while 3'oung; John; Zerelda, who married ^Ir. E. 
Munsell; Jane, who was born July 11, 181G, and 
died that same year; Susan, who was born April 
18, 1830, married Joseph Myers, and lives in 
Mackinaw, Tazew'ell County; Louisa, who first be- 
came IMrs. Stephen McC^uartz, is now Mrs. Wilson, 
and Samuel, our subject. 

Mr. Perry, of this sketch, remained under the 
parental roof until he attained to years of manhood, 
and was married to Miss Rebecca Hiatt Nov. 26, 
18G3. Mrs. Perry was born Sept. 15, 1837, in 
Stout's Grove, this county, and was the daughter of 
Jesse and Sarah Hiatt. Her parents were natives 
of Ohio, and married there on the 25th of March, 
1829; thej' were of Quaker parentage. A few 
years after their marriage they came to Illinois, be- 
ing among the pioneer settlers of the State. They 
became the parents of four children, as follows: 
Rachel married Mr. William Yeatch; Susanna mar- 
ried John Perry; Matilda married 'William Stewart, 
and Rebecca married our subject, Samuel Perry. 

Mr. and Mrs. Perry became the parents of two 
children — Roscoe, born Nov. 21, 1864, died Sept, 21, 
18G5, and Ella, born Jan. (i, 186(!, died September 
12 of the same year. The wife of our su))ject de- 
parted this life Sept. 23, 1886, at the age of forty- 



nine years, and after an illness of about five 
months. Although not a member of any church 
^Irs. Pen-y was a lady endowed with the highest 
Christian graces, being kind-hearted, charitable, and 
possessed of all womanly virtues. She was fairly 
educated, and proved the true helpmectand .sympa- 
thizer of her husband. A portrait of Mr. Perry is 
shown in this work. 



^x/v-.-'v^iLajz/©-^^ 



|»«SfS!/OTzr»v-'vv^ . 



^ 



' OHN B. FRINK. The Frinks are of New 
England extraction and are descended from 
that element of our Republic who exerted 
in so signal a manner their wisdom and en- 
ergy in planting the seeds of freedom, piety and 
learning, the fruits of which are so richly enjoyed 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. John B. Frink, 
of whom we now write, is one of the large land- 
owners of Old Town Township, and also one of its 
successful and prosperous farmers, and resides on 
section 3. His father, John Frink, was a native of 
Connecticut, and his mother, Rebecca (Sisson) 
Frink, was born in Rhode Island. Subsequent to 
their marriage they settled in Massachusetts, whence 
they removed to Luzerne County, Pa„ and in 1807 
moved to Western New York, locating in what 
was known as the Holland Purchase, and there 
lived until their death. The demise of the latter 
occurred Nov. 5, 1837, and of the former Dec. 28, 
1839. Of their family of ten children, five sous 
and five daughters, all lived to attain the age of 
man and womanhood. 

The subject of this notice was the eldest son and 
fourth child in order of birth of the family. He 
was born in Luzerne County, Pa., April 24, 1802, 
and was five j'earsof age when his parents removed 
to the Holland Purchase. There he passed his boy- 
hood days, received his education, worked on a 
farm, and continued to live until 1869. In March 
of that year he came to this county and purchased 
a half section of land in Old Town Township, the 
same being one-half of section 3. On this he set- 
tled and has since lived, engaged exclusivel3' in 
farming. He is now the owner of 700 acres of 
valuable and productive land and devotes his time 
to its cultivation and to the raising of stock. 



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1046 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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Mr. Frink' \v:is iiiniTicd in Cliiiia, Delaware Co., 
N. v., May 1, 1S2H, to Harriett Frank, daughter 
(if .Simeon and KlK^da Frank, natives of New En- 
gland. Her parents settled in Delaware Count}', 
N. Y., after marriage, whence like Mr. Frink's par- 
ents they removed to the Holland I'nrehase in 
ISO'J. They die(l in Arcade, Wyoming Co., N. Y. 
They had seven children, fonrs(jnsand three daugh- 
ters, of whom Mrs. Frink was the eldest daughter 
and liflh child in order of liirth. She was born 
in Si<lney, Delaware Co., N. Y., March 14. 1S04, 
and her union with our stdijeel has lieen blest by 
Ihe l)irth of seven children — Kmirett S., Corydon 
J., Sheridan, Ilarriette I., Harrison. Isadore and 
Wells C. Kmirett S. is the wife of Sherman G. 
Lewis, and they reside in Nevada, County, Cal. 
They have become the parents of five I'hildren — 
Harriett M., Minnie. Clara, William F. and Albert 
F. Corydon J. Frink married, Mi-^s Sarah J. Par- 
ker, lives in Old Town Towiishi|), and has become 
the father of seven children — Susan, Allen, George 
P., Arthur, Ma}', Albert II. and Clarence. Sheri- 
dan Frink departed this life in Bloomington when 
in his twenty-first year. Harriette I. married I. W. 
Harris, and died in California. Harrison was unit- 
ed in marriage with Mi.ss Sarah AI. Corey, is a res- 
ident of Old Town Township, .and they have five 
children — Cora M., Sheridan .!., Charles H., Irene 
J>. and Kittie S. Isadore Frink and F. II. Liur- 
bank became man and wife, live in ISlue Mound 
Township, and have one child — Ilattie. Wells 
Frink married Miss Kliz.alieth Calkins; they live in 
Dak<)ta, and are the parents of live children — Lewis, 
ICinma, Corydon, Richard and Katie. 

Mrs. Frink, wife of our suljjeet, de|)arted this 
life in Old Town Township, April 24, 1886, having 
.attained to the venerable age of eight,3'-two years. 
She was a most estimable .■iiid highly esteemed old 
lady. 

AVhile living in York State, Mr. Frink hi'ld some 
of the minor ollices of his c/unty. He is liberal 
in his religious views, and in jxtlitics is a standi 
Republican. All his family are earnest workers 
for the promotion of tiie cause of temi)erance, and 
the [)ast record of the life of our subject sparkles 
with deeds of kindness, and has been such .as to 
make him many friends and gain for him the re- 



spect of all those with whom his active, busy life 
brought him in contact. 

Among the large number of jioi'ti'aits of the 
leading men of McLean County given in this vol- 
ume, none will be more welconied than that of Mr. 
Frink. 

^-^c^ -S^}^- -T^^ 

IX__ ANSON T. FORREST is one of the goodly 
r' jj) land-owners, successful and progressive f.arra- 

V^ ers of West Township, and one of the well- 

^ known and respected citizens of this county. 
He vv.as born in I''iederick County, Md., Dec. 24, 
1834. His father, Solomon Forrest, w.as also a na- 
tive of Maryland, a farmer by occupation, and 
spent his entire life in the State of his nativity, dy- 
ing about 18(J7. The maiden name of our subject's 
mother was Elizabeth Wolf. She was born in Mary- 
land, and was the daughter of David Wolf, likewise 
a native of that State, and departed this life in 
Frederick County, Md., about 18.57. They had ten 
children, and our subject was the ninth child and 
sixth son in order of birth. 

Hanson T. Forrest was reared on his father's 
farm, .and took advantage of such opportunities 
as were .afforded to acquire an education. Living 
at home until he was twenty-four years old, he 
then went to Ohio and locating in Miami County, 
worked out by the month on a farm, receiving for 
his services $1(1 per month and board. His em- 
ployer, however, soon increased his w.ages to $20 
per month, and furnished him a log cabin to live in 
and he boarded himself. He continued to labor on 
the farm by the month for three 3'ears after his 
marri.age, when with his savings he bought a team 
of horses, rented some land and worked it, and for 
eight years was engaged in farming in this manner. 
B3' this lime our subject had s.aved about i!2,000, 
.and he bought eighty acres of the land he had been 
working, for $.0,000, p.aying $2,000 down and giv- 
ing a mortg.age for the remaining $3,000. He went 
to work with a will and a determination to pay off 
the mortgage, and bj' the closest economy and hard 
labor succeeded in doing so. 

In 1 879 our subject rented his farm and came to 

this county, and settled on the southwest quarter of 

section 12, West Townsiiip. This land at that time 

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mclp:an county. 



1047 






belonged to his father-in law, but a year later he 
l>urchased eighty acres of it, and liis father-in-law 
gave onr subject and his wife another eighty. lie 
now owns 420 acres in West Township, all enclosed 
and improved. i\Ir. Forrest was married to Nancy 
Snook, Dec. 15, 18.59. .She w.as l)orn in Miami 
County, Ohio, and is the daughter of George W. 
and Mary (Fuller) .Snook. Her father was born in 
Frederick County, Md., and being orphaned by the 
death of his father when quite young, he, when 
thirteen years old, removed to Ohio vvitb his uncle, 
where he was reared to manhood, married, and 
whence he came to this State, and after a residence 
of one year in Logan County, came to this county 
and purchased C40 acres of land in West Town- 
ship. He is at present living in Minnesota, and 
is the owner of upward of 4,000 .acres of land 
in that .State. He started out in life a poor boy, 
and his good judgment .and energy have brought 
him a h.andsome competency. 

Our subject and wife have nine children — George 
W., John B., Celestia A., Irving G., Emra F., Mary 
L., Alvah G., Pearlie A. and Elsa B. In politics 
Mr. Forrest is a Republican. He is quite exten- 
sively eng.aged in the raising of stock on his farm, 
and turns his attention to the Short-horn breed of 
cattle and the Norman breed of horses, .and he h,as 
some as fine specimens of these two breeds .as are to 
be found. an}' where within the boundary lines of the 
county. 



ilSAAC S. MAHAN, deceased, was an attorney 
I at law, living at Lexington, and a resident of 
/li McLean Countj' since 1 846, and during a period 
of over fort}' years w.as promuiently identified with 
the interests of this section. He was well read in 
his profession and in his law tr.ans.actions uniformly 
met with success. Mr. Mahan was born in Ohio, 
neai- the line between Brown and Highland Coun- 
ties, on the 2d of January, 1832. His father, John 
B. Mahan, was a minister of the Presbyterian 
Church and at the time of his death a member of 
|.he Chillicothe Presbytery. He was a man of great 
force of character, bitterly opposed to slavery 
during the days of its existence, and was President 
of the first State Abolition Society, and also State 



Lecturer upon this subject for many years. He 
departed this life in Brown County, Ohio, Dec. IG, 
1844, having all his life cast the weight of iiis in- 
fluence upon the side of justice and equality. The 
mother of our subject was formerly Miss Mary 
Curtis, tlic daughter of .Joseph and Mary Curtis. 

The Mahan family were of Irish extraction Init 
the mother of our subject descended from Germ.an 
ancestry. The parental household included ten 
children, live sons and five daughters, six of whom 
yet survive. 

Isa.ac S. Mahan came with his parents to McLean 
County and they first settled in Lexington where 
the mother died in August, 1879. Our subject 
completed his education in the schools of Lexington 
and then learned the carpenter's ti'ade, at which he 
worked for three years and then began the study of 
law with Judge Tipton. On account of defective 
eyesight he w.as obliged to abandon his chosen pro- 
fession and then engaged in business for three 
years. He was then elected Justice of the Pe.ace, 
which office he held continuously, with the excep- 
tion of three years, since 1S,")7, being elected each 
term successively. He thus held the office twenty- 
nine years, a longer period than any citizen of Mc- 
Lean Count}' now living. He w.as admitted to 
the practice of law in July, 18G7, and devoted his 
time and atiention to his [iractice, in connection 
with insurance and conveyancing, until his death. 

Mr. M.ahan was married on the 2,5th of January, 
18.57, to Miss Frances S. Luce, the sister of Dr. 
Luce of Bloomington. This lady died on the llth 
of October, 18G9. Of this marriage there were no 
children. 

On the 7th of August, 1870, Mr. Mahan was 
married the second time, to Mrs. M.aggie J. Shep- 
hard. She was the mother of William II. Shephard 
of the LcxiiKjtoii Jierieir, and sister of William II. 
Kennedy, manager of the Lexington Band. She 
died Sept. 20, 1883, leaving a son and daughter^ 
Isaac S. and Neba L. 

The third wife of our sultject was Miss Anna C. 
Poore, of Lexington, to whom he was married on 
the 28tii of l)eceinl)er, 188r>. Mrs. Anna C. Mahan 
is the daughter of Prof. D. J. Poore who, for many 
years, was Principal of the Lexington schools. .She 
was a teacher for sixteen years, and now occupies a 



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ik 1048 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



pleasant and attractive home in Lexington where 
she enjoys the association of the cultured people of 
tlie cuinmunity. Mr. Mahan was a member of the 
School IJoard for seven years and socially belonged 
to McLean Lodge, No. I'DC, I. O. O. K., of which 
he became a member in isd;). lie was also a mem- 
ber of Lexington Eiicami)mcnl. He and iiis family 
were regular attendants of tlie Fii-st Presbyterian 
Church, of which he was a member. 




V 

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,KV. BENJAMIN W. BAKER, Presiding El- 
der in the .Streeter district of the Central 
Illinois Conference, was born in Coles 
5i(^C'ounty, 111., Nov. 2.5, 1S41. His i»ternal 
grandfather was a Baptist clergyman and settled in 
Coles County with his family in 1837. The ma- 
ternal grandfather of our subject. Rev. John Adams, 
was a Methodist Episcopal clergyman, and also 
settled in Coles County with iiis family in 1837. 

The father of our subject, .bilin B. Baker, was 
born in Burlington, Vt.. and was a farmeF and 
school teacher, when death ended his career at the 
early age of twenty-five years. Our subject's 
mother, Sarah E. (Adams) Baker, was born in 
Licking County, Ohio, and by her marriage with 
John Baker became the mother of four children, 
one of whom died in infancy and one at the age of 
ten years. One enlisted in Co. K, r23d 111. Vol. 
Inf., and was killed at the battle of Perrj'ville, Ky. 

From the above it will be seen that Elder Baker 
is the only one of his parents' children now living. 
He was reared to manh(jod in tlie family of his 
grandfather. Rev. John Adams, who resided on a 
farm in a timbered country and our subject conse- 
quently grew up accustomed to hard labor. In those 
days there were no public schools, but our subject's 
mother wove cloth for money to pay his tuition in 
a select subscription school for from thirty to sixty 
days annually. The teaciiers were not the best, 
but young Baker was a faithful student and thus 
mastered the fundamental principles of the eom- 
nK)n branches of study. 

In ISOl, as soon as the leport reached him that 
rebel shot and shell had been thundered against 
4' 



Ft. Sumter, his heart was filled with patriotism for 
the maintenance of the country of his forefathers 
and the flag for which they had fought, and he at 
once enlisted in the I'nion army. Upon the call of 
President Lincoln for 7."), 000 men it was so quickly 
filled, that the company in which he enlisted was 
not accepted. He, however, did not have long to 
wait, for our martyred President soon called for 
more men, and young Baker enlisted and was 
mustered into the service Ijy joining Co. E, 25th 
111. \'ol. Inf., and served his country faithfully and 
well on many a liloody battle-field for three years. 
He i)articipated in all the engagements and marches 
of his company and among the principal battles in 
which lie tixjk i)art were Pea Ridge, Corinth, Cham- 
pion Hills, Stone River, Chickamauga and the 100 
days' battle from Mission Ridge to Atlanta. At 
the battle of Pea Ridge he received a gunshot 
wound in the left shoulder which disabled him 
from active service for a time, but at his earnest 
request the surgeon permitted him to remain in the 
regiment. At the battle of Chickamauga he received 
two more bullets in the shoulder, one of which still 
remains there and in consequence of wiiich he was 
confined to the hospital one month antl permitted 
to go home on a furlough of one month. In the 
fall of 18(i3 our suliject was mustered out and 
returned home. His education was limited but 
nevertheless he taught school the following ivinter. 

In the spring of 1865 our subject engaged in 
farming, but the season being wet he only realized 
$10 for his summer's work, after settling all claims. 
He now determined to obtain a thorough education 
and contrary to the a<lvice of friends he entered 
the Illinois State Normal Universitj-, and to pay 
his tuition, did janitor's work about the building, 
and by taking care of horses and doing such 
odd jobs as he could find, he was enabled by 
keeping bachelor's hall, to live. He also taught 
school two terms and earned a little money in that 
manner, always having in mind the completion of 
his education. He thus overcame all obstacles, 
and in 1870 graduated with honors and was subse- 
quently retained in the school as Principal of the 
grammar department. 

The aim and desire of our subject was to be a 
preacher of the Word, he having been converteil to 






t. 



McLean county. 



1049 



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the cause of the Master and joined the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 1864, and consequently he. in 
1874, resigned his position as teacher and accepted 
the charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church .it 
Lexington. After four months' preaching he joined 
the Central Illinois Conference, which twice re-ap- 
pointed him to the charge at Lexington. He next 
preached at Watseka two years, then at Sheldon 
two years, then at Fairbiiry six niontlis and was 
compelled to resign his charge on account of ill- 
health. Going to Denver, Col., he took charge of 
St. .Tames' Methodist Episcop.al Church, and while 
in that cit)' he went out on the street and procured 
a subscription, sufHcient to build a mission church, 
which is now known as the Beckwith Street Cliapel. 
In 1883 Rev. Baker returned to Illinois, and 
accepted the charge of the Christian Union Church 
at Metaniora, a church composed of the various 
religious denominations of that place, and served 
the congregation with entire s.atisfaction until 1885, 
at which time the annual conference api)oinled him 
tc) his present position. He has not taken a vacation 
for over twenty years and his labors have been 
crowned with success. In 1870, after graduating, 
he took a post graduate course in the Illinois Wes- 
leyan I'niversity. 

Elder Baker was married, Dec. 14, 1871, to 
Miss Martha F. Henry. .She was born in Lisbon, 
Kendall Co.. 111., and is tlie daughter of .Tohn and 
Zilpha A. (Wright) Henry. Their union has been 
blest I)y the Ijirth of six children. The eldest, 
John E., died aged thirteen years. The living are, 
Mary .1., Webb E., .lames C, Lois E. and Zili)ha E. 

-«-KM-<sijj(:}:^^jjf -«+■«- 

■^OHN WEEDMAN, deceased, son of one of 
the honored pioneers of this county, was. 
with his father's family, among the first who 
_ set their faces toward the great West, with 
the purpose of establishing for themselves a home 
upon the uncultivated prairie. He was a descend- 
ant of substantial Pennsylvania stock, of German 
ancestry, but was born in Perry County, Ohio, Feb. 
3, 1828. His grandfather, George Weedman, of 
Pennsylvania, was among the earliest settlers of 
Perry C^ounty. He was a man of gi-eat resolution 



and energy, and established one of the first hotels 
on the State road leading from Columbus to 
Zanesville. His wife was an excellent manager, 
besides being skilled in cookery, and their house be- 
came one of the favorite stopping-places along the 
route. They lived in Ohio until 1820. Coming 
into Illinois they located in Randolph Grove, this 
county, where they established a comfortable home, 
and where the grandfather died .at an advanced age, 
in 1840. 

The wife of George Weedman, before her mar- 
rkage, was Miss Charlotte Hume, a native of the 
same State as her husband. She also died at the 
homestead in Randolph (irove, in about 183,5. 
Their son John, the father of our subject, was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1790, and w.as but a lad when 
his parents removed to Ohio. He grew to man- 
hood in the Buckeye State, and was there married 
and lived until 1830, when with his wife .and six 
children, liis p.arents and a brother-in-law, he 
started for Illinois. The journey was made over- 
land by wagons. They arrived at what is now the 
site of the city of Bloomington early in the fall of 
that year. Not far aw.ay w.t£ a v.acant, double log 
cabin, into which the emigrants moved, and which 
they occupied while the m.ale members of the party 
looked around for a permanent location. 

John Weedman, Sr., purchased a tract of land at 
Randolph Grove, upon vvhich was a small log cabin. 
In this his family spent the winter, which is ever to 
be remembered liy the deep snow. That winter 
was probably the most severe ever known by the 
settlers of Illinois. The cabin of our pioneers, how- 
ever, was in good repair, and Mr. Weedman spread 
blankets upon the roof to keep the snow from drift- 
ing through the chinks. The snow Was so deep it 
was impossible to go to mill, and Mr. W. chopped 
down a large tree and built a fire in the stump. In 
the hole thus burned they placed their corn, and 
by the aid of an iron wedge pounded it in this im- 
provised mortar, so that they procured a very good 
substitute for meal. Deer were plenty and venison 
constituted the principal meat. They passed the 
winter in comparative comfort, doing little but 
keep warm and get enough to eat. Mr. W^eed- 
man with his family occupied this pl.ace until 1837, 
then sold out and removed to Hurley's (xrove, De 



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1050 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Witt County, where he established a comfortable 
homestead, and with the exception of two years 
spent in Iowa, passed -the remainder of his days 
there. He departed tills life in 186G, having con- 
tributed much toward the development of tlvs 
county. His wife, who was formerly Miss Rachel, 
daughter of Asa Wilson, one of the pioneers of 
Terry County, Ohio, was born in Marjdand, and 
became the mother of ten children, of whom the 
record is as follows: Asa died in De Witt County, 
in 18GG; Harriett became the wife of William Y. 
McCord, who died near Farmer City, Jan. 18, 
1880; she then married Rev. J. C. Rucker, and now 
lives in Farmer City; (Teorge and Amos are resi- 
dents of De Witt County; John, our subject, was 
the fifth child ; Isaiah served as a Union soldier in 
the 2d Illinois Cavahy, and was killed at the battle 
of Holly Springs, Dec. 20, 18G2; Lucinda is de- 
ceased; Eliza C, the widow of John Williams, is a 
resident of Farmer City; Zadok C. is a resident of 
Santa Anna Township, and Thomas S., of Farmer 
City. 

The subject of this history was but two years of 
age when he came to this county with his p.'irents. 
He remained under the home roof uulil 1 s."j(), and 
then, in company with three lirotlu^-s, started to 
California, making the journey by the old Oi'cgon 
route, crossing the Rocky Mountains at South Pass 
and arriving at Placerville upon the 2(lth of July 
of that j'ear. For nine mouths following young 
Weedman engaged in mining aixl (radiug, and tlieu 
began t(j long for a sigiit of the old home, lipon 
the 1st of April, 18.') 1, he left San Francisco for 
home upon a sailing-vessel, via Panama, and New 
York. 

After this experience I\Ir. Weedman settlecl down 
to faiuiing, and March '■'>{. I .S;");!, was uniled in mar- 
ilage with INIiss Mary A. McDonald. .Mrs. W. was 
born in ^Madison County, Ohio, Sept. 22, 18;i4, and 
was liu' daughtei' of Thomas and Rebecca (Erwin) 
McDonald. After mariiage Mr. and Mrs. Weed- 
man settled on a new farm on section 11, West 
Township, where our sulijcct, In addition to gen- 
eral agriculture, gave much attention to stock-rais- 
ing, and was thus Industriously engaged during the 
remainder of his life, lie embarked in the banking 
business at Farmer City, In 187(1. which he also 



continued until his death, and which is now the 
John Weedman National Bank. John Weedman 
rested from his earthly labors on Jul3' 31, 188."). 

Mr. and Mrs. VVeeilmau became the parents of 
seven children, four now living: Harriet J. be(\ame 
the wife of C. R. Hrodix, and is a resident of 
Washington, 1). C; Cassius M., Rachel Rosella and 
John Sherman aie at home. Mr. Weedman became 
one of the representative farmers of this section, 
and was universally respected for his upright busi- 
ness methods and his genial qualities as a citizen, 
neighl)or and friend. As years rolled on he be- 
came widely and favorably' known as a man whose 
judgment could be relied upon in matters of im- 
portance, and whose integrity and moral worth 
were without question. He was a natural gentle- 
man In his demeanor toward all, and a self-made 
man, who had obtained, through his reading and 
observation of human nature and current events, 
a wide and useful fund of information. 

Mrs. \\'eedman, with her three younger children, 
during the milder months of the year, occupy the 
old farm homestead in \N'est Township, but in the 
winter season take uj) their residence at Farmer 
Cit}'. Through the industry and forethought of 
her husband Mrs. W. is in the enjoj'uient of a com- 
petency, and able to assist those less fortunate. She 
is a lady highly respected in this locality for her 
genuine goodness of heart and womanly virtues. 
We append the following history' of her father's 
family : 

Thomas McDonahi was born in Washington 
Count3', Tenn., Oct. l/i, 1801. He was the son of 
John McDonald, a native of A'irginia. Ills grand- 
father was born In the city of (ilasgow, Scotland, 
and emigratlug to this country when a young man, 
settled tirst In \'irglnla, whence he removed to 
Ohio, and spent the last years of his life in Madi- 
son County. Ills sou John, the grandfather of Mrs. 
W., was nKUi'ied in \\'ashington County, Tenn., 
where he lived until 1808, then moved to Ohio, and 
was among the earliest [iloneers of Madison Coun- 
ty. There he purchased :i, tract of timber land and 
cleared a farm, erectcil .a good set of buiUlings, an<l 
lived there the lialauce of his life. His son Thomas, 
the father of Mrs. W., icMuaincd uuilcr the parental 
roof uulll his marriage, IIkmi settled In the same 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1051 



t 



neigliboiiioorl until the death of liis wife, when he 
again became an inmate of the home circle until his 
second marriage. In ls.)2 he left Ohio and came 
to Illinois, locating in J)e Witt County. He pur- 
chased flftj-three acres of land near Farmer City, 
and (!40 acres a mile distant. Upon the latter he 
carried on farming and stock-raising until the close 
of the war, then retired to Farmer City. His wife, 
formerly Miss Rebecca J. Erwin, was boni in Madi- 
son County, Ohio. Her parents were Joseiih aiid 
Margaret (Montgomery) Erwin. 

Mr. McDonald, although now in the eighty-sixth 
year of his age, enjo^'s good health and maintains 
his mental faculties to a remarkable degree. 

— -^ .o*o.-@y^.<\253..o*o.. -V*- 



yKlYETT ADAMS, deceased, late a resident 
/ of Downs Township, was horn in W.tiren 
W^ County, Ky., Feb. 1, 1»-2H, and died at his 
home in Downs Township, on the II th Of Novem- 
ber. ISS'). He was the son of Jesse Adams, also 
a native of Kentucky, and who sjjcnt his childhood 
and youth in his native State, where he was also 
married, the maiden of his choice being Miss Eliza- 
beth Goodman. She, like her husband, was of 
American parentage, with a little si)rinkling of the 
warm Irish blood which constituted of them the 
generous and kind-hearted citizens, beloved and 
respected wherever known. Jesse Adams and his 
family all came north in is;]0, to Illinois, locating 
in Old Town Township. There the father estab- 
lished a comfortable farm homestead, which he oc- 
cupied the remainder of his days, his death taking- 
place in 1H40. The journey to this county was 
made with ox-teams, after the manner of the early 
pioneers, and was only accomplished after several 
weary weeks of travel. They came into a new and 
uncultivated country, where neighbors were few 
and far between, and endured cheerfully the priva- 
tions and difficulties of life in a new country. 
Their lirst purchase of land was from the Govern- 
ment, and thus from the original soil, they oi)ened 
up a farm in the wilderness, and contributed their 
full share toward the growth and development of 
the great West. They were also pros()ered in their 

4* 



labors, and were enabled to spent their latter years 
in the enjojiiient of a competeuc}'. 

The subject of this history was the youngest but 
two of a large family born to his parents, and was a 
mere boy when they removed from the place of his 
birth to Illinois. He developed into manhood on 
the farm, and was trained by his excellent parents 
to those haliits of industry and economj' which be- 
came later in life, the secret of his success, and 
which gained for him the universal respect and es- 
teem of all who knew him. He was prospered in 
his fai'miug and business opei-ations, and from a 
very small beginning accumulated a ()roperty which 
included 130 acres of valuable land, all improved 
and under a good state of cultivation, and supplied 
with one of the finest farm residences in this part 
oi McLean County. The barns and other out- 
buildings correspond with the dwelling in every re- 
spect, and the entire premises invariabl3' attract the 
ej'e of the traveler passing through this locality. 
Of late years Mr. Adams made a specialty of 
fine stock which included Short-horn cattle and 
thoroughbred horses. He was one of the most in- 
telligent and progressive fanners of this section, 
but in the midst of his prosperity ever liMd a 
thought for the good of his community, morally 
and intellectually, and was always vvilling to con- 
tribute of his time and means toward the support 
of .any enterprise calculated to this end. He was 
honored with many otKces of trust l)y his fellow- 
citizens, and politically was a stanch adherent of 
the Republican party. 

The marriage of VViyett Adams and Miss Char- 
ity Bishoi) w.as celebrated at the home of the bride's 
parents in Randoli^h Township on the 25th of 
March, l.si.i. Mrs. Adams was the daughter of 
Jacob Bishop and was born in Perry County, Ohio, 
Oct. 18, 1826. She was the fourth child of her 
parents' family, and w.as but four years of age 
when they emigrated to Illinois, settling in Ran- 
dolph Township, whei'e she grew to womanhood 
and received her education in the pioneer schools. 
She remembers distinctly the rude log cabin whicii 
then constituted the temple of learning, an<l 
through which light was admitted liy means of 
greased paper. The chimney w.as built of mud and 
sticks, and the benches and desks, of the most prim- 



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1052 



McLEAN COUKTY. 



itivc descriiition, knew neither plane nor paint. 
She made her home with her jiarents nntil her mar- 
riage with our subject. Of this happ_v and con- 
jicnial union there were born fifteen children, five 
of wliom are deceased. Of the living the record is 
as follows; Elizabeth became the wife of Jolni 
Ilarvert}', a farmer of Downs Township; Joseph, 
unmarried, is connected with a music store in 
Kloomington; Emma, Mrs. Miller Wamsiey. is a 
resident of Ileyworth; Luther married Miss Lena 
Williams, an<l is a stoclv breeder at Downsville; 
Dora, the wife of Alvin Null, resides on a farm in 
Downs Township; Lida married Frank Cowden. a 
farmer of Old Town Township; C'elia, Mrs. Thomas 
Campbell, resides with her hnsliand on a farm in 
Old Town Township; Miller is farming in Downs 
Township; he married Miss May Whilcomb: Jen- 
nie, an !U'comi>lished and well educated 3-oung lady, 
lives at home with her mother, of whom she is the 
pleasant companion and assistant; Nettie is attend- 
ing school at Downs Village. Those deceased are, 
John. Jacob, Martha, Susan and Maggie. 

Tlu' Adams family are prominently connected 
with the Methodist Episcopal t'hurch in this county. 
Mr. Adams also was one of the most useful and 
active memb(>rs in the church in Downs Township, 
and olllciated .as Class- Leader for many years; he 
was also licensed as an exhorter. Since the death 
of her husband Mrs. Adams has superint<'uded the 
homestead in an able manner, and under her super- 
vision it has maintained its old-lime re|)ntation as 
one of the best conducted farms in this part of 
McLean County. 



*^\ RS. MARY A. NESMITII, daughter of 
ll\ John and Eli7.al)elh (Wolf) .Mc(iinnis, is 
I li the owner of a comfortable homeste.-ul on 
* section 21, Lawudale 'i'ownship, which was 

purchased by her husband, Arthur E. Nesmilh. in 
1883. The father of Mr.s. Ne.smitli was a native of 
Kentucky, and her mother of New Jersey'. After 
marriage they located in P.utler County, Ohio, 
whence they removed to Indiana in 1822, settling 
in I'arke Coxmty. They resided there nntil IS.'M, 
then came to Tazewell County, this State, where 



their lives terminated, the father dying Jan. 10, 
1870, and the mother April 12, 1882. Mr. Mc- 
Oinnis was a farmer by occupation. The parental 
family iucludeil nine children, four boys and five 
girls, of whom Mrs. Nesmith was the seventh; she 
was born in Parke County, Ind., May 30, 1833, 
and lived with her parents until her marriage with 
Arthur E. Nesmith, which took place in Tazewell 
County, 111., on the .ith of June, ISfiO. Mr. Ne- 
smith was the son of Cyrus A. and Marinda (Ilurl- 
but) Nesmith, natives of New England. After 
their marriage, Cyrus and Marinda Nesmith settled 
in Medina County, Ohio, whence they removed in 
1847, to this State, locating in Peoria County; 
from there they removed to Woodford County, 
and thence to Washington, III., where the father 
died Jan. 9. 1884. The mother still survives and 
lives in Washington, 111. 

Arthur E. Nesmith, the eldest child, and hus- 
band of our subject, was born in Medina County, 
Ohio, Dec. 28, 1833. lie was reared on a farm 
and received a fair education ni the common 
schools. Mr. and Mrs. Nesmith of this notice, in 
their younger da>'s were both school teachers, Mr. 
Kesniitli having taught two years, and Mrs. Ne- 
smith four years. He also taught singing school 
foi- a number of years, and was very successful in 
that calling. The daughters are all musicians, and 
Fannie is at present giving music lessons. After 
marriage, the young people located on a farm in 
Christian County, 111., where they remained three 
years. In 18(;2 the}' removed to Woodford Count}', 
where they lived until February, iss;!. Then they 
came to Lawnsdale Township, this county, where 
Mr. Nesmith purchased 1(>0 acres on section 21, 
where he made his home until his death, wliich oc- 
curred Jan. 22. 18.S1. lie had a short time previ- 
ously been visiting his father in Washington, III., 
where he took a severe cold, which developed into 
pneumonia, and proved fatal in less than two weeks. 
Mr. Nesmith had been a stirring and energetic man, 
and besides the homestead where the family resided 
at the time i>f his death, he owned 120 acres ' i 
Lawndale Townshij), which constitutes 2.S0 acres 
in all. 

Arthur Nesmith was a worth}- member of the 
Christian Church, and had held various oflices 



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McLEAN GOUNIT. 



1055 



while living in Woodford County. Of the four 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nesmith, one died in 
infancy ; Jennie E. is tlie wife of Marion A. Kin- 
dig, and resides in "Woodford County ; they have 
one child, a daughter. Vera. May and Fannie are 
at home with their mother. Mrs. Nesmith is also 
a member in good standing in the Christian Church. 
Her home is pleasantlj^ located, and, surrounded 
by her children and friends, she is enjo^ying all the 
comforts and manj^ of the luxuries of life. She 
has managed the estate left her by her husband 
with ability and good judgment, and is highly es- 
teemed by all who know her. 

A handsome lithographic view of Mrs. Nesmith's 
residence is shown on anotiier page of this work. 



r 



([f/SAAC VANORDSTRAND. In Mr. Vanord- 
strand's life we find an excellent example for 
\ young men just embarking in the field of act- 
ive life, of what may be accomplished by a man be- 
ginning poor, but honest, prudent and industrious. 
In early life he enjoyed but few advantages. His 
* school days were limited, nor iiad he wealth or posi- 
tion to aid him in starting in life. He relied solely 
upon his own efforts and iiis own conduct to win 
for him success. Nor has his been a success solelj' 
in the sense of accumulating wealth, but in doing 
good to others, in serving others well and in win- 
ning their respect and esteem. He has ever strictly 
observed that most important factor in the success- 
ful public or business life of any one — honesty. He 
is a careful, conscientious business man, ever adher- 
ing to the dictates of his conscience in matters 
both of a public and private nature. 

Mr. Vanordstrand is senior member of the firm 
of Vanordstrand & Co., extensive grain and stock- 
dealers of Hey worth. Their grain business was es- 
tablislied in 18.57, and it is conceded b}' all that the 
firm of Vanordstrand & Co., have been the means 
of m.aking Heyworth what it is, and bringing it to 
its present position in the business world. Their 
elevator has a capacity of 15,000 bushels and their 
transactions are steadily on the inci'ease. 

For ten years our subject was engaged in general 
merchandising, his stock being located on his farm 



■h 



near what was then Elmwood, but now Heyworth. 
In the immediate vicinity of the store was Inde- 
pendence and of this our subject was also Post- 
mastei- until his resignation in 18G0. He operated 
the store from 1846 to 1855. In 1860 the name 
was changed to Heyworth. 

TNlr. Vanordstrand came to McLean County in 
1845. He says he was then as " poor as a church 
mouse." He landed here with $5 which he loaned 
to a man who finally beat him out of it. Mr. V. 
first engaged in teaching school at the munificent 
salary of $14 per month, and after six months thus 
occupied, during which time by the closest economy 
he managed to save a small sum of money, he com- 
menced clerking in a store at Independence. In 
the fall of 1846 he began merchandising at the 
same place in partnership with J. N. Low and an- 
other. In 1848 he bought them both out and car- 
ried the business on alone until 1855. Feb. 7, 
1857, he embarked in the grain business at Elm- 
wood, now Heyworth, and has been engaged in it 
since with O. C. Rutledge. 

Mr. Vanordstrand was born among the Pennsyl- 
vania hills in the extreme western portion of Wash- 
ington County, Feb. 11, 1824. His father was a 
native of the same county and vvas the son of Isaac 
Vanordstrand, Sr., a native of Trenton, N. J., and 
of New JIngland birth and parentage. The great- 
grandfather of our subject was Warden of the 
Penitentiary at Trenton during the Revolutionary 
War and being captured bj' the soldiers of Gen. 
Howe, in order to delude them, gave his name as 
Vanordstrand. He having, been instrumental in 
hanging, some of the English spies, a reward was 
offered for his capture, and he afterward retained 
the name which the family bears to-day. The 
grandfather of our subject, Isaac, Sr., came to 
Western Pennsjivania in 1780, being among the 
early settlers of Washington Count}'. He carried 
on farming there for a [period of fifty-four years 
and became the owner of a vast extent of land. 
His death occurred when he was seventy-four years 
of age. 

. The father of our subject, William Vanordstrand, 
was born, reared, married and died in Washington 
County, Pa. His wife vvas Miss Sarah Smith, a na- 
tive of the same county, of Scottish ancestry and 
■ » 



T 






u 



1056 



McLEAN COUNTY. 






parentage. She died in Wasiiington County in 
1861, when fifty -seven years of age, from a stroke 
of paralysis while away from her home. Of their 
family of seven sons and five daughters, four only 
are now living and of whom the subject of this 
history was the eldest. He remained at home and 
assisted his father on the farm until he became of 
age. He then determined to seek his fortune in 
the West and, coming to Illinois, selected a tract 
of land in this county and engaged in farming 
pursuits. He was married in Randolph Township 
to Miss Eliza A. Low, who was born in this county, 
April 30, 1832. Mrs. V. was the daughter of Na- 
than and Sarah (Bi'ooks) l^ow, natives respectively 
of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The parents of 
Mrs. V. were married in Licking Couuty, Ohio, by 
the late Judge Green, and came to McLean County, 
111., in about 1830. Here Mr. Low purchased land 
and the deed for it was the first recorded in this 
county. Here the parents passed the remainder of 
their days, the father d3'ing when fifty years of age, 
and the mother siu'viving him many years, being at 
the time of her death (Ught3'-seven years old. 

Our subject and his wife became tlie parents of 
three cliildren, of wliom one is deceased. Willie 
married Miss Nancy Noble, and they are living on 
a farm in Randolph Township; Craig is unni;irried 
and makes iiis home with his parents. He has a 
good education which «as obtained by close appli- 
cation to his books in the schools of Hey worth. 
The home of our subject and his family is finely 
located and gives evidence of the cultuie .and 
means of its occupants. 

Our subject is Dem()cratic in politics and has 
held the minor offices of his townsliii). He has 
been prominent in political matters in this section, 
and in 1«7G-1880 was nominated for Re[n-esenta- 
tive on the Independent ticket, but was defeated 
with the other candidates. This, of course, was 
not unexpected but IVIr. Vanordstrand is of that 
temperament which perseveres in a principle as 
well as a business pursuit, and if he cannot do all 
that he wishes, will do all that he can toward 
the success of a principle, as well as the further- 
ance of a business project. He is rated as first 
and best among the men of this cfmimunity 
and there are few worthy enterprises or at- 



tempts at reform ,in which he has not been the 
leader and chief supporter. He owns about 1,200 
acres of land, 700 of which lie in this county and 
in Randolph Township. He is tacitly acknowl- 
edged to be the father and founder of Hey worth 
and has been one of the chief pillars in its indus- 
trial and agricultural interests, and as such we take 
pleasure in inesenting his portrait in this volume. 



•-^--VA, *\*JiJ2£/©'^^ 



•/g5^gJ/^7^r^'>v. -vv>^ 



WiILLIAM W. ISIARMON, a wholesale dealer 
in drugs and medicine in Bloomingtou, 
where he has fully established himself in 
the respect and confidence of his business .associ- 
ates, is a native of Indiana, and was born in the 
village of Milton, Dec. 7, 1832. His father, Da- 
vid Marmon, was a native of North Carolina, 
whence he removed at an early da}^ to the Hoozier 
State, becoming one of the early settlers of Wayne 
County. He engaged in merchandising there for 
mail}- years, and there spent the remainder of his 
life, dying in 1840. His wife, the mother of our 
subject, who before her marriage was Miss Mary 
Jane Crookshank, was a native of Ohio, born about 
1815. 

The Marmon family comes of good old Quaker 
stock, the maternal grandmother of our subject 
having been Miss Riichel Dick, sister of Judge 
Dick, one of the eminent jurists of North Carolina. 
The Crookshanks were of Scotch origin, the ma- 
ternal grandfather of William W. having been 
William Crookshank, who removed to Ohio at an 
earl^' period in the history of that Stiite. Benja- 
min Marmon, paternal grandfather of our subject, 
was among the early settlers of Indiana. The nn)tlier 
of our subject came to this county' in 1816, and of 
the four children included in the parental house- 
hold onl\' two survive. After the death of her 
first husband, David Marmon, she married the late 
Dr. Harrison Noble, .of this county. 

The subject of this history passed his boyhood 
in Wayne County, Ind., in the meantime attaining 
a good common-school education in Cambridge 
City. When fourteen years of age he went to 
Ohio, wliere lie attended a private school, and 
thence removed with his mother, in 1846, to Illi- 



(Ige 

; to I 

and 1' 

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McLean county. 



1057 



1 



nois. They located in this county, where our sub- 
ject worlied on a farm for two years and then en- 
tered the drug-store of Messrs. Park & Luce, witli 
whom he remained as cleric until 1851. He then 
left Bloomington and entered upon the study of 
medicine in 1853, and after returning toolv charge 
of the same store in which he had before engaged, 
but which had changed liands, the successors of 
Parlv & Luce being Paist & Elder. Young Mar- 
mon continued with the latter firm until 185C, then 
purchased the interest of William Elder, and con- 
tinued as a partner of Mr. Paist until 1874, when 
the latter died, Mr. Marmon then piirch.ased his 
interest and has conductetl the business alone since 
that time. The business was first carried on as a 
large retail house, and has been gradually merged 
i]ito a wholesale trade. The main building is "23x 
80 feet in area, and this, in addition to another 
which he occupies gives him a tioorage of 560 feet, 
Mr. Harmon is a straightforward business man, 
obliging and courteous in his manner toward his 
patrons, and prompt in meeting his obligations. 
He has consequently been very successful in his 
opei'ations and ranks among the leading and pro- 
gressive citizens of Bloomington. 

The subject of our sketch was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary A. Cheney, of Bloomington, 
in 1858. Mrs. M. is a native of Illinois, born in 
1837, and the daughter of Owen and Maria Che- 
ney. Of this union there has been born one child, 
a son, William L. The famil3' residence is pleas- 
antly locate(l on Washington street, where its in- 
mates are surrounded by all the comforts of life. 
Mr. Marmon is conected with the Masonic frater- 
nity as a member of Wade Barney Lodge. 



yESLEY M. DICKERSON, of Downs Town- 
ship, is the son of Michael Dickerson, who 
was of Southern parentage and it is sup- 
posed a native of Kentucky. The latter married Miss 
Jane Rutledge and they located in Tennessee, in 
which State Michael Dickerson enlisted as a soldier 
in the War of 1812, and served faithfully and 
courageously through that struggle. After the 
war he removed his family to Kentuck}', whence 



they came to White County, 111., and settled near 
Maysville upon a farm. Owing to the unhealthy 
condition of the climate which induced fever and 
ague, the}- moved to what is now DeWitt County, 
' but then included in McLean. The father of our 
subject was thus one of the early pioneers of this 
locality and afterward located at Randolph Grove, 
where he built a tiour-mill on Kickapoo Creek, 
which was the first structure of the kind put up in 
McLean County, being erected previous to 1830. 
This he afterward sold, but continued his residence 
nearLe Roy, where he died Feb. 10, 183G. Michael 
Dickerson was classed among the "snow-birds" of 
1831, and his hardship and suffering during that 
period was the immediate cause of his death. While 
the snow was still falling he was obliged to go to 
mill. The road became impassable and after toil- 
ing many hours through the drifts, he was com- 
pelled to leave his wagon and tying himself to the 
tails of his two oxen, turned them loose in hopes 
the}' woidd find a human habitation, or perhaps 
their home. He was drawn by them to a house 
where the dogs barking at the approaching cattle 
attracted the attention of the inmate, who came 
out to find Mr. D. in a jjerishing condition. He was 
at once taken in and cared for in the most kindly 
manner but never recovered from the terrible ex- 
posure. 

The mother of our subject died at the home of 
her son, Wesley M., in April, 1873, being seventy- 
two years of .age. Both parents were mend)ers of 
the Presbyterian Church, and reared their children 
in those principles which constituted them good 
citizens and worthy members of society. 

Wesley M. Dickerson was the yoinigest of a fam- 
ily of eight children and was born in Empire 
Township, this county, Feb. G, 1 834. He was 
onlj' two years of age when his father died and he 
remained with his mother until he went to farming 
on his own account, when he made a home for her 
and she remained with him until her death. He 
purchased the farm which he now owns and occu- 
pies several years before his marriage. This inter- 
esting event occurred on the 27th of April, 1872, 
at Le Roy, when he was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Miranda Chapman, who was born in Madison 
County, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1846. Her father died 



ison I j 
lied I 



i 



t. 



t 



1058 



4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



rj 




before she was born, nnd the maiden name of 
her motlier \v;is also Chapman. 'I'liis hidy, after 
tlie death of her husband, married William Curry 
of Ohio, who served as a soldier in the late war. 
The mother of Mrs. Diekerson subsequently came 
West and died at Danvers in this county, Feb. 12, 
1.-187, being- sixtj^-nine yeai's of age. She was a 
member of the Presl\vtcrian Church. Mrs. Diclver- 
son came to Illinois witii her motiier when five 
years of age and was reared in Empire Township, 
where she lived until her marriage. ( )f her union 
with our subject there were born five children, one 
of whom, Omer, died in infancy. Those living 
are, A'innie J., Alice, Lulu and Earl M. Mr. 
Diekerson is Democratic in politics and uniformly 
casts his vote in support of the principles of his 
jiarty. 

» — "^=^^^~- iff ^^'^^^^- r > 

JIILIP FAWCETT, a retired farmer living 
in the village of S.ay brook, has been a resi- 
dent of the Prairie State for over thirty 
years. He located in De Witt C'ounty, in 
IH.ol, where he remained two years, then removed 
to Logan County, and from there, in 186G, took up 
his abode in Mcl.,eau County, on a farm in Mt. 
Hope Township. After eight years he sold that 
proi)erty and purchased the Rankin (irove Farm, a 
valuable tract of land consisting of l'28^ acres, 
which he now owns. He retired from active labor 
in 187!), and is passing his declining years in ease 
and contentment, which is his just due after having 
performed the duties of a long and w-orthy life. 

Mr. Fawcett was born in Knox County, Ohio, 
Sept. 13, 1818, and is the son of Arthur and Susan 
(Smith) Fawcett, the former a native of County 
Donegal, Ireland, and the latter liorn in Ohio. Ar- 
thur Fawcett remained in his native country during 
his childhood, and was orphaneil at an early age. 
He then went to the iiome of his aunt, and when 
seventeen j'ears old ran away, and taking j^ass- 
age on board a sailing-vessel, started for the New 
World. After Landing upon American shores he 
proceeded directly to Ohio, locating near Steuben- 
ville. He employed himself at whatever he conld 
find to do, was industrious and economical, and in 
due time became the owner of about 'JOO .acres of 



land. He married when thirty j'ears of age, and in 
company with his wife became a worthy member 
of the Lutheran Chnrch. Their ten children, five 
sons and five daughters, included Samuel, Philip, 
Elizabeth, Lucinda, Anna, Crawford, John M., 
Izates, Catherine and ;\Iary. Of these six are still 
living. 

The subject of this sketch was the second child 
of his father's famil3',and remained under the home 
roof until twenty-six j'ears of age. At that age 
he w."is united in marriage with Miss Martha E. 
V.ince, on the (ith of August, 1844. Mrs. F. w.is 
born April 27, 182(1, in Guernsey County, Ohio; 
came with her mother to Illinois, and died in Logan 
County, Feb. 24, 180;"). after having become the 
mother of seven children. Of these Angelo ^^ first 
married Miss Hattie Thomas; his second wife was 
Corrie Dodson, and she dying, he formed a third 
matrimonial alliance; Susanna E. ; Margarj' died 
Sept. 1, LS.jfi; Philii) n. and John A. 

Philip Fawcett was m.irried to his second wife, 
formerly Miss Sarah Elliott, Dec-. ;!1, 18G5. Mrs. 
F. wfis born in Morgan County, Ohio, April 20, 
1836, .and was the daughter of James and Jane 
Elliott. Her father was born in Ohio, in 1812, and 
the mother in Pennsylvania, in 1800. The latter 
lived to be eighty years old. her death occurring 
in 1880, and the aged father is still living in Ohio. 
Their five children included three sons and two 
daughters: Sarah, the eldest, is the wife of onr 
subject; Julia A. married Mr. Worthington Coffee, 
who during the late w.ar served as .a Union soldier 
in an Ohio regiment, and now lives in Nebraska; 
Josiah married Miss Jane Imes, and is a resident of 
Ohio; Xancy .1. became the wife of Elvin Gouch- 
enour, and they live in Ohio; James M. is deceiised. 
Mrs. Jane Elliott, liy a previous marriage, became 
the mother of three children. Her son Alfred lost 
his life in the Mexican War, and the others were 
Alex.ander and Elizabeth. 

The present wife of our subject became the 
mother of one child, Lillie J., w-ho was ))orn April 
12, 1870. and died in 1873, aged three years, eight 
months and twelve days. 

The eldest son of our subject, Angelo V., during 
the late w.ar enlisted in Co. E, 7th 111. Vol. Inf., 
serving .as a soldier two years, and in the meantime 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1059 




i 



receiving an honorable vvouud, which, however, he 
soun recovered from. The residence of Mr. and 
Mrs. P\awcett is a handsome and commodious 
dwelling, finely loc.ited in the midst of fifteen .acres, 
which inclndes a beautiful grove. lie has a fine 
fruit orchard, a good barn, and all other accessaries 
of a suburban liomestead. Mr. Fawcett has been 
incapacitated for labor for the la.st eight years, on 
.account of rheumatism, but his general health is 
good, .and he presents the i>icture of a hale and 
hapi)y old gentleman, who is entitled to, and is 
fully eiijo3'ing the good things i>f life. 



.;1LL1AM BLUE. One of the large land- 
owners of Old Town Township, and a gen- 
tleman [irominent .as an agriculturist and 
respected <as a citizen, is the subject of this notice, 
located on hi,s fine farm on section 84. The par- 
ents of Mr. Blue were Zachari.ah and J.ane (Jolni- 
son) Blue. He was a native of Ohio, and she w.as 
born in Kentucky. After their marriage the old 
foliv made their home in Champaign County, Ohio, 
whence they came to this county in 1836, and set- 
tled in Bloomington Township, where the}' lived 
for several years. The}' then removed to Downs 
Township; subsequently selling his farm the father 
took up his residence at Bloomington. There he 
purchased property, which he afterward traded 
for a farm in Downs Township, and on this 
place the lives of the two heads of the family ter- 
minated. Eight children were born of their union, 
and the gentleman whose name heads this notice 
was the youngest in order of birth. 

AVilliam Blue was born in Champaign County, 
Ohio, Feb. 11, 1836, the same year that his parents 
removed to this county, and consequently he has 
lived within the boundary lines of the county all 
his life, and during these years has followed no 
other occupation than that of a farmer, lie is the 
owner of 400 acres of valuable and productive 
land, on which he has good improvements, and has 
met with far more than ordinary success. 

William Blue was married in Old Town Town- 
ship, Jan. 10, 1860, to Miss Catherine, daughter 
of Joshua .and Ann (Hedrick) Wood, natives of 



Virginia. Her parents came to this county in 
1 848, and both of them departed this life in Old 
Town Township. They h.ad seven children, and 
Mrs. Blue was the youngest. She first saw light in 
Pendleton County, Va., .Inne 17, 1840. Of her un- 
ion with our sul)jeet nine children have been born: 
Albert m.arried Miss Ottie L. Biggerstaff, and they 
are living in Old Town Township; Harriett is the 
wife of Robert Carlisle, a farmer of Danvers 
Township. Our subject and wife have buried one 
child, Agnes, who died in infancy. 

iNIr. Blue enlisted in the Union army, joining 
the 94th Illinois Infantry, in the year 1861, and 
served for about one year. He enlisted .as a pri- 
vate, and participated in the battle of Prairie 
Grove, Ark., in which he received a wound in the 
thigh by a musket ball, and in consequence of 
which he w.as disciuarged, and returned home, and 
after convalescing again entered upon the peaceful 
pursuits of life. In politics he votes for the suc- 
cess of the Republican part_v. 



//c^ AMUEL BECHTEL, of Downs Township, 
^*^^ is pleasantly located on section 34, where 




he is carrying on general farming. He is 
the owner of 160 acres of choice land with 
a handsome and substantial set of farm buildings. 
He located upon his present homestead in 1853, 
and h.as occupied it continuously since th.at time. 
]\Ir. Bcchtel w.as born in Pickiiway County, Ohio, 
Aug. 13, 1823, being the son of John and Esther 
A. (Myers) Bechtel, who were married in Picka- 
w.ay County, and where the father for some years 
afterward followed his trade of cooper. Tliey 
afteiward removed to Knox County, same .State, 
settling upon a farm, where they lived until depart- 
ing from the scenes of earth. 

The subject of this history' remained under the 
p.arental roof until he attained his majority, being 
the second of five children who completed the 
household circle. He was m.arried in Knox Count}', 
Ohio, in about 1849, to Miss Catherine Koutz, who 
was born in about 1821, and w.as the daughter of 
George and Christina (Frund) Koutz, natives of 
Virginia, where they were reared and married, being 



i 



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t 



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1060 



mcLe:an county. 



I 



of German descent and j)nrent,:igo. After marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. Koutz settled in (ireene Coiint}^ Pa., 
whence they removed when tiieir daughter, Cather- 
ine, was ten 3'ears of .age. Tliey located on a farm 
in Knox County, Ohio, whore they remained until 
after the close of the war and then e.ame to McLean 
County, locating in Bloomington, and there passed 
the remainder of their d.ays. Mrs. 15. remained 
with her parents until her marriage, and by her 
union with our subject has become the mother of 
the following children: (ieorge, Samuel, now mar- 
ried, Joseph, Lucy A. and Harvey. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel lived in Knox Count}', 
Ohio, a few years after their marriage, when they 
removed to the Prairie State, and have made their 
home in Downs Township since that time. Mrs. B. 
is a member in good standing of the Lutheran 
Church and our subject in politics affiliates with the 
Republican party. 

ON. .TESSE W. FELL. Until long after the 
present generation has passed away the 
name of this lamented citizen will be held 
in tender and grateful remembrance by 
the residents of McLean County. He was not only 
one of its earliest pioneers, but was closely identi- 
fied with its prosperity, to which he perhaps con- 
tributed more than any one man. In the building 
of its railroads, the establishment of schools .and 
other educational institutions, he not only contribu- 
ted largely of his own means but was one of the first 
to secure the assistance of other moneyed men. 

Jesse W. Fell was born in New Garden Town- 
ship, Chester County, Pa., on the 10th of Novem- 
ber, 1808, and deirarted this life at his home in 
Normal, Feb. 2;'), 1887. He w.as the son of Jesse 
and Rebecca (Roman) Fell, also natives of the 
Keystone State. The great-great-grandfather of 
our subject emigrated to America in 1705. The 
Fell ancestry had been members of the Society of 
Friends from its origin. The family of Jesse Fell, 
Sr., was a Large one, including seven sons and two 
daughters. 

Mr. Fell was reared to manhood amid lite in- 

4* 




fluences of a country life and a Quaker neighbfn'- 
hood and received a good education. After leav- 
ing school he eng.aged in teaching. In 1828 he 
started on foot for the Mississippi Valley. After 
reaching Steubenvili(!, Ohio, he made the .acipiaint- 
ance of the law firm of Stokely & Marsh, wlio 
offered to take him as a student upon such terms 
that he was glad to accept. At the end of two 
years he was admitted to the bai- and proffered a 
partnership with his preceptors. He, however, de- 
clined, still determined to locate in the Westi He 
started out on foot as before, and in the fall of 
1831 arrived at William Brown's near Delavan, 
whose acquaintance he had made when a teacher in 
Pennsylvania. He stopped there for the winter, 
during which time business called him to the bud- 
ding village of Bloomington. He was there in- 
duced to open a law oflice, the first one in town. 
Although there was not much practice then, Mr. 
Fell found abundant employment in the adjustment 
of land claims. It was then not uncommon for the 
party who desired to locate a particular piece of 
land to be compelled to make a race for it to Dan- 
ville with other claimants. Mr. Fell became the 
owner of a horse named McLean, and on this gal- 
lant steed he would frequently make the ninety- 
mile ride to Danville within daylight hours in be- 
half of some friend or client. In 183G he first met 
David Davis, who was then at Pekin, but at the 
solicitation of Mr. Fell, became a resident of 
Bloomington, the latter turning over to him his 
office, books and law practice. Even at this early day 
Mr. F. was regarded as a man of large wealth, with 
the certain prospect of a v.ast fortune in the near 
future. In the financial panic of 1837, however, 
his wealth vanished like that of many others. But 
he was of too brave a spirit to be discouraged, and 
a few years later found him again upon his feet 
ready to push forward with new labors and pro- 
jects. The first newspaper of Bloomington was the 
result of his enterprise and he subsequently became 
its editor. 

On the 2(^11 of January, 1838, the marri.age of 
Jesse \V. Fell and Miss Hester Brown took place. 
Mrs. Fell survives her husband and lives on the 
homestead at Noiinal. After his marriage, the 
financial crash having depressed real estate opera- 



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■■» % M* 



McLean county. 



1061 



tions, Mr. Fell again took up the practice of law, 
and among other eminent men enjoyed the friend- 
ship of Lincoln, Stuart, Col. Baker and others who 
afterward became famous. He soon tired of law, 
however, and turned his attention to farming, spend- 
ing one season with his family on what is now the 
Gregory farm, long known as Ft. Jesse. This was 
the only house then on the prairie. At the end of 
that summer they left the farm and moved to Ad- 
ams County, near (^)uincy, and were engaged in 
nursery fruit growing six years, at the expiration of 
which time they returned to Rloomington. Mr. 
Fell again became proprietor of a newspaper and 
embarked in the land Intsiness, taking an active 
part in railroad projects and working as the agent 
especially of the Alton <fe Springfield road, to secure 
the right of way through this and adjoining coun- 
ties. He also led the successful movement for the 
location of its principal shops, in the young and 
growing city. 

One of the great efforts of Mr. Fell's life was 
made in 1857. when he succeeded in locating the 
State Normal University. To this he became the 
largest individual donor and was instrumental in 
securing 1141,000 of the money needed for its es- 
tablishment and equipment, also to obtain the Sol- 
dier's and Orphan's Home, Mr. Fell contributing 
one-fifth of the *.50,000 donated. In all his op- 
erations his strong temperance principles were 
brought to bear and he procured the amendment of 
the city charter so as to perpetually restrain the 
authorities from licensing the sale <»f liquor. 

In politics, as in other public matters, Mr. Fell 
usually took a warm interest. In his younger days 
he was a Whig. After the formation of the Re- 
publican party, he joined it. In the midst of a 
complicated business, and ])olitical and |)rivate 
affairs, Mr. Fell still found time to gratify his love 
of nature, which was illustrated in his passion for 
trees and flowers. In Normal alone stand 30,000 
trees — maple, willow, walnut, elm and scores of 
others — which were planted under his sui)ervision 
around the blocks and along the highways. The 
Normal School's cann)ns grounds were beautified 
from a design made by him and carried out by a 
noted landscape gardener. He named the streets of 
Normal after trees, and Bloomington, Clinton, Pon- 



tiac and other Illinois towns give evidence of the 
enthusiastic passion of his life. Upon taking up a 
tract of land in Iowa he planted sixty miles of 
willow hedge, transporting the scions from Normal. 



ylLLIAM W. ELDER, of Hey worth, came 
with his father to McLean County in 1842. 
The gi'eater part of the time he has been 
engaged in merchandising, and in partnership with 
Isaac Vanordstrand, operated in the purcliase and 
sale of grain. They carried on this business for a 
period of fourteen years, adding to it also exten- 
sive dealings in live stock. 

The subject of this history was born in Cleves, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Sept. 19, 1828. His father, 
David Elder, was born and reared in Franklin 
County, Pa., and descended from a family widely 
known for its strong moral principles and force of 
character. Mingled with this was a deeply relig- 
ious vein which had its influence on all their trans- 
actions both in business and social life. In early 
manhood David Elder w.as united in marriage with 
Miss Hannah Wakefield, the sister of Campbell 
Wakefield, whose biography appears in another 
part of this work. After their marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. E. located in Hamilton County, but in about 
1834, with their family of four children, consist- 
ing of Mary .1., William W., our subject, Margaret 
and John, removed to Fayette Count}', Ind., 
where they settled upon a' farm. In 1 s42 they 
once more gathered together their personal effects 
and came into Illinois, locating in Randolph Town- 
ship. Here the father died on the 30th of April, 
1849; the mother survived until Sept. 2, 188G. 
After leaving Ohio two more children were born 
to the parents, all living and now numbering three 
sons and three daughters. Of these, four are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, of which our 
subject has been an Elder at Ileyworth for several 
years. 

William W. Elder was married in Randolph 
Township, at the home of the bride's parents, Feb. 
14, 18.50, to Miss Amanda J. Rutledge. a sketch of 
whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. O. Rutledge, ap- 
pears elsewhere in this Album. The marriage cere- 



I! 



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A^ 



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1062 



xMcLKAN COUNTY. 






mony was performed by Rev. W. R. Bishop. Mrs. 
Pokier W.1S born on her fathcn'is old homestead in 
Randolph Township, Dec. -'S. 1 S;!:;, .ind was reared 
by pious parents, remaining at home until her mar- 
riage with oursuhjeet. She full3- sympathizes with 
her husband in his charitable and religious efforts 
and has been in all ros[)ccts his faithful heli)meet 
and companion. 

Mr. and Mrs. Elder have no children of their 
own but have performed the duty of parents to 
Wilbur and J.aura M., the son and daughter of 
Mr. C. C. Laffertv, of Ohio. 



JOSEPH T. MARTIN. This gentleman is 
one of the many active business men of this 
county who were brought here when quite 
young, by sturdy pioneer parents. Here 
they were reared, educated and found a splendid 
field for a business career. He is now pleasantly 
located on section 1, Township "21, where he is the 
possessor of 120 acres of finely cultivated land. 
He secured this home in 1874 of John II. Graber, 
;ind has added greatly to its beauty and value. 
His house is a h.andsome and substantial stiueture, 
built after modern st3'le and furnisiied with all nec- 
essary appliances of a flrst-elass farm estate, a view 
of which may be seen in this Album. Our subject 
is an intelligent and progressive citizen and a val- 
ued member of the community. 

Mr. Martin was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, 
Sept. 30, 1831. When four years of age his par- 
ents, with their family of three children, started for 
the Prairie State, and coming into McLean County 
located at Hey worth, in the fall of 183.5. The 
father of our subject, (Jeurge Martin, was a native 
of Kentuck}', but removed with his parents to Ohio 
when a young child. They settled on a farm in 
Hamilton County, where (Jeorge Martin was reared 
and educated, and married Miss Susanna Harvej', 
who was of New England parentage, boin and 
reared in New Hampshire, and of (ierman and En- 
glish descent. George Martin was born in Ken- 
tucky in IS02, liis parents being of Irish ancestry. 
His father, Joseph, and his nxjther, Nancy (Tlutmp- 
son) Martin, were botii natives of County Down, 



Ireland, where they were married and became the 
parents of one child, a son, John, who was Ijorn in 
179'J. After the liirth of this child, they started 
for the United States, and wiiile on the ocean an- 
other was born whom they christeued Jane. After 
arriving upon American shores they proceeded to 
Kentucky, where the father of our subject was 
born, being tiie first of the family who was a native 
of the United States. The [jarents afterward went 
to Ohio, settling in Hamilton County, and there 
the famil_v circle was completed by the birth of 
three more children — Robeit, Leticia and Jlargaret. 
These are all deceased. 

After the parents of .loseph T. Martin located in 
Heyworth, this county, they estalilished a home 
where they spent the remainder of their d.ays, the 
father dying in April, DsTs, aged seventy-six \'ears, 
and the mother <lying on the 7th of October, 1.S86. 
George ]Martin was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church and a Democrat in polities, and the mother 
was connected with the Southern Methodist. 

Joseph T. jMartin, the eldest child of his parents, 
was reared and educated at Ile^' worth, and re- 
mained under the i)arental roof until his marriage. 
The maiden of his choice w.as Miss Sarah L. Rut- 
ledge, and their union took place at the home of 
the bride's parents in Randolph Township. Mrs. 
Martin was the daughter of Robert H. Rutledge, 
and was born on the old homestead in Randolph 
Township, JIarch 13, 1833. Her education was 
obtained in the log school-house of the pioneers, 
and she grew to womanhood amid the scenes and 
associations fonnected with the first settlement of 
this county. Of this union there were born eleven 
children, two now deceased: Edgar died at the 
home of his parents, Aug. 25, 18t!0, and Dixon, 
Aug. 20, 18G9. Those living are, Cora I., the wife 
of Frank Romine, a farmer of Wapello Township, 
De Witt County, and the}' have one child, Leona 
B. ; JLaura E. is the wife of W. D. Nickerson; 
Linus E. is a machinist, and lives in Santa Anna, 
Los Angeles Co., Cal., he married Miss Sada \'. 
Connor; Seth A. is farming in Polk Count}', Iowa; 
Harvey W. is assisting his father on the homestead, 
also Albert C. ; Campbell W., Mary J. and Eliza 
A. .'ire all living at home. The parents and three 
eldest children are membeis of the Presbyterian 



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McI.EAN COUNTY. 



um 



C'liiirch of Gibson, Ford County, and tlio three 
_\()iing-i'st are connected with the Metliodist Ei)i,sco- 
pal Church in Randolph Townshii). 

Upon the brealiing out of the late war, Mr. Mar- 
tin, laying aside his personal plans and interests, 
proffered his services to aid in the preservation of 
the Union, by enlisting in Co. I!, lUth 111. \'ol. Inf., 
under Capt. MoFarland, of Ileyworth. He partic- 
ipated with his regiment in its several battles and 
skirmisiies throughout Mississippi and adjoining 
States. At the expiration of his term of service he 
received an honorable discharge at Galveston, Tex., 
July 17. liSGf). He then returned to Ileywortii, 
where he lived until 1S71, and removing thence to 
Ford County lived tliere three years, then returned 
to McLean Counl3- and located upon his present 
farm in Randolph Townshi|), which he ii.as occupied 
since that time. 

P" REDERICK C. I50HRER, a prosperous 

) (.Tcrman farmer of Normal Township, owns 
, , and occupies 294 acres of valuable land on 

sections IS and U), which is finely improved and 
in a good state of cidtivation. He is in all respects 
a representative citizen and a fine t3-pe of that in- 
dustrious and enterprising element which has so 
materially assisted in developing the resources of 
the Great West. 

The subject of tiiis history' is a native of the 
German Empire and was born in Bavaria on the 
2'Jth i>f September, 1822. He is the st>n of George 
and Catharine Bohrer, of excellent German ances- 
try and parentage, who emigrated from their native 
land in 1826, and after reaching the shores of the 
New World proceeded directly to Brown County, 
Ohio, where the}- settled upon a tract of land and 
engaged in farming inirsuits until 1856. They 
then came to Illinois and located in Bloomington, 
where they spent the remainder of their lives, the 
mother dying in March, 1876, at the age of eighty- 
five years, and the father on the 29th of December, 
1879, aged eighty-eight. The parental familj^ in- 
cluded nine children, six of whom were born in 
Germany, and five are now living: Henry is a 
resident of Dan vers Township; George ^'. resides 



i' 



<^ 



in Jlontgomery County, Mo. ; Frederick C, of our 
sketch; Mary became the wife of Phillip Schwack- 
art, and lives in Brown County, Ohio; Lewis H. 
lives in Nornuxl Township, this county. 

Mr. Bohrer was but four years of age when his 
l)arents came with their family to tiie United States. 
lie grew to manhood in Ohio and assisted his 
father in tilling the soil. He remained under the 
parental roof until his marriage, which occuri'ed 
on the 1-lth of February, 1853, his bride being- 
Miss Anna M. Zeigler, a native of his own country, 
and who was born Nov. 21, 1832. Mrs. B. came 
to the United States with her parents, .lacob and 
Louisa Zeigler, in 1851. 

After their marriage our subject and his wife re- 
uuiined in Ohio until 1856, and then came to Illi- 
nois, accompanied by the father of our subject and 
his famil3'. They settled in McLean County, where 
Frederick C. Bt)hrer purchased 209 acres of land in 
Normal Township, on section 18. He improved 
and cultivated this until 1884, and then removed 
to his present homestead which embraces eighty- 
five acres, located on section 19, in the meantime 
keeping possession of the other farm. His present 
possessions are the result of his own industry, and 
a wise investment of profits. He has never been a 
speculator but has been willing to make his money 
bj' downright hard and honest labor. His real 
estate is now valued at ?100 per acre. His tw^o 
farms are furnished with good dwellings and out- 
buildings and possess all the appliances for carry- 
ing on agriculture in a first-class manner. 

Of the union of our subject and his wife there 
were born five children: George; Louisa B., the 
wife of J. N. Hilton; Mary, the wife of J. E. Otto; 
Lewis F. and Jacob A., all residing in McLean 
County. Mrs. Bohrer has been an excellent house- 
wife and mother, the sincere hel];)er of her husband, 
and is a member in good standing of the I'resby- 
terian Church. 

Mr. Bohrer earl}' in life was a stanch supporter 
of the Whig party, but upon the abandonment of 
the old by the formation of the new Republican 
party he cheerfull}- indorsed the principles of the 
latter, which he has labored to uphold since that 
time. He was alw.ays opposed to the idea of hu- 
man bondage, and during the pld slavery days, 



i 



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lOfil 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




»► ■ <• 



whenever opportunity oeeiiri'efl, assisted the fugi- 
tives nhmg the undergrouml niihvuy and was the 
means of opening the way to freedom for many 
of the oppressed, lie lias thus made for himself a 
good record as .a man and a citizen and in his later 
days is enjoying the rcwaids of a well-spent life. 

IfU^ ENRY WEST CKUMBAUCni, gener.al mer- 
chant and grain dealer' at Saliina. is a na- 
tive of this county, having l)een liorn in 
Empire Township, Feb. ti, 1.S51. His fa- 
ther, IMi;>utgouiery Crnnibangh, a native of Bour- 
bon County, Ky., was born .June ;i, 1813, and his 
grandfather, Solomon Cruuibangh, was born in 
Frederick County, Md. His great-grandfather 
was a native of Germany, and on emigrating to 
America, settled in Maryland, where he spent the 
last years of his life. Solomon Crumbaugh was 
an early settler in Bourbon County, K}'., where he 
reared his family and spent the last years of his 
life. 

The father of our subject was married, in his na- 
tive State, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Henry 
West, one of the pioneers of West Township, this 
counly, and in whose honor the township was 
named. They resided in Kentucky until 1841, 
then (\'une to Illinois, and i\Ir. Crumbaugh entered 
a tract of hinil in what is now Empire Townsliip, 
on sections .'jl and 32. There was a log house on 
tlie prairie, which he purch.ased, and into which he 
removed liis family, where they lived for several 
years. Here the father spent the remainder of 
his days, tilling the soil and adding improvements 
from year to year. He lived to see the county 
linely developed ami improved, and departed this 
life .Inly l."). I.s.si). The mother had preceded 
him to the better land nearl\' nineteen years before. 
Of their nine children the record is as follows: 
Mary J. became the wife of Micliael Curtis, and 
lives in Tazewell County: JMartha died when three 
years of age; Margaret E. mairied A. .1. IJeffen- 
bangh, and is now deceased; Saiah L., Mrs. J. B. 
Savage, lives in Le Roy; Henry \V. is the next 
child; Louisa E. became the wife of .Ii>seph Kraffs, 
and lives in Forest City, Dak.; Milton M. is a resi- 



dent of Empire Township; Mattie E. married 
F^noch Brock, and lives in Bloomington; Clarence 
8. is farming in Empire Township. 

Mr. Crumbaugh of this history attended the 
district schools, and assisted his father on the farm, 
remaining with his parents until he was twenty-one 
years old. He then crossed the Mississippi, and 
spent two years in Iowa and Neljraska. After his 
return he located upon the farm, on section 21, 
West Township, which he now owns. He devoted 
his time exclusively to farming until 1885, and 
then engaged in the grain and coal trade at Sabina, 
while at the same time he has superintended the 
operations of his farm. This consists of 140 acres, 
all enclosed and improved, and with a flue stretch 
of pasture. 

Mr. Crumbaugh was united in marriage with 
Miss Permelia F. Ross, Oct. 22, 1874. Mrs. Crum- 
baugh was born in F]mpire Township, Oct. 22, 
1858, being the daughter of Talmadge and Mar- 
garet Ross [see sketch]. By her union with our 
subject she became the mother of six children, as 
follows: Talmadge Oleff, who was born Nov. 25, 
1875, died Jan. 11, 1882; Chloe was born May 24, 
1878; Montgomery, .lune 1, 1880; Pearl, May 27, 
1 884 ; two infants, twins, not named, were born 
July 6, 188(;. 

Mr. Crumbaugh politically, is an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat, and has been a man of intluence in 
his locality. He was a|)pointed Postmaster at Sa- 
bina, in March, 1 8,s(;. 

yIl>LIA.M I). .lOllNSTON, a pioneer resi- 
dent of the I'rairie State, is now a citizen 
of Lexington, where he is enjoying his later 
days retired from active labor. He was born near 
Mansfleld, Richland Co., Ohio, Jan. 5, 181(1, on the 
farm of his father, Daniel Johnston, who was a 
prominent m;iu in that vicinity and Justice of the 
Peace for many years. 

The earlier record of the .lohnston family, who 
were of iMiglish and Irish descent, is .as follows; 
James Johnston, the great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was bom in Ireland, Sept. 28, 1724, and mar- , 
ried Jeannet (iastim, who was born June 11, 1731, 



» 



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7f- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1065 



their union taking place April 21, ITo.'). Their 
eldest sf)n. William, was born in Elizabeth Town- 
ship, Monmouth Co., N. J., Feb. 10, 1756, and 
served as an officer in the Ilcvolution;u-y War under 
the immediate command of (Ten. (ieorge \\'ashing- 
ton. At the ch^se of the war he married iMiss Sarah, 
daughter of Insley and I'riividenee (Davidson) 
Douglas, of English ancestry, the latter born while 
her parents were on the voyage to this ctiuntry. 
She was named Providence at the earnest re(|uest 
of the captain and crew, because the Divine hand 
was so manifest in saving the ship during a severe 
storm. She was married to Insey Douglas Dec. 17, 
1761. The tiiird son of the marriage of Will- 
iam and Sarah Johnston was Daniel, the father 
of our subject, born in New -lersey, and who 
when quite young removed with his parents to 
Allegheny Count}', Pa., and from tiiere, in 1S09, 
to Knox County, Ohio.. When the War of 1812 
broke out, a block-house was built on his father's 
farm, to which the neighbors often repaired for 
safety. After serving in tiiis war, and soon after 
its close, Daniel Johnston was married to Mi.ss 
Rachel Scott, by whom he had six sons and thi'ee 
daughters, our subject being the eldest child. 

Daniel Johnston spent his declining years in 
Kichland County, Ohio, and died there in 1<S31. 
His children all grew to mature years, and estab- 
lished homes, with families of their own. William 
D., our subject, w.as the eldest sou and p.asscd his 
childhood and youth in his native county, receiv- 
ing a common-school education. After attaining 
his majoritj' he turned his face to the farther West 
and coming into Ogle County, 111., took up a 
squatter's claim. In the fall of 1838 he returned 
to Ohio, and was married in Richland County, to 
Miss Mary A. Griffith, who was born there and lived 
with her parents until her marriage. Shortl}' after 
the wedding the young couple started for their new 
home which was located near Byron. When the 
land came into market our subject .secured his claim 
of 160 acres and immediately began its improve- 
ment and cultivation," meeting with success. In due 
time he added to his estate until he became the owner 
of 240 acres and employed himself in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, continuing in Ogle County 
until 1856, when he removed with his family to 



JIcLean County, settling near Selnia, where he 
remained .several years and thence removed to 
a farm of 240 acres two miles north. There 
his wife died in 1871, leaving three children, all 
daughters; Lucretia A.; Alice E., Mrs. (Ieorge 
Clayton of Ogle County, and Mary E., who was 
married to David B. Ralston and is living on his 
father's farm near Lexington, 

Mr. Johnston was the second time in;irried, in 
Seiitember, 1873, to Mrs. S. R. Sloan of Pennsyl- 
vania. They located upon a farm near Lexington, 
remaining there until March, 1880, when they re- 
moved to a homestead of ten acres just outside the 
corporate limits. l\Ir. and Mrs. Johnston are mem- 
bers in good standing of the Baptist Church, of 
which our subject has been Deacon for many years. 

Mrs. Johnston by her former marriage, became 
the mother of five children, four now living, as fol- 
lows: Samuel Curtis, and Anna, Mrs. Magee, are in 
Pennsylvania; William T.. a physician, is practicing 
in Elmwood, III. ; Mary S. is the wife of E. Gabries, 
a druggist of Elmwood. 



sS-t^!?*?-!. 



-* 



ji? EANDER liAKER, a prominent factor 
I ^ among the agricultural interests of West 
ji ^v > Township, owns and occupies a fine home- 
stead on section 7, where he is carrying on farming 
after the most approved methods and meeting with 
more than ordinary success. He is a native of this 
county, his birthplace being in Bloomington Town- 
ship, and the date thereof, March 19, 1842. 

The grandfather of our subject, Dr. Isaac Baker, 
was one of the pioneers of McLean County, to which 
he emigr.ated at an early day. He was born in Fair- 
field County, Conn., Sept. 13, 1873, and traced his 
ancestry back to the settlement of Plymouth colony, 
the first representative of his family in this country 
having come over in the Mayflower. Dr. Isaac 
Baker, when a young man, removed to Marietta, 
Ohio, and during the War of 1812, lived in the 
block-house at that place, where it was his duty a 
part of the time to watch from the tree-top for In- 
dians, while the men were at work in the field. He 
learned surveying in (Jhio, at which he became 
quite skillful. In 1850 he went to New York and 



•►-■ir^ 



i 






t 



-4«- 



,t 



1066 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



from there to Bath, Mc., where he assisterl in build- 
ing the first steam mill erected in that State. fSeven 
j-ears later, he set his face toward the great West 
and after arriving in Illinois, located in McLean 
Count}', in 1827. He settled first at Hurley's 
(irove, where he Ijuilt a house, but shortly after- 
ward removed to Funk's (Jrove. In 1831 he as- 
sisted in survej'ing and laying out the city of Bloom- 
ington and was afterward chosen Clerk of the first 
County Commissioners' Court, which ixit^ition he 
held for a period of fifteen years. He was one of 
the first Postmasters at Bloomington, having the 
office at his residence on South Center street. Dr. 
Baker remained a resident of that city until about 
18.04, when he removed to Le Roy and died there, 
April 28, 1872. His wife was formerl}' ^Hss Su- 
sanna M. Dodge. 

The father of our subject, Seth Baker, was born 
in Ohio, where he was reared and received a com- 
mon-school education, and when a young man emi- 
grated to Illinois with his parents, locating in Mc- 
Lean County. Here he was nuuried in 1840 to 
Miss Sarah Orendorf, wiio was born in Kentucky, 
and was the daughter of William Orendorf, a native 
of (ieorgia, familiarh' known as one of the pioneers 
of this county. His father, Christopiier Orendorf. 
removed from Georgia to Spartanburg, S. C, and 
from there to Tennessee, thence to Kentucky, and 
in 182.'i the whole family came North and vvere 
among the very first to settle in this county. The 
Indians still lingered here and in fact claimed that 
they had never sold their original possessions, at 
the same time requesting tlie Orendorfs to leave. 
They staid however, and were not molested. He 
was visited by Indians and ordered to leave, but 
Mr. O. was firm and threatened to call (Jen. White- 
sides to his aid. The Indians seemed to fear iiini, and 
by his strategy lie i)ut a hundred of them to flight. 
Christopher Orendorf was a man of sound judg- 
ment and very |)opnlai'. In 1825 he was appointed 
Justice of the I'eace by (iov. Coles, being first 
nominated by the House of Representatives and 
confirmed bj- the Senate. When the new Constitu- 
tion of Illinois, making his office elective, went 
into effect, Mr. O. was continued in his office, the 
election being held at the house of his son William. 
The latter inherited genial qualities of his father. 



was hospitable and generous and always ready to 
assist a friend or neigiibor. He departeil this life 
May 12, 1869, in the seventy-eighth 3'ear of his 
age, universally lamented. 

After marriage the father of our subject located 
in the cit}' of Bloomington. He had learned the 
trade of carpenter, was a good mechanic, and estab- 
lished a fanning-mill manufactory from which he 
turned the first machine of the kind in this count}'. 
After a time he laid down his carpenter tools and 
entering into partnership with his father, engaged 
as a dry -goods merchant in Bloomington. A few 
3'ears later he disposed of his interest in the busi- 
ness and crossing the Mississippi, located in Wa- 
pello County, Iowa, and once more engaged in 
the manufacture of fanning-mills, remaining there 
until his death. He was three times married, his 
second wife being the mother of our subject and 
the latter the only child of this marriage. Mr. 
Baker has two half-sisters by a former marriage of 
his father, Mrs. Frank Packard and Mrs. Alouzo 
Sargent, both of Bloomington. 

Mr. Baker of this history was but si.x years old 
at the time of his mother's death. He then went to 
live with his maternal grandfather, by whom he was 
reared and received a good common-school educa- 
tion. He remained with his grandfather until his 
marriage and then located on his uncle's farm for 
one j'ear. In December, 1 864, he settled on a 
farm in West Townshij), which he now owns and 
occupies, and which he has greatly improved since 
it came into his po.ssession. There w.as, originally, 
a small [dank house and twelve .acres were broken 
when he settled here. He has now the whole under 
a good state of cultivation with a fine and con- 
venient farm residence and other good frame build- 
ings. 

The marriage of Leander Baker and Miss Mary 
Canonse took place at Blooming (irove, Nov. 26, 
1863. Mrs. B. was born in F'aj'ette County, Ohio, 
March 10, 1842. Her parents, Joseph and Katie 
(Turnipseed) Cauouse, were natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and Ohio respectively. Mrs. B. was quite 
j'Oung when her mother died in Ohio, and in 1844, 
soon after this sad event, she came to McLean 
County with her father, who located in Lexington, 
and died there the f(jllowiug year. She then became 

^ 



r 



7T" 



RicLEAN COUNTS. 



lOfiT 



an inmate of the home of Samuel Noggle, with 
whom she lived until her marriage. Of this union 
there have been two children, only one of whom is 
living, Effle Alice, who was born Jan. 23, 18G5. 
Their only son, Eddie Alvin, was born April 18, 
18G7, and died Feb. 1, 1880. The parents and 
daughter are members of the Christian C'luireh and 
Mr. Baker is a reliable Democrat. 






-^ 



/^^ EORGE H. STRINGFIELD, dealer in all 
ifj (=-, kinds of groceries, shelf hardware, etc., islo- 
'^^Jj cated on West Main street, Heyworth, where 
he has been successfully operating since January, 

1884, being the successor of Ross, Miller & Co. 
He has dealt in fai'ra implements for about two 
years in company with a partner, but since July, 

1885, has been sole proprietor and very successful 
in his business transactions. In former years he 
engaged in general farming and dairj'ing, and at 
the same time was connected with the public 
schools of McLean Count}' for about eleven years. 
He has been one of the most intelligent and useful 
citizens of this locality, taking an active interest in 
its welfare and advancement. 

Mr. Stringfleld was born in Randolph Township, 
April 7, 1840, on his father's homestead, wliich was 
among the first laid out in this section. See sketch 
of Capt. A. M. Stringfield. George made his home 
with his parents until 1863, and in the meantime 
taught school two years and read law three years 
in the city of Bloomingtou. In 18(i4 he started 
across the plains in company with his wife and 
others, driving teams of oxen to Salt Lake City 
and thence by horse-teams — having sold their ox- 
team and bought horses — on to Sacramento County, 
Cal., where they halted and our subject began to 
teach school. A year later he purchased a tract of 
land, on which he began to farm and operate a 
dairy, at the same time having, by his straightfor- 
ward and courteous manners, established himself in 
the confidence and esteem of the people of that 
vicinit}'. He was appointed Constable and Deputy 
Sheriff, which offices were at that time quite valu- 
able. These he held for eight years and was absent 
from his native county nearly ten years in all. Re- 

<■ 



turning to this county on Thanksgiving Day, 1873, 
he purchased a farm of eight}' acres Ij'ing on sec- 
tions 11 and 14 of Randolph Township, and at 
once began to farm, teaching during the winter. 
He was engaged in agricultural pursuits for three 
summers, but found he had undertaken too much, 
so he rested from his labors in the winter and 
attended to his farming in the summer seasons. 

Mr. Stringfield was married in his native town- 
.ship near his old home, March 15, 1863, to Miss 
Zipporah Wright, who was born in Kentucky, 
Sept. 1, 1846. She was the daughter of William 
T. and Amanda (Hooton) Wright, both natives of 
Kentucky, and her father engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. Mrs. S. was only three years of age 
when her parents came to the Prairie State. A few 
years later they settled in McLean County, and in 
about 1868 removed to Lee's Summit, Jackson Co., 
Mo., where they are now living.. Their daughter 
was carefully trained by her excellent parents and 
is a lady gre.atly esteemed in the community where 
she resides. She has been connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church since seventeen years 
of age and her husband since he was eigiit years 
old. They occup}- a handsome residence on New- 
ton street, and our subject is the owner of cou- 
sideiable property in the town. In i)olities he is a 
reliable Democrat. 



\17^ERNAND0 A. EYESTONE, Supervisor of 

r' — (g)j Funk's Grove Townsliip, has been a resi- 
~' dent of the Prairie State since 1865. He 
was then a young man, and came to this vicinity 
with his fatlier's family. He was born in 'W'^'an- 
dotte Count}', Ohio, Feb. 22, 1842, and is the son 
of Ezekiel and Lucretia (Babcock) Eyestone, both 
natives of Ohio. The grandfather of our subject, , 
John Eyestone, was a native of Pennsylvania and 
of German ancestry. 

Ezekiel Eyestone was a farmer and an extensive 
dealer in hogs and cattle, which he shipped to New 
York City. In 1865 he sold his property in AV^yan- 
dotte County, Ohio, and i-emoving to Illinois, pur- 
chased a half section of land in Mt. Hope Town- 
sliip, this count}'. Here he industriously cultivated 
and iminoved his purchase and gathered around him 



V 



t 



-4^ 



1068 



-•► 



McLEAN COUlSTTY. 



t 



all the comforts of life and many of its luxnries. 
He was twice manied. His lirst wife, the mother 
of our subject, died in Ohio in about 1848; his 
second wife, formerly Miss Susan Augustine, is 
still living on the old homestead. There were four 
children by the lirst marriage and six ])y the sec- 
ond. Ezekiel Eyestonc departed this life at his 
home in Mt. Hope Township in 1870. 

Fernando A. Eyestone was the second child of his 
father's first marriage and spent the days of his 
childhood and youth under the parental roof after 
the manner of most farmers' boys. He was still at 
home upon the breaking out of the late Civil War, 
and in August, 1862, enlisted in Co. A, 123d Ohio 
Vol. Inf., serving in the Army of the Potomac and 
participating in many of the most important battles 
of that army. He was captured at Winchester and 
confined in the prisons of Belle Isle and Libby for 
iwo months. After being exchanged he went with 
Sheridan's army in the campaign of the Shenandoah 
\' alley and was in the battle before Petersburg, 
where he was again captured and lield a prisoner 
until tlie time of the surrender of Oen. Lee. Too 
iTcat lionor cannot be paid to these brave defend- 
ers of our country. The suffering in camp, on the 
march, in |)rison, and on the bloody field endured 
by them can never be too highly appreciated by a 
grateful people. 

At the close of the war young Eyestone received 
his honorable discharge and returned to Oliio. He 
was there married, Ai)ril 20, l.SOG, to iVliss Minerva 
J. Ralston, who was born in Seneca County, that 
State, and was the daughter of Samuel and Eliza- 
beth Ralston. Tiiey remained in Oliio until Janu- 
ary, 1868, and then came to McLean County, lo- 
cating on the farm of Mr. E.'s faliier, where they 
lived two years. Then our subject purchased 
eighty acres of his present homestead, to which he 
subsequently added, and has now 160 acres, which 
is in a fine state of cultivation and supplied with a 
set of handsome and substantial farm buildings. 
This is located on section 6, and possesses many 
natural advantages to which Mr. Eyestone has added, 
and svhich have contributed to make it one of the 
most attractive homes in this section. A view of 
the place is given in this volume. 

Ml-, and Mrs. E. have no children. Our subject. 



in politics, is strongly Republican. He has been 
Collector of the township for five years and is novv 
serving the third term as Supervisor. Both he and 
his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and greatly respected among their neigh- 
bors and associates. 



--v- 



*••# 



•^^OSEPH DORLAKD owns and occui)ies a 
comfortable homestead on section 21, where 
he is successfully carrying on the manufact- 
(^^j// ure of tile and lumber, turning out about 
6,000 of the f(^rnicr per d.ay, and of the latter 
4,000 feet. 

Mr. Doland put his sawmill in operation in lf-<82, 
and the same year began the manufacture of tile. 
He also, in connection with this, has a small black- 
smith-shop, and a storeroom stocked with commod- 
ities for the local trade. He ships both tile and 
lumber to different parts of the West, his trans- 
actions in the latter especiall}' being quite extensive. 
He came to McLean Couuty in 1868, and soon aft- 
erward purchased the property which he now holds. 
He at one time owned several hundred acres of 
land, which he disposed of and turned the pro- 
ceeds into his business here. 

The subject (jf our sketch was born near Buc}^- 
rus, Crawford Co., Ohio, April 11, 1.S40. His fa- 
ther, Samuel Borland, was a native of Ohio, a 
farmer by occui)ation, and served as a s(jldier in 
the Mexican War. In earl3' manhood he was mar- 
ried, in Holmes Countj', Ohio, to Miss Jane Wilson, 
who was born in Pennsj'lvania, and became a resi- 
dent of the Buckeye State when a child six 3-ear3 
of age. The father of our subject died in 184!), 
and the mother was afterward married to William 
Johnson, and they located in Hardin County, Ohio, 
where Mr. J. died in about 1866. She afterward 
came to Illinois, in 1868, and made her home with 
her son, our subject, until her death, which oc- 
curred Sept. 24, 1883. 

The father of Joseph Dorland was a man of in- 
tegrity and energy, but departed this life before our 
subject learned much of his history or that of his 
ancestors. The mother was the daughter of John 
Wilson, who is believed to have been of Irish birth 
-c^ 



^ 



f 



■^•- 



t 






McLEAN COUNTY. 



1069 



and pareiitiige, but emigrated to America witli his 
parents wlien quite young. Tliere was also an in- 
termingling of Scottish blood in the family. John 
Wilson lived in Pennsylvania for many years, and 
was marrietl there, removing later to Ohio, where 
he died at an advanced age in Ilardin County. He 
served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and after- 
ward engaged in farming. 

The subject of this histor3' was the younger of 
the only two children of his parents. His brother 
(iarrett was born Oct. 11, 1838, was reared and ed- 
ucated in Harding County, and daring the late wai 
enlisted in the 4th Ohio Infantry, from which he 
was later transferred to the 3;5d. After having 
served eighteen months he died at Columbus, Ohio, 
from disease contracted in the army. During this 
time he was captured by the rebels in Virginia, 
and lay in Libby Prison for several months. 
Later he was paroled and taken to th6 hospital at 
Columbus, which he never left alive. His remains 
were taken to his old home and buried in the cem- 
etery there. 

The early life of Joseph Borland was spent on 
the farm and in attendance .at the public schools. 
He was married in Hardin County, Ohio, Feb. 2.5, 
18G4, to Miss Phu'be .Soi)hia Chamberlain, who was 
born in Logan County, that State, Feb. 20, 1840. 
Her parents were Reuben and Elizabeth (Hooper) 
Chamberlain, natives respectively of New Jersey 
and Ohio, the former being of New England an- 
cestry. He possessed a fine education, being a 
graduate at Marion, Ohio, where he afterward 
taught school the remainder of his life, his death 
occurring when he was only thirty years of age. 
The mother was subsequently married to Henry 
Wilcox, and they live on a farm in Hardin Coun- 
ty, Ohio. 

There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. D. seven 
children, one of whom is deceased. The record is 
as follows: Jennie M. became the wife of Albert 
Brown, who is engineer in the mill of his f.ather-in- 
law, and they live with the parents; their two chil- 
dren are John Homer and Florence M. ; Mary E. 
died at the age of seventeen years; Anna F., Will- 
iam S., Charles W., Hugh H. and Maggie M. are at 
home. 

During the late war Mr. Dorland enlisted in Co. 
4* 



K, 1 80th Ohio ^'ol. Inf., and with bis comrades 
participated in the battle of Kingston, N. C, and 
various other engagements, cscaiiing unharmed and 
receiving his honorable discharge on the 23d of 
July, 18C.'). His first purchase of land in this 
county consisted of 1(J0 .icres. He now has 115 in 
the township, aside from the homestead, which em- 
braces forty acres. The family residence is a hand- 
some structure, convenient and commodious, and 
of modern style of architecture, and is shown by a 
view in this volume. The premises are neatly 
kept and in good order, and indicate the thrift and 
prosperity of the proprietor. Most of the members 
of the family are connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Our subject has served as 
Trustee and Road Commissioner, and in politics 
affiliates with the Democi-atic party. 



ss$««-«i08i>-fe><S 




ARRY P. HAZLE, a prosperous farmer of 
Mt. Hope Township, owns and occupies a 
comfortable homestead on section ] , and in 
the pursuit of his dairy business and farm- 
ing operations, is meeting with deserved success. 
Mr. Hazle is a worthy representative of his excel- 
lent German ancestry, and was born in Mechanics- 
burg, Ohio, Nov. 19, 1841. His father, James 
Heazle, also a native of Ohio, was born in Cham- 
paign County, March 4, 1828. His grandfather, 
Jacob Heazle, was a native of Pennsylvania, and 
his great-grandfather, William Heazle, of German 
ancestry' and parentage, was also born in the Key- 
stone State. 

The grandfather of our subject, Jacob Heazle, 
emigrated from his native State, and became one 
of the early settlers of C^hampaign County, Ohio. 
He cleared a farm from the vvilderness, and erected 
a brick house, which, when the township was laid 
off, was found to be in Goshen. There he remained 
until his death, having provided a comfortable 
home for his family, and building np for himself a 
good record as an honest man and a useful citizen. 
James Heazle, the father of our subject, was 
reared on his father's farm in Ohio, and also was 
engaged in a Hour and saw mill. The estate of 
his father consisted of 1,1 (>0 acres of land, and 



i 



t 



10/0 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



when Jaines was married, hin fatliei' removed to 
Meolianii-sbiirg-, and left the son in charge of the 
farm and mills, which he operated until 18,")1. He 
then emigrated West to Illinois, and [)ur('hasod a 
farm near lilooniington, upon which he lived a few 
years, and then removed into the city. In 18G4 
he |>nrcliased the St. Nicliolas Hotel, which, after 
eighteen months, he traded for a farm in Mt. Hope 
Township. He removed upon the latter and fol- 
lowed farming f(jr a few years, then rented it and 
returned to the city, where he afterward lived a re- 
tired life until his death in ISSO. 

The maiden name of the niothei' of our sidjject 
was Martha .1. l>ay. .She was a native of Cham- 
paign County, Ohio, and l)orn Feb. IG, 1824. Her 
father, William Ba}', was born in Pennsylvania, 
and her grandfather. David Bay, removed from 
Pennsylvania to Champaign Ccainty, Ohio, where 
he passed the remainder of his daj's. William Bay 
afterward removed to Indianapolis, Ind., being 
among tiie early settlers of that locality, and for 
man}' years engaged in tiie manufacture of brick. 
In 1843 he started with iiis fainily overland on a 
journey to Illinois. He located at Bloomington, 
and eng.'iged in the nnmufacture of brick there, 
making that city his home until his decease. He 
w.as a man of deep piety, one of the earliest mem- 
l)ers of the Methodist denomination in that place, 
and earnestly devoted to Christian work. He often 
sui)plied the judpit in the absence of a minister, 
and as an exhorter was widely and favorably 
known, lieing especially ellicient in conducting re- 
vivals. He was married, in his native State, to 
Miss Susanna Curliin, wlu> was born in Maryland, 
aecompauiiMl her husliand to Illinois and died in 
Bloomington. Of the three children born to James 
Heazle and wile, only two art; living: Elizabeth, 
the wife of B. V. Sharpe, t)f Mt. Hope Township, 
and our sultject. The lirst born, William, died in 
infancy. 

The suliject of this history was but two years 
old when he came to Illinois with his parents. 
After becoming of suitable age, he attended the 
jiublic schools in Bloomington, and advanced his 
education by an attendance of one year at Wes- 
leyan University, and two years at Normal. He 
afterward entered the commercial college of liry- 



t 



ant & Stratton, at Chicago, from which he grad- 
uated in 1871. He then formed a partnership 
with Charles K. Curtis, to engage in the clothing 
trade and merchant tailoring, at Farmer Cit^'. 
With the design of going to Cinciiniati to purchase 
goods, they boarded a railroad train, and while go- 
ing through Champaign County the cars were 
thrown from th& track, and our subject, in some 
un.accountable manner, thrown from the car. He 
was picked up unconscious and remained so the 
greater part of the time for three weeks. This de- 
lay in perfecting his business .arrangements, in- 
duced him lo ab.audon commercial pursuits for the 
time, and he engaged in teaching school, i)ursuing 
this for twenty-seven terms. In 1876 he pur- 
chased a tract of land four miles south of Bloom- 
ington, upon which he lived until 1881, and then 
purchased IGO a('res of the homestead which he 
now owns and occu|)ies. 

Mr. Hazle was married, in September, 1875, to 
Miss Alice L. Houghton, who w.as born in Bloom- 
ington Township, and is the daughter of Stephen 
and Aurilla Houghton [see sketch in another part 
of this volume]. Of this union there have been 
born three children, two of whom are deceased: 
the living is a son — Ste])hen 11. Our subject is 
Republican in politics, and socially is a memiier of 
Keniemlir:ince Lodge, I. O. O. F., Bloomington. 



JOSEPH P. SHELTON, one of the leading 
druggists of Ilej-worth, is located on East 
Main street, where he established business in 
(j^^y December. 1883, and has since steadily in- 
creased his stock and his trade. He is a gentleman 
of great energy- and superior business talent, and 
the prospects are that he will continue as he has 
begun. Previous to his settlement in this i)lace he 
was engaged for two years with the druggist, J. E. 
Espey, of Bloomington, where he gained a rich and 
valuable experience. He studied |)harmacy when 
quite a youth, and his first experience in the busi- 
ness was as a clerk in Normal, where he was occu- 
pied for about three years. His business now ag- 
gregates a trade of about $7,000 annually. Mr. 
Sholton exercises the greatest care in filling pre 



Mr. » 

jre- T 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1071 



scriptions, and has lliiis far escaped blame and cen- 
sure on accuunt of those accidents which now too 
frequently happen with druggists, and have often 
been the cause of great suffering and frequently 
destruction of life. 

Our subject is a native of the Prairie State, hav- 
ing been born in Washington Count}', Dec. 13, 
1858. He was reared in Normal, to which his par- 
ents came when he was a lad of eight years. Here 
he completed his primary education, but later at- 
tended the Commercial College at (^uincy, and also 
the Gem City schools for a business educatiim, pur- 
suing his studies in that direction for a period of 
four years. After perfecting himself as a business 
man he took up the study of pharmacy and applied 
himself to this until he had mastered the most iiu- 
portant branches. To this he seemed naturally 
adapted and finally resolved to choose it as his fu- 
ture calling. 

Joseph P. Shelton and Miss Sarah Jamison were 
united in marriage on the 8th of May, 1883, in 
Slielby County, 111. Mrs. S. was born and reared 
in New York City, and came with her parents to 
Shelby County, in girlhood. Here she was ed- 
ucated in the public schools and remained under 
the parental rooi until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. 
H. are favorites in the society of Heyworth, and 
possessed of those social qualities which are so at- 
tractive and engaging among the sterner duties of 
life. Our subject is connected as Treasurer with 
Blue Lodge No. 251, of Heyworth, and is a mem- 
ber in good standing of the 1. O. O. F. In politics 
he is a reliable Democrat. 



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HOWARD STP^ELE, an enterprising, suc- 
cessful and prominent young farmer of 
Bloomington Township, is finely located on 
section 2, his birthplace, and his father's 
old homestead, and of which he is now the owner 
of eighty-eight acres. He is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, and bids fair to become 
prominent among the business and industrial inter- 
ests of McLean County. 

The subject of our sketch was born May 2, 1857, 
upon the farm which his father established more 



•> ■ <• 



than forty years ago. The latter, James Steele by 
name, was a native of Pennsylvania, born, reared 
and married in Washington Cimnty. The maiden 
of his choice was Miss Harriet Jackman, a native 
of his (jwn State and county, where they located 
and lived until after the birth of two children. 
They then emigrated to Illinois, and became resi- 
dents of McLean CouTity in 1855. Here James 
Steele purchased 26-1 acres of land, the present 
homestead, and industriousl.y improved and culti- 
vated it until 18(34, vvhen he was called from his 
earthly labors, d3'ing in the prime of life at the age 
of thirty -seven years. He was a man of great en- 
ergy, a hard worker, and very successful in his bus- 
iness and farming pursuits. 

The parental household consisted of the follow- 
ing: William J. is married and is a clerk in the 
United States Express Office in Bloomington ; Se- 
lena A. died in infancy; James W. died in this 
township in 1850; S. Howard, our subject, was the 
next in order of birth; an infant son following, 
died April 18, 1859; John R. died in 1808; Theo- 
dore J., born Dec. 21, 18(52, was reared and edu- 
cated in this township, and now lives with his 
brother, our subject, on the farm, of which he also 
owns eighty-eight acres and likewise the family 
residence. 

After the death of James Steele, Mrs. S. was 
married to Mr. George Hill, a farmer of Galva, 
Henry County, and the owner at that time of 320 
acres of choice laud. Of this union there were 
born three children — Marshall P., Hattie M. and 
Charles E. The mother died at her home in this 
township, from a stroke of paralysis, on the 8th of 
March, 1884. She and Mr. Hill with all the 
children except Hattie and Charles, were members 
of the Second Presbyterian Church. 

S. Howard Steele was united in marriage with 
Miss Cathrena L. Roth, at the residence of the 
bride's uncle in the city of Bloomington, May 2, 
1882. Mrs. Steele was born in Victor, Ontario 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 8, 1855. Her parents are still 
living in the pjuipire State, on a small farm in Ba- 
tavia, her father being a cooper by trade. Mrs. 
Steele was reared at the home of her parents, and 
educated in the i)uV)lic schools of V^ictor. In 1877 
she came to Illinois and made her home with her 



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1^^1072 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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uncle in Bloomingtun, until her marriage. Mr. 
and Mrs. >S. liave become the parents of one child, 
Harvey, who w.'is born Maj- 21, 1.S84. The_y have 
lived upon the homestead since their marriage. It 
is pleasantly located, and the inmates are in the 
enjoyment of all the comforts of life, .and many of 
its luxuries. The Itrothers work harmoniously to- 
gether, and iri the breeding of stock their aim is to 
excel. They deal in (tattle, Poland-China hogs 
and thoroughbred liorses. The Steele boys are all 
Republican in politics, and have inherited from 
tiieir forefathers those principles of honor and hon- 
esty for which the family has been noted for gen- 
erations. 

WILLIAM COL AW, a large land-owner and 
successful farmer of Downs Township, is 
finely located on section 1, where he is en- 
gaged in the breeding of Short-horn cattle and 
Poland-China hogs. His landed property consists 
of 840 acres, 320 of which are on section 1, and 
U!0 on section 2 in Downs Township, .and the re- 
mainder is in Old Town Township. He has a fine 
residence, a good barn and all necessary out-build- 
ings for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. 
The farm machinery, fences and everything about 
the premises are kept in fli'st-class order, and the 
entire estate indicates the supervision of an intel- 
ligent business man, possessed of cultivated tastes 
and ample means. 

The subject of this history was born near Mon- 
terey, Highland Co., V'a., Jan. 30, 1813. His fa- 
ther, George Colavv, was a native of Pennsylvania, 
of substantial German ancestry, and removed from 
his native count}' to Virginia with his family when 
our subject vvas a lad of twelve years of age. There 
he followed his former occupation as a farmer, and 
spent the remainder of his days, (ieorge Colaw 
was reared to manliood in Highland County, Va., 
and was there mai-ried to Miss Elizabeth Wymer. 
This lad}', it is supposed, was a native of the Old 
Dominion, but descended from an old Pennsylva- 
nia family of German descent. Her father served 
as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and at the 
termination of this contlict located in the Old Do- 
minion and there passed the remainder of his life. 
4» 



George Colaw and his wife settled upon a farm 
in Virginia .and remained residents of Highland 
County until their decease, which occurred when 
they were well advanced in years, the father reach- 
ing the age of eighty-nine. Of their famil}', which 
included ten children, our subject w.as the second 
son and child, and three are deceased. 

William Colaw was reared in his native count}-, 
and remained with his parents until his first mar- 
ri.age, which occurred on the 20th of March, 1834, 
the lady of his choice being Miss Sabina Gum. 
She was born and reared in the neighborhood of 
Monterey, removed West to Illinois witii her hus- 
band, and died at the iu>me of our subject, in 
Downs Township, .Ian. 30, 185;*. She became the 
mother of eight children, five of whom are living 
and married — William, Amos, Benjamin W., Dyer 
W. and Martha Jane. Those deceased are Laban, 
Harmon and Ellen. Mr. Colaw was married the 
second time, in this township. May 16, 1860, to 
Miss Phebe Wood, who was also a native of Vir- 
ginia, born in Pendleton County. She came to 
Illinois when a young woman, and by lier marriage 
with our subject became the mother of three chil- 
dren — Harvey, George, and Lucinda, deceased. 
Mrs. Colaw departed this life at the home of her 
husband in Downs Township, Sept. 28, 18,t8. Mr. 
Colaw was the third time married, in Blooniington, 
Dec. 22, 1872, to ^liss Saraii A., daughter of James 
H. and Barbara (Slafor) Wilson, natives respect- 
ively of Pennsylvania ;ind Kentucky. They were 
of German ancestry, and the father was engaged in 
farming pursuits the greater part of his life. He 
was born and reared in Pennsylvania but removed 
to Kentucky when a young man, where he was mar- 
ried. He afterward came to Illinois and settled 
near Pekin, where Mrs. C. ^'as born July 11, 1836. 

When she was about two years of age the family 
removed to Lee County, Iowa, where the mother 
died in 1852, aged forty -eight years. The fatiier 
.afterward removed to Chambersburg, Clark Co., 
Mo., where his death occurred July 10, 187'J, at 
the age of eighty-two years, having been born 
March 19, 1797. 

After the first marriage of Mr. Colaw, in Ken- 
tucky, he located upon a farm, where he lived sev- 
eral years and then decided to try his fortunes on 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1073 



the prairie lands of Illinois. Coming into this 
county he purchased 240 acres of land on section 
1, Downs Township, to which he subsequently 
added as before stated. He has been remarkably 
successful in his farming and stock operations, 
and by his straightforward business methods and 
promptness in meeting his obligations has flrmlj' 
established himself in the confidence and esteem of 
his fellow-citizens. He is an active member and 
Trustee of the Methodist Elpiscopal Church .and 
a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. 




I 



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^\ YLVESTER PEASLEY, one of the best 
informed men in McLean County, has been 
a resident of Downs Township since a boy 
of thirteen years old, in 1836. His father 
at that time, who had settled near the grove, re- 
moved into Downs Township, and being a man of 
great enterprise and energy, soon made his mark in 
this vicinit^f as a business m.an .and a citizen. He 
was for some time styled " Lord of the Prairie," 
and did much toward encouraging its settlement 
by men of his own ambition and resolution. The 
history of the Peasley family has been quite an in- 
teresting one, its various members having been 
distinguished for the reliable and substantial traits 
of character handed down to them from their ex- 
cellent Scottish ancestry. The great-grandfather 
of our subject, who immigrated from Scotland 
prior to tlie Revolutionarj' War, spelled his name 
Paisley. He settled in North Carolina, and from 
him descended the Pe.asleys of the United States. 
It is believed from the meager history which has 
been preserved, that this sturdy old gentleman was 
an officer in the Revolution.ary War on the side of 
the Colonists. To him there was born John Peas- 
ley, of whom ou)- subject is the grandson. He was 
born and reared to manhood in Nortii Carolina, 
and also fought in the Revolutionary ^Var bj' the 
side of his father. In early manhood he w.as mar- 
ried to Miss Holt, whom it is supposed was born in 
North Carolina and of Scottish ancestry. They 
spent the greater part of their lives in Wilkes 
County, N. C, where John Peasley followed farm- 
ing. They reared a family of ten children, of 
.^a 



whom a son and daughter were twins. The name 
of the former was Isaac, who became the father of 
Sylvester Peasley of this sketch. 

Is.aac Peasley started out early in life on his own 
.account, and was employed by Gen. Lanor, of 
Wilkes County, as overseer of his plantation. Af- 
terward Isaac Peasley engaged in teaming and 
hauling cotton to the seaport. He operated in his 
native State and through the southern part of Vir- 
ginia, and met his wife in Grayson County, the 
latter State. She was Miss Rachel Halsey, a native 
of New Jersey, of New England parentage and 
English ancestry. Her father, William Halsej', 
served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 
After his marriage, Isaac Peasley settled on a farm 
in Grayson County, Va., where four children were 
born, of whom Sylvester of our sketch was the 
eldest. 

In 1836 the family left the Old Dominion for 
Illinois, making the journey overland with a four- 
horse team. After a journey of fortj'-one days, 
they arrived near the home of Mr. Dawson, in Old 
Town Township. Their intended destination was 
Putnam County, 111., but after meeting Mr. D., who 
gave them glowing accounts of the prospects in 
this section, he resolved to remain here, at least 
until spring. In the meantime he visited Putnam 
County, but failing to find a satisfactory location, 
concluded to settle in Downs Township. He pur- 
chased a tract of wild land, and immediately began 
its improvement and cultivation. Here he estab- 
lished a comfortable home, upon which he remained 
until his death, in 1851. The mother survived 
only until the following year. Both were earnest 
members of the Regular Baptist Church. Isaac 
Peasley, although a native of the South, was en- 
tirely oi)posed to human bondage, and left tliat 
section of the country on account of his opposition 
to slavery. Aside from this he was a stanch sup- 
porter of the principles of the Democratic party. 

Sylvester Peasley remained under the home roof 
until his marriage, which occurred in Randolph 
Township, this county, in November, 1 842. The 
lady of his choice was ]Miss Mary Stillman, who 
was born and reared in Morris C'ount3', N. .1., and 
of New ICngland parentage. She came West with 
her pai-ents when a young woman. Her father was 



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1074 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4- 



a farmer of Randolph Township, being among its 
earliest pioneers. The parents there spent the re- 
mainder of their days, and were greatly respected 
by all who knew them for their excellent traits of 
character, as citizens, friends and neighbors. 

Of Mrs. Peasley's union with our subject there 
was horn quite a family of children, and the 
mother departed this life at her home in Downs 
Township in 1854. The children, one of whom is 
deceased, were Granville, Isaac, Susan R., John C, 
Uissell, deceased, and Esther C. The living are all 
married. 

The second marriage of Mr. Peasley occurred in 
Downs Township, April 0, 1HC4, when he was 
united with Mrs. Susan T. (Barclay) Crosby. This 
lady was born in Mason County, Ky.,.Iune7, 1822, 
and is the daughter of Stephen and Nancy (Down- 
ing) Harclaw natives respectively of Kentucky and 
Ohio. They were of Scottish descent, and farmers 
by occupati<ju. The mother died in Mason Coun- 
ty, K}'., when her daughter, Susan P., was a young 
girl twelve j'ears of age. Later the father moved 
to Lebanon, Ind., where he died in about 18.5.5. 
He was an honest man and a good citizen, and 
politically affiliated with the Democratic party. 
Mrs. Peasley was the eldest of six children, three 
sons and three daughters, of whom only one son 
and Mrs. 1'. :\.rv now living. The latter was first 
married to Andrew J. Crosby, in Mason County, 
Ky. He was a native of that count}' and died 
there in 1849, leaving his wife and four children — 
William A., Nancy J., Harriett K. and .Tames M. 
Of the present union there has been bom one child, 
a daughter, Sar.ah K. 

The hon)estead of Mr. Peasley includes 265 
acres of land supplied with a tine set of frame 
buildings erected after a modern style of architect- 
ure. When Mr. P. took possession of his land it 
was scarcely removed from its original condition. 
He tiu'iieil the first furrow and set the posts for the 
first fence ever built upon it. He has taken pride 
in its adornnu'ut, and besides abundant fruit trees, 
has planted around the house line shade and orna- 
mental trees. 

For his first labor on a farm he received $6 per 
month, Init from these small earnings he managed 
to save enough to set him upon his feet, and fur- 



nish him a good start in life. His energy and 
industry, and straightforward manner of doing 
business, in a short time secured for him the esteem 
and coufldence of his fellow-citizens, and he was 
accorded an honored place among their councils 
and deliberations while yet the township was new. 
He was the first Supervisor, which office he has held 
for many years. He was Postmaster of Downs 
post-office for a period of twelve years, and in 
the year 1875 assisted in the organization of the 
County Fire Insurance Company, of which he was 
first I'resident and has held the oflice since that 
time. He is also President of the Agricultural So- 
ciety of McLean County. He is a member in good 
standing of the Ba[)tist C'hurch, and was ordained 
a Christian minister by the Baptist Church in 1843, 
at Lytleville, this county, and continued actively 
until about 1853, when he was obliged to abandon 
speaking on account of sore throat, but is called tc 
officiate at funerals b}' his numerous friends of this 
vicinity. At one time he was pastor of five 
churches, and traveled all over the State. Mrs. P. 
is connected with the Christian Church. 



<| IVTLLIAM T. BRADBURY, Supervisor of 
\/iJ// l^elleflower Township, has been a resi- 
'^^ dent of the Prairie State since 1 8(J0, and 
has witnessed with deep interest the remarkable 
changes which have occurred during a period of 
over twenty -five years. He was born in Clermont 
County, Ohio, June 20, 1830. His father, John E. 
Bradbury, and his grandfather, Benjamin Bradbury, 
were natives of Maine and descended from excellent 
English ancestry. Benjamin Bradl)ury emigrated 
from his native State to Ohio previous to 1830, be- 
coming one of the early settlers of Clermont Coun- 
ty. In 1834, he proceeded still further Westward, 
to Illinois, and spent two years in that part of Mor- 
gan which is now included in Scott County. 
Thence he went to Pike County, where he pur- 
chased a tract of wild land, improved a farm and 
remained there until one year before his death, 
which occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. 
Hill, about 1859. 

John E. Bradbury, the father of our subject, was 



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MoLEAN COUNTY. 



1075 



i-eared in his native State and came West with his 
parents to Ohio. He was there married and re- 
mained in that State until 183G, then joined his 
father in Pike County, 111. Soon afterward he was 
talten fatally ill and died in August of that same 
year. The mother of our subject, formerly Miss 
Maria Thomas, is supposed to have been born in 
Clermont County, Ohio, where she w.as married to 
John K. Bradbury. After the death of her first 
husb.and she became the wife of William McMalK)n, 
in 1840, and spent the last years of her life inl'ike 
County, 111. There were three children by the first 
marriage: William T., our subject; James W., de- 
ceased, and Ruth A., second in order of birth, who 
married C. B. Mock and lives at Lebanon, Ind. 

William T. Bradbury was but six j'ears of age 
when his father died. After that sad event he went 
to live with an uncle until his mother removed to 
Indiana. He then lived with her three years and 
afterward with different parties in Marion County, 
Ind. He received a fair education in the early 
schools of that day, which were carried on in a log 
cabin. He commenced teaching when seventeen 
years old and after two and one-half years thus oc- 
cupied engaged in mercantile business in Putnam 
County, Ind. This venture proved to be unsuc- 
cessful and he rented a tract of land in Boone 
County, that State, upon which he remained until 
1860, then came to McLean County, .and operated 
upon rented laud for nine years following. He 
afterward purchased eighty acres, partially im- 
proved, which he sold one year later and purchased 
the same amount in Bellellower Township, on sec- 
tion 17. To this he h.as added from time to time 
until he has now a half section, all improved, with 
a fine stretch of <if pasture land, and here he raises 
grain and gives much attention to graded stock. 
Of late years he has been very successful in his 
farming and business transactions and is now one 
of the representative and popular citizens of his 
township. 

Mr. Bradbury was married in Jamestown, Ind., 
April 4, 1852, to Miss T. E. Gibson, who was born 
in Boone County, Ind., and w.as the daughter of 
John and Elizabeth (Hopper) Gibson. Of this 
union there were born nine children, six now liv- 
ing: John E. ; Edgar S. and Edward S., the latter 



twins, are at home with their parents; Myrtle M. 
married W. D. Barnhart and lives in North Loup, 
Neb.; Thomas W. and James are at home; Louisa, 
the second child, died when eighteen months old; 
Hattie E., the third, became the wife of N. B. Car- 
son, and died in Belleflower Township in May, 
188t), aged twenty-nine years. 

The homestead of our subject forms one of the 
most attractive spots in the landscape of Belle- 
flower Township. The parents and children are 
surrounded by all the comforts and many of the 
luxuries of life and are held in high esteem by all 
who know them on account of their high principles 
and excellent char.acter. Mr. B. is Republican in 
politics and has held the offices of School Treasurer 
and Collector for a period of seventeen years. lie 
is a member in good standing of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he has been Steward 
for seven years. He has been Supervisor of Belle- 
flower Township for four years. 



^RANK H. BLOSE, the " Village Black- 
smith " of Delana, is a native of the Buck- 
eye State, born near the village of Ridge- 
ville, in Warren County, May 16, 1860. It will 
thus be seen that he is a young man, and is pos- 
sessed of that energy which indicates that he will 
make his mark in a world increasing in enterprise 
and ambition. The father of our subject, John W. 
Blose, of Virginia, was the son of Adam Blose, a 
native of Germany, who emigrated to the United 
States with his parents when but an infant. They 
settled in Virginia, whence Adam Blose removed 
after he had attained his majority to Ohio, in 1836. 
The removal from the Old Dominion was made 
with wagons, after the fashion of the emigrants of 
those days. There the grandfather of our subject 
purchased a farm near Springboro, Warren 
County, and remained a resident until his death, 
which occurred in about 1884. 

John W. Blose, the father of our subject, was 
but four years old when his parents made the re- 
moval from Virginia to Ohio. He remained on his 
father's farm and made his home with his parents 
until his marriage. He then purchased a farm near 



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1076 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



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Ridgeville, and was there engaged in farming until 
1878. Selling out he removed to Springboro, 
where he now lives in ease and comfort, retired 
from active labor. He was married in early man- 
hood to Miss Jacqueline M. Ilayner, who was born 
in Virginia, and was the daughter of John Hayner, 
who was of German ancestry and parentage. The 
father of Mrs. B. spent the last years of bis life in 
Ohio. Tiie famil3^ of John W. Blosc included two 
children, of whom our subject was the elder. The 
only daughter, Jennie, became the wife of Charles 
W. Smith, and lives near Springboro, Ohio. 

Frank H. Blose remained on his father's farm 
until he was seventeen years old, and was variously 
employed for the following two years. He then 
commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade at Spring- 
boro, at which he remained two years and six 
months, when he started for Illinois, arriving in 
this county on the 27tii of October, 1881. He 
worked at his trade as a journeyman three months, 
then purchased the shop and tools of his employer, 
Mr. Snook, and has since carried on business for 
himself. His courteous demeanor toward his pat- 
rons and his upright business methods have secured 
for him the confidence and respect of his com- 
munity. 

Mr. Blosc was united in marriage with Miss Ora 
B. Batson. on the 5th of April, 1883. Mrs. B. was 
born near Kokomo, Howard Co., Ind., and is the 
daughter of Alexander and May C. (Babbit) Bat- 
son, of Kokomo. Of this union there have been 
born two children, Gertrude and Anna M. 



<j|?AMP:S B. WILLIAMS, engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising in Lexington 
^^^ I Townsiiip, on section 26, owns and occupies 
(j^^ a comfortable homestead, where he is lead- 
ing the life of a law-abiding and worthy citizen, 
and contributing his share towar'l the development 
and prosjjcrity of this section. 

Mr. Williams was born in Coshocton County, 
Ohio, near its county seat of the same name, on 
the headwaters of the Muskingum liiver, March 
13, l.s;n. 1 1 is father, also James B. Williams, was 
born in Tennsylvania, whence he removed to Ohio, 

4* 



and at the age of seventeen enlisted as a soldier in 
the War of 1812. When this conflict was ended 
he returned to Ohio and engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He was also an expert bee hunter, and 
gathered scores of pounds of sweets where another 
man would not suspect their existence. He was 
also engaged in boating on the Muskingum, Ohio 
and Mississippi Rivers, and transported flour, bacon 
and potatoes from one point to another, and invest- 
ed the money thus made in lands, of which he be- 
came the proprietor to a large extent. After at- 
taining to years of manhood he was married to 
Miss Nancy Ballentine, who was born in Jluskin- 
gum County, Ohio, and who was the daughter of 
Hugh Ballentine, of Irish parentage and ancestry. 
After marriage he located in Coshocton County, 
Ohio, where he passed the remainder of his life. 
The mother, later, removed to McLean County 
with her children, and died in 1878. The parental 
familj' included five sons and four daughters, all of 
whom lived to maturity, with only one now de- 
ceased. Rebecca married John Cumbecker; Mary 
became Mrs. John Bechtel, and bi )th are deceased ; 
Richa,rd B. is a resident of Washington Territory, 
and the subject of our sketch was the fourth child; 
Perry is in Dakota, and Alexander in this county, 
near Potosi; Catharine married John Hamilton, of 
this county, and Nancy became the wife of C. 
Kilsey; John is in Muskingum County, Ohio. 

James B. Williams passed iiis boj'hood and youth 
in the State of his birth, and when twenty-two 
years of age took a trip to California in search of 
gold. He went into the mines and worked four 
j'ears, being fairly successful in his labors. He 
then returned to Ohio, and in April, 185.5, was 
married to Miss Julia Powelson, of Coshocton 
County, where she was born June 18, 1838. Mrs. 
W. was the daughter of Conrad and Lucinda 
(Honey) Powelson, of N'irginia, and lioth jjarents 
are still living in Ohio. After marriage our sub- 
ject and his wife came West to IMcLean County, 
and settled in Lawndale Township, after which he 
removed to his present farm in Lexington. The 
homestead comprises eighty acres of choice land 
under a good state of cultivation, well stocked with 
grades of the domestic animals. He has a com- 
fortable and convenient residence, and other nee- 



i 



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/ 



-^^ 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



10.77 



cssary out-liuildings, anri realizes a handsome in- 
come from tlie rearing and feeding of liogs, num- 
bers of wliich he ships to market every winter. 

Mv. Wilhams was a musician during the progress 
of the Mexican War, and while yet a resident of 
Ohio, he assisted in raising volunteers for that war. 
During the late Civil War he served in the same 
capacity, as musician, in assisting to raise volun- 
teers. His services consisted in plaj'ing the drum 
at the musters which took place preparatory to se- 
curing volunteers. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Williams included one 
daughter, Olive, now the wife of Dr. H. W. Lang- 
staff, of Colfax. Living with our subject and his 
wife are two grandchildren, James Ilartsel and 
Ileiiry Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. W. are promi- 
nentlj' connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which our suliject has served as local 
preaelier for many j'cars. Li politics he is a Re- 
publican. 



ELLIAII ELLSWORTH. The subject of the 
following sketch, who is now one of the 
most successful farmers of Chene3''s Grove 
Township, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, Dec. 
15, 1815. He continued a resident of his native 
State until the spring of 1856, when he sought the 
great West with the view of establishing a perma- 
nent home. No State pleased him better than Illi- 
nois and no county better than McLean. He 
accordingly located here and has been an honored 
and valued resident since that time. 

The parents of our subject were Jacob and 
Rachel (Bibbe) Ellsworth, the father a native of 
Virginia and the mother of Delaware. Jacob Ells- 
worthwas born in 1775, followed the occupation of 
a farmer all his life and lived to an advanced age. 
His last years were spent in Clarke County, Ohio, 
whei-e he departed this life in 1873. He was pos- 
sessed of an active and energetic disposition, was a 
great hunter, and in religious belief adhered to 
the doctrines of the jMethodist Church. The mother 
of our subject was born in 1771, and departed this 
life at her home in Clarke County, Ohio, in 1855, 
having lived worthil}' and adorned her profession 
as a Christian and a member of the Methodist 



•►■—4^ 



Episcopal Church. Of their eleven children the 
record is as follows: Nancy married Rev. William 
Knrl, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and both are now deceased ; John married Miss 
Susan Ruuyan and is deceased ; Susanna, who be- 
came the wife of Jesse Evans, died in Clarke 
County. Ohio, in 1886; Abraham died at his home 
in Ohio when twenty-one years of age ; Hannah be- 
came the wife of Joseph Wilkinson, and also died 
in Clarke County ; Jacob married Miss Sai'ah Run- 
yan ; William married Miss Lydia Whitcomb ; Betsey 
married Martin Spines and lives in Iowa. 

The subject of this history remained under the 
home roof until his marriage, which occurred June 
18, 1836, the maiden of his choice being Miss Ellen 
Powell. She was born in Harrison County, \V. 
Va., June 18, 1818, and died at the home of her 
husband in this township, Nov. 15. 1884. She was 
a most worthy and excellent Christian lady, a con- 
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and greatly respected by all who knew her. Their 
four children are recorded as follows: Walter was 
born Sept. 6, 1838, and is living at home with his 
father; Charlotte became the wife of George Coi-n- 
wcll and both she .and her husband died of consump- 
tion; they had no children; Hamilton P. married 
Miss 'Martha A. Cunningham in August, 1865. 
This lad}' was the d.aughter of Samuel B. and Lu- 
cinda (Hamilton) Cunuingham. They became the 
parents of five children — MaryE., Laura A., Char- 
lotte I., Levi H., now deceased, and Charles W. 

Hamilton Ellsworth is an extensive grain buyer, 
operating at switch D on the line of the L. E. & 
W. R. R. in Ford County, Til. The first year he 
sent off 165 cars loaded with grain and the next 
year 200 cars. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, belongs to the I. O. O. F. and 
is Republican in politics. During the late war 
he enlisted in Co. B, the 107th 111. Vol. Inf., 
with which he served three years and was in several 
general engagements. He suffered much from ill- 
ness in the army, but by a great effort kept at his 
post and received his honorable discharge at the 
close of the war, being mustered out in Virginia, 
May 22, 1865. The next youngest son of our sub- 
ject was Duncan, also in the army three years, and 
who married Miss Elizabeth Pefly. They have 



I 



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t 



f 



107« 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



seven children — Rose L., Mary Luc}', one de- 
ceased, Elmer E., Timothy, Rolla and Maude S. 
Walker Ellsworth is a member of the A. F. & A. M. 
at Saybrook. Mr. Ellsworth [loliticall}' atfili.ates 
with the Democratic party. He is a straightfor- 
ward, conscientious business man and citizen, and 
enjoys the conlidence and esteem of a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances. 



i^ 



OBERT HARRIS BAKER, of Funk's Grove 
Townshii>, was born near McConnelsville, 
(4v* Morgan Co., Ohio, Sept. 7, 1829. His 
^©) father, James Baker, was also born in that 
State, and his paternal grandfather, Samuel Baker, 
was a native of New England, and of English an- 
cestry. The grandfather was an earl}' settler in 
Oliio, and lived there until aliout 1832, when he 
came to Illinois and located in De AVitt County 
on a farm, and was a pioneer there. He improved 
his farm in that county, and there lived until his 
death, which took place June 21, 1852. 

The father of our subject grew to manhi^od in 
Ohio. He was married there, and remained a resi- 
dent of that State until 1834. In the fall of that 
year, .acc(impanied by his wife and seven children, 
he started for Illinois overland with a team of 
horses and a w.agon. They camped and cooked 
their frugal meal b}" the wayside and terminated 
their journey at Bloomington after about sixteen 
days' travel. That city was then but a hamlet, and 
Mr. Baker beting a cooper by trade and handy with 
tools, worked at lathing and shingling. In 1837 
he entered forty acres of Land on section 1 1, Funk's 
Grove Township, and erected a log cabin thereon. 
Moving his family on the place he began its im- 
provement, and as he could obtain means to do so 
he entered other land adjoin irig his until he was 
the owner of 1(50 .acres. His nearest market for 
grain and provisions for many 3'eiirs was Pekiu, 
111., about fifty miles distant, and which required 
three d.aj's to make the trip. Salt was one of tiie 
dearest commodities and at that time cost $8 per 
barrel at Pekin. Mr. Baker continued a resident 



r 



of this county for many years, thoroughly identi- 
fied with its growth and development, and then 
returning to Ohio spent the latter years of his life 
in Morgan Count}'. He was three times married. 
His lirst wife, Sarah Alden, died in Ohio, leaving 
two children. The second wife, Christiana Rob- 
erts, was the mother of the subject of this notice. 
She was born near Philadelphia, Pa., and was first 
married to Robert II. Stanberry. She died in 
Funk's Grove Township, after having borne her 
husband three children. The third wife of James 
Baker was the widow of Joseph Roberts. 

Our subject was the eldest child of his father's 
second marriage, and wiis five years of age when 
his parents came to Illinois. He remembers dis- 
tinctly the overland journey that w.as made to this 
State, the swollen streams that were crossed, and 
the numerous times the}' were compelled to unload 
their goods to extricate their wagon from the mud. 
Attaining a suitable age he assisted his father on 
the farm, and being the oldest son did most of the 
marketing at Pekin. He continued to live at home 
until his marriage, and then bought forty acres of 
wild land on section 11, Funk's Grove Township. 
He had worked hard and economized, had saved 
$00 to pay for his land, and besides this was the 
possessor of a horse and considered himself exceed- 
ingly fortunate. With this capital he began life 
and soon had a little frame dwelling, 16x18, erected 
on his land, which served him as a home for quite 
a time. He is now the proprietor of an estate com- 
prising 420 acres of improved land, with the ex- 
ception of forty acres which is in timber. 

Mr. Baker was married Nov. 13, 1851, to Mary 
Taylor. She was born in Perry County, Ohio, 
Jan. 12, 1832. Her father, Joseph Taylor, was a 
native of Mrginia, and his father, Thomas Taylor, 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and fought 
at the battle of Bunker Hill and died in Virginia. 
Joseph Taylor went to Ohio when seventeen years 
of age. He was married to Eletha Gardener, a na- 
tive of Maryland, and they lived in Perry County, 
Ohio, until 1837, and then came to this State with 
a team of horses and a w.agon, and located in De 
AVitt County. Mr. Taylor bought land there and 
improved a farm, and there lived until the spring 
of 1850, when he made an overland trip to Call- 



'i 



^J^^**. 








t 



-<*■ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



foniia. He died in that .State in September of 
that same year, and his widow passed the latter 
years of her life on the old homestead in De Witt 
Count}'. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baker are the parents of five chil- 
dren. Joseph P. lives on the old homestead ; El- 
mira; Christiana; Eetha, wife of James Scott, is a 
resident of Funk's Grove Township, and Kittie is 
the wife of Oscar Samuels, and they are living in 
De Witt County. The deceased are Alice, who 
married Martin liammill, and died Sept. 28, 1877; 
Alnieda, who became the wife of William William- 
son, and died on the old homestead April 20, 1885. 
In religion, Mr. and Mrs. Baker hold fellowship 
with the Christian Church, and in politics he is a 
stanch Republican. 



'^/w -.4a£i2r©^g'«-<s 



>*/^sgJ/2TZr2r»\^ -../wv 




t 



ARIE EUGENIA VON ELSNER, whose 
professional cognomen was Mademoiselle 
Litta, was born June 1, 1856, in Blooming- 
ton. Her father. Prof. Hugo Von Eisner, 
was of noble German birth and highly educated. 
He was a civil engineer. From Freeport, 111., he 
came to Bloomington and engaged in teaching 
music. To her father Litta owed her musical 
genius and also the rigid early training which 
proved the foundation stone of her lyric studies 
and insured lier later success. Prof. Von Eisner 
died a short time before his daughter became 
famous. 

The mother of Litta was Amanda, daughter of 
William Dimmitt, one of the first settlers of Bloom- 
ington, and was married to Prof, ^'on Eisner in 
1855. She was a devoted mother. Litta in return 
was greatly attached to her home and her parents. 
Her musical education began out of a little circum- 
stance which occurred when she was but four years 
old. In attending a Methodist Church with her 
parents she joined with the worshipers in singing a 
familiar old hymn, which probably the child had 
never before heard, taking it up at the second verse 
and going through with it correctly, attracting the 
attention of all who heard her. A few weeks after- 
ward, after careful training by her father, she sang 
the " Last Rose of Summer " before a gathering 



1081 li 



of soldiers at Springfield. She soon afterward be- 
came known as the ''Child Wonder" and her 
studies were pursued regularly. At the age of ten 
and after she probably earned more than 12.000 
annually. When twelve years old she sang before 
President Grant, and was afterward engaged in 
various concerts under the management of her 
father, in which the peculiar excellence and purity 
of her voice attracted universal attention. In dui: 
time she entered tiie family of Prof. John L'nder- 
ner, the leading vocal teaciier of Cleveland, Oiiio, 
and under his instruction and that of a private 
tutor, an Italian, became highly accomplished in 
her art. She was ambitious to excel and pursued 
her studies with unremitting industry, her voice 
developing marvelous progress each year. Prof. 
Underner saw that she was to become an operatic 
leader and that she had reached that stage where 
the training of the great conservatories of Europe 
was needed to give her the advantages which she 
deserved. Accordingly, in 1874 she left America 
and entered upon her studies in the cities of the 
Old World. In London she sang before the ven- 
erable Sir Julius Benedict, who had been the teacher 
of Jenny Lind, and whose opinion of her voice 
was highly flattering. Litta, during her studies in 
Paris, fully justified the hopes of her friends and 
went through with an immense amount of labor 
during the following year. Her vocalizatitiii was 
declared simply perfect. She was engaged by Mr. 
Mapleson for the London season, who would gladly 
have retained her had his financial condition made 
it possible. His friendship and recommendation, 
however, secured her advantages perhaps which he 
could not have personally given. She studied 
dramatic training and vocalization under Madame 
LaGrange, the leading teacher of the age, and in 
due time reached the zenith of the musical art and 
was able to challenge the most competent critic, 
sing to the most captious manager, and appear be- 
fore the exacting though generous Parisian public. 
About this time Litta made the acquaintance of 
the Countess De Troubiand, a wealthy and kind- 
hearted lady who greatly interested herself in the 
fortunes of the young artiste and opened her ele- 
gant home for musical soirees for Marie's especial 
benefit, introducing her to critics and influential T 



-•^HI-4* 



t 



,t 



1082 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



(ilicratic managers. Following this Mon. Escndier, 
manager of the Grand Opera House of Paris, was 
induced to give IMarie an engagement, her first ap- 
pearance being in Lucia di Lamniermoor, in which 
she sang for the lirst time under the name of Marie 
Litta. Of this appearance Miss Kate Field wrote 
with great enthusiasm concerning her success and 
the ovation which was rendered the young Ameri- 
can prima donna. In this letter she states that la- 
dies stood up in their boxes and burst their gloves 
clapping. Bouquets were showered upon the stage 
and thundering calls brought the singer before the 
curtain many times. From this severe test Litta 
came out fully triumphant and with her reputation 
established as one of the first artists of the age. 
Litta was deeply attached to her family name and 
the circumstances which led to her adopting the 
stage name of " Litta " are as follow'S : The feel- 
ing engendered I)y the Franco-Prussian War had 
not died out when Marie made her debut in I'aris, 
in 1878. It was thu^ a perilous time on account 
of her German origin. Her manager and friends 
happily thought of "Litta," a noble Italian family 
name, which Marie adopted to oblige them, and it 
proved a fine stroke of policy. The next morning 
Count Litta called upon her and thanked her for 
honoring his family name by adopting it. 

The success of Litta in Paris was followed by 
similar success at Vienna and other important cit- 
ies. Her first appearance in America was made in 
her native city and was attended 1)3' one of the 
largest audiences ever gathered there. She was 
then under engagement with Max Strakosch, and 
she afterward sang in all the great cities of the 
United States and Canada, closing at San Francisco, 
Cal., where she received probably the greatest ova- 
tion of any singer who had appeared on the Pacific 
sloije. She was with Mr. Strakosch several seasons 
and then, concluding to abandon the opera for a 
time, in 1880 accepted an engagement with Mr. 
Hem-y L. Slayton, of Chicago, under whose man- 
agement she had a company of her own, which was 
known as the Litta Concert Companj\ 

Litta sang her last song at Escanaba, Mich., in 
^lay, 1883. She was there taken ill and compelled 
to return to Bloomington, whcie after a long sea- 
son of painful suffering she died, July 7, 1883. 



•►■-4^ 



i 



The news of her death was quickly telegraplied to 
points all over the world, and in her native city, 
which had witnessed her studies and her triumphs, 
the sorrow was widespread and universal. Long 
before the hour apjiointed for the funeral people 
flocked from all directions by thousands. The serv- 
ices were conducted from the First Methodist 
Church, and the pastor. Rev. F. C. Iglehart, in the 
course of his eloquent sermon said: " It was the 
custom of I^itta to go to the groves to hear the 
birds sing. Her soul of melody sought melody 
everywhere. She took lessons and the feathered 
songsters were her teachers. The beauty of the 
absolute came through the chorus of the trees to 
her beautiful soul. You who heard her sing, did 
not know wh}' it was that she sang so much like a 
bird. It was because she was with the birds so 
much and learned of them so well. It may be she 
heard the .singing in the distant palm groves and 
went to listen to it and mingle in it. According 
to an Indian custom I take a bird out of the cage 
and cover it with the kisses of the family, with the 
kisses of this whole citj', with j'our caresses, and 
send it out to the spirit that has flown to bear to 
her our love." 

The life and death of Litta made such an im- 
pression on the people of Bloomington that a fine 
granite monument was erected to her memory in 
the cemetery, which was dedicated July 4, 1 885, on 
which occasion the Hon. David Davis delivered a 
brief address, in which he voiced the sentiments of 
the world at large in regard to the accomplished 
singer and the beautiful and lovely woman. He 
was followed by the Hon. James S. Ewing, who de- 
livered a very appropriate eulogj". In speaking of 
Litta personally he made use of these words, which 
may very properlj' close this sketch : 

"Any analysis of her character which ignored 
her loving and kindly nature, would he like taking 
awa3^ the rich coloring from a beautiful picture. 
She was generous, and charitable, and kind. She 
shared everything she had with those she loved. 
The lirst fruits of tiie harvest she laid with thanks- 
giving upon tiie altar of filial affection. Even the 
praise and admiration she won she sought to divide 
with those who were dear to her. She spoke kindly 
of all. She was mindful of favors and grateful 



r 






-4^ 



I 



McLean county. 



1083 



for kindnesses. She had no false pride. When 
the noon had more than fuKilled the promise of 
the morning, she was the same gentle, modest nnd 
winsome woman. And so we have written on this 
monument: 'She was loved most for hor pure and 
gentle life, and loving hands weave roses with the 
laurel in the chaplet of her fame.' " 



I 



^OHN R. WILLIAMS, Postmaster of Delana, 
is also carrying on a trade in general mer- 
chandise, and is one of the valuable mem- 
bers of that community. He was born^in 
Muskingum County, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1834. His fa- 
ther. John Williams, was born in the same county, 
and his grandfather, Thomas Williams, was one of 
the pioneers of Muskingum County, Ohio, and 
cleared a farm from the wilderness, and there spent 
the remainder of his life, dying about 1840. His 
property lay on the national turnpike, three miles 
west of Zanesville, and there John Williams, Sr.. 
the father of our subject, was reared to manhood. 
He was also married there, the maiden of his choice 
being Miss Caroline Rodman, daughter of Joseph 
Rodman, and granddaughter of Gen. Rodman, of 
Revolutionary fame. At the time of his marriage, 
John, Sr., was engaged in mercantile pursuits near 
Zanesville. He lived but two years after his mar- 
riage, his death occurring in November, 1833, be- 
fore the birth of his son, our subject. His widow 
subsequently married John Brown, and they re- 
moved to Bloomington, where she spent the re- 
mainder of her life. 

John R. Williams was the only son of his parents, 
and was reared by his maternal grandparents. He 
attended school during tiie winter seasons, and the 
balance of the year assisted in the labors of the 
farm. His grandfather died when onr subject was 
twenty years of age. and the latter was given 
charge of the farm until 18.00. On the 14th of 
February, that year, he set out overland for the 
West with three horses and a wagon loaded with 
household goods, accompanied by his wife and an- 
other famil}'. After twenty-one days' travel, they 
arrived at Bloomington, and Mr. Williams pur- 
chased forty acres of land in Old Town Township, 

4» 



upon which he located and commenced its improve- 
ment and cultivation. After a few years he sold 
out and purchased another small farm in the same 
township, which ho occupied until 18G1, then sold 
again and removed ti> Bloomington. Here lie was 
employed in a tlouring-mill for a year following, 
and was also engaged in the purchase and shipping 
of grain for five years. He afterward became an 
employe in the hardware store of Harwood Bros., 
wliere he oHiciated as clerk for ten years. Subse- 
quently he served in the same capacity for J. 
Thompson, grocer, six j^ears. In November, 1884, 
he came to Delana, and in company with Mr. 
Thompson, purchased a stock of goods, and has 
managed the l)usiness here since that time. This 
consists of almost everything required for the farm 
and houseiiold, excepting, of course, the larger 
machinerj'. 

Mr. Williams was married in Ohio, live miles 
from Zanesville, Sept. l."), 18.53, to Miss Mary A. 
Fogle, who was born in Muskingum County, ()iiio, 
and is the daughter of George and Maria (John- 
son) Fogle, natives of Jlaryland. Of this union 
there were born two children — Julia E., now living 
at home, and Laura, who died at the age of eight 
years. Mr. ^^'illiams is Republican in i)oliti('S, and 
both he an<l his wife are members in good standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



WILLIAM IlIETT, leading representative of 
the saddle and harness trade in Sa3- brook, 
also carries an excellent stock of carriage 
supplies, trunks, and other manufactured articles 
in leather. Our subject came to the Prairie State 
in 1858, and purchased 135 acres of land near Say- 
brook, upon which he farmed for a number of 
years and then sold out. He next purcha.sed 115 
acres still nearer town, of which he still holds pos- 
session. His present business was established In 
August, 1883. His estal)lishment is the leading- 
one of the city and he gives emplo^'nient to two 
men. 

Mr. Hiett was born in Brown County, Ohio, 
Dec. 13, 1830, and is the son of John and Elizabeth 
(Hawk) Hiett, natives of Ohio. They were married 



-•►^W-^ 



I 






1084 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i' 



in lH2i). John Hiett was born in 1808, and is still 
living. The mother of our subject died in 1833. 
Their four children were Mary, James and Philip 
(twins) who died in infancy, and William of our 
sketch, who was left motiicrless when three 3'ears 
old. The second marriage of .John Hiett was with 
Miss Sarah A. Odell, and of tliis union thei-e were 
born four children — Jt)hn W., Franlv, Susan and 
Samuel. This lady died in Indiana and the father 
of our subject was then married to Miss Maiy F. 
Davison, by whom he had eight children, two dying 
in infancy. Albert C. died when twenty-one years 
of age. The remainder were, Edward, George W., 
Lnella, Sarah A. and Charles F. Joiin Hiett is Re- 
l)ublican in politics and a member in good stand- 
ing of the Masonic fraternity. 

Our subject remained under his father's roof 
during liis childliood and youth, and in 1877 was 
married to Miss Ortha Nelson, who was boiii in In- 
diana in 1802. They have no children. Mr. H. is 
a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and politically affiliates with the Republican 
part}'. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, be- 
ing a member of Cheney's (!rove Lodge No. 4G8, 
of Say brook. During tlie late war he was a sutler 
in llie AVilder Brigade, 'JStli Illinois Infantry. 

<* IklLLIAM E. IIENKV, J u., who is a native 
\/iJ// '■>i this county, owns a good farm of 160 
\^/^ acres in Anclior Townsiii|), on section 20, 
and is devoting much of hi.s time to stock-raising. 
His land is in a good state of cultivation, and sup- 
plied with a subsbintial set of frame buildings. As 
a citizen and a business man he is contributing his 
full siiare toward the growth and prosperity of his 
townsiiip, and is lield in universal respect for his 
excellent traits of ciiaracter and straightforward 
business methods. 

Mr. Henry is the eldest son of William E. and 
Mary (Snell) Henry, who were among the earliest 
pioneers of Dry Grove Township, this county, 
wiiere they are still residing. William E. was born 
in Dry (irove Township, Oct. 14, 1841, and there 
grow to manhood. His education was begun in 
the district schools of his native township, and he 
4* 



also attended the public schools of Bloomington, 
in which city his parents resided for about tliree 
years. He remained under the home roof until his 
marriage, which occurred Feb. IS, 1875. The 
maiden of nis choice was Miss Caroline, daughter 
of P^rancis and Elizabeth (Boyer) Fantz. She was 
born in .Somerset County, Pa., Oct. 8, 1850. After 
their marriage the young people settled in Danvers 
Township, where Mr. Ilenr}' followed farming un- 
til the fall of 1878. He then removed to his pres- 
ent homestead in Anchor Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry have become the parents of 
three children, as follows: Harvey, who was born 
March 18, 1877; Mary E., Feb. 26, 18isi,aiid Car- 
oline D., Jan. 24, 1883. Mr. Ileniy uniformly 
casts his vote with the Republican party, and in all 
respects is a citizen deeply interested in the welfare 
of his county and community. 



•»-J5»^ ' 



m 



>^%t-^' 



J'^OHN B. GEARH ART, favorably known in 
Belletlower Township as an industrious and 
prosperous farmer, is a native of the wealthy 
and populous State of Ohio, born in Miami 
County, Oct. 7, 1 833. His father, Daniel Gear- 
hart, was a native of Virginia, and our subject's 
grandfather, it is believed, was born in Mainland, 
and was of German parentage and ancestry. The 
grandfather removed from Maryland to Virginia, 
thence to Ohio, and located in Miami County as 
early as 1803. There he purchased a tract of land, 
a small portion of which was cleared, and the bal- 
ance was heavy timber. There was a log-cabin 
upon the place, which the family occupied for a 
time. Subsequently he cleared 160 acres and 
erected a substantial brick house and large frame 
barn. Upon the homestead thus established he 
spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1866, 
having reached the advanced age of ninety -seven 
years. 

The father of our subject was but three or four 
years of age when his parents removed to Ohio and 
settled in the wilderness. He there grew to man- 
hood, assisted his father in clearing the farm and 
remained umler the |)arental roof until his mar- 



n- 



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McLean county. 



108.5 i, 



riage. He then purchased 160 acres of land about 
eight miles from the old homestead, onlj- five of 
which was cleared. In due time he placed 120 
acres more under a good state of cultivation. In 
1863 he returned to Winchester, Va., to visit his 
son, who was a soldier and at the time confined in 
the hospital. While there nursing his son, the 
rebels captured the town and made them both 
Ijrisoners, Daniel Gearhart being confined twenty- 
two months in a rebel stronghold at Salisbury, N. C. 
He w,as released about the time of the close of the 
war, and returning home died three weeks after- 
ward. The mother of our subject before her mar- 
riage was Miss Mary Beatty, a native of Virginia. 
Of her marriage with Daniel Gearhart there were 
born eight children, of whom our subject was the 
third child and eldest son. 

John B. Gearhart, of this notice, assisted his 
father in opening np the farm, and made his home 
with his parents until he was twenty-two years old. 
He then married and commenced his new life upon 
a rented farm in Clarke County, Ohio. He con- 
tinued a resident of the Buckeye State until 1858, 
when he set his face toward the great West, and 
coming into Illinois located first in Tazewell Coun- 
ty. There he rented land one year, and then pur- 
chased sixty acres in Logan County, where he re- 
moved, remaining until 1868. He then sold out 
and purchased the place which he now owns and 
occupies on section 20, Belleflower Township, and 
which consists of 160 acres. This was wild prairie 
at the time of his purchase, but he now has the en- 
tire tract enclosed and brought to a good state of 
cultivation. Upon it is a comfortable .and substan- 
tial frame dwelling, with fruit and shade trees .and 
all the other acquirements of a first-class .igricult- 
urist. 

Mr. Gearhart was married in August, 1856, to 
Miss Minerva Fuller, who was born in Clarke 
Count}', Ohio, Mf.rch 11, 1835. She is the daugh- 
ter of Robert and Margaret (Thompson) Fuller, 
natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Ohio, 
and were among the earliest settlers of Clarke 
County. Mr. Fuller purchased a tract of timber 
land from which he cleared a f.arm, built up a com- 
fortable home, and there both parents spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. At one time they were the 




possessors of 640 acres of fine land in Clarke 
County. 

Our subject .and his wife have three children, a 
daughter Flora, now the wife of W'. H. Harrison, 
and they live near Farmer City; the other two 
children, Franklin and Elmer, are both at home 
with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart are 
worth}' members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and in politics our subject is an earnest 
Republican. He has been School Trustee several 
terms, and in 1 886 w.as Township Assessor. lie 
has also served as Road Commissioner. 

OUIS A. BURK, a prominent and skillful 
artist of Bloomington, is a native of Davis 
County, Ky., born in 1845, and the son of 
Edward A. and Nancy (King) Burk, who were also 
born in the Blue Grass State. The father of our 
subject was engaged in farming, and came to Illi- 
nois in 1848, settling in Mt. Hope Township, this 
county. Here he occupied his farm until 1851, 
then removed to Logan County and engaged in 
farming near Atlanta, for a period of fifteen years; 
thence he moved to Missouri, where his life ter- 
minated in 1874. The mother is still living in 
Lathrop, Clinton Co., Mo. Of a family of ten 
children, three only are now living: James A., re- 
siding in Lathrop. Mo.; Louis A., and Nancy M., 
Mrs. Waers, of Iowa. 

The subject of this biography remained at home 
until seventeen j'ears old, and then, the late Civil 
War being in progress, he enlisted in the three 
months' service. At the expiration of this time, 
he re-enlisted in Co. E, 7th 111. Vol. Inf., serving 
until July, 1865. At the battle of Altoona, Ga., 
he was wounded in the right shoulder. When the 
war was ended, he returned home and remained 
SIX months. He was soon afterward married, and 
lived for a brief season at Spring Hill, Mo., spent 
two years at Lathrop, then came to Bloomington 
and engaged in carpenter work for five years. He 
then commenced sketching for publishing houses, 
and was thus occupied for seven years, when he 
took up stock sketching and painting, in which he 
is at present engaged. He I'eceives orders from 



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1086 



A 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



both Eastern and AVcsterii States, to sketch and 
paint the cattle and other animals of the leading 
stockmen, and has proved himself an adept in the 
art. 

Mr. Burk was married, in 1865, to Miss Maria 
E. Piatt, a native of Bloomington, and the daugh- 
ter of Ephraim and Sarali I'latt, natives of Ohio 
and Virginia respectively. Their seven cliildren 
were named as follows: Fjucy, Kittle, William, 
Minnie, Nettie, Birdie and Louis. Mr. Burk is 
Republican in politics, and belongs to the G. A. 
R. lie purchased his present home in 1879, where 
lie and ills family' arc surrounded by all tiie com- 
forts of life and many evidences of iiis art. He 
ranks second to no one in liis line in tlie western 
country-, and in a few years will doubtless be able 
to retire upon a eonipetenc}'. 



-^ 



//^^ I. DOOLEY, a retired farmer of Downs 
Ij (=-, Township, living at ease on iiis elegant 
^^^) homestead one and one-half miles from 
Downs \illage, is widely and favorably known 
tin-oughout tiiis section .is a man who has been 
idcntilied with its business anil agricultural inter- 
ests, and has contributed his full share toward the 
progress and prosperity of McLean Count}'. The 
family residence is finely located in the midst of 
beautiful surroundings, and everything about the 
l)reraises denotes cultivated tastes and ample means. 
The life of our subject has been marked b}' indus- 
try and cnteriMise, and he has evaded no duty, 
either socially or in a l)usiu('ss vvay, when the jier- 
formance would tend to the welfare of his neigh- 
borlKiod and his township at Large. 

Mr. D<joley is a descendant of excellent Scottish 
ancestry. His grandfather, Obediah Dooley, of 
N'irginia, was the son of one of the earl}' represent- 
atives of the famil}' in this country and was mar- 
ried in the Old Dominion to Miss Anna Jrvin, who 
was also of .Scotch descent but born .'ind reared in 
Virginia. A few jears after their marriage they 
removed into Kentucky, settling in -.vliat is now 
Clark Count}'. One of their acipiaintances was 
Daniel Boone, the famous Kentucky pi(jneer and 
hunter. There they built u|> a home in tlic wilder- 



ness, clearing a tract of timber land, where they 
spent the remainder of their lives. They became 
the parents of a large family, of which William 
Doole}', the father of our subject, was about the 
fifth child. lie was reared to manhood near 
Boonsboro and there met and was married to Miss 
Minerva Morris, who was born in Kentucky but 
whose parents were from Virginia. She was the 
youngest daughter of Samuel and Martha Morris. 

After their marri.age William Dooley and his wife 
located on a part of the old Obediah Dooley farm 
and became the parents of thirteen children, of 
whom our subject was the eldest. He was carefully 
reared under the parental roof and remained at 
home until twenty-two years of age. On the 27th 
of December, 1849, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Scobee, in Montgomery Count}', Ky. 
Mrs. D. is the daughter of William and Jane (Bur- 
roughs) Scobee, natives of Kentucky. Her grand- 
father was Robert and her grandmother Elizabeth 
(Crawford) Scobee, of Virginia. Rol)ert .Scobee 
was a farmer by occupation, spending his early 
manhood in his native .State. Later in life he re- 
moved to Clark County, Ky., where he carried on 
agricultural pursuits successfully and died there in 
about 1838. The mother of Mrs. Dooley died at 
her home in Jlontgomery County, Ky., and there 
her father yet lives, having arrived at the .advanced 
age of eighty-five years. 

Mrs. Dooley was the eldest child of her parents, 
with whom she lived until her marriage. By her 
union with our subject she became the mother of 
four children, as follows: James W., a farmer of 
Downs Townshii), married Miss Elizabeth G. Cow- 
den, of Old Town Township; Jennie B. became 
the wife of Rev. T. D. Fyffe, a minister of the 
Presbyterian Church in Rossville, Ind. ; George G. 
married Miss Lou G. Baremore, and they live on 
the farm of our subject; Anna is .at home with her 
parents. 

Twt) }ears after the marri.age of Mr. Dooley he 
and his wife and his father's family all came to Illi- 
nois, first locating in Bloomington, and increasing 
the i)opulation of th.at city by thirteen souls. One 
child was born to the father and mother of our 
subject after tlieir removal to this .State. The 
mother tiled in liloominglon when seventy-four 



i 



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I 



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McLean county. 



1087 i i^ 



years of age. The father subsequently located in 
Old Town Township, whence he removed later to 
Padua Township, and there died on the 7th of 
June, 1870, aged sixty-six years. 

After coming to this State our subject was a resi- 
dent of Old Town Township until 1855, and then 
removed to Putnam County, Ind. After residing 
there sixteen years, during whicii time he had been 
engaged in farming, he returned to Illinois and lo- 
cated in Downs Township, this county. Here he 
now has a farm of 257 acres, the greater part of 
which is in a fine state of cultiv.ation. In 1881 he 
began dealing in coal, grain and lumber in Downs 
Village, in which commodities he operated four 
years and then practically retired from active busi- 
ness. He is now living in ease and comfort upon 
the competency which he has riclily earned. Po- 
litically he is a sound Democrat, and the wife of 
our subject is a member in good standing of the 
Christian Church. 



r 



kEICESTER S. RUPERT, a prominent citizen 
of Normal Towhship, is successfully en- 
gaged as a breeder of road horses, in which he 
is e.xperienced, and exhibits some of the finest ani- 
mals in McLean County. Mr. Rupert was born in 
Louisville, K}'., on the lOtli of December, 1855, 
being the son of Elon W. Rupert, of Virginia. The 
latter, during the greater portion of his life, was en- 
gaged in the wholesale drug business in Louisville, 
but retired upon a competency twenty years before 
his deatli, which occurred in 1874,. aged sixty-five 
years. The mother of our subject, Lucy B. (S.ar- 
gent) Rupert, was born in Massachussetts, is still 
living, and resides in Philadelphia, Pa. The paren- 
tal family comprised three children only: Elon S. 
is a practicing physician of Phil.adelphia; Minnie 
B. is the wife of Dr. J. W. Holland, Dean of the 
.lefferson Medical College of Philadelphia; and 
Leicester. 

Tlie subject of our slieteh pursued his primarj' 
studies in the public schools of Louisville, which 
wore supplemented by attendance at the grammar 
schools of New Haven, Conn., from which he grad- 
u.ated in 1875. He then returned to Louisville .and 



engaged in the breeding of trotting iiorses until 
1882, when became to Illinois, locating first in 
Woodford and subsequently in Tazewell Coun- 
ty, in which latter place lie sold his interest to his 
brother-in-law, A. G. Danfortli, and removed to 
Normal. His stables now include forty head of 
Hambletonian and Mamljrino horses, and include 
specimens of some of the finest animals to be found 
in this section. He exhibited several years at St. 
Louis .and Chicago fairs liut has now become so 
well known that he no longer incurs this expense, 
his stocl\ always being in demand. Mr. Rupert lias 
a fine farm estate of 500 acres, besides his town 
property in Normal, and has fully established a 
reputation .as oue of the leading horsemen of the 
State. He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Illi- 
nois Association of Trotting-horse Breeders, and his 
judgment and oi)inions in regard to this industr}' 
are held in great value. 

The marriage of Leicester S. Rupert and Miss 
Katie M.a}' Danforth was celebrated at Washington, 
111., on the 5th of November, 1879. Mrs. R. was 
born in W.ashington, and by her union with our sub- 
ject lias become the mother of one child — 
Emily Bush. 



<«l IVILLIAM L. DRYBREAD, formerly an ex- 
\/jJ// tensive farmer and stoclv-raiser of West 
^7"^^ Township, is now a resident of Santa Anna, 
De Witt County, but is entitled to a prominent 
place among the worthy citizens of McLean County, 
as having by his enterprise and intelligence greatly 
assisted in the development of the liusiness and 
agricultural interests of this section. Mr. B. was 
Ijorn in Bartholomew County, Ind., near the little 
city of Edinburg, Aug. 28, 1821. His f.ather, John 
Drybread, was a native of Butler County', Ohio, 
and his grandfather, who was born in Germany, 
emigrated to the I'nitcd States when a young man, 
locating in Butler County, Ohio, .and being among 
the earliest settlers of tliat region. He opened up 
a farm in the wilderness, wliich he cultivated and 
improved, and where he spent the last years of his 
life. There also his son .John, tlie f.ather of our 
subject, grew to manhood, married, .and resided 



i 






1088 



i 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



there until about l.siCi, then removed to Ijartholo- 
tnew County, Ind, being .among the first settlers 
wiio went into tiiat Territory. He jnirchased a tract 
of timber land and worl<ed as his fathei' liad done 
in Ohio, in clearing a farm from tlie wilderness, 
and tiiere made liis home nntil ids death, which oc- 
curred about IS.'i.'!. His wife, tlie mother of our 
suliject, formerly Bliss Nancy Lewis, was born in 
Wales, and came with her parents to America when 
a young child, receiving her early education in 
Ohio. She accompanied her linsband to Indiana, 
remained his faithful and affectionate compaiuon 
during his lifetime, surviving him several years, 
and died on the old homestead. Of their eight 
cliildren seven grew to become men and women, as 
follows: M.argaret, Mrs. Ball, died in Fulton 
County, Ind.; William L., of our sketch, was the 
second child ; Joseph, and Rebecca, Mrs. Cox, died 
in Bartholomew County, Ind.: George is a resident 
of Kansas; Henry lives in Bartholomew County, 
Ind., and Eliza A., Mrs. Durbin, in Piatt County, 111. 
William L. Drybrcad was the eldest son of his 
parents, and was but twelve 3'ears old when his fa- 
ther died. Being the eldest child he assisted his 
mother until he was old enough to manage the 
farm alone, then t(jok charge of it and remained 
there nntil 1 .S4!). In the meantime he had been 
married, and in tlic fall of that year started for Illi- 
nois, .accompanied bj' his wife. Their outfit con- 
sisted of two yoke of oxen .and two vvagons, in 
which were packed their household goods, and they 
camped and cooked by the w.ayside. After ten, 
days' travel they landed in Dc Witt County and 
moved into a hou.se occupied by Phine.as Page, 
where they remained nntil our subject could erect 
a dwelling on his own land, which he had purchased 
in Santa Anna Township. This cost him ninety 
cents per acre, he having obtaned it on a land war- 
rant. In is4.'-i he rented an improved farm, and 
during tlie summer following broke the first sod on 
his own land. By an unfortunate train of circum- 
stances he lost his land, and for a time decided to 
abandon farming. Itonioving to Farmer Cit}' he 
engaged in the drug business for one year, then 
opened a grocery store and bakery. At that time 
many people were emigrating to low.a, .and much 
of his patronage came from tlie traveling public 



*► ■ ^ 



who then journeyed mostly by wagon, the Pullman 
palace cars nt)t then being put on the rcjad, and in 
fact the railroads wei-e not even graded. 

Mr. Drybread continued in business until 18G2, 
and then, the war Ijeing in progress, enlisted as a 
Union soldier August 2 of that year, in Co. I, 
107th 111. \ol. Inf., in which he served until the 
close of the contlict. For more than a year he par- 
ticipated .actively with the movements of his regi- 
ment, and then on account of ill-health was trans- 
ferred to the invalid corps. To this move, how- 
ever, he greatly objected, and was subsequently 
made driver of an ambulance. In July, 1805, he 
received his honorable discharge with his comrades 
at Springfield, 111. In the spring of 18G6 he set- 
tled on a tract of land which he had previously pur- 
chased in West Township, and thereafter gave his 
entire attention to the pursuit of .agriculture and 
the breeding of fine cattle. This land, which was 
partially improved when he purchased it, is now 
under a good state of cultivation, tile drained, and 
supplied with a set of first-class farm buildings. 
The whole premises indicates the supervision of an 
intelligent and progressive mind, and invariably 
attracts the attention of the traveler to that region. 
In 1884 Mr. D. purch.ased eighty acres across the 
road from the main farm, and which lie in De Witt 
County. His live stock includes a herd of sev- 
enty head of graded cattle of the Ilolstein breed, 
and he has some of the finest animals in this [lart 
of McLean County. 

Mr. Drybread was married, in August, 1847, to 
Miss Marj' Lowery, who is a native of the same 
county as her husband, and the daughter of Thomas 
and I^lizabeth Lowery, who were among the early 
pioneers of Bartholomew County, Ind. Of this 
union there are nine children, the record of whom 
is as follows: Nancy, Mrs. Watson, lives in Farmer 
City; .Sarah, Mrs. Latimer, lives in Santa Anna 
Township, De Witt County; Rebecca. Mrs. Welsh, 
is residing in Rock County, Minn.; Henry lives 
at home; Ollie, Mrs. Mitchell, is a resident of 
De Witt County; Lucj' is married and lives in 
West Township; Annis, Jessie and Cl.arence are 
at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. D. are 
members in good standing of the Christian Church, 
and our subject in all the rel.ations of life has dis- 



i 



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,t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



-•►-■-^ 



1089 u 



tiuguished himself as a worthy citizen, neighl)or 
and friend, one who is always willing to contribute 
iiis share toward the building tip of his county and 
community. He has been one of the important 
factors in the agricultural interests of this section, 
and is universally respected wherever known. 



eHARLES DE GARMO, Ph. D., Chair uf 
Modern Languages, Illinois State Normal 
University, is one of the highly esteemed 
professors in this institution, who h.as niany warm 
friends in tliis vicinity both on account of his in- 
tellectual attainments and his excellent personal 
traits of character. Prof. De Garrao was born in 
Waukesha Count}', IVis., on the 7th of January, 
1849, and is the son of Rufus and Laura (Wilbur) 
De Garmo. natives of New Vork State. They came 
with their family to Illinois in 1851, locating in 
Sterling, whence they removed ten years later to 
St. Clair County. Rufus De (Tarmo was Quarter- 
Master Sergeant of the 149th Illinois Regiment, and 
after the war tiie family made their home in Shelby 
County, this State. The motiier of our subject 
died in Wisconsin, and the father, who was married 
a second time, novv resides in Kansas. 

The subject of this brief history pursued his 
primary studies in the district school and passed 
his early life on his father's farm. At the age of 
.sixteen j'ears the Civil War being then in progress, 
he enlisted in Co. 1, 149th 111. Vol. Inf., and served 
as a private, with his father, until the regiment 
was mustered out. He then joined the family in 
Shelby County and followed farming until 1870, 
when he began a course of study in the institution 
with which he is now connected, and from which 
he gr.aduated in 1873. 

In December, 1875, Mr. De Garmo was married 
to Miss Ida Witbeck, of Belvidere, 111., who was 
born in the State of New York and completed her 
studies in the Illinois State Normal University. 
After marriage Prof. De Garmo became Assistant 
Training Teaclier of the above- named institution, 
and held that position until 1883, when he re- 
signed and with his family went to Germany, 
wiiere he attended tlie University of Jena one year. 



and the University of Halle for two years. From 
this last institution he received the degree of Ph. 
D. He returned to the United States in August, 
1886, and was afterward appointed to his present 
position. So great was his desire to perfect him- 
self in his intellectual attainments that he staked 
the whole of his worldlj' possessions, mortgaged 
his property and resigned a good position to enter 
upon his studies in the Old World. He has been a 
frequent contributor to educational journals and is 
the author of " De Garmo's Language Work below 
the High Schools," and has gratuitously given his 
time to conducting Teachers' Institutes during the 
summer vacations, in different counties. 

Onr subject and his amiable and .iccomplished 
lady became the parents of three children: Walter 
C, who was born in 1876; Mabel L., born in 1880, 
died in Halle, German^', in 1884; Robert Max was 
born in 1885, in Halle, Germany. 



#^ 



•v- 



■^ OHN NICCOLLS. Few of the old pioneers 
of this section will be held in more grate- 
ful or pleasant remembrance than the above- 
^^J named gentleman. He came here at an 
early day and experienced with scores of others, 
the liardships and privations common to the open- 
ing up of a tract of unimproved country, and w.as 
largel}' instrumental in contriliuting to the early 
and rapid settlement of McLean County, turning 
the attention of many to this section who, but for 
his earnest efforts, would probably have located 
elsewhere. He was the faithful friend and en- 
courager of those who were limited in means, and 
by his own example induced them to overcome 
many difficulties and to pave the way for a more 
prosperous future. 

John NiccoUs is a native of Westmoreland 
County, Pa., and was born on the 23d of April, 
1810. His parents, John and Jane (Hurst) Nic- 
coUs, were natives of the same county and State 
and of Scotch-Irish parentage. Of tlieir family of 
six children, all lived to attain their majority and 

1 three still survive, viz., Dr. Robert Niccolls, of 
Bloomington; Rebecca, the wife of Elza Paull, and 

I our subject, who is the eldest of those living. He 



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1090 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



f 



is now seventy-six j'ears of age and during liis 
long life has never smoked a cigar or taken a chew 
of tobacco, and never took any whisky except as 
medicine. 

The childhood and youth of Mr. Niccolls were 
passed upon his father's farm. His education was 
somewhat limited, for as soon as his age and size 
would permit he was required to assist his father 
in his store and in various other duties. At the 
age of seventeen, under the instruction of his 
father, he purchased live-stock in Western Pennsyl- 
vania and Ohio, which he drove through to the 
riiihulelpliia market and there disposed of it at a 
reasonable profit. Three years later this parent 
died, and our subject received $1,300 as his 
share of the estate, and continued his live-stock 
transactions as before. 

In 1840 John Niccolls removed from his native 
State to Harrison County, Ohio, where he continued 
his operations in live-stock and engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits. He made his first visit to Illinois in 
IS.'iO. and jnirchased 15,000 acres of land in Mc- 
]a-.\u Count}'. The following year he removed to 
the county and located near the city of Blooming- 
ton. The first j-ear he was in the Prairie State he 
purchased 2,200 head of cattle and as this was be- 
fore the era of railroads he drove the cattle to 
Eastern Pennsylvania to market. For many years 
thereafter he continued to handle from 2,000 to 
3,000 head annually, with continued prosperitj'. 
In the meantime he also increased his real-estate 
interests liv entering land in Missouri, Nebraska, 
Iowa and Kansas, in each of which he secured a 
large acreage. At one time, for a period of ten 
years, he engaged in mercantile pursuits in which 
he was successful as in all liis other inidertakings. 
In 1H70, had he so cliosen, he could have retired 
with at least a half million of dollars. • 

At this period, however, he invested largely in 
Sliorl-horn cattle at high pri('es and then com- 
menced to lose. The hard times of 1873 caused 
a great decline in leal estate, and this, with other 
misfortunes, contributed greatl}' to diminish his 
pn)i)erty. 

Tlie fmest farms in this county to-day were first 
owned by Mr. Niccolls. McLean owes much of its 
prosperity- to his kindly and generous assistance 



which was proffered the early pioneers in their 
struggles to establish and maintain their homes. 
Through his influence many excellent families from 
Ohio and Pennsylvania were induced to remove to 
Illinois and settle. When a poor family came into 
the county Mr. Niccolls woidd open to them his 
hospitable doors and feed them freely from his 
bountiful table. He would sell to them their land 
at a very low price, give them a team and whatever 
else thej' needed, and allow them their own time to 
pay for the same. He was familiarly known as the 
poor man's friend, and received the blessings of 
those who, without his aid, would have abandoned 
what seemed to them a hopeless undertaking. Tiie 
records of that time show more transfers of land 
in the name of Mr. Niccolls than of any olliei- 
three men in the county; but not one will slnjw 
that he ever wronged any one or committed any 
act in the least approaching to oppression. 

The marriage of John Niccolls with Miss Alvira 
Smith was celebrated in 1829, in the town of 
Greensburg, Pa. Mr. Niccolls was then nineteen 
years of age. His bride was the daughter of Dr. 
B. Smith, of Westmoreland County, Pa., and .after 
two short years he was bereaved of the conip;inion 
of his youth, who died, leaving one son. Eben S., 
who is now engaged in mining in Old Mexico. 

The second wife of our subject, to wiiom he was 
married on the 31st of December, 1833. was for- 
merly Miss Maria Steele, a native of Fayette County, 
Pa., who was born Nov. 11, 1807. This excellent 
couple have now lived peacefully together for a 
period of fifty-three years. Of their union there 
were born eight children, as follows: John T. died 
at the age of forty-one 3-ears; one daughter died 
in childhood. Those living are: William S., a 
farmer of this county; Cassius M. is a merchant of 
New Berlin, 111.; Albert is in El Paso, Tex. ; Elliott 
is a resident of Kansas City, Mo.; Violet became 
the wife of J. B. Moore, and died in 187.^, leaving 
four children; Harriet is the wife of H. G. Reeves, 
of Bloomington. 

In early life and during the existence of the 
Whig party, Mr. Niccolls was one of its strongest 
adherents and a stanch supporter of Henry Clay. 
When the old party was aband<med and the Repub- 
lican party built upon its foundations, he cordially 



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I 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1091 ik 




supported the principles of the latter, with which 
he has uniformly cast his vote since that time. He 
has never been an office seeker, but has wiselj* filled 
up the generous measure of his days with good 
deeds. In religion he has for many 3'ears been an 
honored and prominent member of the Presbyter- 
ian Church. As a man and a citizen his record is 
without spot or blemish, and he is fully entitled to 
hear the words : " Well done, good and faithful 
servant." 



^-^TEPHEN SMITH, one of tiie prosperous 
and successful merchants of Bloomington, 
is proprietor of the dry-goods house lo- 
cated at No. 1 1 7 East .lefferson street. 
Mr. Smitii is a native of Clarksville, Tenn., and 
was born Oct 22, 18."50, being the son of Aaron and 
Matilda (Erench) .Smitii, natives of North Caro- 
lina and Virginia respectively. Aaron Smith left 
his native State when about eighteen years old, 
and going into Tennessee, purchased a plantation, 
and engaged in raising cotton and tobacco, the 
work being done bj' his slaves. Some of these he 
liberated before and some after coming into Illi- 
nois, in 1834-35. After coming to this State he 
engaged in stock and grain raising, his property 
being located in Greene County, wliere he remained 
luitil his death, in 1 849. The mother had died in 
1 830, in Tennessee. Both pai-euts were members 
of the Methodist li^piscopal Cliurch. Of their three 
sons and one daughter, the subject of our slietch is 
the only one living. 

Stephen Smith remained under the parental roof 
until seventeen years of age, having received a 
practical education. After leaving home he went 
to CarroUton, Greene Co., 111., and engaged as 
clerk for his brother, Clark M., two years, and then 
secured an interest in the business. They then 
sold out, and in 1850 removed to Springfield, where 
they engaged in tlie same business for the follow- 
ing ten years, having branch houses at Jackson- 
ville, Decatur and Bloomington. They then dis- 
solved partnership, and Stephen came to Blooming- 
ton, in 1860, and established the business which he 
now controls. He purchased the ground upon 



which the Metropolitan Block now stands in 1860, 
and soon afterward erected the building. He gives 
employment to from four to seven clerks, and sell- 
ing only for cash, always knows how his business 
stiinds, and the amount of his obligations and 
profits. This systematic manner of doing busi- 
ness has been the groundwork of his success and 
influence, and is what h.as placed him in the front 
ranks among the business interests of Bloomington. 
The marriage of Stephen Smith and Miss Eliza- 
beth L. Dorian was celebrated on the 6th of Octo- 
ber, 1857. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Lewis 
Dorian, of Philadelphia, and by her union with 
our subject has become the mother of three chil- 
dren — Dudley M. and Howard L., graduates of 
Bloomington High School, and Nettie B., a grad- 
uate of the Misses Grant's School of Chicago. The 
fine residence of the familj' is pleasantly located at 
No. 406 West Jefferson street, where its inmates 
enjoy the good things of this life and are surrounded 
by hosts of friends. Mr. Smith is Republican in 
politics, and a member in good standing of the 
Masonic fraternity. 

\f|OHN HALLIDAY, one of the prosperous 
farmers and self-made men of Belleflower 
^j^ Township, was born in Dumfriesshire, Scot- 
^i^f/ land, April 7, 1837, being the son of Adam 
and Isabella (Wells) Halliday, natives of the same 
shire as their son. where they spent their lives. 
The father of our subject was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and John when but eleven years of age went 
out to work for his great-uncle, living with him two 
and a half years. After that he engaged with 
different parties until he was eighteen years old, 
then startec^ for the New World with the hope and 
strength of youth .and the belief that he could bet- 
ter his condition. He embarked on the 16th of 
June. 1855, and after a tedious voyage of nine 
weeks and three days, l.inded in the city of New 
York, with only a few dollars in his pocket. He 
spent one day in the city, and tiien going to Cum- 
mingsville, Can.ada, engaged in a sawmill for $18 to 
$20 a month. He remained in that vicinity for about 
two and a half years, then concluded to return to 



, 



i 



1 






1092 



McLean county. 



4- 



the states, and went lirst to.Michigan, where he fol- 
lowed his former eiiiploymeut until 1859. In August 
of that year he came to this vicinity, and the fol- 
lowing year he commenced farming, first on rented 
land, and in due time purcliased eighty acres on 
section 33, in Belletlower Townslui), which with the 
additions he has made, constitutes his present home. 

The farm of our subject now comprises 240 acres 
of good land, 200 of which is enclosed and improved, 
and besides the ordinary routine of farming, he has 
of late years given the most of his attention to tlie 
raising of grain and a good breed of stock. 

The marriage of Mr. Halliday and Miss Mary 
Mclntyre occurred on the 16th of August, 
1865. Mrs. H. was the daughter of Allen and Eu- 
phemia (Monroe) Mclntyre, natives of Scotland. 
The wife of our subject departed this life on the 9th 
of November, 1872. They became the parents of 
four children, two of whom died in infancy; those 
surviving are Allen and Isabel. 



ORODON WINSLOW, a retire<l farmer re- 

sidint; in tlie village of Danvers, has been a 

fl) 

'J resident of the Prairie State since 1852, at 

which time he purchased a Mexican War land 

warrant of 160 acres in Danvers Township, and for 

many years work'ed early and late improving and 

cultivating it. He was [irospered in his undertak- 

itig and is now living in ease and comfort, the just 

reward of his indnstrj' and perseverance. 

Mr. Winslow was born inPittsford, Rutland Co., 
Vt., .luly 1, 1818, and is the son of Job and Lucy 
(Spenser) Winslow, natives of Massachusetts, 
who died in their nati\ e State many 3'ears ago, our 
subject being left an orplian at the age of ten years. 
His father iiad no worldly possessions and conse- 
(piently our subject was left to depend upon him- 
self, and at once began to work for liis board and 
what clothing jjcople were disposed to give him. 
He i)ossessed, however, a large amount of courage 
and resolution even at an early age, and as soon as 
possible began to save what he could of his, at first, 
scanty earnings. 

At the age of twenty-one years Corodon Winslow 



found himself possessed of $700 and with this he 
started AVest, and after reaching Licking Ct>unt}% 
Ohio, purchased 100 acres of unimproved land, 
upon which he began to labor industriously, culti- 
vating the soil and putting in crops. In due time 
he built a small frame house but soon after- 
ward met with a great misfortune in the loss of his 
little property, which had been mortgaged and 
which he was unalile to pay at the time specified. 
He was then tlirown uimn the world again, his only 
possessions being $100 and a span of horses. With 
these he set his face westward again and with the 
proceeds of the sale of his team, secured the land 
already spoken of and once more commenced the 
improvement of a farm. From 1845 until 1874, 
his time was filled in witii unremitting toil, mak- 
ing imprtivements uimn his purchase, raising his 
annual crops and engaged in the breeding of stock. 
He became very successful and the tract of wild 
land has now become a highly cultivated farm, 
valued at $10,000. 

On the 27th of October, 1844, our subject was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Wheaton in 
Danvers Township. Mrs. W. was born in Essex 
County, N. J., May 2, 1824, and was the daughter 
of Silas and Mary (Kgbert) Wheaton, natives of the 
same State, whence tliey removed to Ohio in 1841. 
Her father was a carpenter by trade and the pro- 
prietor of a conifoilable homestead in Ohio, where 
the old folk spent the remainder of their lives, his 
daath occurring in 1866, and that of the mother 
five years later, in 1871. Tliey were the parents of 
ten children, as follows: Sarah A., George W. and 
Mary A. (deceased), Silas P., Emens, Edgar, Eliza- 
beth (Mrs. John IJailey), Elihu, Loyal, and Leviti- 
cus who died at tlie age of eleven years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Winslow became the parents of 
six children, of whom only two are living: Corin- 
tha A. was born June 17, 1846, became the wife 
of Josiah Day and now lives in Calhoun County, 
Iowa; William F.. born in 1848, married Miss 
Eraeline Gregg .and lives in Adams County', W. T. ; 
Francis and James M. died in infancy, also a babe 
unnamed; Mary K. became the wife of Frederick 
Gansaw, and died three years later. 

Mr. Winslow is a striking illustration of what 
ma}' be accojnplisiied tiirough perseverance, indus- 



r 



-^^m^^ 



I 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1093 



I 



try and courage amid the most adverse conditions. 
His earliest recollections are of tlie influence ivliich 
strong drinii possessed over his father, who finally 
caiue to his death by its use, under the most dis- 
tressing circumstances. It is scarcely to be won- 
dered at then tliat Mr. Winslow is one of the 
strongest of temperance .advocates and bitterly op- 
posed to the use of whislvy in any form. The 
greatest credit is due him, in that he so bravely 
fought his way amid misfortunes and discourage- 
ments, and has become a man among men in the 
strongest sense which the term implies. He is now 
one of the most wealthy and respected citizens of 
McLean County, and an esteemed member of socie- 
ty. With liis family he is prominently connected 
with the Cumberland Presbyterian CInu'ch and in 
politics is a reliable Republican. 

The brothers and sisters of Mr. Winslow were: 
Elkanali, Horace, William Loyal (now deceased), 
Franklin, Charles, Mary and Harriet, the latter two 
dying when quite young. Mr. Winslow was the 
third in order of birth. 



^- 



-€-*-B- 




ENRY A. NICHOLS, jobber in cigars and 
tobacco, is located at No. 210 West Wash- 
ington street, Bloomington, and attending 
strictly and successfully to the details of a 
thriving and increasing trade. Mr. Nichols was 
born in Madison County, N. Y., in 18.36, being the 
son of Solomon and Caroline (Chapman) Nichols, 
natives of Massachusetts and New Y'ork respect- 
ively. Solomon Nichols removed witli his parents, 
Joseph and Sarah (Hemingway) Nichols, from his 
native State when a child four years of age. They 
settled in Oneida County, N. Y., and afterw.ard re- 
moved to Monroe County, that State, where they 
spent the remainder of their days. 

Solomon Nichols was brought up on a farm and 
during life was mostly occupied with agricultural 
jnirsuits. Of his family of fourteen children, Henry 
A. was the ninth, and eleven of the fourteen are 
still living. Both parents died in Monroe County, 
N. Y., the father in 1864, and the mother in 1879. 
They were members of the Presbyterian Church, 
wherein Solomon Nichols held the offices of Deacon 

4 < 



and Elder. He was a- Whig in early life, but on 
tlie abandonment of the old party, cordially united 
with the Republicans. His influence was recog- 
nized wherever he was known, as he was the friend 
of education, temperance, morality and ever^'thing 
tending to the advancement and prosperity of his 
coiuity or community. He was connected with the 
School Board, and filled various other local offices. 
To his children he gave the advantages of a good 
education, and was in all respects the model citizen, 
husband, father and friend. 

The subject of our sketch was reared upon a 
farm, and remained under the parental roof until 
twenty-one years of age, in the meantime having 
graduated fron) the State Normal School at Al- 
bany. He soon afterward engaged in teacliiug in 
Monroe County, and for three years presided over 
a public school in the city of Rochester, as Princi- 
pal. In 1861 he went to Ann Arbor, Mich., and 
took a two yeai's' course in the State Universitj^, 
and was afterward Principal of one of the schools 
of Detroit, Mich., for one year. He also spent one 
year at New Baltimore, Mich., similarly occupied. 
Upon removing from here he was employed as a 
boolc-lteeper for a lumber firm in East Saginaw, 
whence he returned to Ann Arbor and conducted 
the Union School there for one year. He then en- 
gaged as a traveling salesman, selling goods from 
Chicago through Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, 
and was thus engaged for four 3'ears. 

Mr. Nichols came to Bloomington in 1871, and 
since that time has been dealing in cigars and to- 
bacco; his trade is steadily increasing and he has 
three men on the road. He deals in only the 
choicest material, and has a good understanding of 
his business in all its details. 

Mr. Nichols was married in 1863, to Miss Flora 
Robinson, who was born in Michigan, and is the 
daughter of Loami and Isabel (Edmunds) Robin- 
son, who were natives respectively of Vermont and 
New Y''ork. Her father was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and departed this life in 1872; the motlier is 
still living in Michigan. Mrs. Nichols is the ninth 
of a family of thirteen children, and remained with 
her parents until her marriage, except when away 
at school and three years as teacher in the Bishop 
Union School at Detroit. By her union with our 



T 



t. 



i();»4 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



f 



subject she has become the mother of three chil- 
dren— Harry W., Lyell S. and Isabel R. They 
have a pleasant and attractive home located at No. 
210 East Washington street. Mrs. Nichols is a 
member of tlie Baptist Church, of wliich our sub- 
ject is a regular attendant. He is Republican in 
politics, and socially belongs to the Knights of 
1'3'thias. 



J 



\- 



'\f/ AMES FULTON, of Downs Township, is the 
owner of 100 acres of choice land, part of 
which is located in Randolph Township. 
His residence is situated on section 31. He 
has been a resident of the Prairie State since 18.52, 
and since he has made his home in this locality has 
proved one of its most valued citizens. Our sub- 
ject is a native of the Buckeye State, having been 
born in Harrison County, Ohio, Sept. 10, 182G. 
His father, AVilliam Fulton, of AVestmoreland 
Comity, Pa., was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and a 
descendant and kinsman of Robert Fulton, who 
first discovered the application of steam as a means 
of locomotion. The father of our subject was 
reared to manhood in his native count}', and was 
there marriecl to Miss Leah Tlioinpson, a native of 
the same State, and of ancestiy similar to that of 
her husband. Soon after marriage they located in 
Harrison County, Ohio, and became the parents of 
two children, and there the mother died about 
1822. These children are both now deceased, one 
having lived to mature years, and being married. 
The second wife of William Fulton was Miss 
Mary Moore, who was l)orn in Harrison County, 
Ohio, about 1803. They afterward came to Illi- 
nois, and Mrs. Mary Fulton departed this life in 
November, 1.H1S3, at the iiome of her grandson, Al- 
bert Fulton, in Randolph Township. The father 
died in Bloomington in 1872. Of this marriage 
lliete were born four children : William married Miss 
Eliza Boyd, wiio is now deceased, and lie is a prac- 
ticing physician of Colorado; our sidjject was the 
second son and child. The others aie deceased. 

James Fulton was about twenty-six years of age 
wlien he came, a single man, with his father to Illi- 
nois, and he has since made this county his home, 
lie was first married in Harrison County, Ohio, 



Jan. 6, 1853, to Miss Mary Boyd, who died at her 
home in Bloomington, in August, 1856. She was 
reared in her native county, being the daughter of 
an Ohio farmer and merchant. By her marriage 
with our subject she has become the mother of two 
children, both living. Eliza A. is the wife of Bone 
Block, of Harrison County, Ohio; Albert married 
Miss Mattie Morrow, and they reside witii Mr. 
Morrow in Randolph Township. 

The second wife of Mr. Fulton, to whom he was 
united in Randolph Township on the Ktli of Sep- 
tember, 1858, was Miss IMaiy E. Bishop, who was 
born on her fatiicr's homestead in this county, 
June 24, 1830. Mrs. Fulton is the sister of George 
Bishop, of whom a sketch may be found in another 
part of tins work. She was reared under the par- 
ental roof, and remained at lioine until her mar- 
riage. Of her union with our suliject there were 
born live children, two now deceased. Mary B. 
became the wife of A. J. Welcli,a fanner of Downs 
Township; Mattie E. is a teacher, liaving received 
her education in the State University at Normal, 
and holds a jiosition in the public schools of Ran- 
dolph Township; James F. is at home with his par- 
ents. Tlie deceased are Sarah E. and Jolin C. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fulton are nienibers in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Churcli, of which 
our subject was formerly Steward for fifteen years, 
and is now Trustee. He has served as School 
Director, Road Commissioner and Assessor, and in 
politics casts his vote in support of the principles 
of the Repul)lican party. 




AMUEL C. WARE, Postmaster of Towan- 
da, has been a resident of McLean County 
since 1803, to which he came from Rich- 
mond, Ky., with his family. He was born 
in Massachusetts, Dec. 9, 1810, being the son of 
Jason and Jemima (Cowell) Ware, natives of 
Wrentham, Mass. The paieiitul family' consisted of 
five children, two sons and three daugliters — ]\Iar- 
tha, Harriet, Leander, Augenette and Samuel C. 

Our subject was the j'oungest of the family, and 
was about fourteen years old wIkmi he left liis na- 
tive town and went to Worcester, where he learned 



t, 



■■► ^ ■1 <• 



I 



<- 



*» ' ■ M» 



McLean county. 



1095 



the trade of cabinet-maker. When twenty-one 
years uf age he went to Providence, R. I., and re- 
mained there until lie was thirty-five. Thence he 
proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio, and after two years 
to Richmond, Ky., wliere he tanght singing and 
day school for about ten years, and followed his 
trade as opportunity afforded until 18G3. In June 
of that year he came to this county, settling soon 
afterward in Towanda, and has been a resident of 
this village since that time. He at first engaged in 
carpentering and farming, which he followed until 
187o, and was then appointed Postmaster, which 
position he has since held. 

Mr. Wai'e was married in Richmond, Ky., April 
2!), 1831), to Miss Sarah .1. Milieu, daughter of 
Frederick Millen, whose family included six chil- 
dren: Samuel F. is Supreme Judge of the United 
States; Sarah J., Amelia, William, M.ary and An- 
geline. Mrs. Ware was born in Richmond, Kj'., 
Feb. 2, 1818. Of her marriage with our subject 
there have been born eight children — William F., 
Martha, Leander M., Samuel M., Amanda, Stephen 
W., Angenette and Edw.ard. They have a pleas- 
ant home in Towanda, and number among their 
friends and acquaintances the most cultured people 
of the city. ]\Ir. Ware has served as Township 
Clerk and Police Magistrate, and in politics is a 
stanch Republican. The parents and all their chil- 
dren are members of the Presbyterian Church, of 
which Mr. Ware has been an Elder for m.any years. 







ENRY F. IIAWLEY, Assistant Superin- 
tendent of the Chicago Division of the C. 
& A. R. R., is an honored resident of 
Ijgj/ Bloom iugton, having his home at the cor- 
ner of Lucust and E.ast streets. He is a native of 
Chittenden County, Vt., and was born in October, 
18;:i5, being the son of Don C. and Mary (French) 
Ilawley, also natives of the Green Mountain State. 
Don Hawley was engaged in farming until 1853, 
when he emigrated West, and locating in Chicago 
became extensively engaged as a contractor, and 
was Street Commissioner on the South Side for a 



^^ 



number of years. He departed this life in 1863. 
The mother died in Michigan in May, 1886. 

The Hawley famil}' descended from Welsh an- 
cestry, and the father of our subject inherited in a 
marked degree the substantial qualities of his an- 
cestors. He was Republican in politics, and be- 
longed to the I. O. O. F. He exerted a good in- 
fluence upon all who knew him, and was universally 
respected for his integrity and kindness of heart. 
The family of Don Hawley included four children, 
one now deceased. Henry F. was the eldest; Sarah, 
Mrs. Lewis, is a resident of Kansas City; Lucius 
L. is connected with the St. Paul, Minneapolis and 
Montana Railroad. 

The subject of this history remained under the 
parental roof until seventeen years of age, and 
completed a practical education in the village 
academy. While with his parents he .assisted in 
the labors of the farm, and after coming to Chi- 
cago was employed for a short time as clerk in a 
retail store, and then in a wholesale house until 
1857. He then became brakeman on the C, B. & 
Q. R. R., where he continued two years and was 
promoted to conductor. The war then coming on, 
he enlisted in the 89th Illinois Infantrj' for three 
years, and marched with his regiment to the scene 
of conflict. He was taken prisoner at Cassville, 
Ga., and put in the Miller stockade, which greatly 
resembled Andersonville prison in its horrors and 
suffering. After remaining a captive forty-two 
days he was liberated by a "Yankee" trick, and 
this being near the close of the war he received his 
discharge and returned North. Coming to Gales- 
burg he again engaged on the C, B. & Q. R. R. as 
conductor, and from that went into the Superin- 
tendent's office as Trainmaster, continuing until 
1873. Thence he was transferred to Aurora, and 
afterward to Chicago. 

In December, 1874, Mr. Hawley went into the 
employ of the M. C. R. R. as Trainmaster at De- 
troit, whence he was transferred to Michigan City, 
to take charge of the Western Division of the same 
road, where he remained three and one-half years. 
From there he went to Jackson, Mich., and had 
charge of the car service two years. He accepted 
his present position with the C. & A. R. R. in Sep- 
tember, 1880, and has charge of from 200 to 250 



I 

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:{- 



1096 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




men. He possesses a large fund of information in 
regard to railroad mattois and is well fitted for his 
responsible duties. 

Mr. Hawley was married in October, 18G.), to 
Miss Marietta Chapman nf C'ouneeticnt, who was 
born in 1844, and is the daughter of Joshua P. and 
Jane (Hyde) Chapman. Our subject and his wife 
have one child, a daughter, Meta C. 

E WITT R. GOOCII, a wealthy and pros- 
perous farmer of Helletiower Township, has 
been a resident of the Prairie State since 
the spring of 1858. He is the possessor 
of a fine homestead, pleasantly located on section 
!), and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. 
He may be properly numbered among those intel- 
ligent and enterprising men who have assisted in 
bringing McLean County to its present proud po- 
sition, and made it the home of the best class of 
people, noted for their intelligence, and as citizens 
worthy and valuable. 

The subject of this history was born in New 
York City Sept. 17, 1841. His father, Thomas 
(Jooch, was born in Bostim, Mass., and his grand- 
father, also a native of the Bay State, enlisted as a 
soldier in the War of 1812, and died in the service^ 
Thomas Gooch was reared to manhood in his na- 
tive city, and received a good education in its 
public schools. When of suitable age he com- 
menced learning the cabinet-maker's trade, but 
from 182o to 1835 held the position of book-keeper 
for the mercantile firm of Viles, Atkinson & Co. 
In the year last named he removed to New York 
City to take a similar position with Hayes, Dorr 
<fe Co., importers of dry-goods. He was in their 
cmploj' and that of their successors, Allen, 
llazen ik Co., until after the breaking out of the 
war, and remained a resident of New York Cit3' 
and suburbs until iiis death, which occurred in 
1 809. 

The mother of our subject, who before her mar- 
riage was Miss Lydia C. Uoulstone, was also born in 
Boston, Mass., and departed this life in the city of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1851. Three or four children 
belonging to the parental household gi-ew to ma- 



ture years; only one married. Thomas R. died in 
187(5, at Dorchester, Mass.; De Witt R. was the 
second child ; Caroline F. lives in Delavan, Taze- 
well Co., 111. Thomas ( J ooch contracted a second 
marriage, and of that union there is one son living, 
Cainille D., a resident of lirnoklyn, N. Y. 

Mr. Gooch of this notice was a child two years 
of ago when his parents removed from New York 
City to Brooklyn. Eight 3'ears later they moved 
to West Farms which is now included in New 
York City, and remained there until 1858. There 
young De Witt attended school quite steadil3', and 
being naturally intelligent and fond of his books 
gained a good insight into his studies at an early 
age. Before he iiad completed his education he 
suffered greatly from ill-health and was obliged to 
abandon his studies. Coming West, accompan- 
ied bj- a friend, he located in Tazewell County, 
where he engaged in outdoor work on a farm un- 
til the spring of 18G0. He then rented and engaged 
in farming for himself until the summer of 1862. 
The Civil War being then in progress he enlisted 
in Co. B, 7od 111. Yol. Inf., with which he served 
until March following, when his health began to 
fail and he was sent to the hospital. In August, 
1863, he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve 
Corps, from which he received his honorable dis- 
charge the following November. Mr. G. was in 
several engagements, among which we njcnlion 
Perryville and Stone River. 

After receiving his discharge he then returned to 
New York City, visited three months among his 
old friends and acquaintances, and thence came 
back West. He was soon afterward married, in 
Tazewell County, and settled down on a farm 
owned by his wife two miles east of Delavan, 
where he lived until 1885. He then sold out and 
came into this county and purchased the place in 
Belleflower Township which he now owns and oc- 
cupies. Here he has a tasteful and comfortable 
farm residence, with a good barn and all necessary 
out-buildings, and is industriously engaged in rais- 
ing grain and stock. 

The marriage of our subject to Miss Rosetta 
Rathmell took place in Delavan, Feb. 14, 1804. 
Mrs. G. is the daughter of James Rathmell, who was 
born in Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, John 



»^m-M- 



i 



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■<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



101)7 



Rathmell, was widely and favorably known in the 
Keystone State, where he followed milling and was 
one of its most substantial citizens. His son .Tames 
removed from liis native State to Tazewell County, 
111., when a young man, and was among the earli- 
est settlers there. He w.as there married to Miss 
Mary Ann Moseley, who was born in that county. 
Her grandfather, John Arthur Moseley, a native of 
Kentucky, settled in Tazewell County about IS'>6, 
took up a tract of Government land and improved 
three or four farms. Later he removed to Logan 
County, and died in 1858. His wife, before her 
marriage, was Miss Delilah Barker, also a native of 
Kentucky. She is still living, having arrived at 
the advanced age of eighty-six years, .and resides 
with her daughter, Mrs. A. W. Ball, in Tazewell 
County. She has been a cripple for the last tvventy- 
eight years or more, but her mind is still active 
and vigorous, and she remembers well the many 
incidents connected with pioneer life. Tlie parents 
of Mrs. Gooch died when she was quite \'oungand 
she was reared by her grandmother. Of her union 
with our subject there have been born four children 
— Arthur Francis, De Witt R., Jr., Oliver C. and 
Maude C. Mr. and Mrs. Gooch are Universalists 
in religious belief, and politically he is independent. 




ATTUIAS KAMPF, deceased, was a na- 
tive of Madison County, Oliio, and born 
Jan. 7, 1826. His parents, Henry and 
Polly (Travers) Kampf, were natives of 
Westmoreland County, Pa., and were of Pennsyl- 
vania-Dutch descent. The childhuod of Matthias 
Kampf was spent in his native township, the dis- 
trict schools furnishing his education, and in which 
he improved every oijportunity for acquiring use- 
ful knowledge. When nineteen years of age lie 
started out for himself in life, coming first to this 
State, where he taught two terras in a district 
school in Logan County, where the city of Lincoln 
now stands, then returning eastward to Ohio, he 
employed his winters in teaching, and the balance 
of the year as a farm laborer. While in that State 
he was married, on the 9th of JMarch, 1848, to Miss 
Nancy A. Paugh, who was born in Madison County, 
^' that State, Nov. 14, 1829. Her parents, Henry 



and Jane (Bradley) Paugh, were also natives of 
the same county. 

After their marriage our subject and his wife re- 
sided two 3'ears in Ohio, where Mr. Kaiui)f still 
pursued his profession as a teacher during the win- 
ter, and farmed during the summer until he started 
for Illinois, in the fall of 18.")0. After reaching 
Tazewell County, they located on the edge of llit- 
tle's Grove, about two and one-lialf miles west of 
the present homestead of the family. Two years 
later Mr. Kanqif toolv possession of a forty-acre 
tract of railroad land on section 7, in Mt. Hope 
Township, JIcLean County, where he continued to 
reside during the remainder of his life. He was 
naturally industrious and enterprising, and became 
prosperous, adding from time to time U> his first 
purchase, until he was the owner of 2.")0 acres of 
excellent farming land in the counties of Tazewell 
and McLean. After a protracted illness, he closed 
his eyes upon the scenes of his carthl3' labors on 
the 24th of June, 1874. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Kampf are re- 
corded as follows: Polly Jane, born P^eb. 7, l«,ol, 
died June 28, 1880; Mary Alma, born Aug. 28, 
1855, died July 8, 187(3; David Henry, Ijorn June 
20, 1857, died July 7, 1.S80; Ilann.ah Belle, born 
Aug. 3,1859, died Dec. G, 1874; Sar.ah A., born 
Nov. 17, 1861, and Matthias, Oct. 27, 1863. 
Sarah A., on the 18th of January, 1883, became the 
wife of Mr. James M. 3Iurphy, a sketch of whom 
will be found elsewhere in this volume. Since the 
death of her husl)and, JNIrs. Kampf has added to the 
estate which he left, by the purcli.ase of 120 acres. 
She is a consistent member of the Christian Church, 
with which she became connected in 1877. Mr. 
Kampf's belief was that of a Universalist. His 
sympathies, politically, were with the Republican 
party, with which he uniformly cast his vote. A 
view of the homestead, in whose improvement he 
delighted to spend his time, will be found on an- 
other page. 



SAAC E. FUNK, son of (me of the earliest pio- 
neers of the Prairie State, was born in Funk's 
Grove Township, Feb. 10, 1843, and is conse- 
quently now a gentleman in the |)rime of life, pos- 
sessing the full energy of his youth, and perform- 



4 



-4*- 



i 






-4•— 

109S 






McLEAN COUNTY. 






ing his part as a valued citizen and useful mem- 
ber of society. He is located on a good farm in 
Bellettovver Township, which is supplied with the 
necessary farm buildings, the grounds around the 
residence being ornamented with frnit and shade 
trees, and presenting in all respects a comfortable 
homestead. 

Our subject's father, John Funk, was a native of 
Ohio, and his father was also named John. The great- 
great-grandfather of Isaac E., Adam Funk, a native 
of (icrmany, emigrated to America with liis father 
when a lad six years old, settling in Pennsylvania, 
where he was reared, .■lud in due time established a 
home and family ties of his own. His son John 
came to McLean County at an early j)eriod in the 
history of this section, and here spent the last years 
of his life. Here also the father of our subject 
grew to manhood, in Funk's Grove Township, and 
was married here to Miss Bettie Hougham. She 
was a native of Ohio, and daughter of [saac and 
Annii^ ((iordan) Hougham. John Funk and wife 
remained residents of this county until the father's 
death in Allin Townshij) in 1847. 

The parents of our subject, John and Bettie 
(Hougham) Funk, were widely and favorably 
known Ihrougiiout this section, and the mother 
was es|)eciall3' noted for her kindness of heart and 
ready sympathy with (lie afliicted and distressed. 
Their names are held in kindly remembrance by a 
large circle of friends whom they made during 
their long residence here. Of their five childi-en, 
two only are now living — Elizabeth Ann, who be- 
came the wife of James C. Finley, of Kansas, and 
our sul)ject. Mrs. Funk was a second time mar- 
rieil, to John Finley, in 1858, and lives in Kansas. 

The subject of this history was but four years 
old wiieii his father died. He lived with his mother 
until he was fifteen and then started out to earn 
his own living by working on a farm. He at first 
received $10 per month, which was afterward 
raised to $l;j. After the breaking out of the war 
he enlisted as a Union soldier, Oct. 27, 18(;2, in Co. 
A, 117th 111. Vol. Inf., and served until the close 
of the war. He engaged with his comrades in the 
battles of Ft. De Russy, Pleasant Hill, Nashville 
and Ft. Blakesley, and was in other minor engage- 
ments. He was transferred to the .'jad Illinois In- 



fantry, and was mustered out in October, 1865. 
After returning from the arm}' Mr. Funk continued 
his labors by the month for a year, and then farmed 
on rented land until 1870, when he purchased his 
present homestead, which was then unimproved 
prairie. 

Our subject was married, Dec. 24, 1867, to Miss 
Mary E. Jenkins, a native of Virginia, and born 
March 23, 1848. Her father, Henry Jenkins, a na- 
tive of the Old Dominion, was born in Madison 
County, whence he emigrated to this county in 
1850. The parents of Mrs. F. died when she was 
quite young. Her mother was fornierl}- Miss Julia 
A. Price. Mr. and Mrs F. of this notice have 
seven children — Bettie L., Gny J., Lafayette, Min- 
nie M., Lucy B., Isaac Logan and Cliarlie Delight. 
Julia A. died in the fourth year of her age. Mr. F. 
is Kepubliean in politics. 



)EORGE W. BLAND, who is industriously 
engaged in the prosecution of a calling 



G 



^^J^ upon which the wealth of the nation de- 
pends, and is meeting with success in his la- 
bors, came into tlie Prairie State and located 
in Champaign County in 1809. He lived there un- 
til 1885, and then took possession of his present 
homestead on section 35, Cheney's Grove Town- 
ship. His farm comprises one of the finest bodies 
of land in this section, and includes twenty acres 
under a fine state of cultivation. He has a taste- 
ful and convenient residence, a good barn and all 
the out-buildings and machinery required by a first- 
cla.ss modern agriculturist. 

Mr. Bland was born in Pendleton County, W. 
^'a., April 25, 1 830. His parents were Eli and Annie 
(Ilager) Bland, natives of West Virginia, where 
the father died in 1802. The mother still survives, 
making her home in West Virginia, and is now sev- 
enty-seven years old, a stout and liealth}' old lady, 
who retains her mental f.aculties as good as ever. 
Her ten children included eight sons and twodaugh- 
rers — Miles IL, William, Amos, Lncinda, George 
W., John W., Mary, Eli P., James S. and Benja- 
min F. 

The subject of this history remained in his na- 







-•►HI 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1099 



tive State until he reached his majority, then de- 
cided to seek his fortunes elsewhere. Going into 
Indiana he worked out by the month until twent.y- 
four years old, and was then married to Miss Vir- 
ginia Whitecotton. She was born in ^'irginia, Jul>' 
6, 1843, and when six years of .'ige removed with 
her parents to Montgomerj- County, Ind., where 
she was married to our subject, Oct. 30, 1861. Her 
parents were James and Catherine (Robinson) 
Whitecotton, natives of the Old Dominion. Her fa- 
ther, born in 1792, served in the War of 1812, and 
after the termination of that conflict removed to 
Indiana, where he died, Dec. 19, 185o. The 
mother was born Oct. 30, 1808, accompanied her 
husband to Indiana and survived him about twenty- 
seven years, dying in Montgomery County, Ind., 
in 1882. Their sixteen children were as follows : 
Cornelius, Noah, Salem, Mordecai, Mary, James, 
William, Wayne, Zephaniah, Esau, Francis M., 
George, Jacob, Virginia, Lucinda and Isaac. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bland have seven cliildren — James, 
John W., William S., Mary C, Franklin, Manson 
and Annie J. Mr. Bland is Democratic in politics. 
During the late war he enlisted as a Union soldier 
ui the 120th Indiana Infantry, serving eighteen 
months in Company C, in the meantime being pro- 
moted Orderly Sergeant. He participated in the 
battle of Resaca, Ga., and in the engagements at 
Peaehtree Greek and Jonesboro. After going into 
Tennessee he was in the battles of Franklin and 
Nashville, escaping, however, without injury. 
After receiving his honorable discharge he resumed 
the peaceful pursuit of agriculture, in which he has 
since been engaged with fair success. A litho- 
graphic view of Mr. Bland's residence is shown 
elsewhere in this Album. 



JOHN HOWARD BUKNHAM, of Bloom- 
ington, one of its well known and most 
highly respected citizens, is a native of 
Massachusetss, born at Essex, on the north 
side of Cape Ann, Oct. 31, 1834. His parents 
were of the old Puritan stock, his father, John 
Burnham, being a descendant of John Burnham 
who came to this country in 1034, and located on 



a farm wliicli has descended from father to son for 
six generations. The mother of our sulijcct was 
Sarah Choate Perkins, and on her mother's side 
a Choate, a second cousin to Rufus Choate, the 
famous lawyer. 

The paternal grandmother of our subject was a 
Goodhue. Mr. Burniiani is quite proud of iiis an- 
cestry. He possesses the printed genealogy of the 
Burnham and Perkins families, and can trace both 
sides back to their homes in England. He is (juite 
antiquarian iii his tastes, and a corresponding mem- 
ber of the Historical Society of Chicagi.i. He 
wrote a history of Bloomington and Normal in 
1879, and besides tliis has prepared quite a number 
of historical sketches of other localities in tliis re- 
gion. 

Mr. Burnham emigrated to Illinois in the fall of 
185.5, and for two years afterward lived at Barring- 
ton, Cook County, where he taught school two 
winters. In the spring of 1858 he came to Bloom- 
ington and entered upon a course of study in the 
Normal School, from which he graduated July 4, 
1861. Then, the Rebellion being in progress, he 
entered the army in August, as First Lieutenant of 
the Normal students, Co. A. in the 33d Regiment 
111. Vol. Inf. He wa? in the liattle of Fredericks- 
town, Mo., Oct. 25, 1861, in the fight at Cotton 
Plant, or Cache River, Ark., July 7, 1862, and in 
several skirmishes. He «as promoted Captain, 
Sept. 5, 1862. During that summer he was taken 
ill with malarial fever, caused by exposure in the 
swamps along the bottom lauds of the Mississippi, 
and was compelled to resign on account of disabil- 
ity, in April, 18G3. 

In the year following his retirement from the 
army, having lost none of his interest in the cause 
of education, he was appointed Superintendent of 
the Bloomington schools, and in Julj', 1864, be- 
came editor of the Pantayrapli, occupying this po- 
sition nearly three years. He has also done con- 
siderable literary work of a miscellaneous character 
for the Pantayraph and other newspapers. 

Capt. Burnham was united in marriage with Miss 
Almira S. Ives, on the 23d of January, 1866. Mrs. 
B. is the daughter of A. B. Ives, of Bloomington. 
She is an accomplished and highly respected lady, 
who has cultivated a natural talent for art, to such 



k 



i 



t 



1100 



,t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




4 



an extent, in fact, that tlic piddiicts of her brush 
have quite an enviable rt'putation in local art cir- 
cles. Their beautiful home in this city is the re- 
sort of its most cultured and intelligent people, 
whose friendshi|) and society they enjoy in a marked 
degree. Capt. liurnhain, in 1.SG7, became general 
contracting agent for an iron highway bridge com- 
pany, which positiun he now tills. 

US. LYDIA A. SAl'NDERS, a well-linown 
and highly respected lady who has been a 
I'csidcnt of West Townsiiip since 1860, oc- 
cupies a comfortable homc-tead on section 
She was horn in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 1st 
of .January, 182;'), and is the daughter of Henry R. 
Coleman, wlio was a native of Pennsylvania, born 
Oct. 2".), l.SO.J. Iler paternal grandfather was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of Montgomery County, Oliio, where he 
cleared a farm from the wilderness, four miles from 
what became tlie site of the city of Dayton, and 
where lie spent the last years of his life. Upon 
this farm Henry R. Coleman lived with his parents 
until he was twenty years of age, and then engaged 
in teaching school. In 182.') he went to Cincinnati, 
then an endjryo city, where he engaged in mer- 
chandising a short time, and whence he removed to 
Millville, lUitler County. He pursued the same 
business there until 1849, when he joined the great 
caravan that was pushing toward the California 
gold fields. He choose his route vi;i the Isthmus, 
and remained on the I'acific Slope until 18a2. In 
that yeai' he returned as far Kast .as Illinois, and 
coming into this county, purchased a tract of wiki 
land on section .'iO of what is now West Township, 
being one of the first settlers of that townshij). 
riei-e he improved a good farm and remained a res- 
dent until his death, which occurred in 1865. 
His wife before her marriage was JNIiss Rachel 
Watkins. She was born in Montgomery County 
Ohio, accompanied her husband to Illinois, and 
died on the old liomestead in West Township, in 
1 877. Of their nine children, eight grew to man 
and womanhood. 

The subject of this history niatle her home with 



her parents until her marriage with William A. 
Saunders, which occurred in LSI I. Mr. Saunders 
was born in Maysville, K3'., Feb. 7, 181(j, being 
the son of Clark Saunders, a native of Kentucky, 
who was a painter by trade and spent his entire 
life in his native city. William A. Saunders was 
raised at Maysville and there learned his trade of 
house .and sign painting. He went to Ohio when a 
young man and carried on business in Cincinnati 
for a period of twenty-five years. In September, 
1866, he came to Illinois, and having bought out 
the interest of the heirs in the Coleman homestead, 
settled on the farm which remained his home until 
his death, March 12, 1881. He was a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, hav- 
ing assisted in the organization of the society' at 
Mt. Olive and in the erection of the building. Mrs. 
Saunders is connected with the same church. Her 
father was a Presbj'terian, and her mother a Meth- 
odist in belief. 

Mr. and Mrs. Saunders became the parents of 
four children, two of whom are still living: Sarah 
Florence became the wife of John R. Palmer, and 
lives in Normal, HI.; Lida A. married Alvin Whit- 
taker, and lives on the homestead. This is a fine 
tract of land containing 160 acres, and supplied 
with all the necessary and convenient farm build- 
ings. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Saun- 
ders has filled his place in a worthy and capable 
manner, and is greatly respected in her commun- 
ity for her excellent personal traits of character. 



^ OHN S. MiCLURE, Deputy County Clerk, 
residing at Blooraington, is one of the most 
highly respected citizens of the countj'. 
(^^1/ Our subject was born in Logan County, 
Ohio, on the 11th of .Ianuar3', 18-14, his parents be- 
ing John and Sarah (Slaughter) McClure, natives 
of Virginia, the former born in 1808, and the lat- 
ter in 181.'). .lohn McClure, Sr., was a farmer by oc- 
cupation and Republican in ])olitics. He removed 
with his family from Virginia to Ohio in i8;52, and 
located in Logan County, remaining there until 
1858. The father then came to McLean Count3', 
where he still lives. The mother died in Ohio in 




h 



McLean county. 



1101 




1846. The record of their seven children is as fol- 
lows: The eldest born died in infancj-; Charles; 
Sarah, Lucy and Mildred are deceased : John S., 
our subject, and Susan. 

John S. McClure remained at home until he had 
arrived at years of manhood, receiving a common- 
school education and assisting in the labors of the 
farm. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
E. Workman, Jan. 14, 1869. She was born in the 
.same countj^ and State as her husband, on the 10th 
of Juue, 1846, and was the daughter of Daniel M. 
and Helen (Pratt) Workman, who were also na- 
tives of the Buckeye State, and are both still living 
there. Their five children were named — Mary, Sa- 
rah, Lucy Clara, Ella and John. 

During the progress of the late Civil War Mr. 
McClure enlisted as a soldier in the 4th Illinois 
Cavalry, at Blooniington, on the 27th day of Sep- 
tember, 1861. He served in the same regiment 
until October of the following 3'ear when he was 
disch.arged for disability. In July, 1863, he re- 
enlisted in the 2d Ohio Artillery, and was mus- 
tered out in August, 186.j, having participated in 
several general engagements, among them being 
Ft. Henry, Donelson and Shiloh. At the close of 
the war he returned home and soon afterward came 
to Tazewell County in this State, whence after re- 
siding there three years he came to McLean 
County, which with the exception of four years 
spent in Ohio, has been his residence since that 
time. He belongs to the G. A. R., Post No. 146 
at Bloomington. In politics he is a straight Re- 
publican, and Mrs. McC. is a member in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Of the children born to our subject and his wife 
the eldest, Willie, died when one year old ; the five 
living are Howard, Daniel, Arthur, Alice and Wal- 
ter. The family homestead in Dr^' Grove Town- 
ship embraces eighty acres of fine land, upon which 
is a good farm dwelling and all necessarj' barns and 
out-buildings, with implements and machinery for 
the carrying on of agriculture after the most a|)- 
provcd methods. 

Mr. McClure represented the people of Dry 
Grove Township in the Board of Supervisors for 
three terms ; has been Township Clerk two 3'cars, 
and is now Deputy County Clerk. He has been 



a member of the Central Republican Committee. 
He exercises a marked influence upon the politics 
of this section an<l is a man whose judgment is 
universally respected. 

I? M. DOOLEY, President of the Third Na- 
tional Bank of Bloomington, has been a res- 
ident of the Prairie State since 1853, and 
^^)j thereafter extensively engaged in farming. 
He is a native of Kentucky and w.as born in Win- 
chester, Clark Co., Mo., Nov. 11,1830. His par- 
ents were AYilliam and Minerva (Morris) Dooley, 
both born in Kentucky, and the father an extensive 
farmer .and stock-grower. He came to McLean 
County in 1851, and purch.ased land of the Gov- 
ernment in Old Town Township. He became pos- 
sessor of a large area, some of which he sold and 
upon some he farmed, and remained a resident of 
this county until his death, in 1 860. The mother 
had died in 1.S44, before the removal of the fam- 
ily from Kentucky. Of their thirteen children 
eleven are still living; .all received a practical edu- 
cation, and those living are capable and prositerous 
business men. 

The subject of this sketch w.is reared on a farm, 
and after leaving the jirimary schools attended 
Bartlett College, Cincinnati, Oliio, from which he 
gr.aduated in 1849. He then returned to the f.arm 
in Kentucky, and subsequently came with his f.a- 
ther to Illinois. Two years later he purchased land 
in Old Town Township, where he operated 500 
acres and raised cattle, horses and hogs. He con- 
tinueJ stock-raising and general farming until 
1883, when he sold his f.arm property and pur- 
chased a residence on East Grove street, Blooming- 
ton, where he is now living and enjoying the fruits 
of his early labors. He has been prominent in the 
affairs of this section since coming here, and was 
Supervisor of Old Town Township three j'ears. 

Mr. Dooley was married, in January, 1853, to 
Miss Susan Nelson, a native of Montgomery, Ky., 
and the daughter of AVilliam and Annie (Smith) 
Nelson, natives of that State. Of this union there 
were born eleven children, as follows : Florence, 
Mrs. Singleton, resides in Bainbridge, Putn.am 



1 



I 



■^^ 



1102 






McLEAN COUNTY. 




Co., liul.. :iiul luts three children— Edith, Sylvia 
and .Stella; AVilliam L. iiituiicd Miss Stella Law- 
rence, and is a resident (if Humboldt, Kan. ; Romu- 
lu.s \V. is engaged in teaeiiing at Blooniington ; An- 
nie, Mrs. Charles I'.roun, is .1 resilient of this county, 
and has one child, a daugliter, Alice; Henry S. 
married Miss Edith Reyhurn; Sanuiel C, Charles 
W., Emma C, Raymond I).. Kdna and Berenice 
are all residents of Blooniington. Mr. Dooley be- 
longs to the Democratic party, and socially as well 
as in a business capacity is considered a useful 
member of society. 



E. SWAP, who is engaged in merchandis- 
ing at Weston, came with his parents to 
Illinois in about 1847, settling first in La 
•^ Salle County. He has been a resident of 

this county since 1844, and is now an important 
factor among the business interests of Yates Town- 
ship. He was l)orn in Erie County, Pa., Jan. -21, 
1839, and is the son of Andrew and Sybil (Hitch- 
cock) Swap. The former was a native of New 
York and the latter of Connecticut. The parental 
family included eleven children, ten of whom grew 
to mature years, and eight are still living. Upon 
leaving New York, the parents of our subject re- 
moved fust to Wisconsin, whence, eighteen months 
later, they came to Illinois and the father followed 
farming in La Salle County for a number of years. 
From there he removed to Kansas, and after a res- 
idence there of a few year.s returned to his old home 
in Eric County, Pa., where the mother died in Au- 
gust, 1884, at the advanced age of seventy-nine 
years. The fathci-, who was born in 180->, is still 
living. 

Tiie subject of this history received a fair educa- 
tion in the common schools, and was reared to 
maniiood on his father's farm. At the outbreak of 
the late Civil W'ar he enlisted as a Union .soldier in 
Co. C, 7th 111. A'ol. Cav., entering the service Aug. 
13, 1862, and serving until July 12,186r). He partic- 
ipated in all the engagements of his regiment and 
escaped sorii.us wounds and illness, receiving his 
honorable discharge at the close. He tlieu re- 
turned to La Snlle C(juntv, 111., and was there en- 



m^^m-Mm- 



gaged in farming until February, 1879. He then 
sold out and removed to Eppard's Point, Livings- 
ton County, where he purchased 16ft acres of land, 
of which he still letains tlie ownership. In 1884 
he removed to Meridcn, La Salle County, and en- 
gaged in the mercantile Inisiness for nine months. 
He then sold out, and coming to Weston purchased 
the business of John Poole, which he has since con- 
tinued to carry on with profit and success. He is a 
stanch Republican politically, served as Town 
Clerk seven years in La Salle County, and for a 
long term was a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion. Socially he belongs to the G. A. R., con- 
nected with the post at Fairbury, 111. 

Mr. Swap was married on the 13th of December, 
1866, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Joseph and 
Elsie Ann (Phillips) Watson. Mrs. S. was born in 
Windham County, Conn., Feb. 8, 1843, and when 
a young girl of eleven years came to Illinois 
with her fathoi'. llei- mother died in Mt. Hope, 
Conn., in 184s. The}- first located in La Salle 
County, and her father was a second time married, 
March 15, 1849. He now resides near Mendota, 
III. Mr. and Mrs. S. became the i»arcnts of four 
children, one of whom, Claude L., died at the age 
of nine years; Elsie died in infancy. Albert J. 
and Fithel L. are at home with their parents. A 
lithographic view of Mr. Swap's store building is 
given on aufvtlier page of this volume. 



^^ FORGE H. WELCH, .an enterprising far- 
Ill ,-— , mer and stock-grower of Downs Township, 
"^^^ owns and occupies a fine homestead of 240 
acres on section IG, the most of which is under a 
good state of cultivation. The whole estate is en- 
closed with good fencing and the land drained with 
800 rods of tile. The stock operations of Mr. 
Welch have been quite extensive and successful 
and he bears the reputation of being one of the 
most thorough and intelligent agriculturists of this 
section. 

Mr. Welch is the youngest son of a family of 
four sons and four daughters born to his parents. 
Of these, five are yet living, married and comforta- 
bly settled in homes of their own. Our subject is 



4 



I 



t 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1103 T 



a native of Downs Township, born June 13, ISo^f, 
and pursued his early studies in the district schools. 
These were completed at Wesleyan University and 
the Evergreen City Business College. At tlie con- 
clusion of liis studies he returned to the farm, and 
since that time has devoted his whole attention to 
its peaceful occupation. lie remained at home 
until some time after the death of his father, Henry 
Welch, which occurred April 17, 1881. His mother, 
formerly Miss Mary Caldwell, is still living, and 
nialces her home with her eldest son, James A., in 
Eandolijh Township. 

The subject of this history was married in Le 
Roy, at the home of the bride's parents, on the Gth 
of February, 1884, to Miss Sarah E. Phillipps, a 
brief bistorj' of whose parents will be found in the 
sketch of D. F. Phillipps, elsewhere in this work. 
Mrs. Welch was born in Dale Township, this county, 
Nov. 23, 1863. Her parents afterward removed 
to Downs Township and she remained witli tliem 
until her marriage, receiving a good education in 
the common schools. Of her union with our sub- 
ject there has been born one child, a son, Henry. 

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Welch they 
settled on their present farm, Feb. 14, 1884, where 
Mr. W. had already prepared a home for his bride, 
having erected a fine residence, finished with all the 
conveniences of modern life. The barn and other 
out-buildings correspond with the dwelling and the 
entire premises is well cared for and kept in good 
order. Our subject and his wife are regular at- 
tendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
which Mrs. W. has been connected for several 
years. Mr. Welch is a firm supporter of the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party, with which he uni- 
formly' casts his vote. 



.SAAC HARNES.S, one of the pioneer settlers 
of McLean County and prominently engaged 



t 



j\ as a farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of 
Bourbon County, Ky., and w.as born near what is 
now known as Cane Ridge, on the 17th of March, 
1811. His father, Jacob Harness, of Virginia, was 
born and reared on the Potomac, being the son of 
Peter Harness. Jacob Harness removed with his 
4' 



father to Keutucin' and there married Miss Chris- 
tina, the daughter of Jacob Smith, whose family 
were of German ancestry and settled in Virginia at 
an earl}' period in the history of that State, whence 
they removed to Kentucky. .Jacob Harness served 
as a soldier in the War of 181-2, and remained in 
Kentucky until his son Isaac, our subject, was 
seventeen years of age. Then, with his family, he 
removed to Fayette County, Ohio, locating near 
Washington Court House. His father, Peter Har- 
ness, had preceded him to what was afterward the 
Buckeye State and purchased a tract of laud 1,200 
acres in extent, and gave to each of his seven sons 
100 acres of timber land. These sons having 
been reared on a Southern plantation where the 
work was done by slaves, were .at first quite unequal 
to the task of opening up a farm in the wilderness, 
but tliey came of a sturdy race and in time proved 
themselves equal to the emergency. ,TacoI>, the 
father of our sul)ject, and one of these seven sons, 
cleared the timber from his land and proceeded 
with its cultivation, establishing a comfortable 
homeste.ad where he reared his family. Subse- 
quently he went to Indiana and located on Wolcott 
Prairie, where he remained for many years. The 
parents of our subject both died near Lexington, 
where their remains were laid to rest. 

Isaac Harness came to McLean County in 1832, 
and was joined about four years later Ijy his father 
and mother and they settled on the Vermilion 
River, near Pontiac. The country was new and 
very sickly, and soon they all removed to Lexing- 
ton and settled on a farm one mile south of the 
present village. This, which now constitutes the 
homestead of our subject, com|)ri^s 2,000 acres 
all in one body, and he has 1,000 acres in another 
part of the county. He owns beside, in the States 
of Missouri and Kansas, 1,140 acres. His farms 
are well stocked. Much of this is leased and liis 
rents amount to over $50,000 per annum. 

When Isaac Harness came to McLean County 
his possessions consisted of one horse, and his career 
is a most remarkable illustration of what may be 
accomi)lished by a resolute and determined will. 
Hard work was never a bugbear to him and he 
only asked for his health and strength. This w.as 
granted him and he proceeded, with the couiage of 



i 



I 



1104 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



youth and high hopes for the future, to cultivate 
the little tract of IGO acres which comprised iiis 
first purchase. Kven a part of this he was obliged 
to give up in order to keep other parties from bid- 
ding against liiin when tlie land came into market. 
After tills first backset he industriously set himself 
about the improvement of his land and the estab- 
lishment of a home. 1 1 is first transactions in live- 
stock consisted in the purchase of three poor, 
scrawny little calves, whicii he fed until they be- 
came of good vahie. He enlarged his facilities as 
fast as possible and was soon fattening a drove of 
300 hogs which he sold at $\.'>0 per hundred, re- 
ceiving one-half cash in ulnv months, and the other 
half in store pay to lie drawn at such times as he 
migiil need goods, lie tJKMi commenced to buy 
steers as his money accumulated and finally secured 
forty head which he fattened on gras.s and corn 
and which, when three years old, he sold at $4 per 
head. This, in those da3's, was a good profit, and 
encouraged him to continue his operations as a 
stockman. He soon afterward began to accumulate 
money raiiidily and then formed a partnership witli 
a .lew by the name of .loe (ireenebaum (now in 
Chicago), and embarked in the clothing trade, es- 
tablisiiing trade both at Lexington and I'ontiac, 
the goods being purchased in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Mr. Harness furnished funds to the extent of 
■tl 0,(100, which he put in a car|)et-sack and started 
for Cincinnati, having previously given his note 
for .i<;57,7(;."). lie jiaid the|ilO,00() and ten per cent 
interest on the notes until they were paid uj). 

In 18(>7 Mr. Harness organized the Lexington 
Hank, and l)ecame its Pi'csident. It lias a large 
paid-uj) capital and has become one of tlie perma- 
nent institutions of tlic town. 

-^ ' '^ '■ ^ ' ^-" 



KN.TAMIN M. qillNN. During the years 
from I8iVl to 1 SCO llu' fertile prairies of 
II .McLean County were more rapidly settled 
up than during an^' otiier half dozen years. 
Kntorjjrising men began to come in then and im- 
l)riive them, and to-day what was thought by the 
earliest settlers to Ik^ only fit for grazing purposes. 




4 



are the most highly cultivated and productive 
fields found within the borders of the rralrio State. 
A well-known gentleman who came in during the 
earliest part of the above mentioned period is B. 
M. Quinn, of Dale Township. He was born in 
JIadison County, Ky., on the 3d of September, 
1820, and is the third child and second son of 
Hiram and Klizabeth t^uinn,a sketch of whom will 
be found on another p.age of this volume. 

The subject of this brief history was reared in 
his native county and, as soon as he w.is large 
enough, assisted his jiarents in the labors of the 
farm, and attended the subscription school which 
was held in the log cabin. He inherited a part of 
the old homestead and lived there with his mother 
until 1854. when, accomp.anied by her and his 
brother James W., with the wife of the latter, 
started overland for the prairies of Illinois. Their 
outfit consisted of five horses, two wagons and a 
carriage. Their journey was ccmiraenced on the 
9th of October, and they arrived in McLean 
County on the 2d day of November. The house- 
hold goods were brought with them and they 
camped and cooked by the w.ay. They spent the 
first winter with the brother Hiram and Mr. Jona- 
than Park, and in the spring moved to a tract of 
land on section 34, whicli they occupied until the 
following November and then Benjamin Quinn set- 
tled upon the place which he now owns and occu- 
pies. At the time of his purchase there was upon 
it a one-story dwelling which included two rooms, 
and a shed with a straw roof. He at once set about 
the cultivation and improvement of his land and 
in due time erected a good set of frame buildings 
and planted fruit and shade trees. In this home, 
which he had i)rovided for her, his mother lived 
until the Gth of October, 1881, when she closed her 
eyes forever to the scenes of earth. 

From his early boyhood Mr. Quinn had been 
reared to habits of industry and economy and he 
has all his life pursued a course in accordance with 
his early teachings. He has thus become a good 
citizen, promptly meeting his various obligations 
in life and taking an interest in everything pertain- 
ing to the welfare of his community. He was a 
Whig in politics during the existence of that party, 
but since the formation of the Republican party he 



I 




qTj,<J{^' ^^^^'^ 





^~ 




L. 



a 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1107 



has uniformly cast his vote in support of the prin- 
ciples of the latter. 

The features of Mr. (iuinii are shown on an ac- 
companyint;' page and portraj' those of one of the 
most higlily respected citizens of the county. 




'^[^^ IRAM W. QUINN, a leading member of the 
family' bearing that name so well known in 
this section, is a native of Madison County, 
Ivy., and was among the first settlers who 
came from that region to the territory of Illinois. 
He located in Dale Townshiji, McLean County, be- 
fore the hand of cultivation had redeemed the soil 
from its original condition, and has assisted materi- 
ally in developing the resources of the Prairie St.ate. 
The subject of our sketch was born on the 8th 
of .January, 182,0. His f.ather, Hiram Qnimi, was 
also a native of Madison County, Ky., and his 
grandfather was born in Virginia. The family 
removed at an early day from the Old Dominion 
to the Bine Grass State, Hiram Quinn, ,Sr., being 
ing then quite young. He grew to manhood in 
Madison County and was there married to Miss 
Elizabeth Moberlj', a native of the same locality 
.as her husband. After their marriage Hiram (^uinn, 
Sr., purchased a tr.act of land in Madison County, 
where he established a home, which he occupied 
until his death, which occurred in lS-27. He had 
served in the War of 1812, and his widow received 
a pension from the Government during the last 
years of her life. She removed to this State late in 
life and died in l^ale Township, in October, 1884, 
at the advanced age of nearly eighty-six years. 
The parental family included five children: Sid- 
ney, who died in Bloomington Township; Benja- 
min M., who lives in Dale Township ; Barthana, who 
was united in marriage with Jonathan Park (see 
sketch) ; James W., who lives in Dale Township, 
and our suliject. 

Hiram W. (Juinn, of our sketch, was the fourth 
child and third son of his parents, and was but two 
years old when he was deprived by death of a 
father's care and protection. The mother bravely 
kept her children together on the old liomestead 



and Hiram W. remained with the family until 
March, 1852. He then determined to see some- 
thing of the Western country and accordingly 
started for the Prairie State. He went by rail to 
Louisville, then by river to Pekiu, in Tazewell 
County, and there he secured a team to bring his 
family and goods to McLean County. He rented 
a house in the village of Bloomington, which he 
occupied for seven months and in the meantime 
purchased 240 acres of land on section 3.5, in Dale 
Township. Upon this there was a log cabin and 
sixty acres of it were broken. In the fall of the 
same year Mr. Quinn erected a comfortable frame 
house and in 1853 commenced to improve and 
cultiv.atc the land. He w.as prospered in his farm- 
ing and business operations and added to his 
landed [lossessions as time passetl on. He now 
owns 200 acres, all enclosed and improved, with .i 
fine area of p;istnre and tiie balance under a good 
state of cultivation. His residence and other farm 
buildings are of the l)est description and the home- 
stead in all respects presents the picture of one of 
the finest farm estates in McLean County. 

Mr. Quinn was m.arried to Miss Elzira Barclay, 
Dec. IC, 1847. Mrs. (^uinn was a n.ative of the 
same county as her husband and was born M.ay 18, 
1832. They have become the parents of seven 
children, who are recorded as follows: James L. is a 
resident of Dale Township; Flora, the wife of 
Thomas Stubblefield, lives in Allin Township; 
William (^uinn is a resident of Bloomington Town- 
ship; Bell married Mr. John Norris and also lives 
in Dale Township; Ellen and Frank are at home 
with their parents; Mary is the wife of Olie Norris, 
of Dale Township. All the members of the family 
!ire connected with the Christian Church, of which 
Mr. O. has been Elder and Deacon. In earlier 
years he affiliated with the Whig party, but after 
its abandonment by the organization of the Re- 
publican party he cheerfully indorsed the principles 
of the latter and since that time with it has uni- 
formly cast his vote. 

Mr. Quinn has always Ijeen the encour.ager and 
supporter of everytiiing calculated to advance 
the welfare of his community, socially, morally, 
religiously or educationall}'. He has served as 
School Director in his district for many years and 



r 






-It 



X 



1108 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



is greatly respected by his fellow-citizens for his 
excellent personal traits of character and his ability 
as a business man. 



^ €-*^ ^ 




M. RATKS, (ienc'i';il Siiperintoiidoiit of the 
Chicago & Alton Ixailroad, with residence 
at Hloonii]igton, is a native of I'ierpont, 
Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Mr. Bates was born in 1840, 
and is a son t)rMel7.o ;uul Lauia II. ((ioukl) Bates, 
natives of Massachusetts and New York respectively. 
Tlie father of our subject moved to Ohio from 
Massachusetts in 183G, and settled at Pierpont, 
Ashtabula County, where lie embarked in mercan- 
tile business, first as»a clerk and then for himself, 
and followed this calling through life. He held the 
oflice of I'ostraaster and was Justice of the Peace 
from about 1 840 to 1 8G0. He was a prominent 
citizen, a successful businessman, and always took a 
deep interest in count}'. Slate and Nation. He was 
a strong advocate of temperance and held fellow- 
sliip witli tlie Congregational Church. His demise 
occurred in 1875. 

Meizo Bates was of Scotch lineage and a de- 
scendant from tiuce Scotch brothers who came to 
liiis country in 1770, and made settlement in the 
New Knglnnd States. MeIzo became the fatlier of 
three children: T. M., our sul)ject; Ozro, who was 
an engineer on the Eric & Pittsl)urgh Railroad and 
was killed bj- a collision at Middlesex, Pa., Sept. 8, 
1S8."). lie was married to Miss KateKitz and they 
had one daughter, Irma, and mother and child are 
now living in Eiie, I'a. ; Vesta L. became the wife 
of Herbert A. Mixer, of I'ierpont, Ashtabula 
Co., Oliio, and they have one child, (!race. The 
mother of these? children is still living and resides 
at Pierpont. She is a devout Christian lad}- and 
holds fellowsliip with the Congrc'gatioual Church. 

The subject of this notice lived at home uutil he 
was eighteen years old, employed the while in clerk- 
ing in his father's store. He received his education 
in the common schools .-ind sui)plemented the same 
by a practical education received while clerking in 
his father's store. While clerking, he became much 
interested in the study of electricity, and purchas- 
ing books on chemistry and other scientilic works, 



lost no time. He made a telegraph instrument, some- 
what after the Morse patent, but not being satisfied 
with it he purchased a Morse telegrajih instrument 
and learned to manipulate it with rapidit}' in an ex- 
ceedingly short time. In 1859 he attended the 
academy at Conneant, Ohio, and while there spent 
his leisure hours in the railroad ottic e. During tlie 
same year he accepted a position as telegrapher on 
the (Cleveland & Erie Railroad, now the Lake Shore 
& Soutliern. He remained in this position until 
1861, when, on account of the small wages he re- 
ceived, he gave it up and returned home and en- 
tered into partnership with his father in the 
mercantile business. Tliis relationship existed un- 
til the fall of 1864, when our sul)ject disposed of 
his interest and accepted a |)osition with the Hon. 
William L. Scott, President of the Erie & Pitts- 
burgh Railro.ad, as clerk and t,elegrai)h operater. He 
remained with this gentleman until 1879, in that 
capacity, when lie was jn'omoted to Train Dis- 
patcher, Superintendent of Telegraph}' and Train- 
master. He held tliis position until he received a 
call from the Chicago <t Alton Railroad as Division 
.Superintendent of 200 miles of its track between 
Bloomington and Mexico, Mo., which he accepted. 
Two years later he was given charge of the Kansas 
City Division, together with the St. Louis Division, 
making in all 600 miles directly under his immedi- 
ate charge. June 1, IS.s.i, Mr. Bates was called to 
Bloomington, and placed in charge of the entire 
system of the Cliicago & Alton Railroad, as 
Superintendent (tf triinsportation and having the 
entire charge of operating the road, DOIt miles, and 
in doing which he employs about .'i,000 men. The 
gradual but constant ])romoti^)u of Mr. Bates since 
he has engaged in r.ailroading speaks foi- itself and 
is all the encomium needed. 

In 1872 the Y. M. C. A., for railroad men was 
started at Cleveland, Ohio. The second one that 
was started was at Erie, Pa., and Mr. Bates was the 
instigator. In 1881 he slaited anotlu'r at Rood- 
house, 111., and in 188 I he started one at Blooming- 
ton, which iiad a menil)ersliip at that tiuK! of only 
three. At tlie present time over 200 railroad men 
are members of the Y. M. C. A. at ]51oomingtou. 
There are sixty-nine organizations of its kind in 
tlie United States. In politics Mr. Bates is a Re- 



*T= 






I 



-^^ 



MoLEAN COUNTY. 



1109 



t 



publican and socially he is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. He was married to Miss Frances F. 
Dutcher, daughter of Daniel R. and Rowena 
(Wright) Dutcher, residents of Locki^ort, N. Y., and 
of this union there are the following children: 
Charles T., born Jan. 10, 1804; Flora F., Nov. 18, 
18<;,"); Frank A., May 27, 18G8; Blanche R., Dec. 7, 
1<S75. The residence of our subject is at No. 508 
East Douglas street. 

^^ FORCE M. (STUBBLEFIELI), of Mt. Hope 
ill (—^ Township, is the son of Robert .Stubblefield 
^i^Jj so widely known throughout this section, 
and whose decease in 1 870 was so universally la- 
mented. (Juite an interesting episode occurred to 
Robert Stubblefield, the father of our subject, in 
May, 1840. It will be remembered that at that 
early day the county was new and unsettled and 
plenty of horse thieves infested the country. 
About the middle of May, 1840, two men came to 
Mr. Stubblefield's home, then in Funk's Grove 
Township, being directed there by a citizen of 
Funk's Grove, for information concerning horse 
thieves. Purporting to be detectives, they wanted 
to ascertain something about a family by the name 
of Reading. Mr. S. replied that he only knew 
them by reputation, which was not very good, and 
that they were supposed to be horse thieves. After 
talking some time, he proposed to go with them, 
and staid all night with a settler, 'Squire Robbs, 
about thi'ee miles from Mosquito Grove. Sunday 
morning they went to within one-half mile of the 
grove, and sent some spies in to see if the Read- 
ings were at home. Whilst they were parleying, 
Jack Reading and a man named Holmes mounted 
horses and tried to escape. Mr. Stubblefield said 
to the detectives and other men, " Now is your 
time, if you wish to capture them." They ran 
about four miles in a southeast course, near where 
the iron bridge spans Sugar Creek, nearly east of 
Stanford. When Mr. StublJefield got there the 
only persons in sight were the two horse thieves. 
After crossing the creek, they continued the race 
and ran about four miles farther, when Mr. S. came 
up with the two men, and Reading recognized Mr. 



V 



S. and swore if he did not go back he would kill 
him. They rode about twelve miles farther, to 
Hill's Grove, Tazewell County, where Mr. S. came 
up with them again, and talked to them. Holmes 
remarked that he did not know him, but Reading 
replied that he knew him, and that he was Old Bob 
Stubblefield, a brother-in-law of Ike Funk. They 
followed them to near Delavan, where they cap- 
tured Holmes, and Reading escaped. Holmes was 
brought back and tried and convicted, and sent to 
tlie penitentiary for five years. Two days after, 
the Readings were notified to leave the county by 
the 4th of July following, or they would hang them, 
and they left for parts unknown. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Fayette 
County, Ohio, Aug. 29, 182;^, and was the eldest 
son of Robert and Doroth}^ (P\nik) Stubblefield. 
He was but little over one 3'ear old when his par- 
ents removed from Ohio to Funk's Grove, McLean 
County, the date being Dec. 18, 1824, and this 
county has remained his home since that time, a 
period of sixty-three years. 

Mr. Stubblefield received his early education in 
the subscription schools of McLean County, and as 
soon as large enough assisted his father on the 
farm. The first flourmill in the vicinity was at 
Waynesville, De Witt County', nine miles distant, 
and the nearest post-offlce for some time was 
Springfield, fifty miles distant, which also was the 
nearest trading-post. Later, a post-offlce was es- 
tablished at Mackinaw Town, eighteen miles dis- 
tant, and much time was spent in going to and 
from these places. Our subject remained with his 
parents until he was twenty-seven years of age, and 
was then married and located with his wife on the 
farm which he managed for two years. Then, in 
1853 he removed to the place which he now owns 
and occupies. 

At the time Mr. Stubblefield took possession of 
his present homestead, the land was unimproved 
and without buildings. He put up a one-story and 
a half frame house, 20x30 feet in dimensions, and 
a stable, and then commenced to improve and cul- 
tivate the land. In 1869, the first residence be- 
coming insufficient for the needs of the family', he 
erected his present comfortable mansion, and sub- 
sequently built the fine barn and supplied other 



4 



•h 



1110 



McLean county. 



4- 



necessary oiit-biiildings. He is now the possessor 
of SSO acres, all of whicli is improved with the ex- 
ception of twenty acres. This land is laid off into 
tliree separate farms, all enclosed and tile-drained, 
and all managed by Mr. S. and his sons. 

The subject of this liistory was married on tlie 
14tii of M.irch, ISoO, to Miss Eliza J. Murphy. 
Mrs. S. is a native of McLean County, and was 
born July .'{O, 1S.'?2. Her father, Samuel Murphy, 
was a native of Virginia, and born Jan. 10, 1799, 
on the banks of tlie Potomac River, lie removed 
with his i)arents to Ohio wiien a little lad of ten 
years old, and they settled in Muskingum County, 
being among the early pioneers of that region. In 
this locality Mr. Murph}' grew to manhood, and 
was there married to Miss Nancy Goodwin, a na- 
tive of his own State, who was born March 29, 
1 cS08, an<l who removed to Ohio when she was a 
young lady. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
M., Sept. 8, 1829, they removed to Illinois, making 
the entire journey overland with teams, and set- 
tled in Kunk'.sdrove, entering land in the township 
of the same name and opening up a farm. They 
remained there until 1850, and then Mr. Murphy 
sold out and moved into Caldwell County, Mo., 
where he [jurchased a farm upon which he remained 
until his death, which occurred in 18<;2. His wife, 
the mother of Mrs. S., survived her husliand for 
twelve years, and also died there, in 1874. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield, there 
have been born seven children, six sons and one 
daughter, of wIk^ui the record is as follows: 
Charles W., the eldest born, is single and engaged 
in farming and stock-raising, and makes his home 
with his parents; Mary E. became the wife of Al- 
bert Longworth, and resides in Funk's Grove 
Township; Samuel M. married Miss Mary E. Still- 
well, and they live in Mt. Hope Township; Joseph 
W. married Miss Louie MeCormick, and they are 
residents of Mt. Hope Township; Isaac and Tliad- 
deus are at home and both single. Mr. .-ind Mrs. 
S. and three of the children are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. S. 
was formerly a Whig, and east his first vote for 
Henry Clay, and is now a stanch Republican. 

Mr. Stubblefield is in all respects a worthy repre- 
.sentative of the family so well and widely known 



in this section of the State. He has been a man of 
energy and enterprise, and has received the just 
reward of his labors in a handsome competency, 
arid a high position in his community. He has 
been the enconrager and supporter of everything 
calculated to promote the welfare of the county, 
morally, socially, educationally and religiously. 

The homestead of our subject is finely located, 
and is the observed of all travelers throughout this 
section. The residence commands a line location; 
the grounds are commodious and t.astefully ar- 
ranged, and within .and without there are abundant 
indications <if cultivated tastes and ample means. 
Mr. Stubblelield has contributed his full quota to- 
ward the development of the resources of the Prai- 
rie State, and is (leserving of the esteem in which 
he is held ;is one of its most valued citizens. 



^»p>)I)WARD M. BROWN, a goodly land-owner 
1^ and suc(^cssful farmer of Money Creek 
IlLii^j Townshi|), has his residence on section 14 
He is th(^ son of Robert and Sheiidan (Mc(iinnis) 
Briiwn, natives of Kentucky' and Ireland respeet- 
ivel}'. After their marriage they settled at F'rank- 
fort, Ky., whence they removed to Morgan Coun- 
ty, 111., and from there they came to this count}-, 
in 1810. They located in Money Creelv Township 
and there lived and labored until their death. He 
was a bl.acksmith by trade and followed the same 
until he was about (liirly-seven years old, when he 
also engaged in farming and followed those two vo- 
cations connectedly (biring life. They had five 
children, two of whom lived to attain the age of 
man and womanhood — I'ermelia and Edward M. 
I'ermelia departed this life in Money Creek Town- 
shii) when in her twenty-first year. 

Edward M. Brown was born in Morgan County, 
111., April 24, 1811, .and was I )ut live years old when 
his parents made their home in this count}'. He 
w.as reared upon his father's farm and received 
what ediicatio)! he possesses in the common schools. 
Agriculture has been his vocation during life and 
Money Creek Township has been his home since 
1840. He is now the owner of 272A acres of land, 



/ 



4 



i 



f 



•►^B-^*- 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1111 a 



all of which is under an advanced state of cultiva- 
tion. 

Mr. Brown was married in BJoomington, 111., 
Aug. 8, IH.Ol, to Laura I). S., daughter (jf John S. 
and Sarah (Duniile) Janes. Mrs. Brown was born 
in P\ayette County, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1839, and by 
her union with our subject nine children have been 
born — Permelia A., Francis P]., (Sarah S., Nellie, 
Charlie, Mary, John, AViilie and Lillie. The last 
five children died in infancy and the others are liv- 
ing at home. Mr. Brown has never sought ofHce, 
l)referring to devote his time and attention to the 
cultivation and improvement of his land and to his 
own business. In politics he is Republican, and re- 
ligiously he and his wife are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church. 



-P- 



/ AME.S STEELE, a prominent and influential 
citizen of West Town.ship, besides being an 
extensive farmer and stoclc-raiser, carries on 
I- general merchandising at Weedman, and is 
largely identified with the business and industrial 
interests of this section. He comes from excellent 
Scottish ancestry and is in all respects a fine repre- 
sentative of the sturdy honesty and industry which 
is characteristic of his race. lie was born in Glas- 
gow, Scotland, .Sept. 20, 1835, )>eingthe son of John 
Steele, and the grandson of John Steele, Sr., who 
were both natives of Scotland. The latter, who 
wa.s born in Haddington, entered the English army 
when young, in which he received an officer's com- 
mission. He participated in the principal battles 
of the Peninsula campaign, and was under Welling- 
ton at the battle of Waterloo, receiving an honora- 
ble wound. After the termination of that conflict 
he emigrated to America, in about 1841, and set- 
tled among friends near Louisville, K3'., where he 
departed this life in about 18.51, at the advanced 
.age of eighty-tive years. 

John Steele, Jr., the fatlier of our subject, was 
reared to agricultural pursuits, and continued a 
resident of his native Isle until 1842. He then 
joined his father in America, malting his first loca- 
tion with him near Louisville, Ky. Thence he re- 
moved to Clark County, Ind., where he followed 

M* 



farming until his death, which occurred ten years 
later, in 1852. He had married, in Scotland, Miss 
Margaret Weir, who was a native of Aj'rshire. 
She accompanied him to the United States, and died 
in Louisville, Kj'. Of their ten children, nine grew 
to mature years. The two youngest were born in 
America. 

James Steele, of our sketch, was the second child 
of his parents, and was seven years of age when 
they came to this country. He lived with his par- 
ents until eleven years of age, then went to Indi- 
ana and began to work out on a farm at !|8 per 
month. In 1853 he came to Sangamon County, 
111., where he worked on a farm for three years. 
Although not receiving the educational advantages 
accorded to many boys, he possessed the love of 
learning, and pursued his studies unaided as well as 
he could, so that at the expiration of the time 
mentioned he was well fitted to teach, which he did 
for several years following. During the years of 
his farm work he had .saved his earnings so that he 
might pursue his studies, and devoted his winters 
mainly to attendance at the district schools, doing 
chores for his board. In 1855 he made such good 
progress that he entered the Illinois State Univer- 
sity at Springfield, where he was a classmate of 
Robert T. Lincoln, in the Preparatory and Fresh- 
man, and part of the time in the Sophomore class. 
He attended this institution until the f.all of 18(;0, 
with the exception of one term spent as a teacher 
in the family of John T. Stewart, .and then eng.aged 
in teaching elsewhere until he wiis called to canvass 
the Sixth Illinois District in the interest of Abra- 
h.am Lincoln .and the Republican party. After dis- 
charging this obligation he continued teaching un- 
til the fall of 18G2. 

During the summer of 18G2 Mr. Steele raised 
a company of soldiers, in Menard County, of 
which he was elected Captain, and which when or- 
ganized, was named Company K, and assigned to 
the 115th Illinois Infantry. In less than a year he 
resigned his commission and took up his former oc- 
cupation, as te.acher in Athens and Sweet Water, 
Menard County, which he continued for thirteen 
years following. 

In 1876 Mr. Steele came to Weedman, this coun- 
ty, having previously purchased a farm in West 



i 



t 



t 



I 



1112 



mclp:an county. 




Township. That same year he purchased the south- 
east quarter of section 11 , of what is now West 
Township, Mnd soon afterward secured a railroad 
station )n this land. In 187H he connnenced buy- 
ing grain, the following year opened a grocery 
store, and two years later added a stock of dry 
goods to his other niercliandise. He now conducts 
a large general store, including almost everything 
required by the farmer and villager, while he still 
manages his farm intelligently and successfully. 
He was appointed Postmaster at Weed man in 1879, 
whieii i)osition he has held since that time. The 
marriage of James Steele and Miss Sarah Elizabetli 
Ham, a native of Sangamon County, 111., tooli place 
on the 1 1th of April, 18G1 . Mrs. S. was the daughter 
of Hezekiah and Mary (Arnold) Ham, who w-ere 
natives of Kentucky and pioneers of Sangamon 
County. Their four living children are John H., 
Albert II., Laura B. and Minnie. Mrs. Steele de- 
parted this life at the home of her husband, Jan. 0, 
1883. The second marriage of our subject oc- 
curred in May, 1884, to Miss Emma ILall, who is 
a native of Menard County, and the daugliter of 
James 1'. Hall. Of this union there has been born 
one ciiild, a daughter, Inez. Mr. Steele is Tresby- 
teriaii in religious views, and politically a stanch 
supporter of the Republi(!an i>arly since its organi- 
zation, in IS.Of). He was Secretary of the Re- 
publican Club at Springfu^ld, in 18.'J8, wiiich con- 
ducted the camjiaign between liincolnand Douglas. 



ss5><s$-<(aili>-iis-^ — .-.> 






PM. FUNK, a well-known resident of 
Bloomington, belongs to a family whose 
name has been familiar since llu^ settlement 
of McLean County. He was born in Funk's Grove, 
Aug. l;5, 1830, being the son of Hon. Is.aac Funk, 
and was raised on the home farm, remaining with 
his i)arents until twenty-four years of age. He w.as 
trained to habits of industry in early childhood, 
his first labors being on the farm, when at eight 
j'ears of age he (;ommenccd to drop corn in the 
field. His early education commenced when he 
six years old, in the log school-house with its pun- 
cheon floor, and seats and desks of sial)s. and the 
huge fireplace which occupied nearly one end of the 
stiuctnre. Light was admitted through a square 



hole sawed out of the logs, and the window-panes 
were made of greased paper. Here our subject 
pursued his studies during the winter season, and 
during tlie summer, when only nine years old was 
engaged in herding his father's cattle, which em- 
braced a large drove, and with which he was often 
left alone for six weeks at a time. He could tlien 
pick out any one of them from a drove of 1,000. 
In connection with liiis duty he alw.ays rode a pony 
and had many interesting and lively experiences 
in keeping the drove together. At the age of ten 
years he took his first trip to C'hic.ago, assisting in 
driving a drove of cattle to that point. The fol- 
lowing spring he assisted in driving the last hogs 
to Chicago which were taken through overland 
from McLean County, being accompanied by liis 
father and a man named George Stokes. On ac- 
count of iiigh water in the Kankakee River tliey 
could not cross at Kankakee, so tliey turned and 
crossed at Morris, swimming tlie animals and liav- 
ing only two drownc'd. They had a spring wagon, 
the box of wliich they removed, and took apart the 
other pieces, whicli tliey loaded on a skilT, rowing it 
.across, then returned and caused one horse to swim 
besides, and after the}- had got him safely landed 
went back for the other. They recovered the 
drowned hogs, loaded them into the wagons and 
took them to Chicago, and Mr. Stokes went on 
ahead with them as rapidly .as possible, so that they 
would make good soap grease. 

Our subject continue<l each fall to .assist in driv- 
ing cattle to Chicago until about 1853-5 1, when 
they were enal)led to ship by rail. AVlieu twcnt^'- 
one years old our subject, wishing to add to his 
store of knowledge, entered the Illinois Wesleyau 
Universit}' at Bloouiington, where he spent three 
years in study. He iclnrned to the farm, and in 
the fall of 1801 was married, and began to ini|irove 
and cultivate the land which his father had set 
apart for him, and which then amounted to 100 
acres. This he fenced and built a comfortable 
house upon it. 

By the death of his father Mr. Funk came into 
possession of about 2,000 acres additional land, 
which adjoined the tfrst, and he was occupied for 
ten or eleven years following in raising stock and 
corn and buying and selling. In the meantime he 



^ 



-m- 



<^ 




McLEAN COUNTY. 



1113 a 



erected three tenement houses upon his land, and 
has given employment to from ten to fifteen men, 
including his tenants. Later he commenced rais- 
ing higii-grade cattle, and Berkshire and Poland- 
China hogs, the proceeds of wliich have added 
greatly to his fine income. lie never plowed over 
GOO or 700 acres. lie ships cattle and hogs to the 
Eastern market several times a year, and keeps in 
stock aliout 400 head of cattle, from 200 to 400 
head of hogs and thirty head of liorses. The last 
three yeans he h.as turned his attention principally 
to the breeding of Norman draft horses. 

In 1875 Mr. Funk left the farm and removed to 
Bloomington, having erected an elegant residence 
at No. 317 Chestnut street, where he now lives, but 
still superintends the management of the farm. In 
connection with this he has been engaged in the 
drug business for the last six or seven years. He is a 
stockholder in the First National Bank and in the 
Walton Plow Company, of Bloomington. He was 
Supervisor of Funk's (J rove Township for four or 
five years, and at present is a member of the cit}' 
School Board. He has large interests in Kansas, 
with a ranch stocked with 2.50 head of three-year- 
old cattle, which he employs a man to care for. 

Our subject was mari'ied, in l>i(i4, to Miss Mary 

E. Houser, who was the fifth child of Jonathan and 
Susan (Mason) Houser, natives of Kentuclcy. Mrs. 

F. came to Illinois witii her parents when a ciiild 
six j'ears old. Tliey settled first at Randolph 
Grove, whence they removed to Bloomington in 
1878, an<l made tiieir home with our subject and 
his wife. Here tlie father died in 1880 and the 
mother is still living. The parental household con- 
sisted of seven children, five now living — Wilson, 
Anderson, Mary, John and Mrs. Isabell Rector. 
Mr. and Mrs. F. have two children — Grace S. and 
Dwight J. Laura died in 1881, when eleven years 
of age. Mr. Funk is Republican in politics, and 
socially belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and the 
Royal Arcanum. He and his wife are members of 
the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bloom- 
ington, to the support of which they eontriltute 
liberally and cheerfully. 

The changes which our subject ii.as witnessed dur- 
ing a busy and eventful life would make an inter- 
esting volume. The family name is held in honor 



T est 

r 



far and wide, and will go down to successive gen- 
erations long after the bodies of its founders have 
crumbled into dust. No more enduring monument 
could be erected than a history of their deeds and 
virtues, which their descendants and others may 
read and profit by. 

-»»-(-M- -(Sj^ :}^ ^ijf -KH- •«*- 

\I? SAAC FUNK, one of the leading farmers and 
stock dealers of McLean County, is widely and 
favorably known throughout this section, as 
senior member of a family who have distinguished 
themselves by their industry and energy of char- 
acter, their straightforward business methods, and 
excellence as citizens, neighbors and friends. The 
subject of this history was born on the 13th of 
May. 1844, in Funk's Grove Township. His par- 
ents were Isaac and Cassandra (Sharp) Funk, whose 
biographies appear in another part of this work. 

Isaac Funk was reared on his father's farm and 
began to assist in herding stock, numbering all the 
way from one to 2,000 head, when a lad eight 
years old. Two years previously he commenced 
attending school, and pursued his studies winters, 
being engaged on the farm in the summer time 
until twenty years of age. The war being then 
in progress, he enlisted in the 14Gth Illinois 
Infantry, serving for one year, until the 20th of 
March, 18(J5. His fatlier had died in January 
of that j'ear, and our subject made a special 
application to President Liiicoln for a discharge, 
which was granted. He then returned home and 
with the other brothers carried on the fai-m for 
three years. In the winter of 18G6 he attended 
Wesleyan University, where he remained for a 
ye.ar, then returning to tiie farm he was occupied 
there until the fall of 1881. In the meantime, on 
the 28th of October, 1869, he was married to Miss 
Frances Correll, a native of Sangamon Count}', and 
the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (McDaniel) 
Correll, of Kentucky. They removed from the 
Blue Grass region to Illinois in 1832, and settled 
on a farm in Sangamon Count}^ The family in- 
cluded eight children, of whom Mrs. Funk was the 
youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Funk became the parents 
of four children, three now living — Arthur C, 
•►- 



i 



.1 



IIU 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



< ► ' ■ <• 



Lawrence P. and Helen F. Tlie second child, 
Mabel, was born in 1H73, and died when eight 
months old. 

In the fall of the year l.ScSl Mr. Funk pur- 
chased the fine residence on East Chestnut and 
Prairie streets, which he occupies winters and goes 
to the farm in summers. He owns 2,260 acres of 
land in Funk's Grove Township, and is largely en- 
gaged as a dealer in live stock. He has upon the 
farm 130 head of Norman and other fine horses, 
and also 400 head of cattle. He has upon this vast 
extent of territory, four tenement houses which are 
occupied by the emi)loyes who look after the stock 
and attend to the other necessary duties on the 
farm. The land which comprises this valuable es- 
tate, is highly improved and cultivated, the greater 
portion being enclosed with a board fence. Mr. 
Funk gives his chief attention to the buying and 
selling of cattle and horses, and as a breeder, has 
attained an enviable reputation. Aside from his 
valuable farming and stock-breeding interests, he 
is identified with various otiier important enter- 
prises calculated to advance the growth and pros- 
[)crity of this section. He is a stockholder in the 
First National Bank of liloomington. In politics 
he is a stanch Repul)lican, socially belongs to the 
Masonic fraternity and the G. A. K., and aside 
from his duties as a citizen, is one of the most 
genial and kind-hearted of men, who has made 
many friends, and is held in tlic higlicst respect by 
all classes of the communit}'. 



' 



\ir^' H. HILL, druggist of Heyworth, estab- 
Unfei lished his business there in 1879. He has 
^ since that time industriously devoted him- 
self to the requirements of his business, and has 
been successful in building up a lucrative and 
steadily increasing trade. In 1885 he put up the 
Largest brick building in the place, and has in all 
respects a finely appointed store. 

Mr. Hill was born in Holmes County, Ohio, Feb. 
3, 1850. His father, Samuel Hill, was a native of 
Washington County, Pa., and came to Ohio when 
a 3'oung man, where he was married, in Holmes 
Count}-, to Miss Permelia Edgar, a native of that 



county. Both were of excellent Scottish ancestry, 
and the father engaged in farming pursuits. After 
the birth of four children, of whom our sul)jcct 
was the youngest, the family, in 1864, came to Illi- 
nois, and locating in Heywortli tiic father pur- 
chased a stock of general merchandise and engaged 
in trade. He was thus occupied until 1871, at 
which time he retired from active business. He 
departed this life on the 4th of May. 1881; the 
mother's death had occurred [ireviously, Nov. 2G, 
1870. Of their four children, three are living, as 
follows: Capt. .1. E. Hill is a stock-dealer of Bea- 
trice, Neb., and was married to Miss Laura Stew- 
art; Annie M. is the wife of Nathan Low, and they 
reside in Heyworth; Alexander died when only 
three years of age. 

Samuel Hill, the father of our subject, was a 
Democrat of the Jackson school. He was elected 
Justice of the Peace at the early age of twenty-twc, 
and served as such in Ohio about twenty years, and 
was also County Commissioner of Defiance Coun- 
ty, Ohio. He was also, during his residence in 
Heyworth, a Ruling Elder of tlic Presb3'tcrian 
Church. He was likewise one of the organizers of 
the Heyworth school district, and at the time of 
his death President of the Board of Education. 

After completing his education in this county, 
Mr. Hill, the subject of this sketch, followed teach- 
ing for a |)erii>d of eight years. He had attended 
Weslcyan University two years, and while teaching 
gave his leisure hours to the study of phai-macy. 
In this he was greatly interested and it seemed 
adapted to his tastes, and he has been successful in 
his operations in connection therewith. The build- 
ing which he erected and in which is located his 
store and adjoining rooms, contains the Town Hall, 
which occupies the upper fioor, and is 40x80 feet 
in area. Besides iiis village property, he also owns 
160 acres of land on section 4, in Randolph Town- 
ship. Of this Mr. Hill is sole manager; superin- 
tends its improvements and has a general oversight 
of the operations conducted thereon. As may be 
supposed his time is all occupied, but he is equal 
to the emergency, being of that energetic and in- 
dustrious temperament which is able to accomplish 
much in a brief space of time. 

Ml-. 11 ill was married on the .")Mi of .lane, 1873, 



<»- 



i 



t. 



•►-■-^^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1115 



to Miss Maggie B., the daughter of J. K. Wake- 
field, of Randoli)h Township, the wedding taking 
place in Hey worth. Mrs. Hill was born in Ran- 
dolph Township, July 6, 1853, and completed her 
education at Steubenville, Ohio. Of her union 
with our subject there have been born four children 
— Myrtle E., A. .Fern, Raymond C, and one who 
died in inf.incy. Mr. Hill is Democratic in poli- 
tics, and with his wife is a member in good stand- 
ing of the Presbyterian Church. 

f/^^ AMIIEL STRAWN, who has been an hon- 
^^^ ored citizen of McLean County for a per- 
((\/_^) iod of over seventeen years, owns and oc- 
cupies a valuable farm estate in Blooming- 
ton Township, on section 21, where he is success- 
fully engaged in general farming. His homestead 
consists of 107 acres, and besides this he operates 
249^ acres in another part of the county. 

Mr. Strawn was born in Greene County, Pa., on 
the 14th of November, 1839, and remained in his 
native State until he was fifteen years old. Then, 
in the fall of 1854, his parents' famil}- emigrated 
to the State of Illinois, and locating in La Salle 
County, established a comfortable home where the 
old folk still live, the possessors of a fine property. 
The parents of our subject were John R. and Ade- 
line (Dance) Strawn, natives of the same county 
and State as their son, and engaged there in farm- 
ing pursuits. John Strawn w.as born in 1812, and 
his wife, Adeline, two years hiter. Samuel Strawn 
was the eldest of his parents' children, and re- 
mained with them until he was about thirty years 
old. He then came to this county, and since that 
time has been closely identified with its industrial 
and business interests. 

The marriage of Samuel Strawn and Miss Hester 
J. Knapp took place in Fulton Count}-, 111., on the 
27th of December, 1874. Mrs. Strawn was born 
in Logan County, 111., Dec. 11, 1850, and was the 
daughter of Porter and Martha (Brittenhaur) 
Knapp, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. 
They were married in Madison County, the latter 
State, whence the}' removed to Fulton County, 
111., in 1851, where the father died eleven years 



later, in the city of Canton. He was a shoemaker 
by trade, an honest, industrious and highlj- re- 
spected citizen. The mother is now living with 
hia' daughter, Mrs. Straun, and is sixty-nine years 
old. 

Of the union of Samuel Strawn and his wife 
there were born five children, one of win mi. .lolni, 
is deceased. Those living are: Fred L., iNIattie 
A., Spencer N. and Alice L., the latter twins. Mr. 
and Mrs. Strawn have '-pulled together" in their 
efforts to secure a permanent and comfortable liomc^ 
and are now reaping the reward of their self-sacri- 
fice and industry. They have an attractive farm 



residence, good barns and out- buildings, an( 



all 



the appliances of a first-class country estate. Mr. 
Strawn, politically, is an uncompromising Democrat 
and a loyal citizen, actively interested in every- 
thing that pertains to the welfare of his community. 



■»-^»t^ 



^!i^ 



->^5.t^> 



<r«l jj^ALTER W. RO(iERS,a wealthy and enter- 
\Ajf/ prising farmer of Normal Township, is a 
V^^ fine illustration of tlie industrious business 
man, who has improved his opijortunities, kept his 
eyes open to what was going on around him and 
has profited thereby. As a citizen he i.s held in 
high esteem, on .account of his courteous demeanor 
toward all, and his excellent traits of character. 
He has occupied his present homestead onl}' about 
five j'ears, but in that time has made $10,000 worth 
of improvements, and it is now one of the most at- 
tractive spots in the landscape of McLean County. 
He h.as a beautiful residence, good barns and out- 
buildings, and all the appliances for the shelter of 
stock, the storing of grain and the canying on of 
agriculture in a first-class manner. The homestead 
invariably attracts the eye of the traveler passing 
through this section, and reflects great credit upon 
its proprietor as being a model home in every re- 
spect. 

Mr. Rogers is a native of Kinderhook, Columbia 
Co., N. Y., and was born April 4, 1841. His fa- 
ther, John Rogers, was a native of the same county, 
and in early life engaged in the manufacture of 
prints. He then became occupied in general mer- 



i 






t 



t 



IIIG 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




(■liniidising, wliicli yielded liiiii n li;uidsoine compe- 
teiie.y, unci luiw, ullliuugli having attnincd the ad- 
vaiieed age of oighty-uight ycais, is engaged in 
baniiing in iiis native county. Tlie mother of our 
sid)ject, Kli/.a (Siii|(inan) Rogers, was horn in the 
same county and State as her husband and son and 
is still living, being seventy-eight years of age. Of 
this household there were but two children — Martha, 
who married Kdmund S. Itest, and resides on the 
homestead with her parents, anil the subject of our 
sketch, wh(j was the elder. 

Mr. Rogers entered upon his primary studies in 
the common schools of his native town .and after- 
ward attended the old lladley Academy of New 
Amherst, Mass. He also took a ctourse at Claverack 
Institute in Coliimbia County, lieing the first 
student to occupy a loom in the building, and later 
studied in Kinderhook Academy. Finally, on ac- 
count of failing health, he w.as obliged to leave 
school, weighing only 11.") jjouuds when seventeen 
years of age. It was then thought that a change 
of climate would be beneficial and j'oung Rogers 
.accordingly' came West. After a few months spent 
in Bloomington, he weighed l.'>2 i)ounds and once 
mor(' experienceil llu' delights of perfect health. 
He returned home and spent, the winter and came 
back in the spring to iiloomington, where fornearly 
three years afterward he was book-keeper for Mr. 
K. S. Henjamin, engagi;d in general merchandising. 

In 1 «(>;!, Walter W. Rogers was united in mar- 
riage witli Miss Caroline, daughter of William II. 
Allen of nioomington, and a native of this city. 
After niariiage the young people went to New 
York, where our subject engaged in farming near 
his native iilace for the following five years. He 
then removed into the village of Valatie in the 
.same county, where he resid(Ml fourteen years, after 
which he was engaged in looking after the landed 
interests of his father in the Western States and 
Territories. In 1882 he returned to Illinois and 
settled upon the farm which he now owns and oc- 
cupies. Here he has 200 acres of valuable land, the 
cultivation of which he superintends, and also still 
continues as the agent of his father. Ilis stock con- 
sists of Ilambletonian and Norman horses and Jer- 
sey and Holstein cattle. Of this business he has a 
thorough understanding and exhil)its some of the 

i-M— 



finest animals to be found along the Mississippi 
Valley. 

Mr. Rogers in early life took a great interest in 
politics but has ikiw practicality abtiudoned it, al- 
though he uniforndy casts his vote in support of 
the principles of the Democratic party. Religiously 
he was reared a (^u.aker and adheres to the faith 
which was taught him from his earliest childhood. 
He is in all respects fulfilling the ol)ligations of a 
good citizen and numbers hosts of warm friends in 
this part of McLean Countj'. 



^^ IIARLKS E. IIAYW' ARD, M. D., represents 



jlf the medical profession at Cropsey, where he 

^^^' has been located since the spring of 1881. 
He is a native of the Prairie State and was born 
in Brimfleld, Peoria County. Feb. 10, 1853. His 
parents, Charles and Harriett Hayward, were na- 
tives of England, and emigrated to the United 
States in 1851, settling in Peoria County, where 
the father engaged in mercantile business at Hrim- 
field. From there, in 1857, they removed to Wood- 
ford County, and located on a farm near Ell Paso. 
There Charles Hayward, Sr., became the owner of a 
farm, but only applied himself to agricultural pur- 
suits for a few years. After selling his land he re- 
moved to Minonk, and pursued his former business 
of a merchant, which he continued until 187G, when 
having arrived at an advanced age, he retired from 
active labor. He now resides at El Paso in the en- 
joyment of the competency which he accumulated 
during his earlier years of active enterprise and in- 
dustry. His first wife, the mother of our subject, 
died in November, 185.'!, leaving five children: 
Stephen K.; Elizabeth, now the wife of William 
Edwards; Edward; Annette, now Mrs. Willi.am 
Renord, and our subject, who at the time was not a 
year old. The father was again married, in 1854, 
to Miss Cordelia Oilbert. The result of this union 
was one child, a d.anghter, .lessie, now the wife of 
S. W. Smith of Cropsej'. 

The subject of this history received a good com- 
mon-.school and literary education, and when nine- 
teen years of age, connr.enced reading medicine in 
the office of Drs. Wilcox & Blanchard, of Minonk. 



i 




t 



t 



-4^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1117 



lie took his first course of lectures in the winter of 
1875, at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from 
which he graduated in the spring of 1877. After 
receiving his diploma, he located in Morton, Taze- 
well Count}', whence, in 1881, he removed to Crop- 
sey, which has since been his home and where he 
has built up a flattering patronage. 

Dr. Hay ward was married at Morton, Tazewell 
County, in 1880, to Miss Sylvia C, daughter of 
Joseph L. and Mary (Seeley) Hay ward. Mrs. H. was 
born at Morton, and by her marriage with our sub- 
ject, has become the mother of two children — 
Louise and Eugenia. Aside from the income de- 
rived from his practice Dr. Hayward is a member 
of the firm of Loar & Hayward, who are carrying 
on a thriving drug business at Cropsey. The Doctor 
occupies a high position among his professional 
brethren in this locality, and socially enjoys the 
confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends 
and acquaintances. 



*—*■** 'J^SiS:!- ♦'■^ ' 

y>ILLIAM BROWN. On section l.'j, in 
Downs Township, lies a snug farm of eight}' 
acres, finely improved and in a good state 
of cultivation, and which invariably attr.acts the 
eye of the passing traveler as being the home of 
thrift and prosperitj', and under the supervision of 
an intelligent and enterprising proprietor. This 
pretty and comfortable homestead is the property 
of the gentleman whose name stands nt the head of 
this sketch. He has been a resident of this county 
and township since the spring of 18,53, and since 
taking possession of his present homestead has 
brought about manj' improvements, among them a 
tasteful and substantial dwelling, handsomely fin- 
ished after the most approved style. 

Mr. Brown studied his first lessons in the 
schools of his native township, and completed his 
education in Wesleyan University at Bloom ington. 
He afterward engaged in the hard ware and giocery 
trade at Le Roy. In this he was very successful. 
Being of an inventive turn of mind, in 1873 he 
patented the well-known Brown Hog Ring and 
Ringer. He obtained his first patent the following 
year, subsequently improved and repatented it, 



and after still further improvement started a 
manufactory in Le Roy and controlled the whole 
business until 1875. He then received wiiat he 
considered a good price for his patent and sold it, 
but afterward found that he had parted with it for 
far less than its real value, and had allowed a small 
fortune to slip out of his hands. This contrivance 
has since been manufactured and sold at great 
profit. After disposing of this Mr. Brown also 
sold out his hardware business and going to La 
Fayette, Ind., engaged as a traveling salesman for 
the firm of Harding, Barber & Co., manufacturers 
of ornamental fencing, etc. He was thus engaged 
two years, then returned to Le Roy and began 
business on his own account in the grocery trade, 
which he carried on for some years and until he 
purchased his present farm, in the fall of 1885. 
This he has since operated successfully and is 
bringing it to the comlition ivf a first-class modern 
farm estate. 

Mr. Brown was only thirteen j'ears of age when 
his mother died and since that time he has been 
battling for himself. He came to Le Roy in 1809. 
His father, Elijah Brcnvu, carried on the hardware 
trade in Zanesville, Ohio, for some years and at the 
same time was engaged in farming. He finally re- 
moved to Kingman, Kan., and died, there in l.SSL 
The parents of our subject were natives of Ohio, 
but of German descent and parentage. The mother 
before her marriage was Miss Rebecca Peck. Our 
subject was the youngest but tvvo of a family of 
three sons and four daughters, one of the latter be- 
ing now deceased. Those living arc married and 
settled in comfortable homes. Two brothers, John 
W. and George P., served as soldiers of the Union, 
enlisting in an Illinois company. One was in the 
Army of the Potomac, the other in the Army of the 
West. George P. was wounded, being shot through 
both knees. He was in the last battle of the war 
and present at the time of Lee's surrender. He is 
now a traveling salesman for Marshall Field of 
Chicago. 

William 1). Brown was united in marriage with 
Miss Laura Barnett on the 2 1st of January, 1873, 
in the village of Le Roy. Mrs. B. was born and 
reared in INIcLean County, of which her parents 
were among the earliest settlers. Her father opened 



I 



M^ 



i 



f 



1118 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




one of the first stores at Le Roy, keeping a stock 
of general merchandise, suited to all the needs of 
the pioneers botli for the houseliold and farm. The 
name of her father was Thomas J. Harnett and her 
mother before her marriage was Miss Emeline 
Gil)li. The latter was ;i or;i(hi;ite of Oberliu College, 
Ohio, and is now living in Le Uo}', being sixty- 
nine years of age. Thomas ISarnell departed this 
life at Le Roy, Sept. 1, 1.S.S2, and the latter part of 
his life lived in retirement. 

!\Ir. anil Mrs. Ihown have one child only, a son, 
Orrin. Koth our sid)jeet and liis wife are members 
in good standing of the Baptist Cliurch, and politi- 
cally Mr. Drown is a solid Republican. 









'{ui^ 



ylLLIAM I'FJT/KNMKVKR, a well-to-do 
and an enterprising (ierman citizen of 
Empire Township, was Iiorn in the village 
of ( iros/..\spach, in Wurtemlierg, (iermaiiy, April 
II, 1S27. 1I(^ is thi^ son of Joshua and Catherine 
I'fit/.enmeyer, who s|)ent their entire lives upon a 
farm in their native I:iud. In accordance with the 
laws and eusloms of his n;itiv(? country, our sub- 
ject commenced attending school at a very early 
age, and continued his studies until fourteen years 
old. lie then .served two years at brick-making, 
after which he worked as a journeyman at a salary 
of $.■)() per year. Not being satisfied with his con- 
dition <>v his prospects in his native land, he de- 
cided to emigrate to the United States, and in 
May, 1848, set sail frou) the city of Antwerp. 
After a voyage of forty-two daj's he Lauded in New 
York, whence he came directly to Illinois, locating 
first at Tulaski. The trip from New York was 
made via the Hudson River to Alban3-, by rail to 
Iiuftalo, and by the lakes to Cleveland. Thence he 
proceeded to the Ohio River, by that and the Illi- 
nois to Pekin. He worked at his trade in Pulaski, 
and was .soon enabled to pay the debt which he had 
contracted in order to come to America. After 
four or five years he became a resident of Bloom- 
ington, and in 1851 returned to the old country to 

4* 



visit among his old friends and acquaintances. He 
also attended to some imixirtaut business while 
there, namely, the taking unto himself a partner 
and helpmeet, in the person of Miss Sophia C. II. 
Ruter, to whom he was married on the iTth of 
March, 18i)0. The young couple .soon set sail for 
the new home, which the husband had prepared in 
Le Roy, this county, where they remained, how- 
ever, only one year and a half. Mr. P. then i)ur- 
chased five acres of wild land, which was the be- 
ginning of his present homestead. This land was 
covered with hazel brush and stumps. He erected 
a small frame house in accordance with his means, 
and commenced the manufacture of brick, which 
he has continued successfully since that time. By 
adhering to his first purpose of living within his 
income, he soon found himself with quite a little 
capital at his disposal. This he invested in real 
estate, and from time to time purchased small 
tracts of land until he is now the iiosses.sor of 210 
acres, upon which he has erected a fine brick 
dwelling and frame bain. These and other improve- 
ments rank with the best in the county, and while 
still carrying on his brick manufactory he has en- 
gaged successfully in general agriculture and stock- 
raising. A view of his place is shown in this vol- 
ume. 

The wife of our subject was boiu in Kibensbach, 
Wurtemberg, (iermauy, Jan. 18, 1827, and is the 
daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Beilhartz) 
Ruter, both natives of the same Province. Her 
father was a teacher in the jjuldic schools for a 
period of sixteen years, and ;i member of the 
Teachers' Association there, from which his widow- 
now draws a pension. Mr. and Mrs. P. became the 
parents of two children, of whom only one is now 
living, a son, Hugo O. Their first-born, a daugh- 
ter, whose birth occurred April 9, 1857, met lier 
death by falling into a well and drowning, on the 
10th of July, 18G2. Our subject and his wife were 
reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. 
Mr. P., politically^ is a stanch supporter of the 
Democratic party. 

Four sisters of our subject emigrated toAmeriea 
after his arrival here. A brother of Mrs. P. came 
in about 1 854, and after a brief residence in Mon- 
treal came to Hloomington, where at the commence- 





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McLean county. 



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1121 ,l' 



ment of the war he joined the engineer corps of 
Col. Bissel, and died in the United States service at 
Vicksburg. 



i 



'\f] OSEPH JENNINGS, one of the most suc- 
cessfnl farmers and stoclc-raisers of Padua 
Township, lias for many years given special 
jittention to the breeding of Short-horn 
cattle, in which business he has made for himself 
an enviable reputation. He is a gentleman of great 
energy and industry and nothing jjleases him moie 
than to see everything about him in a thriving and 
prosperous condition, whether it pertains to his 
own premises or to his community and county at 
large. He has been a resident of McLean County 
since the spring of 1865, and is now the owner of 
560 broad acres of the best land in Padua Town- 
ship. This is all improved and supplied with a 
shapely and substantial set of farm buildings. The 
residence is a handsome and convenient modern 
structure, finely located, and invariably attracts 
the attention of the passing traveler. This Album 
is embellished with a view of this dwelling and its 
surroundings. The farm with its appurtenances 
constitutes one of the prettiest spots in the land- 
scape of McLean County and indicates in all 
respects the supervision of tlie intelligent and pro- 
gressive farmer. 

Mr. .Jennings is a descendant of excellent J^n- 
o-lish and Irish ancestry and is the son of John 
Jennings, vvho was born in the Empire State, of 
which our subject is also a native, having been 
born in Niagara County, May 17, 1818. When 
about five years of age the parents removed from 
Niagara to Erie County, locating on a farm where 
the mother died a few years later. The father then 
came to Illinois and settled in Tazewell Count}', 
where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at 
the home of his son, our subject, in the fall of 
1864. The mother before her marriage was Miss 
Polly Sherman. 

Joseph Jennings grew to manluiod in Erie 
County, N. Y.. receiving a fair education in the 
common schools. He was married Jan. 12, 1845, 
to Miss Polly, daughter of John and Lucinda 
(Dewey) Arnold, natives of Hartford, Washing- 

■<• ' 



ton Co., N. Y. There they were both reared 
and after marri.age removed to the southern part of 
Erie County, N. Y., settling on a farm in Collins 
Township, where all their children were born. Of 
these Mrs. J. was the third child and second daugh- 
ter, in a family of four sons and three daughters. 
The i)arents late in life removed to Illinois, where 
the mother died in Tazewell County, Aug. 20, 
1865. The father afterward removed to Peoria, 
where he departed this life in about 1866. 

Our subject and his wife first located upon a 
farm in Erie County, N. Y., where five of their 
children were born. In 1857 they came to this 
State, locating on a new farm of IGO acres in Taze- 
well County, which remained their home until they 
came to this county. Here three children were 
added to the home circle; one is deceased. 

Their family record is as follows: Malinda be- 
came the wife of George Wells, a farmer of Pax- 
ton, Ford Co., 111.; Josephine married William 
Murphy, a farmer of Woodbury County, Iowa; 
Emeline married Howard Larue, a lumber dealer of 
Corning, Iowa; Rebecca, Mrs. Oliver Story, resides 
with her husb.and on a farm in Blue Mound Town- 
ship; Lucinda, Willis .and James are all living on 
farms in Martin Township; Saralj, who married 
John Dickey, a f;irmer, lives in Bellettower Town- 
ship; Wilford remains with his parents and .assists 
his father in conducting the farm. Mr. and Mi'S. 
.Tennings are members in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically our 
subject is identified with the Republican p.arly. 



-s- 



#^ 



-v^ 




=^EORGE KIRK, one of the most highly re- 
spected citizens and successful farmeVs of 
Belleflower Township, is a native of Mason 
County, Ky., and was born Aug. 24, 1843. His 
father, Benedict Kirk, w.as a native of Maryland, 
and descended from excellent Scotch-Irish ances- 
try. Benedict was but one year old when his par- 
ents removed from Maryland to Kentucky, where 
they were among the earliest pioneers, and there 
his father died. His widow, the grandmother of our 
subject, afterward removed to Rush County, Ind., 
where she spent the remainder of her life. Her 

.^ 



i 



I 



1122 



i 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



son Henedict grew to manhood in Mason County, 
Ky., where he iiinrrieil, [jun^hased a farm and es- 
tablisheil a permanent homestead, and where he 
spent the remainder of his life, nis death oceurring 
Jan. 25, 1887. Ikmediet Kirk was up to the time 
of tlie war one of tlie most [ironiinent farmers and 
stoci<men in Mason County, Ky. lieing an un- 
couiproiuising Union man he lost heavily in eon- 
secpience of tlie war. 'i'he niotlier of our subject 
before iu'r marriage was Miss VAlcn Curtis, who was 
born and s|)ent- her entire life in Mason County, 
Ky. Her (h-alli occurred over tliirty years before her 
liusl>an(l, on tlie 20t.li of Mairli, IS.'Jo. Theii' seven 
(•hildrcn were iiamccl .lames N., .John, Maggie, 
(ieorge, Rochester 15., Robert and Charles. Mag- 
gie became Mrs. .b)sepii Wood, and lives in Mason 
County. Ky.; Robert ('. is a resident of Maj'sville, 
Mason Co., Ky., and in fact all the family are resi- 
dents of the latter-named county except our sub- 
ject. 

(ieorge Kirk remained under the home roof un- 
til 18('il. The Civil War being then in i^rogress he 
enlisted in November of that year in Company L, 
2d Keiituc^ky Cavaliy, and was in active service 
three years and three mouths. He was .assigned to 
the Army of the Cumberland, and was at Chicka- 
uiauga, and was taken prisoner just jirior to the 
batUc of Murfreesboro. lie performed his duties as 
a soldier in a liravc an<l faithful manner, and was 
lionoiably disehargc^d in February, IHGii. Ilis com- 
pany served as escort to Gen. Nelson for some 
lime, and later for I'liil Sheridan. Our subject was 
|)reseiit at various minor engagements, but eseai)ed 
unharmed. 

After his return fioin the army Mr. Kirk resumed 
farming in his native county, in the Blue Grass 
regions, of which he reniaiiied a resident until 1808. 
He then went to a point near Louisville, where he 
engaged in agriculture and also dealt in f.aney 
horses. In 1871 he came to this county, first rent- 
ing a farm in Mt. Hope Township, ami in I lie fall 
of the year purchased 100 acres of land in lielle- 
llower Township, which constitutes his present 
homestead. He has brought about a great change 
from its original condition, the land being now all 
imi)roved, and he has erected a good set of frame 
buildings. In 1882 he purchased the norlheast (|uar- 



r 



ter of section (i, which is also finely improved, so 
that his possessions in all amount to 263 acres, 
for the cultivation of which he has all the machin- 
ery and appliances required b}' the intelligent 
farmer. 

The subject of this histoiy, on the Itli of Feb- 
ruary. 1873, w.as united in marriage, in Bracken 
County, Ky., with Miss Euphrasia Reynolds, who 
was born in Bracken County, that State, Jan. 9, 
184G, and the daughter of W. H. and Lucretia Rey- 
nolds. Mrs. K. became the mother of five children 
— Linden, Theodoie H., May F., Gary B. and Ar- 
thur R. — and after having been the faithful and 
affectionate comi)anioii of her husband for over 
twelve years, departed this life on the 2oth of No- 
vember, 188G. She was a most amiable and highly 
respected Christian lady, .and was greatly mourned 
by her husband and family, and a large circle of 
friends and actpiaintances. She was a member of 
the Presbyterian Church of Sharon, K3'., and her 
remains were taken there for burial. 

ISlr. Kirk is a gentleman of fine personal a]H)ear- 
ance, and by his excellent character and straight- 
forward business course in life, has fully established 
himself in the esteem and confidence of his asso- 
ciates and fellow-citizens. 



'^ ACOB SPA\\'R, an old pioneer of this comity 
of 182(), and residing at Lexington, was 
bom Jan. 21, 1 802, in Westmoreland County, 
(^^7/ Pa. His father's name was Valentine Spawr, 
and his mother's maiden name was Margaret Richer. 
Valentine Spawr was American born but of Ger- 
man descent. His wife was born in Germany, and 
came to tlu^ United States when only two years of 
age. Valentino was a soldier and served under 
Gen. Anthony Wayne against the Indians, and re- 
ceived (|uite a severe wound while in the service. 

In the fall of 182G Jacob Spawr came to Illinois 
in couipnuy with the Fox faniil>' and Robert Guth- 
rie. His father's family came the following j'car. 
The journey was made overland and Mr. Spawr was 
active in driving the slieep and cattle which they 
brought with them. ()u arriving here he located 
in Money Creek timber an<l there commenced work- 



•►-Ji-^ 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1123 



ing for Mrs. Trimmer, who had a large family of 
children and had lost her husband by death a 
short time previous. Dec. 3, 182G, Jacob Spavvr 
married one of his employer's dauglitcrs, Eliza Ann 
Trimmer. He had no license, for the distance to 
Vandalia was too great for him to make the jour- 
ney, and he consequently posted up notices to the 
effect that he intended to marry one Eliza A. 
Trimmer. William Orendorff, a Justice of the 
Peace, married him and made return of the mar- 
riage to the Clerk of the Court at Vandalia, and it 
was pronounced legal. Six or seven j'cars later 
Mr. Orendorff married a second wife, and our sub- 
ject, who had lieen elected Justice of the Peace, 
had the pleasure of returning the compliment by 
performing tlie marriage ceremony. 

After our subject's marriage he began farming 
on his own account. In 1.S27 the settlers were 
much excited bj^ the Winnebago War, which was 
threatened by Red Bird, chief of the Winnebagoes. 
While the excitement continued, Old Machina, 
chief of the Kickapoos, came down to Mr. Spawr 
to inquire the condition of affairs, whenever the 
latter returned from Bloomington, where he went 
to attend a militia drilling. Machina declared that 
in ease of war the Kickapoos would help the whites. 
After a while an order came to send fifteen men, 
and Mr. .Spuwr being First Lieutenant of the com- 
pany, was ordered to go with them. But tiie Rev. 
Mr. Latta insisted on taking Mr. Spawr's place arid 
at last was allowed to do so. The fifteen men were 
taken to Peoria, but the Indian troubles were soon 
quieted and the soldiers came home. During the 
winter of the deep snow our sul)ject was compelled 
to pound corn to provide sustenance for his fainil3'. 
For nearly sixty days the sun did not shine with 
suflicient warmth to make even a wet spot in front 
of the south door. During that winter a gentle- 
man by the name of Rook came down from Rook's 
Creek (Little Vermilion) with a hand-sled, walking 
with snow-shoes, and obtained corn for iiis family 
from Conrad Fleslicr, who lived where Lexington 
now stands. 

During the Black Hawk War the people of 
Mackinaw and Money Creek timber weie excited 
, and apprehensive, and many of them moved to 
Sangamon County. IMany parties from Eppard's 



T 



«#^ 



Point, c>n the Little Vermilion, moved tlieir fami- 
lies into Monej' Creek Township. The volunteers 
from Indiana, .about 000 in number, camped with- 
in twenty or thirty rods of Mr. Spawr's house, and 
during the niglit tliey had two false alarms. At 
one time a liglitniug bug sliowcd its phosphorous 
and one of the guards flred at the liarmless insect 
and the camp was in an uproar. Hut after awhile 
matters were ([uieted. Soon another gun was dis- 
charged and it was found tiiat a soldier, wlio had a 
pique against two others, h.ad tired into their tent. 
The excitement among the soldiers was very great 
for awhile, and one of them while loading his gun, 
mistook a can of buttermilk for a powder-horn and 
loaded his gun accordingly. The soldiers woke 
Mr. Spawr to issue a wan-ant for the arrest of the 
man who attempted to shoot his comrades, but Mr. 
Spawr told them tiiat their own nuirtial law should 
settle such matters. 

The town of Lexington was laid off in 183.5, and 
in 1836 Mr. S. moved there from Money Creek 
timber. It was during December of tliat year 
tiiat the great sudden change of the weather oc- 
curred, and Mr. Spawr says that he saw the water 
lilown int(_) waves and frozen that way. He speaks 
of anotlier sudden change almost as severe. In 
November, 1842, he started for Chicago with a 
[larty to drive hogs. The weather had liecu mild 
but it snowed and melted, and by the 7th of No- 
vember, it froze up. On the return c)f tiie party 
from Cliicago they crossed the Kankakee on the lot' 
at the rai)ids, where the water runs as swiftly as a 
mill race. The thaw came in January but the cold 
weather again returned, and winter continued until 
March. 

The union of our subject with Miss Trimmer has 
been blest by the birth of eight cliildren, and five 
are living at this writing, all daughters. He has 
twenty-four grandchildren living and four de- 
ceased, and also nine great-grandchildren living and 
one dead. Our subject w.as Justice of the Peace 
in Money Creek Townshij) for about nine j-ears, 
and also Postmaster for a numlter of years, in the 
early history of Lexington. He was likewise 
Notary Public for several years, and in 1840, took 
the census of the county. He was familiarly ac- 
quainted with President Lincoln, Judge David 
•► 



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t 



1124 



A 



McLean county. 



D.ivis, .Iiulyo Swt'ut of Chicago, and other leading 
men of llie SUitc, who used to stop at his house 
fiv([iienlly in caily days, and our subject takes 
great delight in i-ehiling stories of tiiese great men 
as tlH'3- :i()i)earcd in tliose good old days. His 
good wife died al)out seven years ago, and he is 
now passing llie sunset of life in peace and quiet, 
retired from active labor at Lexington. Me is of 
medium height, rather stoutly built, and seems to 
be enjoying good health in his old age. He is of a 
()uiet disi)osition, kindly disposed, and much looked 
up to among the old settlers. He is universally 
respect.eil for his woith iind integrity and is well 
known thi'oughout the entire 'county. 



-•M-^- 



'fl^^ ON. (JKOIKJK \V. FUNK, of IJloomington, 
r ji is a native of McLean County, and was born 



((• 



May 1 1, liS27, at Funk's (Injve. He is the 
if Isaac and ('assan<lra (Sharii) Funk, 
and s|)ciit his earlier years upon his father's farm. 
His early education was l)egun when he was seven 
3'ears of age, .and he traveled one and one-hiilf miles 
from his fnther's house to the school at Funk's 
(irove, which was {■onduct,ed in a log cabin. He 
was consicbaed Iionored b)- the schoolmaster when 
he was requested to n'inaiu after study hours to 
roll uj) the logs which were to he used next, day for 
lire. 

Our suliject pursued his studies in this manner 
until he was ten years old, and after that time at- 
teniled only in the winter and worked on the farm 
in the summer si'msou until he w.as eighteen. Then 
the old log school-house gave place to a smart 
frame building, and he pursued his studies in this 
until twenty-one. During tlu' summer season he 
spent part of his time in the saddle herding his fa- 
thi'r's cattle on the prairies, the l)alance being 
enqiloyed plowing corn, wielding the cradle in the 
grain lields, and the scj^the mowing gr.-iss. He eon- 
tinned on the i)arental homestead until the death 
of his fathei-, in l.^<;'>, and being the <^ldest of the 
family had become general manager, buying and 
selling stock and shipping the same to New York. 
From the age of eighteen until twenty-five he 
drove cattle and hogs to the Chieaw) market. Be- 



fore leaving home the hogs had to be weighed by 
means of a pole laid across the fence, the steelyards 
being upon t)ne end and the hog in a sort of har- 
ness on the other. A man at the end of the pole 
hoisted up the porker, and after his weight was as- 
certained he was ready for market. In these days 
this would be considered a tedious process, but the 
pioneers of that time gloried in the resolution with 
which they overcame dillienlties, and this little in- 
convenience was oidy one of the many which they 
cheerfully encountered and overcame. 

Mr. F'unk contiinied his stock operations in this 
manner until about isr)4, and then commenced 
shipi)ing to New York City. He has been remark- 
ably succcssfid in his business transactions, and 
nearly every week he and his brother have sent 
carloads of stock either to Chicago or New Y'ork. 
He assisted in the settlement of his father's estate 
in 1 SOT), and received 1,000 acres more than any 
other meml)er of the family on account of having 
remained upon the homestead and taken care of it 
after the other sous had left. A peculiarity of this 
family, probably not possessed b}' .any other in the 
State, is the fact that the land which passed from 
father to son has lieen religiously retained and in- 
variably added to I13' thrift and industry. 

The subject of our sketch is now the possessor 
of -1,400 acres of l;in(l in McLean County, 1,G00 of 
which lie in Funk's drove Township. In West 
Township he owns the old Indian Town. The farm 
buildings appertiiiniug to his estate are beautiful 
and substantial structures, and invariably attract 
the eye of th(> traveler through this section. The 
agricultural operations on this Large tract of land 
have been carried on in the most systematic m.an- 
ncr, everything moving with the precision of clock 
work; the farm machinery being after the most ap- 
proved patterns, and the barns and other out-huild- 
ing furnished with :dl the appliances necessary for 
the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. 

The subject of this liist(jry was married in .Lanu- 
ary, 18(!.s, to Miss Su.san Pumplley, a native of 
Ohio, who was reared in Kentucky and came with 
her parents to Illinois in 1863. Mrs. Susan P'unk 
departed this life on the 15th of December, l^lbS, 
leaving one child, Isaac (4., now eighteen years of 
age, and a student at Lawrenceville, N. J. Mr. 



t 



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ly?^X^(ryL 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Funk married, for his second wife, Miss Rose, 
the daughter of William and Hannah Fitzwilliams, 
of Bloomington, and they have two children — 
Madeline and Julius F. The town residence of 
Mr. F. and his family is located at No. 401 East 
Washington street, where they are surrounded by- 
all the reflnements and luxuries of modern life. 

George W. Funk is a worthy member of the 
f.'imily so well known throughout this section as 
having been closely identified with its agricultural 
and industrial interests, and who have so materially 
assisted in the development and progress of one of 
the richest counties of the Prairie State. The word 
of Mr. Funk is considered as good as his bond. 
Socially he is kind and generous in disposition, 
charitable and hospitable, and a liberal contributor 
to, and supiJorter of every measure calculated for 
the well-being of society. In earlier years he was 
identified with the old Whig Jiarty, but later has 
cheerfully endorsed the principles of the Repub- 
licans. In 1870 he was elected a member of the 
General Assembly of Illinois, and served two years 
with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- 
stituents. He has been Supervisor of Mt. Hope 
Township; is a stockholder in the First National 
Bank of Bloomington, a stockholder and Director 
in the Gas Company and, in short, identified with 
most of the enterprises which have been set on foot 
and were calculated for the niatei'ial good of the 
county and township. It may be truly said that in 
all respects Mr. Funk has fulfilled the obligatons of 
a good citizen in a manner not excelled by any 
before him, or that could be excelled by any who 
may come after. 

^ACOB M. MINTON. Worthy of mention 
among the successful stock-raisers of Mc- 
Lean County, and their luimber is not a few, 
1^^ is .1. M. Minton. Though young in years 
as well as in his chosen department of business, he 
has already established for himself an enviable 
rei»utation as a good citizen and a thorough-going 
and enterprising member of the agricultural and 
industrial community. Mr. Minton is comfortably 
located near Heyworth, on section 9 of Randolph 



\ 



1127 iii 



Township. Upon his farm he is making a specialty 
of Poland-China swine, and is in possession of 
some valuable registered animals. His herd was 
started at Wapella, 111., in 1882, and he has mate- 
riall}' incre.ased it since that time. He has now one 
of the best herds, and probably the largest, in Cen- 
tral Illinois, and his animals have taken more pre- 
miums than any others in this part of the State. 
His herd w.as started with Young Roe, No. 2,201, 
Vol. 5, of Central Poland-China Record. He has 
since had at the head of his herd the well-known 
J. C. Eye, registered No. 2,803, in the same book. 
He has now Arnold's Choice, who will be registered 
in Vol. 8 of the Central Herd Book, and is among 
the best hogs in the State. This department of 
stock-raising yields our subject a handsome in- 
come, and he has gained a reputation. 

Mr. Minton was born in Claiborne County, Tenn., 
July l(j, 1850. His father, Phillip Minton, w.as a 
native of the same State and a farmer by occupa- 
tion. During the late Civil War, he served in the 
Confederate army, and was shot through the head 
at Kennesaw Mountain. He survived nine days, 
and then died at Atlanta Hospital. The maiden 
name of Mrs. Minton was Marinda Huddleson, and 
she is still living on the Minton homestead in 
Claiborne County, Tenn., being seventy-five years 
old. After the death of her husband she was mar- 
ried a second time. The subject of this history 
was the eldest of his father's famih'. Following 
him came Frank M., who is now living with Jacob 
M., and also W. B. and Cornelia M., who came 
North in 1884. 

Jacob M. Minton received a good education in 
his native county, and remained .at home after his 
father's death, until eighteen years of age. He 
then went West, first settling in Atchison County, 
Kan., whence, after three years, he returned to 
Tennessee and remained until 1873. He then 
came to Illinois, and engaged as a farm laborer for 
a few years, living temperately and within his 
means, and becoming well fitted for the further 
struggle of life. Thus growing up into manhood 
and p.assing onw.ard in the rugged pathw.ay of 
time, disciplined in the stern school of experience, 
he was prepared to meet every emergency with a 
steady and a ready hand. 



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ik 112 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



The marriiige uf our subject occurred on the 
19th of December, 1«7«, at Hey worth, in this 
county, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary A. 
Creswcll, of Quebec, Canada, who was born Aug. 
14, 1856. Her parents were of Scotch ancestry, 
and oame from the North of Ireland to Canada, 
where her father died when she was a child of 
about six years old. Her mother, formerly Miss 
.Sarah Lowrey, now lives in Heyworth with her two 
daughters — Jennie and .Maggie. 

Mr. and Mrs. Minton have become the parents 
of four children, all living — Charlie C, Chesley 
W., Wilej' B. and John P. Mrs. Minton is a mem- 
ber in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and their ple.asant home is the resort of 
many warm friends who are hosiiitablj' entertained. 
3Ir. Minton, in politics, is a stanch Democrat, and 
while in De Witt County, held the olFice of Town- 
ship Collector. 

As a splendid exiimple of what may be accom- 
plished by an energetic, entorin-ising and deter- 
mineil man, we jjoint to Mr. Mint(jn, and take 
plcasuic in giving ills jjortrait in this vulume. 




LKJiED J. WELCH, a very successful far- 
'^Hl mer of Downs Townshi)), is proprietor of 
311 acres of valuable land, finely located 
on sections 1 7 and 1 8, and twelve acres on 
sections 5 and 7, the residence being on the 
first. The greater part of the farm is improved and 
under a good state of cultivation, and well drained 
with 700 rods of tile. Tlie place is furnished with 
good buildings and fences, and all the appliances 
of the modern and jirogressive agriculturist. 

Mr. Welch is a native of this county, born in 
Downs Township July .5, 18.').'), and tln^ youngest 
of four sons and four daughters born to his parents. 
He pursued ids earlier studies in the district schools 
and completed his education in Wesleyjin Univer- 
sity. He made his home with his parents until his 
marri.ige, Nov. li), 1879, to Miss Bell, tlic daughter 
of James Fulton, of whom a sketch will be found 
elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. W. w.as born, reared 
and educated in Downs Township, and when six- 
teen 3'ears of age commenced teaching, which she 



followed saccessfully for a sliort time. Of her 
union with our subject there have been born three 
children, of whom one, W.alter H., is deceased. 
The two daughters Ifving are Grace and Martha. 

Mr. and Mrs. Welch since their marriiige have 
lived upon their present homestead, where our sub- 
ject has followed his chosen vocation with more 
than ordinary success. The farm is well stocked 
with cattle, horses, sheep and swine, and everything 
about the premises is kept in the best condition. 
Our subject .and liis wife are not connected with 
any church organization but have endeavored as 
well <as they knew how, to do unto others as they 
would be done by. Mr. Welch politically is an 
earnest supporter of Republican principles. 



#^ 



-V 



EV. JOHN G. CAMPBELL, a highly re- 
'Y^^ spected resident of Bloomington, resides at 
l^\ No. 900 Moulton street, .and enjoys the 
'^S) friendship and association of the cultured 
people of the city. He is a native of Bourbon 
County, Ky., and w.as born Aug. 1, 1813. Mr. 
Campbell is the son of James and Nancy A. Camp- 
bell, natives of Virginia, who were members of the 
Christian Church, and the father was engaged in 
farming pursuits. Tlie parents removed fnun tlie 
Old Dominion to Missouri, in 18r)(;, and there 
spent the remainder of their lives. Of their fam- 
ily of seven children, four are now living — Hugh, 
Jolui (J., James O., and Mary E., now Mrs. Rich- 
ards, of Missouri. 

The young(!r days of the subject of this sketch 
were spent on his father's farm and in school. 
Wiien twcntj-one 3'ears of age he went to Indiana 
and attended tlie State University one 3'ear. He 
afterward engaged in farming and preaching alter- 
natel3', being connected with the Christian Chureli. 
He was a resident of Monroe County', Ind., for 
eleven years, and then returned to his former home, 
where he remained two years, and in October, 
1849, came to this State and county, and located 
at Bloomington, where lie w.as engaged as formerly 
until 1880, when on account of failing health, 
he retired from active life. 

When twenty-one years of age, in 1834, Mr. 



i 



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I 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1129 



Campbell was united in nuirriiige with Miss Sallie 
A. Campbell, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., 
and the daughter of Hugh and Mary (Alexander) 
Campbell, who were engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. The mother died in Bourbon County, Ky., 
and the father in Indiana. Nine of their eleven 
children are now living, as follows: Nancy J., Mrs. 
Alexander; Sallie A., Mrs. Campbell; William A., 
Hugh B., James T., Grenuberry W., Wright, Rob- 
ert, and Mary Catherine, Mrs. Dr. Molett, of Flor- 
ida. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell of this notice have 
two children: Newton M., who married Miss Mary 
Guinn, and they have two sons — Charles L. and 
Ira C: Minnie M. is a graduate of the Blooming- 
ton High School, and resides with her parents. 
All the family are members of the Christian Church, 
and our subject ui politics is Republican. 



r^'RANK A. WEISHAAR, a contractor and 
U?^(g; builder, with an office on the corner of 
l\ Mulberry street and Morris avenue, Bloom- 

ington, enjoys a successful and lucrative trade. Our 
subject is a native of Lee County, Iowa, and was 
born Nov. i), 1849. His parents were Anthony 
and .Josephine (Ilizer) Weishaar, natives of Ger- 
many, who came to America with their parents 
when children. They settled in New Orleans, and 
after arriving at suitable years were married there. 
In 1S4G they removed to Iowa, where Anthony 
Weishaar purchased 220 acres of wild land and 
commenced the improvement of a farm. He was 
successful in his agricultural and business opera- 
tions, and the home which he established remained 
in his possession initil his death, which occurred in 
1S79. The mother still lives on the old farm. 

The grandfather of our subject, whose name was 
also Anthony, was one of the first settlers of Lee 
County, Iowa, where he opened up a large farm 
and became one of the prominent men of that sec- 
tion. His son, Anthony, the father of our subject, 
possessed the traits of his sire in a marked degree, 
and in early maniiood held theollicesof Supervisor 
and Fathmaster, and with his wife and children 
was prominently connected with the German Cath- 
olic Church. Their household included nine ciul- 



dren, six of whom .are living: William, of Lee 
County, Iowa, is engaged as a carpenter and coo- 
per ; Malinda, now Mrs. Keiner, lives in Lee Count3', 
Iowa; Frank is a resident of Bloom ington; Charles 
is engaged in farming in Lee County, Iowa, as is 
also George ; Lizzie, who married a brother of the 
aforesaid Mr. Keiner, lives in Lee County, Iowa. 

Frank A. Weishaar remained with his parents 
until the 7th of August. 1864, in the meantime re- 
ceiving a practical education and doing farm work. 
He then went to learn the carpenter's trade of his 
cousin, Lewis Weishaar, of Lee County, Iowa, with 
whom he served for three years, and then worked 
as a journeyman for seven years. In 1870 he came 
to Bloomington, and after two years returned to 
Lee County, where he remained six years. He 
then again came to Bloomington and started out as 
a builder and contractor, which business he has fol- 
lowed since that time. He is a skilled mechanic, a 
straightforward business man, and is considei-ed 
one of the representative men of the city. 

The marriage of Frank A. AVeishaar and Miss 
Frances Angersbach took place in 1872, at Bloom- 
ington. Mrs. W. is the daughter of Joseph and 
Frances Angersbach, and by her union with our 
subject has become the mother of one child, Gus- 
sie J. Mr. and Mrs. AV. are members of the Ger- 
man Catholic Church, and the former belongs to 
the German Benevolent Society. 



-^^^1 



r- 



ylLlAA^l ELLSWORTH, one of the young- 
er children, but eldest son of John and 
Phebe Ellsworth, of New York, is of Amer- 
ican parentage. John Ellsworth grew to manhood in 
his native State, and enlisting in the Revolutionarj' 
War, served seven years as a soldier in defense of 
American liberty. He fought under Gen. Wayne, 
and miraculously escaped death on several occa- 
sions, his clothing being pierced through and 
thi-ough with the enemies' bullets. He passed 
through many of the thrilling scenes of that period, 
and much of the time performed special duty as a 
messenger, carrying important dispatches. At the 
close of the war he received an honorable discharge, 
and lived many years to talk of its thrilling inci- 



n 



•> ^ A* 



A- 



1130 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



dents and the glorious victory which followed. 
John Ellsworth had learned the trade of a carpenter 
when a young man, and after liis return from the 
war pursued tliis and farnii]ig the remainder of his 
life. 

After marriage they settled near Bowling Green, 
Ky., whore their son William, of our sketch, was 
born, on the 1st of September, 1817. Six years 
later John Ellsworth set out with his family for 
Illinois, and located in St. Clair County, about 
thirty miles from St. Louis, where the parents 
pa.ssed tiie remainder of their lives, the father hav- 
ing attained the age of eighty-four years. 

William Ellsworth set out early in life to earn his 
own livelihood, working first upon a farm in St. Clair 
Count}-, 111., and employing himself fi>r a number 
of years at whatever his hands could find to do. 
After reaching manhood he was married to Sarah 
Tolbert, of St. Clair County, 111. Three children 
were born of this union : John, who lives in Wich- 
ita, Kan. ; Oeorge, a resident of Cowley County, that 
State, and Jane married Joseph Bishop, and they 
.ire living at Ileyworth. Mrs. Sarah Ellsworth died 
in St. Clair County, in 1847. The second marriage 
of our subject took place in St. Clair County, 111., 
Nov. 8, 1848, with Mrs. Mary E. Chesney, widow 
of Robert Chesney, and daughter of Kincheon and 
Elizabeth (Elder) Pitts. By her union with Rob- 
ert Chesney there was born a daughter, Harriet, 
who married John S. Bishop, and they live in lian- 
doli)h Townsliii). Mrs. Ellsworth was born near 
Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 10, 1823. Her parents 
were natives of tlie same State, her father being en- 
gaged in farming. Tliey left their native State in 
1828, and came with their two children, Marj' E. 
and Nancj-, to St. Clair County, III., where they lo- 
cated up<m a farm. Afterward, in 187.'!, they re- 
moved to Nasiwille, W.ashington County, this State, 
wliere the father died in November, and the mother 
in March, 187.'), both aged seventy-five years, and 
l>oUi members of the Baptist Church, as also were 
John Kllsworlh and his wife before tiiey died. 

Mrs. Ellsworth remained under the home roof 
until her marriage, assisting her parents in the la- 
bors of the farm and houseiiold duties. B3' her 
marri.age with our subject she Ixx-ame the mother 
of eight children, of whom tiie lecord is as follows: 
M 



Kincheon, who married Miss Mary J. Bishop, and 
they live on a farm in Downs Township; William 
S. married the adopted daughter of William Elders, 
and is engaged in liutchering in Ileyworth; James 
M., deceased; Emily 13ecame the wife C. I. Mc- 
Combs, a farmer and blacksmith of Downs Town- 
ship; C. Walter married Miss Minnie Candle, and 
is carrying on a real-estate business at Wichita, 
Kan. ; E. W. is unmarried, and does business with 
his brother, C. W., in Kansas, and Mary B. is the 
wife of John Crookshank, and resides with her fa- 
ther on the old homestead. 

After marriage Mr. Ellsworth staid in St. Clair 
County until the fall of 185M, when he removed 
with his family to McLean County, and located in 
Downs Township, where he h.as since lived. Heat 
one time owned considerable land. The homestead 
embraces 170 acres, in a good state of cultivation, 
with a handsome and convenient residence and all 
necessary out-buildings. He is considered one of 
the representative men ()f this county, being enter- 
prising and industrious, prompt to meet his obli- 
gations, and in all respects is fulfilling the duties of 
a good citizen. JVIrs. Ellsworth is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Cluirch, and our subject, po- 
litically, affiliates with tlu^ Republican party. 

^ETER R. NAFFZINGER owns .and occu- 
))) pies a fine homestead in Montgomery 
'' Township, Wooilford County, where he 
lives retired from active labor, the farm 
being managed by his son. The subject of our 
sketch is a native of Germany, born Oct. 11, 1824. 
His parents were Peter and Barl)ara (Bceic) Naff- 
zinger, natives of Germany, the father born Feb. 
23, 1789, and tiie mother in 1796. They were 
married Marcii 8, 1812, and ten years later emi- 
grated to the United States. They landed in New- 
York City, whence they proceeded to Canada, 
where tiiey remained tliree years, then returned to 
the States .and located in Butler County, Ohio. 
There Mr. N. purchased forty acres, of land, which 
he cultivated and upon which he lived until 1843. 
He then removed to Woodford County, 111., where 
his de.ath occurred in September, 1885. The fol- 

^4 



i 



u 



.t 



MCLEAN COUNTY. 



1131 



lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter 
Naffzinger : Elizabeth, who married INIichael Kist- 
ler; .Jacob, who married Magdalena Rokie; Mag- 
dalena, who became the wife of Michael Kinzinger; 
Barbara, who became Mrs. Daniel Otto; Thebe, 
Mrs. Christian Scheattlcr; Peter R., of our sketch; 
Catherine, who married Michael Zimmerman; Val- 
entine married Miss Elizabeth Stiger. The parents 
were connected with the Mennonite Church. 

The subject of this history was but two years of 
age when his parents came to America. He was 
reared at home ; educated in the common schools, 
and remained under the parental roof until his 
marriage, which occurred in Woodford County, 
III., Jan. 26, 1851. The lady of his choice was 
Miss Magdalena, the daughter of Joseph and Bar- 
bara (Rokie) Ingle, natives of Germany, where 
they were married in 1816. Joseph and Barbara 
Ingle became the parents of eight children — Jos- 
eph, Catherine, Barbara, Magdalena, Mary, Chris- 
tian, and two who died in infancy unnamed. They 
also are members of the Mennonite Church. 

After his marriage, Mr. Naffzinger purchased 
100 acres of good land, upon which he erected a 
handsome and substantial farm dwelling, which he 
still occupies. He subsequently added to his orig- 
inal purchase and now has 200 acres of good and 
productive land. 

Mr. and Mrs. N. became the parents of ten chil- 
dren, of whom Barbara and Mary are deceased; 
Catherine became the wife of Samuel Garber; Val- 
entine married Miss Susan Knajjple ; Joseph is de- 
ceased ; Benjamin married Miss I'lorence McLach- 
lin ; Phebe is deceased ; Samuel, Rosa and Anna 
are at home. Our subject and his wife belong to 
the Mennonite Church, and politically Mr. Naff- 
zinger is a stanch Democrat. During the late war 
he was drafted into the army, but secured a sub- 
stitute and returned home. 



/<^EORGE McNAUGHT, deceased, was one of 
III (=-, the most substantial business men of Lex- 
^^li ington, where he was engaged for a number 
of years. He was a native of Owen County, Ind., 
born near Indianapolis, Jan. 17, 1812, his parents 



-4«- 



being Thomas and Catherine (Bartholomew) Mc- 
Naught, the former a native of the North of Scot- 
land, and the latter the daughter of Gen. Bartholo- 
mew who fought under Gen. Harrison in the battle 
of Tippecanoe. 

Thomas McNaught, the father of our subject, 
emigrated to America when a young man, before 
his marri.ige. George was the first born son and one 
of fourteen children, seven sous and seven daugh- 
ters, twelve of whom lived to become men and 
women who married and had families of their own. 
Of these seven still survive. The father removed 
to Indiana at an early period in the history of the 
State. Our subject only enjoyed the advantages 
of a nine months' education in school, but he was 
fond of reading and through his own exertions be- 
came a fair scholar and well informed upon ail mat- 
ters of general interest. He remained under the 
home roof until he attained to years of manhood 
and in August, 1839, was united in marriage with 
Miss Nancy, the daughter of Col. John and Mary 
Franklin. In the fall of 1840 our subject made 
his first trip to McLean County, and purchased 
from Gen. Bartholomew a tract of land three miles 
west of Lexington. He then returned to Indiana 
after his family and the following spring took pos- 
session of his purchase, where he became success- 
fully engaged as an agriculturist and stock-trader. 
This was before the time of railroads, and during 
the first year he drove his animals to Chicago 
which was then a small town. [He continued in this 
business, shipping later by railroad, until his death, 
which occurred May 25, 1864. 

Mr. and Mrs. McNaught had become the parents 
of six sons, all of whom were liviug at the time of 
his death. John T. is now deceased ; James, who 
has become prominent as a law practitioner, is 
attorney for the Northern Pacific Railroad and re- 
sides at Seattle, the Queen City of W.ashington 
Territory, where he has accumulated a fine prop- 
erty ; M. P'rank is in the grain and stock business in 
Southwestern Kansas; George W. is engaged in 
mercantile pursuits in the northern part of Iowa; 
William N., of Lexington, is engaged in the hard- 
ware trade and also conducts the business of his 
farm ; Joseph F. is the partner of his brother James 
in Washington Territory ; John T., deceased, left a 

-— — ■■ ,^_ 



I 



-I 



1132 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



wife and son, Elza, the latter being an importer of 
and dealer in Norman liorses at Normal. 

After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Mc- 
Naught \Yas married to Dr. J. L. Brook, an old 
physician and druggist, who departed this life in 
September, 1867. Mrs. B. was then married in 
1870 to Rev. Butler, who was a pastor of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-five years, 
and who died Oct. 10, 188G. He was a most 
efficient minister and highly esteemed by all who 
knew him. 




DIAS, one of the prominent cigar manufact- 
urers of Bloomingtou, established his present 
business in 1875, and is located in the 
Royce Block at No. 103 East Front street, and also 
No. 103 North Main street. Mr. Dias was born in 
England in 1842, and is the son of Elisha and 
Rachel (Noble) Dias, who were of English birth 
and ancestry and emigrated to the United States in 
185G, landing on the 4th of Januarj', and soon 
afterward settled in Boston, Mass. Elisha Dias 
was an appraiser and auctioneer and died in Cam- 
bridgeport in 18(J5. The mother departed this 
life in Boston the year of their arrival here. Of 
their family of nine children, only three are living: 
Priscilla and Reliecca, the latter of wiiom is married, 
and both are residents of Detroit, Mich., and our 
subject. 

Young Dias received his early education iu the 
schools of his native country and soon after com- 
ing to the United States commenced to do for him- 
self. He was first eraplo3-cd by S. & J. Myers of 
Boston and then engaged to learn cigar-making, 
serving an apprenticeship of three years. The war 
then coming on, he enlisted as a soldier in the 
;3d Massachusetts Infantry, serving a three months' 
term and then re-enlisted in the 38th Massachusetts 
and served for two and one-half j^ears. He partici- 
pated in several battles and skirmishes and was 
slightly wounded at Winchester. Soon after enter- 
ing the army he was promoted Corporal and served 
bravely and faithfully until the close of the war. 

After his retirement from the array Mr. Dias 
went to St. John's, N. B., and was foreman of a 
cigai- manufactory there for four years. Thence 



he went to Detroit and engaged in business for 
liimself until 1872. Selling out he proceeded to 
South Bend, lud., and engaged in the manufacture 
of cigars from 1870 to 187>'). Ho then came to 
Bloom ington and established his present business. 
From a modest beginning he has made good pro- 
gress and now employs sixteen men, keeping one 
on the road continuously. 

Our subject was married in 1870 to Miss Esther, 
daughter of Daniel J. and Amelia (Solomon) 
Holland, natives of England. Mrs. D. was born 
in New York City and of her marriage with our 
subject there have been born four children — Alex- 
ander E., Amelia R. Henry N., and Rachel, deceased. 
Their pleasant and comfortable home is located at 
No. 601 East Jackson street, and they enjoy the 
friendship and association of some of the best 
people in the city. Mr. and ]\lrs. D. are members 
of the Moses Monteliore (Hebrew) Congregation, 
and in politics our subject uniformly casts his vote 
with the Republican party. Sociall}^ he belongs to 
the Order of Red Men and to the B'nai B'rith. 

AMES H. SC:OTT, a resident of this county 
since the spring of 1 880, and a prosperous 
and well-to-do farmer living on section 7, 
Towanda Township, is an ofifspring of Sam- 
uel and Nancy (Biggs) Scott. The father was born 
in Virginia, in 1777, and the mother, in 1787, in 
what is now Monroe County, 111. James Scott, 
grandfather of our subject, emigrated from Ken- 
tucky to Illinois and settled in St. Clair County. 
There Samuel Scott was reared to manhood on his 
father's farm. It was during this time that Will- 
iam Biggs, father of our subject's mother, came to 
this State from Ocorgia and settled in Monroe 
County. While acting as Sheriff of that county 
Mr. Biggs, wliile on his way to Kaskaskia, 111., with 
a load of furs, was attacked and taken prisoner by 
the Indians and held as such at what is now Vin- 
cennes, Ind., for about nine months. During his 
absence the mother of our subject was born, the 
year being 1787. 

Our subject's parents were married in St. Clair 
County, 111., and there reared a family of eleven 



*►■.-* 



I 



•>^0^^4' 



■» l^ M* 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1133 



children, all of whom are deceased except two: 
John I\I., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of 
Illinois, and tiie other, James H., subject of this 
notice. Samuel Scott departed this life in lS;i7, 
and his good wife survived him until lisGl, when 
she crossed the river to meet him on the other 
shore. 

The subject of this notice was born near Turkey 
Hill, St. Clair Co., 111., Oct. 20, 1821. lie was 
reared to manhood on his father's farm, and re- 
ceived a good education in the common schools. 
Living with the old folk until 184'J, eng.iged the 
while in .agricultural jiursuits, he then made an 
overland trip to California, for the purpose of re- 
plenishing an almost empty exchequer, b}' mining. 
On the route they were attacked once or twice by 
Indians, but escaped without loss of life, and his 
party were among the lirst trains to arrive in Clali- 
fornia from the States after the discovery of gold. 
They arrived at Sacramento City, July 23, 1849, 
having been eighty-seven days on the route from 
St. Joseph, Mo. Our subject remained in Califor- 
nia for about two years, meeting with moderate 
success, and then returned via the Isthmus to 
New Orleans, thence to St. Louis, and from there 
back to St. Clair County. Again he engaged in 
farming, and was t^us occupied in that county 
until the spring of 1 880, when he came to this 
county. He was the owner of quite an extensive 
farm in St. Clair Countj% together with considerable 
stock, farm implements, etc., and disposing of thetn, 
he on his arrival here purchased 272 acres of good 
land in Towanda Township, the same being known 
as the " Duncan farm," where he at present resides, 
and is extensively' engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. 

Mr. Scott was married in St. Clair County, 111., 
April 27, 1853, to Miss Eliza C. daughter of Will- 
iam and Barbara (Teter) Rutherford, natives of 
Kentucky and Virginia respectively, and both of 
whom departed this life in St. Clair Count}', his de- 
mise occurring in 1849, and hers in 18G4. They 
had six sons and seven daughters. Mrs. Scott was 
born in St. Clair County, 111., Jan. 4, 1830, and by 
her union with our subject two children have been 
born — Millard and Anne E. Millard married Miss 
Belle Begole, a relative of ex-Governor Begole, of 

-M* 



Michigan, and they are living in Towanda Town- 
ship, having become the parents of one child, Har- 
riett. Anne is the wife of J. FI. Falkingham, and 
they are also living in Towanda Township. Mr. 
Scott, while a resident of St. Clair County, 
held the office of Justice of the Peace for sixteen 
years. Since coming to this county he has served 
one term as Supervisor of Towanda Township. 
He and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and socially our subject belongs 
to the Masonic fraternity. In politics he was a 
Democrat until the birth of the Prohibition party, 
since which time he has voted for its success, and 
believes it a sin against God and humanity to 
vote a man the right to sell liquor by license. 






#"# • '^ 

(^ J>;ILLIAM HANNA. On section 21, Yates 
Township, may be found the pleasant 
homestead of the subject of this sketch, 
which he established in 1874, and where he has 
lived for many years in the enjoyment of the fruits 
of industry, and the res[)ect and confidence of his 
neighbors and acquaintances. Mr. Ilanna was 
born in County Antrim, in the North of Ireland, 
in 183G. His parents, James and Nancy Hanna, 
both died in that country. The parental family 
consisted of fifteen children, ten of whom came to 
the United States, namely : Isabella, John, James, 
Mary, Catherine, Jane, Nancy, Eliza, Samuel and 
William. All of these are living, seven residing in 
Illinois, one in Pennsylvania and* two in Nebr.aska. 
William Hanna was born and reared on a farm 
in his n.ative country, where he resided until about 
twenty yeaVs of age. He emigrated alone to the 
United States, his first stopping-place being .at 
Phienixville, Lancaster Co., Pa., where his brother 
James h.ad preceded him. Young Hanna first 
engaged in a rolling-mill at that place, where he 
worked four years. He then started westward, 
and coming into Illinois, located first in Putnam 
County, where he worked a few years as a farm 
laborer. Thence he went to Winona, in IMarshall 
County, where he rented land for about nine years, 
meeting with fair success. He then began looking 
about for a permanent homestead, and coming into 



■*►- 



i 



I 



1134 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



-f 



this county purchased eighty acres of land in Che- 
noa To\vnshi[), where lie made his home for the fol- 
lowing six years, and then selling out he purcliased 
his present farm, in Yates Township. This consists 
of 160 acres of finely improved land furnished 
with a good set of farm buildings. His possessions 
have been the result of his own industry and per- 
severance, and he can look back upon the past with 
a clear conscience and the satisf.iction derived from 
steady habits and a well-spent life. 

The marriage of Mr. Ilanna took place in the fall 
of 1863, the maiden of his choice being Miss Anna 
Burns, a native of his own county, and who emi- 
grated to the I'nited States with her parents, Rob- 
ert and Mattie Burns, wlien a young girl. Of this 
union there were seven children, as follows: Mary, 
born in Putnam County, 111., became the wife of 
.Samuel McAllister, and resides in Marshall County, 
111. ; Nancy was born in Winona, 111. ; Matilda, born 
near Chenoa; Cassie, .lames, William and Isabella, 
were born in this county. JMr. and Mrs. Ilanna are 
connected with the Tresbyterian Church, and po- 
litically' our subject uniformly' casts his vote with 
the Republican party. 

l^T^RANK OBERKOETTER, one of the rclia. 



tVgj] bio and substantial business men of liloom- 
/ll, ington, is senior member of the well-known 

wholesale grocery firm of Oberkoetter & Co. of 
Bloomington. He came to tills vicinity in Septem- 
ber, lbo7, and during his residence of thirty years 
in this county has contributed his full share in 
budding up its industrial and mercantile interests. 
Mr. Oberkoetter is a representative -of that na- 
tionality which has done more, perhaps, than any 
other in assisting to develop the resources of the 
Prairie State and the great West. His birthplace 
was in the Empire of Germany, where he was born 
on the -^oth of January, 1828. His parents, Henry 
and Katie (Lemuie) Oberkoetter, were natives of 
the same country, and came of excellent German 
ancestry, who illustrated in a marked degree the 
reliable characteristics of their race. Their son 
Prank was placed in school when seven years of 
age, where he pursued his studies until fourteen. 



After serving a brief ai)prcnticesliii> at the carpen- 
ter's trade and agricultural pursuits he, in 18,50, 
boarded a vessel bound for the United States, and 
after a safe voyage landed in the city of New Or- 
leans. After four months spent there he went up 
the river to St. Louis, Mo., wiiere he passed one 
summer, returning in the fall to the Crescent City. 
The following spring he went back to St. Louis, 
which remained his home for five years following. 

In September, 18.57, Mr. Oberkoetter started 
North, and coming into Bloomington, this State, 
opened a small retail grocery store, which he oper- 
ated successfully until 1871. That same 3'ear he 
formed a partnership with Jacob Jacoby, and they 
are operating together profitably. The business 
has been mei-gcd into the wholesale trade, and un- 
der the new regime, as before, it has steadily 
grown, and their trade extends throughout this 
and adjoining counties where they have built up 
a fine patronage. Both jiartners are practical busi- 
ness men, and well and favorably known in busi- 
ness circles. Their present building on Main street 
was put up in 1875. It is o-lxlOo feet in area and 
three stories in height, besides a good basement, 
and the whole is devoted to their extensive opera- 
tions. They employ three traveling salesmen be- 
sides five men at the store. Mr. Oberkoetter be- 
gan life at the foot of the ladder, and has climbed 
up to his present position solely by his own indus- 
try and energy. He started in business with $1)00, 
$600 of which he made after coming to the United 
States, and during the financial crash of 18o7 he 
lost about half of this. He was not of the spirit to 
be dismayed, however, but applied himself closely 
to business and in due time recovered his losses. 
Besides his interest in the building occupied l)y the 
firm he has another on South Main street, equal to 
this in dimensions, and a good residence in the 
same locality. Although now bej'ond his prime he 
still possesses the energj^ and resolution of his ear- 
lier years, and is a fine illustration of the vvell-pre- 
served man, both pliysically and mentally, who has 
been temperate in his habits and pursued that hon- 
est and upright life wliicii enables him to look the 
whole world in the face. 

The marriage of our subject took place at St. 
Louis, Mo., in Pebruarj-, 18.57, the lady of his ^' 



n 



ffi 



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' - ' aiJt.ll. ! J;i^H.iJ^;t-;.V''-^"^--~-J'V"^-^.^--tyg'- 







RESIDENCE OF G. T. MU RPHY , SEC . IB . M J HOPE TP. 






.£.^:,^* 




RESIDENCE OF F. W. LOWENTROUT, 603 MARKET ST ., BLOOMINGTON , ILL . 



CT 



■u 



t 



■<^ 



»► I I ^' 



McLean county. 



1137 ik 






choice being Miss Mary Schrocder, of that city, but 
who was a native of his own country. Of this un- 
ion tliere were born nine children, seven of whom 
still survive, four boys and three girls: Frank, Jr., 
is a partner in the business of his father ; Henry is 
a traveling salesman ; Harmon a shipping clerk, and 
William the bill clerk of the firm ; Anna, Rose and 
May are at home. The parents and children are 
members and regular attendants uf the German 
Catholic Church of Bloomington. 



"ii^? W. LOWENTROLIT,oneof Bloomington's 
j-nfe) highly respected citizens, now retired from 
jL, active business, occupies a pleasant and 
commodious residence at No. G03 West Market 
street. lie is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, and was born April 15, 1830, and is the sou 
of Peter and Anna M. (Mans) Lowentrout, natives 
of the same Province. Peter Lowentrout entered 
the German army at the age of sixteen years, and 
was in the military service for the following twelve 
years and eleven months, all this time being actively 
engaged. He captured a Richmond flag of the 
English troops in Spain, being at that time Fort 
Master, and having a horse and sword. He at one 
time captured five men with their flag, and the fol- 
lowing day was presented a Captain's commission, 
which was signed by Napoleon Bonaparte. After- 
ward, in battle with the Spaniards, he was taken 
prisoner and held by the enemy for two years. 
After being released he was transferred to the 1st 
Regiment of Infantry. He remained in the service 
until the close of the war, and was then given the 
position of Harbor Master at Germersheim, which 
he held until his death, in 1847. The parental 
family consisted of seven children, six of whom 
are now living : Barbara, Mrs. Lieandecker, is a 
resident of New York City; our subject is the 
next in order; Peter lives in Newark, N. J.; Lizzie, 
Mrs. Bort, Charles, and Anna, Mrs. Saleh, are in 
Bloomington. The mother came to Bloomington 
with her son Charles, and remained an inmate of 
his home until her death, in 18(53. 

F. W. Lowentrout received a common-school 
education and during his earlier years worked upon 

4» 



a farm. In the fall of 184C he commenced to deal 
in grain on commission, and the following year es- 
tablished a business on his own account. The first 
year he was successful and made considerable 
money. In 1840, while with a party of friends, 
he made some remarks derogatory to the Duke 
of Hesse-Darmstadt, and upon this account was 
soon afterward obliged to leave the country. He 
came to America in 1851, landing in New York on 
Christmas Day. He was there variously occupied 
for two years, and then learned the trade of 
japanning, which he followed until 1854. He after- 
ward, in company- with his brother, engaged in 
that business and they operated until December, 
185U, when their shop and machinery were de- 
stroyed by fire, involving a loss of $150,000, and 
throwing their 200 men out of emiiloyment. He 
was then penniless and obliged t<.i employ himself 
at whatever he could find to do. He engaged with 
T. P. Howell in the patent-leather business, and re- 
mained with him until 1861, and then witii his 
family came to Bloomington. 

For eight years after his arrival in this county, 
Mr. Lowentrout w.as in the employ of the C. ct A. 
R. R. Co., during which time he was enabled to 
considerably repair his shattered fortunes. Ho then 
purchased ground on tiie corner of Market and (Jak 
streets, and started a saloon in the basement of a 
building. He operated this until 1872, and then, 
by reason of a broken limb, lay on his back for 
ten months, and in the meantime lost money. After 
being sufficiently recovered for business he began 
the purchase and sale of city property, and was 
soon once more upon his feet. He now owns the 
front half of the block at the corner of Oak and 
Market streets, besides five dwellings and several 
other buildings. In addition to this he has a farm 
of 176 acres in Old Town Township, which is all 
improved and under a fine state of cultivation. He 
was one of the projectors and a charter member 
of the Third National Bank, and in all respects is 
a solid and prominent member of the business com- 
munity. 

Mr. Lowentrout was married in 1S52, to Miss 
Lessate Hoffman, a native of his own country, and 
the daughter of Freidrich Hoffman. Of this union 
there were born seven children, six now living: 



■•► 



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t 



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1138 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i\I:irn:ii'('t, Lewis. .loliii. n twin liidlJicr of Lewis, 
who (lied Dec. 10, LSS;"), at tl\e ;ige of twenty -seven 
yenrs; Lizzie, Mrs. Dieiliicli; Otto, Clara and 
Oscar. The residence of <>nr subject and his family, 
a handsome and eonmiodions structure, and a vien" 
of which is given in tiiis volninc, wasl)nilt in 1885, 
at a cost of $6,000. Here tliey enjoy all tlie com- 
forts and many of tlie luxuries of life. Politically 
our subject, on local matters, is independent, vot- 
ing for those he considers the best men, but in 
N.-iliou;d atTairs he votes the Democratic ticket. 



-v^wv ^\*ii£i2/©^^^ 



4/^t^ddor^'\/\^\^ 






eEOR(;K W.STCBliLEFIKLD, importer and 
bi-eeder of Percheron and Norman horses, 
with his father, ,Iohn Stubbletield, has been 
cng.agcd for thirteen years in the importation of 
French horses, of which they have brougiit 300 
head of v.aluable animals across the ocean and to 
this State. With the exception of the summer of 
1882, during vvhicli they sul^ered terrible losses by 
(ires and otherwise, they have been remarkably suc- 
cessful, and it is universally conceded that to their 
enterprise and excellent judgment in selecting 
draft stock, there is due not a little credit for the 
high standard to which the stock of Central Illinois 
has been raised, ilr. Stuldilelield is President of 
the Securitj' Live Stock Insurance Company' of 
Bloomington, the oflice being located on the cor- 
ner of Madison and (irove streets, and is connected 
with every measure of importance which is set on 
foot and has for its object the advancement of this 
branch of industry in the State. 

The subject of this history is a native of this 
State, having been born in this county in 1849. 
Ilis father, John Stubblefield, was a native of Ohio, 
born in Marion County in 1820, and came to Illi- 
nois with his father, Robert S., when a child of four 
years old. The family settled in Funk's Grove at 
an early period in the history of this county, and 
purciiased a large tract of land. There Robert 
Stubblefield remained until his death, in I 870. Of 
his family of thirteen children, twelve are still liv- 
ing, John being the fourth of the family'. He was 
reared to farming pursuits, received a common- 
school education and at the age of twenty-two 

<■ 



years, settled upon a rhiini of 10(1 acres one mile 
north of Funk's (i rove, eighty ac'res of which he 
inii)rt)ved and ujjon which he built a frame house 
and set out an orchard. To this tnict he sul)se- 
qucnlly added and is now the possessor of 2,(tO(i acres 
in this county. lie married Miss F^llisannah Ilowser, 
daughter of David ami Elizabeth Ilowser, natives 
of Fayetteville, Ohio. Of this marriage there were 
born nine children, eight now living, as .follows: 
Sarah E., Mrs. Raj'burn, lives in .Shirley, this county ; 
David R., in Covell; George W. of our sketch; 
Phineas M., also living in this county; ISIary F\, 
Mrs. Crumb of Virginia. Cass County; Henry B., 
of Shirley; Simon P., of McLean, and .John \V., at 
home. 

The subject of this history spent his earlier years 
upon his father's farm, and after [)ursuing his pri- 
mary studies in the common schools, entered 
Wesleyan College, where he completed his studies 
in 1872. He had already indicated unusual busi- 
ness talent and commenced purchasing and feeding 
stock. Two years later he made his first importa- 
tion, which included Percheron, English draft and 
French coach horses. He was joined in this busi- 
ness by his father, John Stubblefield, in 187.'), and 
h.as been successful from the start. In pursuance 
of this he has crossed the ocean fifteen times, bring- 
ing over at one time thirty-seven fine blooded ani- 
mals. They operated with remarkable success and 
profit until the night of Sept. 1, 1882, when the b.arn 
and twelve noble steeds, valued at $18,000, were 
destroyed by fire. The same summer they had 
lost six horses valued at |!8,000. AVith the excep- 
tion of that summer they have lost only three horses 
in all the time they have been importing. In 1880, 
their import.ations consisted of twenty head, which 
is about the average of the number they annually 
import and keep on hand in their stables. Mr. 
Stubblefield spent one summer in Oregon and 
C.alifornia in coiuiectit)n with his business ami their 
horses are now sent all through the Western 
States. 

Mr. .Stubblefield, besides his large investment in 
the business which occupies the most of his time and 
attention, is the possessor of 020 acres of valuable 
land in Missouri, .<ind has an interest in the jewelry 
firm of Walker ife Stubblefield of Bloomington. He 



1- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1139 



ranks among the leading business men of McLean 
County and in all respects is a fair re[)rcsentative 
of the family which is so widely and favorably 
known thoughout the State. Politically our sub- 
ject affiliates with the Republican party, and socially 
belongs to the I. O. (). F., the Modern Woodman 
of America and the Improved Order of Red Men. 



^4 



Y—T 






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|]AMES B. RUTLEDOE, dealer iu groceries 
on Main and Colman streets, Heyworth, is 
the son of Thomas O. and Cynthia A. Rut- 
(^^// ledge, a sketch of whom is also given in this 
work, and was born on his father's old homestead 
iu Randolph Township, Aug. 5, 1845. He remained 
on the farm until he was twenty-three years old, 
pursuing his studies in the common schools and at 
the Normal University. He was married in Wood- 
ford County, Dee. 30, 1868, to Miss Willie Sma- 
ding, daughter of Frederick and Christina Smading, 
natives of Germany, who descended from pure 
German ancestry. Her parents were reared and mar- 
ried-in their native land and there six children were 
born to them, Mrs. Rutledge of this notice be- 
ing one of twins. She was eighteen months old 
when her parents with their family emigrated to 
the United States and settled near Eureka, Wood- 
ford County, where the father successfully engaged 
in farming and where he now lives at the advanced 
age of ninety-three years. The mother died there 
in September, 1873. There also Mrs. R. grew to 
womanhood and was educated. 

After his marriage in 18G8 Mr. Rutledge began 
to cultivate and improve a farm, which he had 
previously purchased on section 3G, then compris- 
ing ninety-five acres. He has since added to the 
tract until he is now the owner of 170 acres of 
valuable land, which is supplied with good frame 
buildings. Mr. Rutledge was extensivel}- engaged 
in farming and stock-raising there until he embarked 
in the grocery business in 1874. He lirst started 
in company with William W. Elder, and has 
since successfully represented this department of 
trade at Hej' worth. They began business on the 
first Monday in January, 1874, under the firm name 

4* 



of Elder & Rutleilgc. The partnership existed until 
1878, when they dissolved, and the stock became 
the property of Mr. Robb. It was subsequently 
purchased by Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Battershell, 
who operated together until 1881 and then, owing 
to the death of Mr. B., Mr. Rutledge became sole 
proprietor, and has conducted the business alone 
since that time. Besides his finely improved farm, 
which is worked by a tenant, he is also the owner 
of some valuable town property. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge have one child, Lyman 
T., who was born April 5, 1872. He has an excel- 
lent education obtained by a thorough course of 
study in the schools of Heyworth. Mr. and Mrs. 
R. are connected with the Presbyterian Church. 
In politics the former subscribes himself .as a 
" thoroughbred Democrat." 



,^ARCELLUS SYPULT. an enterpiising 
l\\ y*^""g farmer of West Township, is a na- 
l^ tive of AVest Virginia, born in Monongalia 
County, March 3, 1 85.0. His father, .Jesse 
Sypult, a native of the same State and of French 
ancestry, was taken by his ])arents when a young 
child to Virginia, where he was reared to manhood, 
and married Miss Amelia A. Rogers, a native of the 
Old Dominion. lie purchased a tract of land in 
Monongalia County, and lived there until the fall 
of 1863. The mother had died .July 28, 185'J. In 
the year first mentioned, Jesse Sypult removed to 
Illinois, first locating in Woodford County, and 
thence, in 1866, came to this county and [jurchased 
land on section 23, West Township. The journey 
from Woodford Ct)nnty was made overland with 
three wagons. At Bloomington he unloaded some 
of his goods, which he exchanged for lumber, and 
after arriving in West Township, put up a tempor- 
ary shanty in which the family lived until a more 
substantial dwelling could be erected. They oc- 
cupied this place until 1876, when the father sold 
•out and purchased 160 acres of land iu Ford Coun- 
ty. After four years he sold that farm likewise and 
removed to Buena Vista County, Iowa, where he 
pureh.aseil a tract of land which he cultivated and 
improved until his death, which took place in March, 



^ 



t 



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1140 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



188;!. Ill' li;ul thus oihmu'iI up lour (Urfcrciit farms 
in throi' Stales. 'I'lie one in \'iiginia he cleared 
from the wilderness and erected a log house where 
the yi>ung peo[)le lirst set up housekeeping. 

Mr. Sypult was Kepulilican in politics and a 
stanch Union man during the war. Although not 
going into active service in the Held he did what he 
could by his voice and inlluence at home, and was 
Captain of a company of minute men in Vjiginia. 
He was strictly temperate in his habits, and although 
suffering for a long (jcriod from ill-health, was never 
heard to complain, but bore his allliction with man- 
ly fortitude. Religiously, he was connected for 
many years with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The parental family included six children by the 
first marriage and three by the second, our subject 
being the fifth child of the lirst. 

Mr. Sypult was but eight years old when he came 
to Illinois with his parents, and three years later lo- 
cated in West Township, of which he has been a 
resident since that time. He was reared on a farm 
until eighteen years old, then bought his time and 
rented land of his father two years. He then pur- 
chased eighty acres of the old homestead, which he 
lias occupied since that time. He was married, Dec. 
2 1, 1874, to Miss Anna Johnson, who was born in 
Clark Count}', Ind., Jan. 4, 1857. Mrs. S. is the 
daughter of Jacob Johnson, of Ohit), who removed 
after his marriage to Indiana and from there to this 
State in about I.SGO. Nine years later he returned 
to Indiana, and in 1871 came back to Illinois, set- 
tling in I'.rown County, where he remained until his 
removal to Fairbury, Livingston County, where he 
still lives. He was married in early life to Miss 
Mary A. Neal, who was born in Ohio, and was the 
daughter of Rev. James Neal, a minister in the 
Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Sypult have three 
children living — William Rolla, Clyde Delbertand 
I'iarncst Edward. Arthur B., twin brother of Ear- 
nest, died when seven months old. Our subject was 
a i)rominent member of the IMethodist Episcopal 
Church, and in politics is a straight Republican. 

\Vhen the iiarents of our subject first removed to 
Illinois, they found themselves in a wild country 
wiiere but few settlers had made a claim. Deer 
roamed at will over the prairie and other wild game 
was i)lenty. The father of our subject possessed 



remarkable energy and resolution, and t'ontiibutcd 
his full sliare toward tlie d(ivelo|)ment and |)rogress 
of the dilferent localities where he at times made 
his home. The son possesses in a marked degree 
those elements of character which have made all 
the family' of that name good citizens and worthy 
members of the community. He is yet a young 
man, but bids fair to take a prominent i^osition in 
the business and agricultural community, because 
he is industrious, enterprising, and willing to do his 
share in the busy world. 




EN. JOHN MrNULTY, senior meinl)cr of 
the law firm of McNulty & Weldon of 
^^^ijl liloomington, is a native of New York City 
and was born Nov. 9, 1837. He remained under 
the home roof until reaching manhood, in the mean- 
time receiving his education at a private 
school in his native cit}'. In 1857 he drifted 
West to Bhiomington. and subseipiently com- 
inenced reading law with the firm of Sweet & Orme, 
prominent attorneys of the city. About the time 
he had completed his studies tlie breaking out of the 
late Civil War materially altered his plans for the 
future. 

In April, I SGI, (tch. INIcNultj' enlisted in a New 
York cavalry company, of which he was made 
Captain, .and served in that capacity until July, 
18(;2, under Gen. Grant, who was at that time 
Colonel of a regiment. After serving with distinc- 
tion he was i)romoted, Aug. 20, 1862, Lieutenant 
Colonel of the !)4th Infantry, and became Brigadier 
General in 18G5. He suffered with his command 
bravely and faithfully tlie vicissitudes of war and 
.'it its close was mustered out, in the fallof 18G5. 

After his retirement from the army Gen. Mc- 
Nulty returned to Bloomington. He became 
prominent in the political affairs of this county, and 
in 1872 was elected State Senator. He served four 
years, which included five sessions of the Legisla- 
ture, and, still advancing on the road to honor, was 
made a member of the Eorty-third Congress. 

General McNulty served as Master in Chancery 
in tills county for a period of six years, which posi- 



* 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



t 



1141 



t 



tion he resigned in the summer of 1885, having 
been appointed Receiver of the Toledo & Cleveland 
Railroad. He is now President of the National 
Mutual Accident Association of Bloomiiigton, serv- 
ing also as attorney for the same. He at present 
spends a goodly portion of his time in Chicago, hav- 
ing been appointed Receiver of tiie Wal)ash Rail- 
road Company, and having headquarters in that 
cit}'. In the various positions of trust and re- 
sponsibility to which he has been called he has dis- 
tinguished himself as a man of more than ordinary 
ability, with a clear head for business and a keen 
sense of honor and }irinciple. He has been con- 
nected with many important enterprises and always 
lends his influence and more substantial aid to what- 
ever project is calculated to advance the progress 
and prosperity of one of the most wealthy counties 
of the Prairie State. 

General McNulty was married, July 15, 18G2, 
to Miss Laura, daughter of Robert Felton, Esq., of 
Litchfield, Conn. Of this union there have been born 
three children — Herbert, Robert and Donald. 

eHARLES S. .TONES, of the firm of C. Wake- 
field & Co., of Bloomington, is engaged in 
the manufacture of the Wakefield Family 
Medicines, which have gained so wide a celebrity in 
the United States. Our subject ranks among the pio- 
neer settlers of the State, having come here when a 
boy ten years of age from Madison County, N. Y., 
where he was born May 30, 1833. He is the son 
of .Tames and Julia (Dunham) Jones, natives of the 
same county and State as aljove mentioned. James 
Jones, in early life, was a manufacturer of boots 
and shoes in Madison County, and removed thence 
to Illinois and settled on a farm four miles west of 
Bloomington, in 1843. Subsequently he located in 
Twin G rove, and died the following year ; the mother 
had died in 1841, l)efore the removal West, in 
Madison, N. Y. Both parents were members of 
the Baptist Church, and James Jones in early man- 
hood served as a soldier in the War of 1S12. The 
p.arental household included four children : Will- 
iam B. resides .at I-Cxcelsior, Minn., where he lo- 
cated in 1854, and is engaged in general merehan- 
4* 



dising; Warren L. is a druggist of Atlanta, 111.; 
Charles S., our subject, and M.ary E., Mrs. Page, 
of Minneapolis, Minn. 

The subject of this biography, after the death of 
his father, went to live with an uncle, Oliver Pease, 
at Twin Grove, and worked ou the farm with him 
until he was fourteen years old. Then, preferring 
to go elsewhere, he started out to seek his fortune. 
The first day he walked twenty-five miles across 
the prairie, and the second day, after proceeding 
ten miles, he secured work on a farm at 110 a 
month, which was the first money he ever received 
as wages. He was subsequently employed in the 
harvest field at |1 per day and the following win- 
ter he stopped with Jacob Brining, in Logan C'oun- 
ty, and worked for his board. He passed the fol- 
lowing summer at the same place and the next 
spring commenced breaking prairie with five j'^oko 
of oxen and was thus employed until he had turned 
over the sod on 125 acres. In the fall of 1851 he 
returned to Twin Grove, where he attended school 
and worked nights and mornings for his board, and 
was similarly employed until 1853, when, in the 
spring of that year, he came to Bloomington and 
engage<l to learn the drug business with James E. 
I'arke. Six months afterward Mr. Parke died, and 
the store being sold young Jones accepted a clerk- 
ship in the post-ofliee where he was occupied for 
six months and then became mail agent between 
Bloomington and Chicago. 

In the spring of 1854 Mr. Jones resumed his ex- 
perience in the drug business under the instruction 
of Drs. Wakefield and Thompson, and on the 1st 
of January, 1857, purchased the interest of the for- 
juer and the firm became R. Thompson & Co. 
This relation continued until September, 18(14, 
when Mr. Jones disposed of his interest to Dr. J. M. 
Major, and going to Chicago became traveling sales- 
m.an for the firm of Fuller, F"inch & Fuller, being- 
promoted to head .salesman, and continued in that 
position until March, 1871. Mr. Jones then, in 
company with a partner, engaged as a wholesale 
dealer in druggists' sundries, operating under the 
style of Jones & Torrey. This firm continued its 
transactions until the Chicago fire, in October of 
that year, when their entire stock was destroyed, 
and from an insurance of $57,000 the}' only re- 



'i 






A 



1142 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



i 



alizcd 111,000. Mr. Jones tliun left Chicago, ami 
returning to Bloomington became associated witli 
his old employer, C. AVakelield, and under the firm 
name of C. Wakefield & Co., has continued the 
manufacture of the medicines. The firm gives em- 
ployment to forty hands and keeps four men on 
the road. 

Charles S. Jones and Miss Martha Richardson 
were united in marriage on the 6th of November, 
Isr.C), at the home of the bride's parents in Water- 
town, N. Y. Mrs. Jones was born on the 3d 
of March, 183.">, in Watertown, and is the daughter 
of Josiah and Cynthia (Tolman) Richardson, na- 
tives respectively of Sterling, Mass., and Nelson, 
N. II. The marriage of Mrs. Jones' i)arents oc- 
curred at Watertown, and they trace their ances- 
tors to stanch old families of Scotch and English 
origin. Josiah Richardson removed from Massa- 
chusetts to "Watertown, N. V., in 180;5, when at 
the age of nineteen years, he having been born in 
1784. His wife was his junior by one ye.ar. After 
removing to New York State he was engaged in 
.agricultural pursuits until liis death, which occurred 
in 18.')!. Mrs. Richardson survived her husband 
until ls70, when she too passed to the land of the 
hereafter. Of their ten children seven are now 
living; Charles, and Jidiet, now Mrs. Dodge, are 
residents of Watertown, N. Y. ; Harriet is the wife 
i>f Dr. Wakefield, the partner of our subject; Cyn- 
thia, now i\[rs. Robert Thompsi)n; Josiah, Mary, 
Mrs. Orrin Waters, and Martha, Mrs. Jones, all 
live iu Bloomington. Mr. Jones is Republican in 
politics and socially is identified with the A. O. U. 
W. His pleasant and comfortable home is located 
at No. ,')14 East Dougl.as street, where, in 1872, he 
erectc(l a fine residence at a cost of $7,000. 



^'^AiMES HEAOLER. On section 29, Martin 
Township, is located one of the finest home- 
steads inj,his section of country. It is the 
home of the subject of this sketch, and he 
has occujiied it since 18;"(7. He has made great 
improvements since taking possessitm of it and has 
built u)) for himself an cuviablc reputation as an 



honest man and a good citizen. James Heagler is 
a native of the wealthy and populous State of 
Ohio, born in the town of Washington Court House, 
Fayette County, on the 29th of February, 1827. 

The grandfather of our subject, George Heagler, 
a native of Virginia, removed to Ohio iu the pio- 
neer days, becoming a resident of Fayette County 
in 1814. His death occurred while on a visit to 
Lancaster, that State. His son, Zebedee W., the 
father of our subject, married Miss Rosanna Grove, 
who was of Holland descent but born in Pennsyl- 
vania, and reared principally in Hagerstown, Md. 
After their marriage the young people located at 
Washington Court House, Faj'ette Co., Ohio, where 
the mother died in 1863. The father is still living, 
having arrived at the advanced age of eightj'-four 
jears. He served as Count}' Treasurer in Faj'ette 
County, first by appointment and then by election 
under a Whig administration, beginning in 1837 
and serving continuously for a period of fourteen 
years. Subsequently he was elected Recorder, and 
has been Justice of the Peace for a long period, 
and Mayor of AVashington when it was first incor- 
porated as a city. Their family consisted of two 
sons and one daughter — James, Ellis II. and Elvira 
Rose. The latter became the wife of Mortimer 
Collier. 

James Heagler was the eldest of his parents' 
children, and passed his childhood and youth in his 
native town, receiving a fair education in the com- 
mon schools. He remained with his parents until 
his twenty-third year, when he was married to 
Miss Samantha J., daughter of James and Eliza 
Poi)e (Dawson) HenUm. After their marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. H. settled in W.ashington Court House, 
where they remained five years, whence tlie.y re- 
moved in 1855 to this count}', and took up their 
abode in Padua Township. From there they re- 
moved in the spring of 1857 to their present farm 
in Martin Township. It was then but an unculti- 
vated prairie, but James Heagler was possessed of 
a good stock of cour.age and resolution, and began 
his farming operations with the intention to succeed. 
In this he has realized his expectations and has now 
120 acres of valuable land under a fine state of culti- 
vation. Upon it he has erected a comfortable ami 
substantial residence, a good Imru ami all other 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1143 



buildiugs required by the intelligent .ind prt)grcs- 
sive farmer. He has been a man of note in his 
township since coming here, and has distingnished 
himself as a .Jeffersoniau Democrat of the old 
school. 

Mr. and Mrs. Heagler, of this notice, have be- 
came the parents of seven children, five sons and 
two daughters, of whom the record is as follows: 
Alphonso died when eighteen years of age; Frank 
H. and Charles A. arc residents of Martin Town- 
ship; Eliza R. became the wife of William McClure, 
and is living in Nebraska; Alice L., Jane C, Rob- 
ert Lee and Harry are at home, the latter attending 
school. Our subject is not a member of any 
church, but lives a pure life and enjoys the friend- 
ship and societ}' of the best people of Martin 
'I'ownshiu. 



R. T. F. WORRELL, one of the skillful 
and experienced physicians of Blooming- 
ton, and holding a high position botli so- 
cially' and professionally, is a native of 
North Carolina and son of Rev. Thomas and Sus.an 
(KUis) Worrell, natives of Granville County, N. 
C. The father of our subject received a fine edu- 
cation at the Academj' at Petersburg, \'a., and in 
about IJSIO entered the Methodist ministry', while 
at the same time being engaged as Principal of an 
academy for a number of years. The parents were 
married in 1807, and had a family of ten children, 
seven of whom lived to mature years, four being 
now deceased. Dr. T. F. of <jur sketch was born 
in 1821; Rev. Wesley W., in 1822, and is now a 
resident of Mayfield, Ky. ; fSusan J., born in 182.3, 
married Thomas Hutchinson of Bloomington. Rev. 
Thomas Worrell departed this life in 1838; the 
mother had preceded him to the better land in 
1825. 

The subject of this biography pursued his pri- 
mary studies in the common schools. At the age 
of eighteen he entered Stewai't College at Clarks- 
ville, Tenn., and pursued a course of instruction 
there for six months, and afterward attended a 
private classical academy in Christian County, Ky. 
In the meantime he had charge of a classic 




school for three years, during which time he im- 
proved the oportunity to read medicine, and after- 
ward entered the Medical Department of the Uni- 
versity of Louisville, from which he graduated in 
the spring of 1845. He commenced the practice 
of medicine in Trigg County, Ky., whence, in the 
fall of 1850, he came to Blooniington, where he fol- 
lowed his pr.aetice continually until the present, but 
is now gradually withdrawing from its more active 
duties. 

Dr. Worrell has liuilt up for himself an enviable 
reputation for skill and fidelity to the interests of 
his patients, and is held in high esteem by the pro- 
fession as well as the citizens of this locality. He 
belongs to the Illinois Medical Society, of which he 
has been President, and is connected with the 
National, and the McLean County Medical Societies, 
of which latter lie was President two years. He is 
also a member of the Illinois Central District So- 
ciety, and for several 3'ears has been Medical 
Director of the Bloomington Alntual Life Associa- 
tion. He is connected with the Board of Pension 
Ex.aminers of this district, and has been identified 
with all measures tending to the elevation of the 
profession in McLean County. He has also been 
largely connected with other interests in this portion 
of the Slate, having been one of the original stock- 
holders of the McLean County Coal Company, its 
President for twelve years and since its organiza- 
tion one of its Directors. In 1854, he w.as elected 
Alderman and politically is a stanch supporter of 
the Democratic party. Socially he belongs to 
Bloomington Lodge, A. F. & A. M., being one of 
the oldest members now living. 

Dr. Worrell was married on the 8th of Seji- 
tember. 1841, to Miss Catharine A. Ewing, a native 
of Christian County, Ky., and daughter of Nathaniel 
and Sophia (Wallace) Ewing, of Iredell County, N. 

C. They have no children of their own but several 
years ago adopted two, one of whom, William W. 
Stephenson, is a brother of the First Assistant Post- 
master General, A E. Stephenson, of Washington, 

D. C, and is Assistant Superintendent and a stock- 
holder of the Bloomington Coal Mines. He became 
an inmate of the famil}- of our subject at the age of 
ten years and was given the advantages of a fair 
education. After .arriving at years of manhood he 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



iiiarrii'd Miss Catharine Williams, a native of 
Christian County, Ky., and the daughter of M. U. 
Williams. They have become the parents of live 
children — Charles, James, William. Henry and Ida. 
The second child of adoption was Ida Harwood 
who, at tlie age of sixteen months, was taken into 
the lK)iis('linld and received parental care and train- 
ing. 

Dr. Worrell has accumulated a comfortable prop- 
erty, his present home being located at the cor- 
ner of Albert and Olive streets. He built the 
house in 1<S.t1, hauling the lumber from Pekin, 111., 
forty-five miles, over the prairie. It is the abode 
of comfort and cultivated tastes and forms one of 
tlu> landm.irks in the development of the city. 

The business ofllce of Dr. W^orrell is in the Royce 
Block, at the intersection of Main and Front streets. 
lie is now in his si.xtj-seventh year, and still re- 
tains his physicial and mental powers unimpaired, 
except a recent atllietiou which will soon terminate. 
The Doctor is a friend of (^very human being of his 
ac(|M;iint!ince and is not aware of a living enemy. 



^^jKOR(iK W. PARKE, a retired merchant of 
[l| g=p liloomington, owns and occupies a hand- 
^^jjj some residence at the corner of North and 
Lee streets, where he is enjoying his later days in 
ease and comfort, surrouiubMl b^y the friends whom 
his life of virtue and rectitude long ago attached 
to him. Mr. I'arke h.as been a native of the Prairie 
.State since 18;!7. He was born near Parkesburg, 
Chester Co., P.a., on the 29th of April, LSI. 5, his 
parents being (George W., .Sr., and Mary (Fleming) 
Parke, natives of the same county and State as 
their son. 

Our suliject's paternal grandfather was Joseph 
Parke and his grandfather on his mother's side 
w:u< Jolin Fleming, also of Chester County, Pa. 
Both families descended from the Scotch-Irish, and 
were among the early pioneers of Pennsylvania, 
the ti>wn where our subject was born taking its 
name from the first representatives of the Parke 
family in that State. This town was then the 
terminus of the Pennsylvania State Railroad, which 
afterward extended to H.arrislmrg. 'I'his road ran 



out from Philadelphia to Petrolia, twenty miles 
distant, the cars to this point being propelled by 
horse power and afterward supplied with steam. 

'I'he Parke family were mostly agriculturists and 
all well-to-do. They raised large families and 
trained their children to habits of industry, and to 
principles of honor and strict integrity. The par- 
ental household of our subject included seven 
children, three only now living. The families on 
both sides were Presbyterians, and almost without 
exception spent their entire lives in Pennsj-lvania. 

George W. Parke spent his childhood and youth 
upon the farm and when sixteen years of age en- 
gaged as clerk in a store at Coatcsville. He then 
attended Moscow Academy for two years. In 1836 
he left his native town and went to Pittsburgh and 
soon afterward to Cincinnati, where he became em- 
ploj'ed as freight clerk on a steamer bound for 
New Orleans. After one winter thus occupied he 
returned to the old homestead, where he remained 
until the following year and then came to the 
Prairie State. He first stopped at Metamora, Wood- 
ford County, and in company with friends laid out 
a town which was first called Hanover, but subse- 
quently changed to Metamora and there the county 
seat was established. He remained there until 1840, 
and then returned with his brother, John F., to 
Pennsylvania. There he entered into partnership 
with Joseph Stott and was occupied in general 
merchandising for one year. He then went to 
Philadelphia, where he engaged as clerk in a whole- 
.s.ale dry-goods store for a year, then purchasing a 
gcner.al stock of goods he shipped them to Illinois 
and set up a store in Metamora, which he operated 
for two 3'ears. Part of his goods were sold on 
credit, but he was successful in making his collec- 
tions and enjoyed a good profit from his trade. 

In 184,5 Mr. Parke sold out in Metamora and 
went to Bloom ington in company' with two biothers, 
John F. and Samuel S., and they put up a three- 
story brick building on North Center street for the 
purpose of manufacturing furniture, and two years 
later tin- building was destroyed by fire. The 
brothers p.artially rebuilt and continued their busi- 
ness, and soon afterward erected the first three- 
story brick building in the city on Center street, 
on the west side of the square, and in this carried 



4 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1147 



, 1 r 

I 



on the grocery trade, their store being the first of 
its Ivind in Bloomington. In about 1.S4.S they dis- 
solved partnership. George W. took the store and 
his brothers continued the manufactorj' until they 
sold to its present prf>iirietors, Haj'cs and Evans. 
Our subject continued his grocery trade for nearly 
four years, then sold out and purchased the nortli- 
west corner of the bloclc now occupied by H. H. 
Green as a drug and jewelry store. After Mr. Parke 
abandoned merchandising he engaged in real-estate 
business and purchased the forty-acre addition 
laid out b}' Perry in 1865, and west of the C. & A. 
R. R. shops. He also laid out thirty acres east of 
tlie ccmetei-y whicli is called the G. W. Parke 
Addition. 

It will tluis be seen that Mr. Parlve, from the 
time of his arrival here, has been intimately identi- 
fied with the business and industrial interests of 
Bloomington. He was one of the projectors of the. 
People's Bank, was its first President and held the of- 
fice until failing health compelled him to abandon it. 
He was Alderman of the Second Ward for a num- 
ber of years and always took an active interest in 
every measure calculated to advance the interests 
of his adopted county and city. 

Mr. Parlve built his present residence in 1 870, 
and has within the last three years put np two 
tenement houses adjoining. He still remains con- 
nected with the People's Bank as a stockholder. He 
has been the cheerful and liberal supporter of 
everj-thing tending toward the intellectual and 
moral advancement of the city, and a law-abiding 
and peaceable citizen who has performed all his 
ol)ligations in a faithful and creditable manner. 

Our subject w.is married on New Year's Day, 
1857, to Miss Rebecca A., daughter of John and 
Rebecca (Hilyard) Rodgers, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and New .lersey, respectively. Mrs. Parke 
was born at Valley Forge, Pa., in 1828, and was 
the youngest of her parents' family, there having 
been seven children, five now living. Mr. and 
Mrs. Parke have only one child, a daughter, and 
now the wife of Theodore Braley, one of the edi- 
tors of the Bulletin. 

Mr. Parke politicall}' attiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party and uniformly easts his vote in sup- 
port of its principles. 




p^^ETER WHITMER, President of the Peo- 
ple's Bank of Bloomington, and a citizen 
held in the highest esteem by the pcojjle of 
McLean County, is a native of Franklin 
County, Pa., and was born Feb. 22, 1828. He is 
the son of Peter and Mary (Hess) Whitmer, also 
natives of the Keystone State. His father was ex- 
tensively engaged in farming pursuits. The latter 
w.as born in 1777, and died in the same house 
which witnessed his birth, his decease taking place 
in 1852. The mother, who was born in 1785, had 
preceded her husband to the better land, she dying 
in 1844. They had a family of nine children, only 
four of whom are living, viz: Catharine, Mrs. 
George Grove, of Sterling, 111. ; Mary, Mrs. Chris- 
tian Royer, of Franklin County, Pa. ; Peter, our 
subject, and Rev. A. C, a minister of the Reformed 
Church, of Lancaster, Pa. 

The father of our subject occupied the farm of 
his father, also Peter Whitmer, who purchased it 
of John, Thomas and Richard Penn, the sons of 
William Penn. Originall3^, the Whitmers were of 
German birth and parentage, the early ancestors of 
our subject settling in Lancaster County, Pa., and 
all engaging in agricultural pursnits. 

Peter Whitmer spent the most of his time on his 
father's farm until he was sixteen years old, re- 
ceiving his education in the district school. He 
then left the parental roof and went to Chambers- 
burg, where he served an apprenticeship of five 
years at saddlery and harness-making. In 1 849 he 
set out on a tour through the Western States, con- 
tinuing his travels until the spring of 1852. He 
then located at Bloomington, and formed a part- 
nership with M. L. Moore, with whom he continued 
in the saddlery and harness business for two j'ears 
following, when he sold out to his partner and en- 
gaged in the grocery trade on Center street, in 
companj' with Messrs. Parke and Hoopes, under 
the firm name of Parke, Whitmer & Hoopes. They 
operated together for three years and then our sub- 
ject disposed of his interest in the business and en- 
gaged in the lumber trade, having one office on the 
East and one on the West Side. 

Mr. Whitmer continued his successful operations 
in this line for a period of seventeen years, when 
he practically aitandoned it. During this time. 



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1148 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



however, he had distinguislied liiiiiself as a inaii of 
tlie strictest integrity, and the people vvlio had 
Icnown him so long and well singled him out as one 
of the few wlio could be depended upon to look 
after their concerns and |)reserve their interests. 
In 1875 he was elected President of tlie People's 
Bank, which position lie has held since that time. 
He was also elected President of the Chair Factory, 
which position he retained from its commencement 
in 1873 until its abandonnu'nl in 188.5, when it 
was merged into the Walton Plow Factory. iVIr. 
Whitmer is a stockholder and Director of that 
company, and also has an interest in the Stove 
Works, lie has been pnmiinently identified with 
the affairs of liis city and township for many years, 
and materially assisted in building up a community 
noted for its intelligence and progress. He was 
Alderman of tlie Second Ward in 1 807-68, Super- 
visor of Bloomingtoii Township for ten j'ears, and 
has been President of the Northwestern Benevo- 
lent Aid Society for the past four years. He has 
been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1849. Re- 
publican principles receive his heartiest support, 
and tiie Christian Churcli, of which he is a v.alned 
member, represents his religious belief. 

The marriage of Peter Whitmer and Miss Lucy 
McDonald took place in 18;)5, in Bloomington, 111. 
Mrs. W. is the daughter of John and Lucy (McCoy) 
McDonald, of Kentucky, and was born in Win- 
chester, that State. Her parents' family consisted 
of seven children, live now living: Harriet, Mrs. 
Rodgers, resides in Boone Count}', JIo. ; Mary, 
Mrs. Harding, of Westchester, Ky.; Margaret, ]Mrs. 
Patten, is in Illinois, and .Mildred is JMrs. Brigham; 
the wife of onr subject was the third child of the 
family. John .McDonald removed from Kentucky 
to McLean County in 1852, and engaged in farm- 
ing pursuits, which he continued until his decease 
in 1881 ; the mother died in Kentucky. 

Mr. and Mrs. Whitmer have a family of six chil- 
dren: Jlary became the wife of Dr. Hooper, and 
resides in Hutchinson. Kan.; they have three chil- 
dren — Bertha, Lucy and Flsie; Olie married J. O. 
Wilson, teller in the People's Bank at Bloomington; 
the next were Charles, Ida, Ira S. and LeRo}' G. 
The latter two have lieen students of Eureka Col- 
lege, Kureka, 111. The residence of our subject is 




located at No. 924 'West Front street, where Mr. 
Whitmer and his family are enjoying all the com- 
forts of life and many of its luxuries. 

As a man, citizen, husband, father and friend, 
the life of Peter Whitmer has rounded into perfect 
manhood. Whether in jirivate or public life he is 
the same courteous, Christian gentleman, with the 
air and m.-uiner which at once impress the stran- 
ger with his true character. When, in connection 
with his daily walk in life, there is voluntarily 
given the testimony of those who have been inti- 
mately associated with him for years, there is little 
for the biographer to add, anil in placing his por- 
trait among those of other honored men of McLean 
County, we are jireserving to posterity the features 
of one of the best men of this generation. 

-mm- — *^^^ 

ON. ISAAC FUNK, deceased, and the first 
representative of that well-known family in 
this locality, was born November 17, 171)7, 
m Clark County, Ky. His grandfather, 
Adam Funk, immigrated from Germany at an early 
day and became the f.ather of a family among whom 
was Ailam, tlu^ fathei' of our subject. He was 
reared in Virginia, was married to Miss Sarah 
Moon;, also of German extraction, and became 
one of the proiniiient men of the Old Dominion. 
He moved to Kentucky, and in 1807 to Fayette 
County, Ohio. The family included nine children, 
six sons .and three daughters. Isaac received a 
common-school education; w.as reared to habits of 
industry and worked as a farm hand after he be- 
came of .age. In 1823 he started with his brother, 
Absalom, to visit the Prairie State. Thej' were 
attracted to a spot which is now Funk's Grove, 
where tliej' entered a tract of l:ind, and soon com- 
menced to break the soil and to buy and sell cattle. 
In due time the father joined his children, but 
lived only a few years afterward, his death occur- 
ring in 1832. The mother h;id died in Ohio, in 
about 1822. 

Isaac and Abs.alom Funk entered claims to a 
la 
ous 
should 



arge extent of land, and set themselves industri- I 
)usly to work to earn money to pay for it when it ! 
should come into market. They ojierated iu liar- T 



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1149 



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nmny, niid eoiitiiuied Jjuj'iiig :ind selling stock of 
.all kinds until 1840, when they dissolved. They 
had pr.ieticed the strictest economy .ind each work- 
ing moment was employed at something useful. 
The people of the present dtiy, who enjoy the use 
of modern inventions and conveniences, can. in no 
manner realize the hardships to which the early 
settlers were subjected. For the first seven years 
after his arrival here, Isaac Funk did not own a 
w.agon, but carried his corn to mill to Springfield, 
fifty miles away, on the b.acks of horses. Wlu^n a 
plow required sh.arpening or repairing, he loaded it 
on the b.ack of a horse to have it conveyed to and 
from the blacksmith-shop, and one time conveyed 
a barrel for sauer kraut in the same manner ten 
miles to his home. Nothing seemed too gre.at for 
him to undertake, and he was in the main remark- 
ably successful, seldom having to abandon a proj- 
ect which he had in view. 

When he found that the means would justify 
the step, Mr. Funk took unto himself a partner and 
helpmeet in the person of Miss Cassandra Sharp, 
of Peoria, their wedding occurring in June, 182G. 
Mrs. F. was born in Baltimore, Md., and was well 
fitted by disposition and training to be the com- 
panion of such a man as our subject. She was 
possessed of practical good sense and sterling 
worth of character, and was the faithful encourager 
and assistant of Isaac Funk during those days when 
the struggle was to "keep his head above water." 
The father of Mrs. F. emigrated to Ohio when she 
was a child three years old. They remained there 
thirteen years, then came to Illinois, and her mar- 
riage occurred when she was twenty- four. Of this 
union there were born ten children, and those now 
living are numbered among the substantial people 
of McLean County. 

The industry, energy and intelligence of Isaac 
Funk soon received a suitable recognition, and he 
became prominent in his community, and in 1840, 
he was elected to the Legislature on the ^V'hig 
ticket, and in 18G2 to the Senate to fill the nnex- 
l)ired term of Gen. Oglesby, who had taken his 
sword and placed himself at the head of an Illinois 
regiment. Mr. Funk was re-elected, and remained 
a member of the General Assembly. until his death, 
lie was an uncompromising Union man, and a ter- 



ror to traitors and secessionists. His whole course 
through life was one amply worthy of imitation by 
those who can but peruse his history with thought- 
fulness and admiration. 

Isaac Funk dcp.arted this life in Bloomington, 
Sunday morning, Jan. 29, 1865, and four hours 
later, Mrs. Funk closed her eyes to earthly scenes. 
The funeral services of this honored pioneer and 
his devoted wife were perhaps the most impressive 
ever held in this county. 

Mr. Funk at his death was worth .about s|!2,000,- 
000, which included 20,000 acres of land. All this 
was left to his children without will, and the family 
settled up the estate without the aid of an admin- 
istrator, but all within themselves b}' quit-claiming 
to each other. 



^AMES H. TILGHMAN, deceased, w.as the 
husband of Mrs. Caroline Tilghm.an, who is 
comfortably located on a good farm of 120 
acres in Randolph Township, on section 14. 
The proiierty of Mrs. T. is well improved with a 
good set of frame buildings, and she has occupied 
it since 1849. She has conducted the affairs of her 
homestead for the last nine years in a creditable 
and successful manner and is a lady of more than 
ordinary business ability. She was born in Monroe 
County, Va., Dec. 7, 1826, being the daughter of 
William and Nancy (Goar) McDaniel, both also 
natives of the Old Dominion. Her father was of 
Scotch-Irish and her mother of German descent. 
After marriage they located upon a farm in West 
Virginia where they remained until after the birth of 
all their children, Mrs. T. being the youngest in the 
family. She was only nine years old when her par- 
ents removed to Boone County, Ind., where they 
impiovod a farm, established a comfortable home 
and remained until the close of their lives. Both 
lived to an advanced age. The father, in politics, 
was strongly Democratic and both were members 
of the Christian Church. Mr. McDaniel has been 
Probate Judge and Justice of the Peace for many 
years in Virginia and .advanced the freedom of the 
slaves by purchase from their owners. He had a 
presentiment th.at the existence of the peculiar in- 
stitution was of short duration, as has since been 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



4 



proved. William McDaniel was a soldier in the 

War of 1812, and held :i Caiitain's eonimisKion. 

Mrs. Tilghmaii reinaiiu'd witli licr parents, assist- 
ing in the dnties around tlie liome and obtaining 
her edncation in tlic pnhjic schools. On the 12th of 
August, 1847, she was united in marriage with 
William Tolbert <jf IJoone Count3-, Ind., where he 
was born in 1821), and r(!ari'd of American parents. 
His father, Klias Tolliert, was born in New Jersey 
and w;is of New England ancestry and parentage, 
lie came West, and locating in Boone County, Ind., 
diedtliereat the advanced age of eiglity-two 3'ears. 
lie married Miss Sarali Robuison, who is yet living 
near Tlioriiton, Ind., and is about seventy-six 
years old. Mr. and Mrs. Tolbtnt located in Indiana 
after their marriage and remained there until after 
the birtli of their second child. They then re- 
moved to McLean C<nnity, 111., and located in Ran- 
dolph Townsliip, where Mr. Tolbert de|)arted this 
life Ai)ril 20, 18.58. lie was successful in his busi- 
ness pursuits, a Democrat in politics, and reiigionsl}' 
adhered to the doctrines of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. Of this marriage there were born six 
childien, of whom four are deceased, viz., Nancy, 
Henjaniin F., William and Newton J. The latter 
nnirried Miss Sallie Marker, now also deceased; 
they left two children. Those surviving are: Mil- 
ton, who married Miss Alice; Cook, of Downs Town- 
.shi|), and is engaged in fjirming; and Henry, who 
married .Miss Minerva Thompson, and is carrying 
on .agriculture succc^ssfully in Dickinson County, 
Kan. 

Mis. Tolbert was married to .lames H. Tilghman 
M.ay 20, 1 KO.'i, and they became the parents of two 
children, Arthur E. and Charles N., who are both 
on the homestead with their mother. 



'*''VV *^<ilJ2£/©^^^| 



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lELIAM \y. IIA.MMOND, of WestTown- 
V/aV// *'''!'• f"i""' lo this count}^ in the spring of 
W% 18.'),'), and seven years later commenced 
farming on his own account. In 1807 he removed 
to the homestead which he now occupies and which 
comprises a qu.arter .section of land, finely- culti- 
, vated and improved. He has a good farm resi- 
dence with barns to correspond, and all other nec- 



essary appurtenances of the intelligent and pro 
gressive agriculturist. 

Mr. Hammond was born in Staleybridge, Lanca- 
shire, England, April 2, 1839. His father, William 
Hammond, was a native of the same shire, where 
he was reared and learned the trade of a black- 
smith. He followed this in his native country un- 
til 18-11, and then, accompanied by his wife and six 
children, started for the United States. After ar- 
riving here he first located in Trenton, N. J., 
where he followed his tr.ade until 1857, then came 
Westward to Illinois, and purchasing a tract of 
land in Empire Township, this county, engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. In 18()P) lie sold this prop- 
erty, and returning to Trenton, N. J., spent the 
remainder of his life there, dying on the l.'Jth of 
Octolier, 1807. His wife, the mother of our sub- 
ject, was formerly .Miss Elizabeth .Shaw, also a na- 
tive of Lancashire. She survived her husband 
until Oct. 12, 187.5. her death also occurring in 
Trenton, N. J. Of their children the record is 
as follows: Thomas served as a soldier during 
the late w.ar, in Co. (i, 'J-lth 111. Vol. Inf., an<l after 
returning from the army located in Trenton, N. .1., 
vi'hcre he died in .hmuary, 1885; Martha married 
George W. Lnnuing, and S.arah A. became the wife 
of Joseph Y. Lanning, both living in Trentun; 
John died there when four years of age; William 
W., of our sketch, was the fifth child; .Tames H. 
lives in Trenton ; .lames and Henry (twins) died 
in infancy. 

The subject of this history was but two years 
old when he accomjianied his parents to America. 
He lived with them in Trenton until sixteen years 
of .age, in the meantime securing a good comuKin- 
sehool education. After coming to this county he 
Labored industriously and honestly, and soon gained 
the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. 
His present po.sscssions are the result of his own 
energy and industry, and he is numbered among 
the substantial and reliable citizens of West Town- 
ship. 

Mif. H.ammond was married, Dec. 1>, 1801, to 
Miss Catherine liishop, who was born in Empire 
Township, this county, Apiil 1. 1842, being the 
daughter of INIahlon and Catherine Bishop [see 
sketch]. Of this union there have been six chil- 



I 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1151 



,t 



} 



flreii : Ida married Thomas J. Rutledge, and lives 
in West Township ; James Walter, Charles B., Eliz- 
abeth C. and Oral Mildred are at home with their 
parents; William Malon, the fiflli ehild, died when 
seven mouths old. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are 
consistent members of Mt. Olive Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and our subject, politicall}-, is an 
uncompromising Democrat. He has held the vari- 
ous offices of his township, and is a gentleman 
highl3' respected for his sterling worth, and takes 
an active interest in everything pertaining to the 
welfare of his county and eommunitj-. 

,>P^KORGE STEPHENSON. The subject of 
this brief history is a carpenter and joiner, 
and a skilled mechanic, whose work attests 
the thoroughness with which ho has learned his 
trade. He is at present a resident of Normal and 
has been in McLean County since the spring of 
l.SIJt). He W.1S born in Jefferson County, Ohio, 
Nov. 8, 1838. His father, John Stephenson, lived 
and died in Bowling Green, Jetferson Co., Ohio, 
and was also a skillful caj'pentor. The family is of 
Irish ancestry, and represented by many descend- 
ants in the United States. The mother of our sub- 
ject, formerl}' Miss Julia Anderson, was for many 
years a resident of Bowling Green, and died there 
in 186(;, several years before the death of her hus- 
band. 

The boyhood and j'outh of our subject were 
passed under the parental roof, and he learned the 
carpenter's trade under the instruction of his fa- 
ther. When twenty-one years of age he set out on 
his own account as a journeyman, and followed his 
trade in his native State for several years. He 
afterward went to Pennsylvania, and during the 
latter [lart of the war, with others set. out for the 
West, finally landing in the Hawkeye State. He 
visited some of its principal cities and worked at 
his trade there until 18GG, when he recrossed the 
Father of Waters, and came back East as far as 
McLean County, locating in Hey worth and follow- 
ing his trade. That same year he was united in 
marriage with Miss Sarah Maria Vanordstrand, who 
was a native of Washington County, Pa., born 
M* • 



Sept. 12, 1848. (^For parental history see sketch 
of Isaac Vanordstrand.) 

Mrs. Stephenson was reared in her native county 
until seventeen years of age. attending the com- 
mon schools. She then came to Illinois with her 
parents, and afterward attended a select school at 
Heyworth, and was engaged in teaching for a short 
time previous to her marriage. They located at 
Heyworth after marriage, and resided there until 
the latter part of 1886, Mr. Stephenson pursuing 
his trade, and his wife faithfully devoting her time 
and euei-gies to the duties of the household, and 
the rearing of their five children. Of these the 
record is as follows: Nannie J. is attending the 
Normal University, and preparing herself for a 
teacher; she is a bright, independent and sjjirited 
young lady, and great things are expected of her 
in the future. Oakley V., Charles A., Anna M. 
and William M. commenced their education in the 
schools of Heyworth, but will probably finish them 
at Normal. 

J\Ir. and Mrs. S. have greatly interested them- 
selves in the education of their children, and in 
training them to lives of honor and virtue. Both 
are members of the Presbyterian Church, and 
greatly esteemed in the communit3^ Our subject 
is a man of strong views, and politically casts his 
vote in support of the principles of the Democratic 
party. 

ylLLIAM YOUNG. Much attention is 
given to stock-raising by the farmers of 
McLean County, and a gentleman who is 
eminently successful in this industry, as well as 
an influential and prosperous farmer, is William 
Young, of Padua Township. He owns and oc- 
cupies a beautiful homestead of 37;') acres, upon 
which is erected a modern farm residence, good 
barns and other out-buildings, which we take pleas- 
ure in showing in a view given in this volume. 
Mr. Young has brought his land to a high state of 
cultivation, all the buildings are kept in good re- 
pair, and altogether the homestead presents one of 
the most attractive spots within the boun<huv of 
McLean County. 

Mr. Young was born in Darke County, Ohio, ' 



i 



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1152 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




i 



Jan. 10, 1843, being the son of Isaac Young, a na- 
tive of the same State and (leseeiKled from ex- 
cellent German ancestry. Our subject was the sec- 
ond child of a family of f(jiirsons, two of whom are 
deceased. Anderson, tlie eldest, is a successful far- 
mer and stock-raiser of .4rrowsmitli Township, 
this county, and married Miss Rachel Wampler; 
William w.as but a young child when, in .Tune, 1851. 
his parents started for Illinois. The}' lived one 
year in Bloomington Township, this county, and 
thence removed to Padua Township, where the 
father purchased 200 acres of land on section 21, 
which was the scene of his labors and is now the 
homestead of his son. Isaac Young was a ijian of 
great energy and force of character, and after com- 
ing to the West opened up a fine farm and estab- 
lished a comfortable home for his family. He de- 
parted this life in November, 185G. The mother 
was afterward married to William Harrison and 
lives in Padua Township. Her maiden name w.is 
Barbara Naggle, and she was born in Darke Coun- 
ty, Ohio. 

William Young lived at home until his father's 
death. He completed his education in Wesleyan 
University at Bloomington, having taken a three 
years' course of study. He afterw.ard eng.aged in 
teaching school, and after the outbreak of the late 
war responded with thousands of others to the sec- 
ond call f<ir trooi)S and enlisted in Co. H, G8th Illi- 
nois Infantry. He was in the service nine months 
without being in any active engagement with the 
enemy. After tlie expiration of his first term of 
enlistment, he again entered the ranks, becoming a 
member of Co. G, 14.5th Illinois Infantry, serving 
with the 100-day men, returning home after 
receiving his honorable discharge. He then went 
to Denver, Col., where he was engaged in prospect- 
ing. He then returned home, and w.as married, 
Jan. 27, 18()7, to Miss Adelaide, daughter of Will- 
iam and Mary J. (Dawson) Harrison. The parents 
of Mrs. Y. were natives respectively of Ohio and 
Illinois, the mother being born and reared in Mc- 
Lean County. She died in Padua Township in 
18G4, when about forty years of age. Mr. Harri- 
son was tiien married to Mrs. liarbara Young, the 
luniluM- of our subject. Mrs. Young of this sketch, 
thi! second daughter of her parents, was born in 




Padua Township, Dec. 10, 184r), ami after the di'ath 
of her mother, officiated as her father's house- 
keeper until her marriage. Of her union with our 
subject there were born seven children, of whom 
one. Mar}- E., died when about three years of age. 
Those living are Charles E., who is preparing him- 
self for a teacher; Dora, Etta A., Frank W., Grace 
J. and :Mattie L. 

Politically ^Mr. Young is a solid Democrat, and 
a more than ordinarily intelligent citizen, who 
has always taken a deep interest in the establish- 
ment and maintenance of the school sj'Stem. He 
h.as held some of the minor offices of his township, 
and is I'egarded with genuine esteem and con- 
fidence. 

^ ^^ ^ 



^^ATRICK \V. COLEMAN, of Bloomington 
,., Township, is one of the rising yoLuig far- 
mers of this section, and is the owner of 
fort}' acres of land on section lo, which Is 
all under a good state of cultivation and ^Melds its 
proprietor a handsome Income. 

Mr. Coleman w.as l)t>rn in the city of Blooming- 
ton, July 31, 18;")S, and is the son of John Coleman, 
who was of Irish descent and parentage, and liorn 
in the city of Cork, June 24, 1810. He emigrated 
to the United States while a young man. In 1846, 
before his marri.age, and settled In Tarrytown, N. 
Y., where he became connected with the Hudson 
River and New York A- Erie Railroads, .as foreman. 
He afterward became a foreman of the C. it A., 
and in the interest of that compan}' came to Illi- 
nois. For sixteen years he occupied the position 
of foreman, and was held in great favor by the offi- 
cials of the road. After coming to this part of 
Illinois he established a home for himself and fam- 
ily In Bloomington, wlicre he departed this life on 
the 6th of June, 1886. He was a remarkably 
strong man physically, and retained his eyesight 
perfectly until within a few weeks of his death, 
having been able to read without gl.asses. He was 
well Informed, and possessed a good knowledge of 
the current affairs of his country, both generally 
and politically. He remained a standi adherent of 
the Catholic faith of his fatiiers, and In politics 
was an active Dennicrat. It niav lie said that in 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1153 



every respect John Coleman was esteemed as one 
of the liest citizens of his community. He was 
kind .and generous in his disposition, always readj'' 
to lend a helping hand to those who needed, and 
was strictly upright and honoralile in his Inisiness 
transactions. His wife, the mother of our subject. 
before her marriage, was Miss Mary Jones, boin in 
Ireland in the same city as her husband, and came 
to the United States when a young woman. She 
was married to John Coleman in the State of New 
York, and came West with him in 18,51. She is 
now living with her son, our subject, .'ind is about 
sixty-seven years of age. She also, with her chil- 
dren, is a consistent member of the Roman Catho- 
lic Church. She became the mother of three chil- 
dren, one of whom, .lohn, died when eighteen 
mouths old; Mar_y A. resides with her brother, our 
subject. 

Patrick W. Coleman is considered one of the 
representative citizens of this locality, and none 
are held iu higher respect. He seems to have in- 
herited the excellent cpialities of his father before 
him, whose meraor)' he holds in that reverence 
which is due to so good a man and parent. In 
both religion and politics he follows in the foot- 
ste|)s of his sire, being connected with the Cath- 
olic Church and the Democratic party. 



-?3= 






■&- 



i 



lEORGE W. PAYNE, who is widely and fa- 
g— , vorably known throughout McLean County, 
^Jj^l and now one of the prominent citizens and 
business men of Delana, was born iu Bloomiugton, 
Monroe Co., Ind., Dec. 28, 1851. His father, 
James Franklin Payne, a native of the same town 
and county, was the son of Jacob P.ayne, of Vir- 
ginia, who emigrated from the Old Dominion to 
Indiana, and was amoug the earliest pioneers of 
Monroe County. He took up a tract of timlier 
land adjacent to the present citj' of Bloomingtou, 
and besides attending to the cultivation and im- 
])rovement of his farm, officiated as a local preacher 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a 
man of rare intelligence, great force of character, 
and represented his district in the State Senate. 
-^ 



He only lived to be fifty-one years of age, dying 
at his home near Uloomington about 18.53. 

His son James, the father of our subject, was 
reared to farming pursuits, and remained a resi- 
dent of his native county until 1854. He then re- 
moved with the family to Illinois, the journej' be- 
ing made overland with wagons. He purchased a 
tract of wild land at 12.50 per acre in Arrowsmith 
Township, this county, upon which he built a log 
house, iu which he lived four or five years, then 
removed to Iowa, remaining a resident of Warren 
County for two years. He then recrossed the Fa- 
ther of Waters, and returning to Arrowsmith 
Township, purch.ased the farm where he established 
a permanent homestead and has since lived. 

The mother of our subject, who before her mar- 
riage was Miss IMartha A. Gray, was also born in 
Bloomiugton, Ind., and by her union with James 
Franklin became the mother of seven children, of 
whom George W., our subject, w.as the eldest. Ho 
was but three years old when the fiunily came to 
this county, and was reared on the farm, receiving 
a fair education in the district schools. He lived 
at home with his parents until twenty-one years of 
age, and then engaged as clerk for J. R. Krum, 
grain dealer at Arrowsmith, with whom he re- 
mained six and one-half years, when he started in 
business for himself as a general dealer in grain 
and merchandise, and there formed the nucleus of 
his present extensive and lucrative trade. He be- 
came associated in partnership with Thomas C'larey 
under the firm name of Clarey & P.ayue, and they 
commenced operations with a capital of $1,500. 
The business of the firm now represents )S>oO,000. 
They own large tracts of land in I<.>wa, Nebraska 
and Kansas, their farm ne.ar Hastings being splen- 
didly improved and stocked with fine cattle. This 
is managed liy a brother of Mr. Payne, John W. 
In 1882 they started a branch at Delana, having 
bought out Mr. Snooks who had established the 
business at that place. Mr. Clarey manages the 
business at Arrowsmith, and Mr. Payne at Delana. 
In 1884 they disposed of the mercantile depart- 
ment, and have since confined their oi)erations to 
grain and coal. 

Mr. Payne was married, Jan. 5, 1873, to Miss 
Marie E. Clarey, who was born in Lincolnshire, 
•►- 






A , 1154 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




1^ 



Eugluiid, and is the daiiglilur of Thomas Jy. and 
Elizabeth Clare}'. Of this uiiiun there have been 
born two children — Stella 10. and Rinnie ('. Mr. 
I'ayne is Republican in politics, and has served as 
a member of the Board of Supervisors from AVest 
Township, also as Assessor. lie is a member of 
Undine Lodge No. 570, I. (). (_). F., of Arrowsmith. 
In this he has filled the various oflices, and for two 
3ears represented the lodge in the (irand Gun vo- 
cation at Chicago and Springfield. 

\*=*. AVID II.; McFARLAND. physician and 
surgeon, is .one of, the oldest and best- 
^«yK^ known practitioners in the southern part 
of McLean Count}-, and has. followed his 
prof ession_since^l 862. ^ He came^to this^ county 
from Indiana, and at once .secured the good will of 
thc.community by his close attention to business, 
his studious habits and his evident knowledge of 
hisprofessional duties. 

I)r._McFarland is ajiative'of Pennsylvania, be- 
ing born in the village _ of iMercersburg, in what 
was then Bedford, but now Fulton County, Oct. 
IG, 1831. _j[His father, Joseph^ McFarland, was a 
native of ithe same State, and occupied in both farm- 
ing and merchandising. _, Joseph McFarland de- 
scended from excellent .Scottish ancestry, aud in 
early life was nuirried to Miss Nancy Humphre3rs, 
also. born in Pennsylvania, and whose^ancestors 
were likewise from Scotland. The. parents of our 
subject remained in Pennsylvania until after the 
birth of all their ciiildren, removiug^to Indiana iu 
1848. There the father died, in Clinton County, 
and the mother in Jefferson County. Their five 
children are all living, three of them in Illinois, one 
in Pennsylvania, and all married. Mary ,)., after 
the death of her first husband, married Milton Mc- 
Corkel, who is also deceased; she lives in Hey- 
worth; James C, also of that village, was Clerk of 
the Circuit Court for eight years; Rowauna became 
the wifeiof Moses Scott, of MonongahelaCity, Pa. ; 
Martha, the widow of John Dunn, resides in Han- 
over, Jefferson Co., Ind. 

The subject of this history attended the common 
'"cliools of his native State and afterward graduated 
-4* • 



from tiie [Me]Kuatory de[)artment of Marshall Col- 
lege. He was eighteen years of age when his par- 
ents removed to Indiana, and soon afterward com- 
menced the stud.y of medicine under tlie instruction 
of Drs. Dunn, Carter & B^'ers, of Frankford. He 
afterward turned his attention to a collegiate edu- 
cation in surgery and medicine at Rush Medical 
College, Chicago, whence he graduated in 18G9. 
He had, however, been engaged in practice. 

Dr. McFarland came to Ileyworth aud opened 
an office in 18tJ2. Shortly afterward he began to 
make purchases of land, and is now the owner of 
325 acres on sections 'J aud 11, in Randolph Town- 
ship, the cultivation ot which he superintends and 
from which he derives a handsome income. 

Dr. McFarland was married in Clinton Count}', 
Ind., June 22, 1S5!», to Miss M. E. Dunn, who was 
born in the county nameil, and was a popular 
teacher of music there, both before and since her 
marriage. She is the daughter of J. H. Dunn, for- 
merly a promineut farmer of Indiana, but now de- 
ceased. They have no children. Both our sub- 
ject and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church, and in politics the Doctor casts his vote iu 
support of the principles of the Republican I'arty. 
He has been a close student and an extensive read- 
er, aud not only h.is an excellent knowledge of his 
professional duties and agricultural pursuits, but 
possesses a fund of general information which con- 
stitutes him a fine conversationalist and a useful 
member of the community. 



\tSt. AVID W. STANGER. The subject of 
the following sketch is one of the enter- 
prising citizens of Arrowsmith Township, 
and occupies a fine homestead on section 
14. He became a resident of the Prairie State in 
1849, locating at once in McLean County, where 
he was employed as a farm laborer at $12 per 
month. After seven months thus occupied he en- 
gaged in feeding cattle by the month, which he 
varied by splitting rails, for which he received all 
the way from 37^ to 75 cents per hundred. After- 
ward he was engaged in a sawmill. He lived eco- 
noniicall.v and saved his earnings, and iji due time 




■•►-■-4» 



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.t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1155 



I 

-I 



established ;i business for himself, and was the (irst 
man who shipped cattle from this locality to Chi- 
cago. This "shipping" was first done by driving 
the animals, and one herd he transiKutcd in tliis 
manner, in 1852, to Cadiz, Ohio, making the return 
trip on horseback. The following year he pur- 
chased 1{jO acres of land, whicii constitutes his 
present homestead. He is now considered one of 
the best swine growers in this township. To this 
department of farming he has given much atten- 
tion, and from it has realized quite a little fortune. 

In»lS5'J, having become infected with the Cali- 
f(jrnia gold fever, he started for the Pacific Slope, 
and remained a resident of that region for a period 
of sixteen years, engaged alternately in farming 
and mining, which yielded him a handsome income 
which, however, went as easy as it came. He made 
the trip there by a steamer via Panama, but in 
1875 returned by rail. He speaks of the climate 
of California as charming, but all things taken to- 
gether thinks Illinois is about as good a State as 
one can find. While in the farther West, Mr. 
Stanger went into Oregon and remained three 
months hunting among the Cascade Mountains, and 
afterward making a short stay at the city of Salem. 

Mr. Stanger was born in Monroe Count}', Ind., 
Oct. 13, 1828, and is the son of John and Katie 
(Brownlow) Stanger — his mother having been a 
full cousin of Parson Brownlow, of Tennessee, the 
famous Union man, editor, orator, and preacher of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The parents of 
our subject were natives of Virginia. John Stan- 
ger was born in April, 1799, and removed to Indi- 
ana in early manhood, where he first carried on the 
trade of a tanner, but afterward engaged in farm- 
ing. He departed this life Oct. 14, 1884. The 
mother of our subject died in early life, in 1828. 
Of this first marriage there were born — Mar\', S^d- 
vester and Strother (twins), John E., James H., 
and David, of our sketch. The second wife of 
John Stanger was formerly Miss Ann Thomas, and 
of their marriage there were born nine children, 
namely, Catherine, Lorenzo D., Jacob, Margaret, 
Tillma, Dorothy A., Ephraim, Tliomas and Withe. 

The marriage of onr subject with Miss Nancy M. 
Duke occurred Feb. 18, 1877, at Mr. Stanger's res- 
idence. Mrs. S. was born in Clark Count}', Ky., 



■<^ 



Sept. 10, 1h4(>, and was the daughter of Joel ami 
Mary (Trowbridge) Duke, both natives of the lilue 
Grass State, and descended from excellent Dutch 
and Welsh ancestry. Joel Duke was born in 17.S9, 
followed the occupation of a blacksmith the greater 
part of his life, and died in 1849, in Owen County, 
K}'. Ilis wife, Mary, wiis born in 1799, and sur- 
vived her husband about sixteen years, her death 
occurring in 1805. Of their ten children, two died 
in infancy. The remainder were William M., Silas 
P., James IL, Martha A., Amanda, Nannie, Sarah 
E. and .lulia F., all now deceased except the four 
3'onngest. The parents of these children were con- 
nected with the Christian Cliurch for over twent}' 
years, and their offspring have religiously followed 
in their footsteps, all, including Mrs. Stanger, be- 
ing members of th.at church. Joel Duke with sev- 
eral of his sons became connected with the Masonic 
fraternity many years ago, the latter of whom at 
their death were buried with the honors of that 
order. Mr. Stanger in early life was a Democrat, 
but later considered that he had reason to change 
his political views, and he is now a stanch support- 
er of Iiei)ublican principles. A fine view of his 
residence is shown elsewhere in this volume. 



ylLLIAM H. HOSELTON, one of the 
prominent and enterprising farmers of An- 
chor Township, has been a resident of this 
State since a boy of fourteen years old. He was 
born in Holmes Count3\ Ohio, May 1, 1843, and is 
the son of John Hoselton, of Virginia. His mother, 
formerly Miss Nanc}- Dalbc}', was a native of Penu- 
sylvania. The parents were married in Ohio and 
resided in that State until 1857, when they came 
to this county, and are now living on a farm in 
Normal Township. Of their five sons and two 
daughters, William H. was the oldest. Much of 
the land was uncultivated and at that time prairie 
fires were numerous, and our subject relates a thrill- 
ing incident of his own experience, when the fire 
threatened his father's property, and he used up all 
his clothes excepting his underwear to fight it 
with. In so doing he caught a severe cold. The 
next morning he mounted a horse which was kept 



i 



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1156 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



V 



in the st:il)le, for llic purposes of going after tliose 
that were turned out to graze at night, and in driv- 
ing theui lionie the iiorse lie was riding got into a 
fight with one that lie was driving, and in the alter- 
cation he was iiieived on the iieel. This, together 
vvitli the excitement he had undergone, caused iu- 
fhininiation to such an exteiit that tiie doctor decided 
to amputate ids foot. His father, however, was 
decidedly opposed to this and it was not done, but 
for several years inir subject was oliliged to walk 
on crutches. He gradually recovered the use of his 
foot, however, ;uid is now enaliled to get around 
like other men. 

William Iloselton was reared on his father's farm, 
pursued his first studies in the district scliools and 
later attended the Illinois State University- at Nor- 
mal two years. During tliis time and subsequently 
he taught school for nine winters successively, as- 
sisting his fatlier in Ihi' farm work during tlie sum- 
mer. Aug. 1'.), l.sT.'i, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Anna Hutchison, wiio was born in Belmont 
County, Oiiio, .hily H). l.s,v;,aud was the daughter 
of .lames and l'.aliislieba (Foreman) Hutchison. 
The day after their marri.age the young couple lo- 
cated upon the larm wliieii they now occupy, and 
which Mr. H. liad previously purchased. This was 
in almost its original condition when he took pos- 
session of it, l)ut he entered industriously upon its 
cultivation and improvement, and has now a snug 
farm homestead of eighty- acres, very fertile, and 
adapted to the growth of grain and all other i)rod- 
uets common to this section. The farm buildings 
are tasteful and sul)Stantial and Mr. and Mrs. H. 
are greatii' enjoying the home whicli they have 
l^uilt up by years of industrious toil and economy. 
Their |K)ssessioiis are the result of their own efforts, 
and their homestead is unincumbered. 

.Mr. Hosellon lias given much attention to stock- 
raising of late years, and ftlrs. H. presides over a 
line dairy. In the space of fourteen years they 
liave opened up and improved tiieir snug little farm, 
which is all well drained and enclosed with good 
fencing. They became the parents of two children, 
(mc of wliom died in infancy: Ada Ella, born 
Sept. 7, I^Tii, is a bright and interesting child and 
the light of llie household. Mr. Iloselton is Re- 
publican in polities and although repeatedly so- 
4* 



f 



licited by his friends to liocome a candidate for 
some 'local ofllce, has no aspiration in that direction, 
but siinplj' contents himself by casting his vote in 
support of that body. Unsolicited Mr. II. w'as 
elected to the office of School Trustee at the last 
spring election, which oflice he is filling to the satis- 
faction of all. He has never been connected with 
any secret or religious society, but is a strong friend 
of temperance and interested in the success of the 
Prohibition jiarty. 

A lithographic view of Mr. Hoselton's liandsoine 
residence is shown on another page. 

--^ ^-^ "^ 



W;ILLIAM P.EELER, of Dale Towiisiiip. is a 
native of the Blue Grass State, having 
^ ^ been born in Elkhorn County, Ky., Feb. H, 
1822. He is the son of William Beeler, born Sept. 
6, 17!)(), in the same county. The grandfatlier of 
our subject, Samuel Beeler, was a native of \'ir- 
ginia, and of German descent. He served as a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. After the close 
of the war he removed to Kentucky, being a pio- 
neer settler of tiiat region. He was a great hunter 
and possessed rare skill in the use of the rifle. At 
one time, during the Indian troubles, himself and 
two companions went on a hunting expedition after 
buffalo and deer. Mr. Beeler killed a buffalo and 
three doc deer. While engaged in skinning one of 
them he heard a disturbance in the bushes and upon 
looking up saw ;i luau who proved to be an Indian 
looking from Iieliind the tree. Mr. B. seized his 
gun and started, and after him also started six In- 
dians, who fired at him as they ran. He stubbed 
his toe and fell and tlie Indians gave a whoop of 
triumph. They did not rejoice very long in their 
victor}', however, for lie sprung up and being very 
fleet of foot soon distanced his j)ursuers with the 
exception of one, whom he shot dead as he turned 
around. After some difliculty he found the camp 
of his companions and after all the party had come 
in they "pulled up stakes'" and returned home. 

In 180G .Samuel Beeler removed with his family 

to Hamilton County, Ohio. Six years later the 

War of 1812 was in progress, and Samuel Beeler, 

shouldering liis musket, once more .started out for 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1157 






the scoic of coiiUict.. He was as brave a soldier as 
he was a pioneer settler and after the battle of 
Tippecanoe, during which he had distinguished 
himself, he was i)roraoted Colonel of the regiment. 
When i)eace had been declared Mr. Bceler returned 
to his home, and subsequently came to Illinois and 
spent the last j-ears of his life in this county. 

William Reeler, the father of our subject, was 
but ten 3'ears old when his father removed from 
Virginia to Kentuck}'. He grew to manhood in 
Hamilton County. Va., and after going to Ken- 
tucky was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hall, 
w-ho died in the latter State in 182-t. Shortly after- 
ward Mr. B. went to Ohio, and was there subse- 
quently married to Miss Elizabeth Sheley. In the 
fall of 1830 he started for Illinois with iiis family, 
making the trip overland with an outfit of three 
yoke of oxen and one wagon. His father. Col. 
Bceler, .accom[)anied him with a horse and carriage 
and he liad two or thi'ee men to look after the 
teams. Mr. Bceler had previously visited the State 
and purchased a claim on section 3, Dale Township, 
where he lived until his death. He was a man of 
many excellent traits of char.acter. straightforward 
and upright in his dealings. 

William Becler was but two years old when he 
was deprived, by death, of the tender and affec- 
tionate care of his mother. Shortly after this sad 
event his father removed to Ohio, where he resided 
until 1830, and then came to McLean County, 111. 
When William Beeler was eighteen years of age he 
went with his Uncle Henry to Chicago, each hav- 
ing charge of a team of horses and a wagon loaded 
with apples to sell. After the}' had disposed of 
their produce they purchased a quantity of fine salt 
at $2J)0 per barrel, and taking it home, sold it at 
100 per cent profit. After this young Beeler 
made several trips to the great cit}'. 

William Beeler remained an inmate of his father's 
home until his marriage. In 18;j() he commenced 
the improvements on his present farm, which is lo- 
cated on sections 9, 10 and 13, of Dale Township. 
His first marriage occurred on the 'i.^th of July, 
1844, the maiden of his choice being Miss Catha- 
rine Lay ton, who died the 8th of April, 1 862. Their 
children were as follows: William H. died in in- 
fancy; Harriett A., now Mrs. Westmoreland; Sarah 



J., Mrs. Fryc; Mary E., !Mrs. Banner; John D.,and 
Alfaretta, who also married a Mr. P^ye; Daniel M, 
Stephen A. and Juliet, deceased. 

The second marriage of Mr. Beeler occurred 
Jan. 1 1, 18GS, and he "vas then married to Miss ^lary 
A. H. O'Neall, who was born in Greene County, 
Ind., in 183'). She was the daughter of Car}' and 
Louisa (Boyd) O'Neall. Her paternal grandfather. 
John O'Neall, was a native of South Carolina, and 
her maternal grandfather was Hon. Drnry Boyd, 
c>f Georgia, who removed thence to Kentucky and 
later to Indiana, and became a pioneer settler of 
Greene Count}'. He 'w.as prominently connected 
with public affairs, and served two terms as a Mem- 
ber of Congress. 

The second marriage of Mr. Beeler has been 
blest by the birth of six children: Arthur, born 
Oct. 11, 18(38. died July 27, 187.5, and an infant 
unnamed; Elzada F., born April 30, 1.S7I ; Silas C, 
Jan. 12, 1873; George Samuel, born Aug. 14, 1874, 
died Sept. 5, 187."), and Walter C, born March 23, 
1876. The subject of our sketch, with his family, 
occupies a comfortable homestead comprising 200 
acres. The family are well and favoralily known 
throughout McLean County, and arc held in the 
highest respect by their friends and associates. 
They attend the Christian Church, and iu politics 
Mr. Beeler is a Democrat. 



^1^ EZEKIAH HORNEY, a well-known and re- 
spected citizen, as well as a progressive and 
successful f.arraor and stock-raiser of Le.x- 
t)) ingtiin Township, has for the last eighteen 
years been quite extensively occupied in theln'ccd- 
ing of Norman horses. Mr. Horney was born near 
Jeffersonville, Fayette Co., Ohio, July 3, 182(1. 
His father, Daniel Horney, was born in North 
Carolina, whence he accompanied his parents to 
Ohio at an early day and settled with them in 
(ireene County. Our subject's grandfather, Will- 
iam Horney, was of English extraction, and his son 
Daniel, our subject's father, was a soldier in the 
War of 1812. Daniel Homey and Margaret Cala- 
way were united in marriage in Ohio. She was 




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1158 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



^~ 



horn in Maryhiud ;iiiil uns tlu' (l;uighter of John 
C'nlaw.'iy, wlio nioveil Ironi that .State to Ohio in 
an caily <lav. 

Of tlio union of l);iuicl llorncyand Miss Cala- 
way tiie f(jliowing childiun were born: Sarah, iin- 
inaiiied ; Jolui nianicd Nancy Chancy ; Anna was 
niaii-ied to IiciKIl Ciianoy; Mary is tlic wife of 
Harrison .Janes; .lanies married ElizaljcLh Fuel; 
Margaret died wiien eleven years old; Daniel; 
.lob; Hczei<i:di; \\illiani; Paris was a Captain in 
the late Civil War, and was taken )Misoner and 
confined at Andersonville and actmdly starved to 
death in that foulest of foul prisons; David G. and 
(jiie other died in infancy. The mother of these 
ehildren died in August, 18o5. The father died 
in the winter of KSGG, having attained the vener- 
able age of eighty years. 

Ilezekiah lloruey passed his boyhood days on 
his father's farm in Fayette County, Ohio, and 
attended the pioneer schools where he received his 
education. He remained with tiie old folk until 
he had attained his majority, and when he was 
twenty-three years old he was married to Miss 
.Small .J. (!aff, daughter of David M. and Hannah 
(Mock) (iaff. of Greene County, Ohio, and in 
which county Miss Gaff was born. Her father was 
a native of Pennsylvania and was of Irish descent. 
After marriage Mr. Horney locat(;d in Fayette 
County, Oiiio, where he lived until the fall of 
18.53. He then came to this county with his family 
and first settled in Blue Mound Township, living 
thereuntil 18(;."i; he then removed to his present 
farm on section 21), Lexington Township. The 
farm contains "278 acres of valuable and jjroductive 
land and is under good cultivation. 

In 18t)G Mr. Horney began the breeding t>f Nor- 
man horses and h.is met with success in that under- 
taking, raising some of the finest animals in the 
county. He h.as taken the lirst premium at tlie .St. 
Louis Fair and also the sweep stake at the Illinois 
.State Fair. He has at tiie present writing thirty- 
one head of horses of this breed and has done 
much toward the introduction of this noble breed 
of horses throughout the county and State. He has 
dispo.sed of some of his horses of hi.s own raising 
for as high as §!)00. 

Mr. and Mrs. Horney have h;id five children. 
^» 




Melissa C. is the wife of William Craggett, of 
Lexington; Morgan .M. w;is united in m.arriage 
with Miss Kmnia Brooks; Emma .1. married C. W. 
Heller; I'Mward C. married Macy Craggett, and 
.James P. and Minnie Shelley became man and 
wife. Mr. Horney served as Road Commissioner 
of Lexington Township for about ten years. He 
has likewise held the olHee of School Trustee. In 
polities he is a stanch Republican. A fine litho- 
graphie view <>{ the residence of Mr. Horney and 
some of his line stock is shown on another page 
of this work. 

D. HARTSOiS', a, representative eiti/en of 
Bloomington, was born in Randol[)li, Mc- 
Lean County, Nov. 16, 1836. His parents 
were James and Martha (Carr) Hartson, natives 
respectively of Hamilton County, N. Y., and Wal- 
pole, Mass. James Hartson, when twenty-two years 
of age, came West and settled in AVaynesville, 111., 
where, in 1827, he opened the first store in De 
Witt County. Eight years later he removed to 
Randolph Township, McLean County, and pur- 
chasing a tract of unimproved land from the Gov- 
ernment, opened up a f.irm which he occupied un- 
til his death iu 1840. This was occasioned by a 
fall from a horse. The wife and mother died that 
s.ame year. Of this family thei-e were only two 
children and the subject of our sketch is the only 
one now living. Hi' was but four years old when 
he was left an orphan and went to liye with his 
grandfather. Dr. Ciirr. The latter was one of the 
oldest settlers of .McLean County, coming here in 
1825. Young Hartson remained with his grand- 
father until he was twenty-three years old and was 
then, in 1859, married to Miss I<;iizabeth Mormon, 
of Ohio. After this marriage he returned to the 
homestead in Rjindolph Township, which had been 
the iiome of his father and mother, and which he 
occupied for two years. He then traded the farm 
for another, three miles further West, upon which 
he engaged principidly in stock-raising. Here he 
gave his attention to the breeding of high-grade 
Durham cattle and Norman and Clydesdale horses. 
l'"rom there he renuiviHl to Bloomington, and since 

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McLean county. 



1159 



that time has been engaged with tiie pork-packing' 
company of that city. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hartson became the parents of five 
children, of whom tiie record is as follows: Martha, 
Mrs. Douglas Kust, has three children — Kmer_v A., 
Ethel and William — and they live in Ida County, 
Jowa, where Mr. K. is engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits. The other children at home are: William 
H., Annie M., Sarah and Thomas .). Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Hartson departed this life in liSTO, and for 
his second wife Mr. II., in 187.5, married Miss 
Sarah Richardson, of Illinois. This iady died in 1 879. 

On the .5th of October. 1881, our subject was 
united in marriage with Miss Clara Bunn. Mrs. II. 
is a native of Tazewell County, 111., and the daugh- 
ter of James C. and Amanda (Smith) liunn, n.a- 
tives respectively of Ohio and Kentucky. Mr. B. 
came to Illinois in about 1840, and settled in 
Washington, Tazewell County, where he engaged 
as a contr.actor and builder. Thence, in 1882, he re- 
moved to Peoria and still follows his former business. 
llis family included six children, viz., Clara, Mrs. 
Hartson; Gaines W., Dora, Edgar, Forrest and 
Hattie. 

Politically Mr. Hartson is a stanch adherent of 
the Democratic party. Religiously he is a member 
of the Christian Church, and socially, a K. of P. 
He is a straightforward l)usiness man, a worthy 
citizen, and enjoys in a marked degree the esteem 
of his fellow-citizens. 

^^ ^-^ ^ 




ENRY BUTLER, a resident of Cheney's 
Grcve Township, and one of her wide-awake 
and prominent citizens, owns and occupies 
a good homestead on section ;!, where he 
is devoting his attention to farming and stock- 
raising. He has been a resident of the Prairie 
State since 1856, and occupied his present farm 
since the fall of 1874. He has distinguished him- 
self as a thorough business man and a good citizen, 
and has contributed his full cpiota towar<l the de- 
velopment and progress of his township. 

Mr. Butler was born in Lexington, (ireene Co., 
N. v., Dec. 16, 1833. and is the son of .lonatlian 
and Lovina (Schemnierhorn) liutler, natives of 



the same county. Jonathan Butler was born in 
1806, followed the trade of a carpenter an<l mill- 
wright and also carried on farming, and departed 
this life at his homestead in 1882. He was Demo- 
cratic in polities, and with his wife closely adhered 
to the doctrines of tiie C)ld-School Baptist Church. 
The mother of our subject was born in 1808, and 
died in New York State in 1871. The nine chil- 
dren were as follows: Charles, the eldest, was mar- 
ried and lives in California; Darwin went to Cali- 
fornia in 1849, where he still lives; Henry, of our 
sketch, was the third son; Rensselear married Miss 
Catherine Kord and settled on the old homestead ; 
Annetta, Mi-s. Henry Lasher, lives in New York; 
Sarah became the wife of James Phelps, and lives 
in Washington. D. C; Mr. Phelps is the foreign 
correspondent at Washington; Louisa, Mrs. Hiram 
Angle, lives in Hunter, N. Y. ; Eugenia married 
Richard Cox, of England, and they are living in 
Denver, Col.; Flora married Phillip Turner, of 
Brooklyn, N. V. 

After coming into this State Mr. Butler located 
first in Tonica, La Salle County, where he re- 
mained until March, 1874. In the meantime he 
had been united in marri.age with Miss Augusta E. 
Th(.inipson, on the 8th of February, 1861. Mrs. 
Thompson was born in New York, July 18, 1843. 
She is the daughter of Nathan and Ann Eliza (Pet- 
itt) Thompson, and her mother was the daughter 
of Rev. Petitt, of the Old-School Baptist Church, 
wh(_) preached in one parish for a period of fifty- 
two years. There were only two chidren in Na- 
than Thompson's family, Mrs Butler and her 
brothel' James E., who married Miss Margaret SLel- 
ton, a native of Ohio, and now lives in Gibson 
City, this State. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. liutler, eight in num- 
ber, are Mellia C, Alvero E., Charles F., Annetta, 
Gussie H., Ida M., Hugh .and Bessie Leon.a. Mel- 
lia C. became the wife of Wallace Zook, now de- 
ceased ; she has one child, a son, F'rank, and they 
reside in Winfield, Kan. After coming to this 
county Mr. Butler first purchased 160 acres of land, 
to which he has since added eighty more, and 
in addition to general agriculture is engaged quite 
extensively in the breeding of fine stock. In this 
latter department he intends to increase his facili- 



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ICO 



McLean county. 



ties, tooether with the grade ami lucfd. lie lias 
some line roadsters of the Morgan stock. Mr. But- 
ler has been very sucee.ssful in raising hogs, and as 
a feeder and shipper has realized a fine income. 

Mr. Butler is Democratic in politics, and has held 
the various oflices of his township. Socially he be- 
longs to the K. of r. at Saybrook. Mrs. Butler is 
a memlier of the I'nited Brethren Church. 

The grandfather of Mrs. Butler, John Thomp- 
son, vv.'is born on the Atlantic Ocean while his par- 
ents were crossing from their native Ireland to the 
United States. lie descended from excellent an- 
cestr}', iiis forefathers having been large land-own- 
ers in Ireland. He settled in New York, where he 
liecanie prominent in public matters and w.as Jus- 
tice of the Peace for many years. 

The homestead of our subject is finely located 
and comprises, besides iiis fertile and valuable land, 
a good frame barn and all necessary out-buildings, 
a view of which is shown in this Ai.iu \i. Mr. B. 
and his family are surrounded by all the comforts 
of lif(?, and enjoy the esteem of all who know them. 



M. FUNK, President of the First National 
Bank of Bloomington, is a native of McLean 
County, and was born June 1, 1832. His 
parents were Isaac and Cassandra (Shai'p) 
Funk, natives respectivel}' of Kentucky and Mary- 
land. Isaac Funk, with iiis parents, Adam and 
Nancy (Moore) Funk, removed to Ohio when he 
was a ciiild three years of age, and located in Fay- 
ette County. Tlieie they engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, and became prominent and influen- 
tial citizens. Both were of German ancestry, 
whose families settled in Pennsylvania, where 
Adam and Nane3' Funk were born. Their son Isaac, 
wiio was born Nov. 17, 17'.I7, was reared on the 
farm, received a limited education in the pioneer 
schools, and remained in Ohio until the fall of 
1823. He then turned his face toward tlie prairies of 
Illinois, and located in what subsequently became 
Funk's drove Township, in McLean County, ar- 
riving here on the 1.5th of Ma^', 1824. He was ac- 
coin))anied by his brotlicr Absalom, who was ten 
years his senior, and Willi.im BincU. There were 







only a few settlers in this county at the time, and 
facilities for boarding were extremely limited. 
These pioneers, being single men, joined together 
and put uj) a small log house in the edge of the 
grove, which latter contained about 2,000 acres of 
heavy timber, i)rincipally l)urr, red and white oak 
and black walnut. 

The two brothers took np a tract of land and 
jointly engaged in its improvement and cultiva- 
tation, working together until 1840, when Absalom, 
desiring to go to Chicago, sold his interest to Isaac, 
who then had 20,000 acres in one body. He also 
had 5,000 acres in the eastern part of the county 
and became the largest stock- grower in this sec- 
tion. 

In 182(1 Isaac Fimk was married, at Peoria, to 
Miss Cassandra Sharp, and they became the parents 
of ten children, nine of whom are still living: 
George W., who resides in Bloomington and is a 
Director of the First National Bank; Jacob, Presi- 
dent of the State National Bank of Bloomington, 
resides in Mt. Hope Township, where he superin- 
tends the ojjerations of his farm, a large part of 
which is devoted to the raising of fine stock ; our 
subject was the third son ; Lafaj'ette is a mem- 
ber of the Illinois Legislature from the 28th Sena- 
torial District; his home is in I^'unk's Grove Town- 
ship, where he has a farm devoted largely to stock- 
raising; Francis Marion, also a farmer and stock- 
raiser, is located in Bloomington Township; Ben- 
jamin F. resides in Bloomington, and is also pro- 
prietor of a fine farm and valuable stock; Absalom 
is a resident of lilooinington and engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising; Isaac has a fine farm estate 
in Fuidc's Grove Townshij); Sarah, Mrs. Keriek, is 
the wife of an extensive fainier and stock-raisei- of 
Funk's Grove Township. 

The parents of our subject died on the same day, 
Jan. 29. 180'), at the residence of their son D. M., 
aged sixty-seven and sixty-four years respectively, 
and were buried in one grave at Funk's Grove. 
Isaac Funk was a Representative to the General 
Assembly of Illinois in 1840, and Supervisor of his 
township for a number of 3'ears. He also was a 
Senatcn- in the State Legislature of the counties of 
McLean, De Witt. Jlacon and Piatt, being first 
<'lccti'<l to lill out llic iiiicNpired term of Kichard J. 



i 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



a 



1163 -k 



Oglesby who hud resignert to enter tlie ariiiy. Mr. 
Funk wns re-elected in 1802, as Senator, which po- 
sition lie occupied at the time of his death. Mr. 
and Mrs. F. were worthy ni.enihers of the Method- 
ist E])iscopal C'liurch, and tlie name of Isaac Funli 
became familiar throughout tlie State as the en- 
courager and supporter of every measure calcu- 
lated to advance the interests of this section so- 
cially, educationally, religiously' and politically. 

The subject of this hi.story was reai'ed to farm- 
ing pursuits, and received a |)ractical education in 
the pioneer schf)ols of McLean County. He re- 
mained under the parental roof until twenty-five 
years of age and then, coming to Bloom ington, en- 
gaged in the diy -goods trade witli William Temple 
for seven years. He then sold his interest to his 
partner and engaged in farming and stock-raising 
until 1873. From the first he displayed unusual 
business talent, and had made rapid strides in the 
confidence and respect of the citizens of the county. 
During the year last mentioned he was elected 
President of the First National Bank of Blooming- 
ton, which position he now Iiolds, and this l)ank, 
under his management, has become one of the solid 
institutions of the State. Besides other important 
trusts repo.sed in him he has been State Trustee for 
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Normal since 1877, 
and Supervisor of Bloomington Township since 
1874. He is a stockholder in the First National 
Bank of Shelbyville, III., and holds a like interest 
in the Gas Company, and is also stockholder and 
Director of the Walton Plow Works of Blooming- 
ton. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and 
sociallj' belongs to the Masonic Lodge of Bloom- 
ington. 

Mr. Funk was married, April 10, 18.')7, to Miss 
P^lizabeth Richardson, who was born in Indiana 
but came to McLean County with her |)arents 
when a child three years of age. She is a daugh- 
ter of Samuel T. and Mary (Welsh) Richardson, 
natives respectively of New York and Pennsylva- 
nia, who after their marriage emigrated to Illinois, 
and were among the pioneers of McLean County. 
The}' entered a tract of land here and opened up a 
farm, upon which thej' passed the remainder of 
their lives. Of tliis marriage there were born onl}' 
two children — liclle, now Mrs. H. M. Rollins, of St. 



Paul, her husband being engaged in commission 
business, and Isaac L., at home. The family resi- 
dence is a handsome structure, finely hjcated at 
No. 110 Fait Chestnut street, Bloomington, whei-c 
our sul)j('ct and his family extend a generous hos- 
pitality to a host of friends. Besides his city 
property Mi-. Funk owns 2,400 acres of land in 
Funk's (irove and Dale Townships, which consti- 
tutes !i magnificent estate, and is devoted mostly 
to the breeding of fine stock. 



\j (JHN W. KERSHAW, (me of the wealthiest 
and most extensive land-holders of Downs 
Township, is the possessor of .018 acres, 
which constitutes his home farm, and which 
is located on sections 21 and 28. He also owns 
300 acres of valuable laud in Empire Township, 
which is highly imi)roved. He has other valuable 
property in McLean County which he has amassed 
by the exercise of his excellent business talent and 
industry. His family residence is a handsome 
modern structure, beautifully located, and is the 
resort of a host of warm friends and acquaintances. 
In addition to general farming, i\Ir. Kershaw has 
of late years given much attention to the raising 
of fine stock, .Short-horn cattle and Poland-China 
hogs, and in this business has been remarkably 
successful. He has been the architect of his own 
fortune, and presents a fine example to the ambi- 
tious youth of to-day, of what may be accomplished 
by having a steady purpose in view, and backed 
by untiring industry and good judgment. 

Mr. Kershaw is a native of this State, and was 
born in Williamson Count}', Sept. 11, 1838. His 
father, Joseph Kersluiw, now deceased, settled in 
Downs Township in 1851, having taken up the hist 
acre of land secured by pre-emption from the Gov- 
ernment. Joseph Kershaw was a native of Lan- 
cashire, England, where he was reared and learned 
the spinner's trade, commencing to labor at the 
early age of twelve years. After arriving at years 
of manhood, he was married in his native shire to 
Miss Hannah Robinson, who was also born and 
reared in Lancashire, and there learned the weaver's 
trade. After the birth of one child, a (laughter, 



i^ 



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1164 



i 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Elizaliotli, they resolved to emigrate to the I'nited 
States. Tliis was in 1S;M, and after reaching 
Americaii'^shores, the}- proc^ceded directly to Illi- 
nois, settling first in Williamson County, but soon 
afterward removed to McLean County, where the 
mother died in March, ISoS. The second wife of 
Joseph Kershaw, to whom he was married in Em- 
pire Township, was Miss Lucinda (Jilmore. 

Our sulijeet remained under the home roof until 
his marriage, in Empire Township, in 1,S60, the 
lady of his choice being Miss Emeline Buckles. 
She was born and reared in Empire Township, of 
which iier grandfather was the first settler, locat- 
ing in what is yet known as Buckles' Grove. His 
son, Abraham, the father of Mrs. Kershaw, was 
married _^to Miss Mary Williams, and both ho and 
his good wife are now deceased. 

After their marriage Mr. .and Mrs. Kershavv lo- 
cated on their present homestead, which they have 
occupied since that time. The}^ have " pulled to- 
gether;" the wife has labored side l)y side with her 
husband in the mutual effort to secure a comi)e- 
tency for their later years, and in this they have 
succeeded. The entire landed property of Mr. 
Kenshaw aggregates 818 acres, which is drained 
with over 6,000 rods of tile from three to ten 
inches in diameter. His herd of cattle includes 
l.'iO head, and he feeds annually abo\it that num- 
ber of hogs. _ Mr. Kershaw commenced life at the 
foot of the ladder. His first vvork was breaking 
prairie when twelve years old, with a team of five 
yoke f)f cattle. When married he coidd boast of 
owning *.') only, and gave ^.i-of^that"to the min- 
ister who married them. His father gave him $15, 
with which he bought his outfit to commence house- 
keeping. 

To our subject and his wife there have been 
born thirteen chihlrcn, three of whom died in in- 
fancy : Joseph married Miss Rosa Rlyers, and is 
farming in Empire Township; John W. married 
Miss (Icrtrude Dodds, of Saybrook. and lives in 
Empire Township; C'loa E. became tiie wife of 
Samuel H. Morton, and lives in Lainont, Cook Co., 
111.; Lizzie married John F. Welch, of whom a 
sketch is given in another i)art of this Ai.isum; 
Biu-r, Lucinda, Robert, William C., Ruth E. and Sam- 
uel are at iiome with their parents. Mr. .md Mrs. 



Kershaw are prominently connected with the 
United Brethren Church, and our subject politi- 
cally is connected with the Democratic party. A 
handsome view of his residence and pleasant home 
is shown on another page of this work. 



--^«^».-j»*^.. 



►<tf5•^=-^^^*Ci« 



^ I^TLLIAM H. LOPER, "the village black- 
\/iJ// s"iith'" of Weston, was born among the 
VW Ohio hills in Hamilton County, May 12, 
1840. His father, John R. Loper, was a native of 
New Jersey, where he was born Jan. 6, 18l'1. He 
emigrated with his parents to Ohio when a 3'oung 
man, locating first near the city of Cincinnati. 
There the father, who also labored at the forge, 
located and lived for a number of years. In early 
manhood he was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Cole, who was born in Ohio May G, 1825; they re- 
moved further Westward to Indiana, settling near 
Lawrenceburg, where the father died in 1860. The 
parental household included five children, of whom 
the record is as follows: Sarah, who became the wife 
of Rudolph Neff, is a resident of Kansas; William 
IL, our snl)ject, was the second born; Derostes M. 
resides in Freeport, Jackson Co., Ind.; John R. is 
a resident of the same place; Emma, the wife of 
Scott Burrows, lives with her husband in Dills- 
boro, Ind. The mother of our subject married a 
second time, her husband being Jacob Hoover, and 
of this marriage there were born two children — 
Rollieand Corda. Mrs. Hoover resides in Sparta, 
Ind. 

The subject of this history was only enabled to 
obtain a very limited education, and when about ten 
years old removed to Indiana. In February, 18G2, 
•and during the progress of the Civil War, although 
not yet fifteen years of .age, he enlisted as a Union 
soldier, being enrolled as a drummer boy in Co. B, 
52d Ind. \'ol. Inf. He remained with the regiment 
until September following when he was discharged 
on account of physical disability'. He then re- 
turned home, but .as soon as he recovered his health, 
he re-enlisted May 12, 18G4, as a private in Co. I, 
139th Ind. Vol. Inf., and served 100 days. He 
then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, intent ui)on serving 
his com. try until the close of the war. lU'' there 



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McLean county. 



1165 '^\ 



enlisted in Co. K, l.sTth (.)\\k> \'ol. Inf., in 
which he .served until the victory of the Union 
armies no longer necessitated the ii.se of soldiers. 
He participated with his comrades in the battles of 
Ft. Donelson, Shiloh and various minor engage- 
ments, and in all things strived to emulate the 
bravery of his comrades in enduring fatigue, priva- 
tion and other hardships connected with a soldier's 
life. 

After his return from the army Mv. Loper re- 
turned to Lawrenceburg, Ind., and was employed 
as a farm hand until .September, 18Ci7. He then 
took up the l)laeksmith's trade, which he learned of 
Alva Barnes, after going back to Hamilton County, 
Ohio. He worked in that State and in Indiana at 
intervals until 1871. In March of the year follow- 
ing he visited Chicago, whence he came into this 
count3', and engaged as a journe3'nian in Chenoa. 
In June, 1872, he took a trip to Colorado, but soon 
returned and resumed his trade, following it until 
1874. In April of that year he located at Weston, 
where we now find him one of the substantial and 
reli.able citizens of the place. 

Mr. Loper was married in this county', in 1873, 
to Miss Antoinette, daughter of Samuel and Ellen 
Powell, who was born Oct. SII, 1853. Of this mar- 
riage there were four children: S. Ellen, born 
Nov. 14, 1874;Phebe, Nov. 8, 1877; Thomas Wil- 
bur, Nov. 9, 1882, and Elsie P., March 15, 1884. 
Mr. Loper is independent in politics and a firm 
believer in the Christian religion. He is connected 
with the Masonic fraternity as a member of Chenoa 
Lodge No. 292, and Chenoa Chapter No. 143. A 
lithographic view of Mr. Loper's residence and shop 
is shown on another page in this Aliu'm. 



-€-*-B- 



v^j) DGAR BLAISDELL, one of jMcLean Conn- 
ie t.v's numerous self-made men, is promi- 
jV—^ ,i nently identified with the industrial inter- 
ests of Weston, where he is engaged in the grain 
and lumber trade. He is a native of tlie Empire 
State, and was born in Washington County, N. Y., 
March 5, 1834. His parents were John and Sarah 
(Collins) Blaisdell, and he is one of a family of 
six children, all of whom lived to attain their m.a- 



i 



jorit}-, and two of whom, J. 0. and Jane, are now 
deceased. Those surviving are, John C, a farmer 
of Washington County, N. Y.; Louisa, who re- 
sides at Saratoga Springs; Sarah, the wife of Jo- 
seph Leeret, of Syracuse, and our subject, Edgar, 
who was the 3'oungest of the family. 

Edgar Blaisdell passed his boyhood and youth 
upon his father's farm in New York, and received 
a common-school education. Pie remained under 
the home roof until 1855, then, having attained his 
majority, started West to seek his fortune. He 
first went to Walworth County, AVis., where he fol- 
lowed farming one season, and then went into 
Dane County, that State, where he remained until 
1858; thence he went to Columbia Countj', and 
was occupied as a grain dealer one year, after 
which he resumed farming in Dane County, in 
which he was occupied until the whole country was 
electrified by news of the attack on Ft. Sumter. 
Young Blaisdell then with all his patriotism aroused, 
at once enlisted as a soldier of the Union, being- 
mustered into service with Co. K, 1st Wis. Vol. 
Inf., in which he served until August, 1801, under 
the first call for three months' troops. At the ex- 
piration of that time he returned to Dane County, 
Wis., and followed farming there until the spring 
of 1866. He then came to Illinois, first locating at 
Chenoa, this county, where he had charge of a lum- 
ber-yard one year, and then went to Chicago, serv- 
ing in the same capacity there one season. We 
next find him in his native State where he passed 
the following winter; coming back in the spring to 
Chenoa, he resumed his old occupation in the lum- 
ber trade. 

Mr. Blaisdell became a resident of Weston in the 
spring of 1872, and for four years superintended 
the grain business of Haines, Jordan & Co. In 
the fall of 1875 he formed a partnership with Al- 
bert Rakestraw, and under the firm style of Blais- 
dell, Rakestraw & Co., they operated in grain for 
one year, then purchased a warehouse. Afterward 
Mr. Blaisdell for four years operated in company 
with Joseph Leeret. The firm was dissolved in 
1882, since which time our subject has carried on 
business alone. 

On the 21.st of September, 1871, Edgar Blaisdell 
was united in marriage with Miss Su.san A., daugh- 






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' 1166 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



ter of JvOiigwoith and Sjirali A. (Fry) Armstrong. 
Mrs. WniMdell was born in Peoria, Oct. 20, 1848, 
and b}' lier union with our subjccit has bocome tlie 
motiier of six children — Fannie, Louisa, Edgar, 
Ahna, Amelia .and J.ay. IMr. Blaisdell is a fine il- 
lustration of the self-made man, who, by the exer- 
cise of his own energy and indnstiy. has attained 
a good position in the communit}' and in a business 
waj'. Me is careful in his business transactions, 
prompt in meeting his obligations, and iu all re- 
spects is entitled to be classed as an honest man 
and a good citizen. A lithograi)hic view of Mr. 
Blaisdell's residence, elevator and otlice, appears on 
another page. 

"flJOIIX McCONNELL. In McLean County 
are many extensive land-owners, and fre. 
qnentlv these gentlemen have amassed 
their property bj' their own energy and 
business tact. Prominent among this number is Mr_ 
McCcninell t)f Downs Township, who is pro|)rietor 
of 500 acres on sections .'J.j and 2. This is liuely im- 
proved and culti vated,aud providedwith a liaudsonie 
an<l commodious residence, from which nni_v be ob- 
tained a line view of the surrounding country. Our 
subject is one of the enterprising and progressive 
farmers of McLean County, who has made the most 
of his opi)ortunitie.s and taken advantage of mod- 
ern progress. His barns and ont-buildings are of 
first-class description, finely arranged for the shel- 
ter of stock and the storing of grain. lie has a 
fine lot of high-grade cattle and Ijlooded horses, 
and everything about the premises indicates the 
supervisi()n of an enterprising and intelligent man. 
Mr. McConnell came to McLean Count3' in 1854, 
while a young man about twenty -(me years of age, 
and [Mirchased KiO acres of land, which constitutes 
a part <if his i)resent homestead au<l of wliich he 
took possession in 1855. Mis first dwelling con- 
sisted of a board shant}', 14x15 feet stjuare, in 
which he made his tem|)orary abode and which 
gave place to a better one. a frame building I9x;i2 
feet in area, and with four rooms. This constituted 
a comfortable home for his family for a number of 
j'ears, and still conliuuiug in tiie march of progress, 
4« 



he later put up his present handsome and substantial 
residence, which is considered one of the best in the 
townshij). It is set iu the midst of fine grounds, 
with handsome shade trees and shrubberies planted 
by the hand C)f the proprietor, and in the summer 
time is a delightful resort. 

Mr. MeCoiuiell was born in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, April ii, 1832. His father, William McCon- 
nell, was born in Pennsylvania, April 12, 1778, 
and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Me 
participated in various engagements, receiving 
wounds which made him a cripple, and on account 
of whicii he was given a i)eusion. He lived iu Penn- 
sylvania several j'ears after leaving the arm^' and 
then removing to Hamilton County, Ohio, opened a 
public house which Ijecarae very popular through- 
out that section. He was a neighbor and stanch 
friend of (ien. Harrison, whom he assisted greatly 
by iiis inttuence at the Presidential election in 1840, 
and was a iirominent figure generally in the "log 
cabin campaign." William McConuell was a stanch 
Whig in politics, a man of great force of character, 
and ri's|)ected by all who knew him. He was not 
connected with any church but was an advocate of 
the Presbyterian faith. He died at his home iu 
Hamilton County, Oliit), Oct. 2, 1876. His wife, 
foinierly .Miss Catherine A. Lafever, was a n.ative 
of Pennsylvania, in which State she was ra.arried. 
They afterward removed to Counersville, F.ayette 
Co., Ind., and Mrs. McConnell was the first woman 
buried iu the cemetery at that place. The par- 
ental household consisted of thirteen children, three 
only <>{ whom are now living. 

Our sid)ject was the twelfth child of his parents' 
family and grew to manhood iu Ohio. He pursued 
his studies in the common schools and Completed 
his education at Fanner's College, in Hamilton 
County. He then taught school nine j'ears follow- 
ing, iu the meantime, having come to this county, a 
part of his labors l)eing in Downs and Empire 
Townships. He was successful as a teacher, h.as 
been so as a farmer, and soon after coming here 
identified him.self thoroughly with the interests of 
the county. He became a resident before the organi- 
zation of the to\vuslii|), and when this took pLace was 
elected Township Clerk and afterward Assessor .and 
Supervisor, holiling the former ollicc five con- ^ 



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McLean county. 



1167 



secutive years, tunl the latter Iwu years. lie wiis 
also Road Commissioner two years, early in the 
history of the township, being one of the first who 
made the survey for a public thoroughfare. He has 
served as Justice of the Peace for about fifteen 
years and in politics is a solid Re|)ublican. 

John McConnell was married in Kuii)ire Town- 
ship, June 17, 18G2, at the home of the bride's 
parents, to Miss Martha E. Buck, who was born at 
Le Roy Dec. 14, 1838, and is the daughter of Hiram 
Buck. She is a high-minded and intelligent lady 
and greatl}' respected by all who know her. Of 
this union there were three children, of whom one 
daughter, Anna B., died when about nineteen years 
of age. The two sons, Hiram E. and William M., 
are twins; the former is attending Wesleyan Uni- 
versity, and the latter the Business C<jllege at 
Bloomingtou. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. McConnell are members of 
Downs Grange No. II G3, having been among its 
organizers and still holding oflices in the order. Our 
subject has been a delegate to the State Grange 
upon three occasions. He has been Master Lec- 
turer, Overseer and Gate Keeper. Mrs. McC. has 
l)een Master and Secretary of the Subordinate 
Grange, and was for a long time Seer of County 
Grange. 

AVID SIMMONS, retired farmer, has his 
residence in Bloomingtou, at No. 802 
^ North Oak street. Mr. S. is a native of 
the Old Dominion, having been born at 
the foot of Peter's Mountain, in Monroe County, 
W. Aa., the date July 15, 1802. His parents were 
Ephraim and Elizabeth (Galaway) Simmons, na- 
tives of the same State, where they engaged in 
farming pursuits. Of the eight children born to 
the parents of our subject, only two are living, 
David and his sister Elizabeth, the latter now Mrs. 
Jackson Lucas, of Bloomingtou. Ephraim Simmons 
departed this life in Cabell County, W. Va., in 
1821. 

The subject of this sketch remained at home and 
worked on the farm until the death of his father. 
Then, with his motht»r and her family, he started 
West and locating in Decatur County, lud., leased 




a tract of land which he farmed for a period of 
nine years. In 1830 he came to the south side of 
Blooming Grove, and purchased eighty acres, 
which he cultivated and improved until 1859 

In 1830, Mr. Simmons entered 240 acres of land 
in Bloomingtou Township, and was the first man to 
put up a building on the prairie in that vicinity. 
With the exception of thirty-six days when he 
served as a soldier in the Black Hawk War, he has 
resided in this county continuouslj' since that time. 
He improved his farm, building, and setting out 
trees, and hewed the logs for the first store build- 
ing that was erected in Bloomingtou. For this la- 
bor he received seventy-five cents per day, without 
board. He is now eighty-four years old, never 
took a chew of tobacco, never smoked a cigar or 
|)ipe, and never took but one pinch of snuff, and 
that when a boy. He never signed a temperance 
pledge, and was never intoxicated but once, and 
that when he was about twenty-four years of age. 
He possessed all the energy and resolution of the 
genuine pioneer, and was ready for any emergency. 

Mr. Simmons was married in 1825, to Miss Eliz- 
abeth, daughter of Reuben and Martha Jones, na- 
tives of Georgia. Of this union there were born 
ten children, only four now living: Levi, of Wil- 
mington, Kan.; Annie, now Mrs. Lash, of Bloom- 
ingtou Township; Benjamin, of Missouri, and 
Mary, Mrs. Fielder, of Randolph Township. 

Our subject purchased his present property in 
1859. After living upon it one year he was placed 
in charge of the Poor House Farm, and remained 
its Superintendent for three years, when the insti- 
tution was first established, this being the first of 
the kind in McLean County. Afterward, Mr. Sim- 
mons returned to his home in the city. In the fall 
of 1886 he sold the last of his lands, eighty acres, 
receiving for it $50 per acre. While in possession 
of his farm he engaged principally in stock and 
grain raising, which he carried on intelligently and 
successfully. When coming to this vicinity there 
was only one log cabin upon the ground which is 
now occupied by the beautiful and flourishing citj' 
of Bloomingtou, and he has watched with that 
pleasure and satisfaction enjoyed by most of the 
pioneers, the remarkable growth and prosperity of 
McLean County and its capital. He was the first 



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1168 



McLean county. 



Supervisor of Bloomliigtoii Township, which office 
lie held several years, and witii his wife has been a 
consistent member of the Ciiristian Ciuirch since 
earl3' in life. The latter still remains the affection- 
ate and devoted companion of her husband, and 
they are jiatiently wailing until the summons shall 
come for them to crttss over the river. 




\f*i^ R. ZEKA WATKRS, physician and surgeon, 
of Rloomington, was born in Watcrtown, 
Jefferson Co., N. Y., in l.s;5U, and is the 
son of William and Elizabeth (Wakefleld) 
Waters, also natives of the Knii)ire State. William 
Waters was there engaged in farming during the 
earlier years of his life, and came to Illinois in 
1844, settling in De Witt County, where he de- 
parted this life four years later. The mother died 
in 1.S52. Their four children were, Henry, Orin, 
Dr. Z., and Susan E., now Mrs. N. (). Andrews, of 
Rloomington. 

The snl)ject of this history' lived on the farm 
until his father's death, and attended school until 
sixteen years old. He then engaged as engineer 
for a .sawmill at De Wilt, and thence went to the 
lumber woods where he was employed as •• scaler," 
and kept the books tor the proprietor, Charles 
Smith. The next summer he followed (isliing on 
Lake Huron, then resumed his work in the lumber 
regions in the winter, and soon afterward came to 
Rloomington, and entered the employ of Dr. Wake- 
field MS traveling salesman. He afterward took a 
two j'ears' course of study at Lombard I'liiversitv, 
Clalesbnrg, and subsecpiently became engaijed in 
the furniture and agricultural iin|)lement trade in 
Clinton, 111. All this time he devoted his sp.are 
moments to the study of medicine, and finally, o-o- 
ing to \'an Buren, Ark., gave his entire time to his 
studies for one year, then commenced practice. 
He located at Lees Creek about IHfil, and bein"- 
known as an Abolitionist w.as pronounced a dan- 
gerous man. After the attack upon Et. Sumter, he 
w.as waited upon by a vigilance committee, who in- 
tended to hang him. By a strategetic movement, 
however, he got possession of some liquor, and 
inan.aging to get them iuto.xicatcd. made his escape 



at 1 1 o'clock at night, taking with him four horses. 
Two of these were taken by United States troops, 
for which he received pay fourteen years afterward. 
After ecjming North he landed at Rloomington, 
July ;5, IStil, whence he went to Cincinnati, where 
he attended medical lectures and received his dip- 
loma in the spring of 1862. He then returned to 
Rloomington, and enlisted in the fifteen-day serv- 
ice to guard the prisoners at Camp Butler, Spring, 
field, where he was made Assistant Surgeon of the 
()8th Illinois Infantry, and joining them at Alex- 
andria, Va., remained there five months, then re- 
turned with his regiment to Springfield, and was 
discharged. 

After his return to Rloomington, Dr. Waters 
opened an otiice and entered upon the |)ractice 
which he has since continued with ability and suc- 
cess. He was married, iu 1870, to Miss Martha A. 
Er.azici', <if New York, and the}' have one child, a 
son, Robert A. The Doctor is a Greenbacker 
politicall}-, and socially belongs to the Masons, the 
Knights of Honor and the A. (). U. W. He is a 
stockholder in the Co-operative Stove Works, and 
in all resj^ects an energetic and worthy representa- 
tive of the business element of the community. 
The pleasant family residence is located at No. 
1207 North Main street. 



-€-^B- 



|yj|i AJORWELLMAN PACKARD, of Bloom- 

if iW '"S't^""' '* '''"' "I'^'f'st practitioner of the Mc- 
I iK Lean County b.ar, and during a residence 
^ of over forty years has built up for him- 

self an enviable reputation as eonn.selor, advocate, 
friend and citizen. He comes from an old and 
honorable family, his father having been a descend- 
ant of Samuel Packard, who emigrated from En- 
gland to the New World in 16;58. Our subject's 
father, John A. P.ackard, a n.ative of Vermont, was 
the first child horn in St. Johnsbury, that State, 
and his grandfather, Richard Packard, made the 
first clearing on St. Johnsbury Plain. Richard 
Packard was born in liridgewater, Mass., iu about 
1760, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
enlisting wlnai a youth of about sixteen ye.ars of 
age, and for many years before his death received 



a 4« 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1169 



a pension on acmmt of services and wonnds. His 
son, John A., the father of onr subject, served 
later in the War of 181.2. Early in life he followed 
fanning pursuits but later became a local preachei' 
of the Methodist Church. He married Miss Maria 
Bnllock, who was born in Brattlebcjro, Vt., and was 
the daughter of William Bullock, Esq., who was 
prominent in that locality as a business man and 
useful memljer of the community. They became 
the parents of thirteen children, nine boys and four 
girls, all of whom lived to become men and women 
and, with two exceptions, all married and raised 
families of their own. 

Major Wellman Packard of this history, was 
born in St. H\-acinthe, on disputed Canadian ter- 
ritory, Miiy 31, 1.S20. He pursued his primary 
studies in tlie schools of his native town and later 
attended school at IloUiston, Mass., where he com- 
pleted his studies .and engaged as a teacher in 
Manchester, N. II., and other jilaces near his old 
home in Canada. In the summer of 1844 he 
started for the Great West, and settled in Blooming- 
ton during the Presidential campaign of Clay and 
Polk. He commenced reading law in the oftice of 
Asahel Gridley and completed his studies with the 
late David Davis of Bloomington. Two years 
later he was admitted to the bar and ojjened an 
office in Bloomington, where he followed the prac- 
tice of his chosen profession until 1850. He then 
crossed the plains to California in company with 
hundreds <.)f others who emigrated that year to the 
Pacitic Slope. He remained thei'e until March, 
1855, engaged in mining and general merchandis- 
ing. He then returned to Bloomington and re- 
sumed his law practice which he has continued un- 
interruptedly until the present time, having now 
had an experience of about fort^- j^ears, and having 
distinguished himself as being of sound judgment 
and possessing more than ordinary ability. 

Onr subject was first married in the summer of 
184G, at Clinton, 111., to Miss Maria W., daughter 
of Samuel W. Bullock, who died two years after- 
ward, leaving an infant son, Albeit W., who fol- 
lowed his mother to the silent home four months 
later. After his return from California INIr. Pack- 
ard was again married, in May, 1857, to Miss Ellen 
Harris of Ohio. Of this union there were born I 




four children, three living: Lou M. became the 
wife of Ered (iay, a member of the firm of Gay 
Bros., book publishers in New York City; Frankie 
died when two years of age; Eugene and Nellie 
are at home with their parents. Major Packard 
since coming to this locality has thoroughly identi- 
fied himself with its interests, and as opportunity 
afforded has been the encourager and supporter of 
ever}' enterprise calculated to advance the growth 
and prosperity of his adopted city. He has been a 
member of the Board of Education and its Presi- 
dent for seven years, and in all respects has ful- 
filled his obligations as a worthy factor of the busi- 
ness community and of societj- at large. 



MSTIN KAWLINGS, general merchant and 
grain dealer, and also Postmaster at Kum- 
ler, is a native of Fleming Countj', Ky., 
<^ where he was born May 31, 183G, and is 

the eldest son of John E. and Polly (Scott) Raw- 
lings. He was le.ss than a year old when his par- 
ents came to Illinois, and received his early educa- 
tion in the pioneer schools of Menard County. As 
soon as ohl enough he began to work on the farm 
with his father, and remained under the home roof 
until he w.as twenty-five years of age. When a 
young man he was employed in hauling merchan- 
dise from Beardstown to Petersburg, a distance of 
forty miles. His mother raised flax, which she 
spun and wove, and in this manner provided the 
clothing for her family until our subject grew to 
manhood. 

In 1861, the Civil War being in progress, Mr. 
Rawlings was desirous of enlisting as a Union sol- 
dier, but the quota for Illinois being filled he was 
obliged to go to St. Louis, where he became a 
member of the 1st Mi.ssonri Cavalry, and served 
faithfully through the war. He was in many bat- 
tles and skirmishes, including the engagements at 
Wilson Creek, Sugar Creek, Pea Ridge and I'rairie 
(hove. He received his honorable discharge with 
his regiment at Little Rock, Ark., in 1865, after a 
service of four years and two months. He entered 
the army as a private, was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant of Company B, in January, 1865, and 



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1170 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



that same year proniolod First Lieutenant. Ho 
was also an ambulance oflicer, frr)m April, 1 8(55, 
until his discharge, anil seived on the staff of (icn. 
West for some time. 

After his retirement from the army, Mr. Raw- 
lings returned to McIa-mh County, and engaged 
with his fatiier in the grain business for the follow- 
ing year. Sijou after the completion of the U. P. 
R. R. he went to California, where he spent a few 
months, and purchasing a hotel in Wilmington, 
Will County, operated i', one year. In 1874 he 
purchased a farm on section :!1, Belleflower Town- 
ship, where he lived until 1881. He then pur- 
chased a store .at Kumler, which h.as been his home 
since that time. 

Our subject was married on the 8th of April, 
1875, to Miss S. L. Wildman. Mrs. R. was born 
in Logan County, 111., June Ls. 1,S54, and was the 
daughter of William Wildinan, n native of Ohio, 
and the son of .lonas Wildman, one of the pioneers 
of Martin County, Ind. William Wildman was 
j'oung when, with his parents, he went to Indiana, 
and after n^achiug manhood, wjis married in Mar- 
tin County to Miss Kllen Howard. This lady was 
born in Kentucky, whence she removed with her 
parents at an early age to Martin County, Ind., 
and was there reared to womanhood. The family 
came to Illinois in 1!S;V2, settling first in Logan and 
afterward in .Menard County, where Mr. W. died 
in 1866. The mother still survives, and makes her 
home with Mrs. Rawlings. Our subject and wife 
have one child, a son, Edward E., born in 1876, 
and who is living at home. 



JOHN P. ZEIGLER, of the firm of Zeigler & 
Ferre, contractors and builders, of Bloom- 
ington, is a native of Carlisle, Pa., and was 
born in Cumberland County, Jan. (!, 1837. 
lie is the son of Jacob and Lydia (Furner) Zeigler, 
natives of Pennsylv.ania. The grandfather of our 
subject, Phillip Zeigler, was born at Carlisle 
Springs, Pa., and descended from (ierman ancestry, 
his father having been born in (iermany and emi- 
giated to the United States when a young man. 
Phillip Zeigler's father located at Carlisle Springs, 



1 Phi 



Pa., and purchased 160 acres of unimproved land, 
being among the first settlers of the Keystone State, 
His f.amily included five children — Phillip, Jacol), 
Henr3', Eliza and Mary. After the death of the 
|)arents, Phillip purchased tiie interest of the heirs 
in the homestead and remained upnu it during the 
balance of his life. Ilis children were four in num- 
ber — Jacol), Andrew, William and Mai'garet. 

After the death of his [larents, Jacob Zeigler 
sold his interest in the homestead to his brothers 
and moved into Carlisle, Pa., where he raised a 
family of six children — Margaret, Mary, John P., 
Julia, Kate and David. After leaving the home- 
stead Jacob Zeigler followed the trade of a black- 
smith, which he had previously learned. He set up 
a shop and gave employment to three men, finally 
becoming engaged in the mannf.acture of w.agons, iu 
which he was occupied the latter years of his life. 
He w'.as a prominent member of his community and 
held the office of Supervisor for many years. With 
his wife he was a member of the Lutheran Church 
and a Deacon for a long period. He gave all his 
children a good education and lived to see them 
married andeomfort.ably settled iu life. He rested 
fi'om his earthly labors at the age of seventy-two 
years, dying in 1881, at Greenview, Menard Coun- 
ty, this State, whither he had removed the year pre- 
viously. He came with his famil3' to Illinois in 
1874, first settling in Farmer Cit3% De Witt Coun- 
ty. After the death of her husband the mother of 
our subject went back to Pennsylvania on a visit 
.and died there in 1885, .aged sixty-seven 3-ears. 

The subject of our sketch attended school until 
he was sixteen 3'ears old and then engaged as clerk 
in a dry -goods store for two years. He afterward 
learned the carpentei-'s trade, serving an apprentice- 
ship of four 3'ears, .and worked for one 3'ear as 
journeyman. In 1860 he pioceeded to Ohio, and 
after a sojourn of six months returned to his n.ative 
State and was married to Miss Elizabeth K.. daugh- 
ter of Thompson and M.aria (Wineeoop) Bosler. 
He worked at his trade for three years after his 
marriage and then removed to Chambersburg, Pa., 
where he spent the following two and one-half 
years. 

In 1871 our subject came to Illinois, locating. in 
Farmer Cit}', De Witt Count3', where he became 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1171 



engaged .as a contractor and builder, and continued 
until IS.sO. Thence he removed to lilooniington, 
still foUowing the same business, and in 188G be- 
came associated with his present partner. The firm 
has been remarkably successful in its operations 
and employs from six to eight men. 

Mr. and Mrs. Zeigler have become the parents 
of four children, .as follows: Annie, iSIrs. Adolph, of 
Bloomington, is the motlier of one daughter — Ma- 
liel; Thomas is engaged in blacksmithing at Brook- 
lyn, Iowa; William, also a bhiclismith bj' trade, 
is in Bloomington; Irena is with her parents. Mr. 
and I\Irs. Z. are members of the Second Presby- 
terian Church. Our subject was Alderman of Far- 
mer Cit}' for two years. Socially he belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias, and as a citizen and business 
man ranks among the representative men of the 
city of Bloomington. 

TI/rON BULL, farmer, stock raiser and 
feeder, of Lexington Township, is a native 
of Owen County, Ind., and born near Mar- 
tinsville, Jan. 31, ^825. He is the s<jn of 
William Bull, a native of Virginia, a farmer by oc- 
cupati(.in, and a soldiei' of the War of 1812. By 
his first marriage he had two children, (^eorge and 
,Iohn. The former is at present residing in Kansas, 
having attained the venerable .age of eighty-two 
years. William Bull's first wife had two children 
by a previous marriage, namely, William and Mary 
Goodwin. William Bull after his marriage with 
Esther Goodwin nee Fowler, settled ,on a farm in 
Owen County, Ind., and made that his home unti 
the fall of 1853, when he came to this county ana, 
settling in Lexington Township, passed one summer 
at Selma. He then rented a farm, having but lit- 
tle means, having lost almost all his accumulations 
while a resident of Indiana, bj- going securit}'. He 
never recovered his financial standing. He lived 
with his son, our subject, until his death, in 18,'j2, 
in his sevent}'-second _year. His wife died in 1858. 
By his latter marriage he had eight children, six 
daughters and two sons, namel}- : Eleanor, wife of 
William Arnold; Caroline married John llaner; 
Eliza, Mrs. Edwin McMaster, wife of a Methodist 




minister of note; Washington is deceased ; Milton 
was next in order of birth ;\Tulia A. became the 
wife of Henry Myers, and both died in Cumber- 
land County, tliis State ;jMahala was united in mar- 
riage with James Moore, a resident of Wicliita, 
Kan., and Margaret became the wife of Nicliolas 
Keed, and is now deceased. 

Milton Bull was about eighteen j-ears old when 
lie came to this county with his i)arents. He 
received his education in the 'Common schools of 
Owen County, Ind., and worked on his father's 
farm, and when twelve years old was almost able 
to do a man's work on the place. When he came 
to this county he hired out as a hand to Milton 
Smith for $10 per montli for the first j'ear. He 
continued with that gentleman about fourteen 
months and with the money he had earned and 
saved, bought flfty-five acres of land, going in debt 
for a portion of it. He soon, however, paid for it, 
and by economizing was enabled to purchase more 
from time to time until he became the proprietor 
of a handsome |H-operty. 

When in his twenty-fifth year our subject w.as 
married to Miss Nancy Newlon, of tliis county, 
but a native of Owen County, Hid., and daughter 
of John Newlon, born in Virginia. Her mother's 
maiden name was Anna Walker. ' The Newlon 
family were of German origin. After m.arriage 
Mr. Bull located on his present farm, section 28, 
Lexington Township. He commenced on a small 
scale and kept adding as he could to his possessions, 
and now is tiie owner of G40 .acres of valuable 
land in one body. He also added to the cultivation 
of the cere.als, the industry of raising and feeding 
cattle for the market. He has also been successful 
in the raising of hogs and feeds from seventy-five 
to 100 head for the market annu.ally. He has a 
fine two-story residence on his place, together with 
good barns and substantial outbuildings, and lias 
met with far more than ordinary success in his 
business. 

Six children, three sons .and three daughters, have 
been born to our subject and wife. They are, 
William S., Isaac H.; Margaret A., wife of James 
N. Small; Mary A. married Harvey Smith; George, 
Jr., Martha E. Two of their children died in in- 
fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bull are members of the 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



Jletliuflist Eijiscopiil C'luiich. lie ha* given to e.ich 
of liis children some forty to eight}' acres of land 
and retains on the iiouie farm 1 10 acres. 



JUSTUS CASTLK. Among the manufactur- 
ing establishments of Chenoa the steam tile 
works of Pilie <fe Castle occupy the most im- 
portant position. The business was estab- 
lished in 1880 by Ellington & Castle. Two years 
later Mr. E. M. rii<e purchased the interest of Mr. 
Ellington and it has since been condncLed by the 
firm of Pike & Castle. The factory buildings are 
fltted up witli the most approved machinery, in- 
cluding an engine of tiftj-horse power, and the 
annual outpnt is over 1 .300,000 tile, and some 
years ii.as gone beyond even tlicse large figures. 
The factory is iiept in operation all llie year round 
and 7,000 feet of steam [lipe contribute to keep an 
even temperature throughout the works. They 
give employment to about eigiileen men and ship 
the products of their niaiuifaelure to different parts 
of this Slate, besides sui)plying a hirge liome 
demand. 

i\Ir. Castle is a native of the Green Mountain 
State, and was born near I'lraltleboro, Nov. 5, 
1823. His father, I'hilo, and his grandfather, Timo- 
thy Castle, were natives of Connecticut, and were 
descendants of excellent French and English fam- 
ilies. The father of our subject in early maniiood 
was united in marriage with Miss Jerusiia Dix, 
who was born in Connecticut, and whose father, 
O/.ias Dix, removed to Vermont and there i)assed 
tlie remainder of his days. Philo Castle, .-ifter his 
marriage settled on a farm in Windham County, 
Vt., .and establisiied a home there wliicli he occu- 
pied nntil his dcatli. The parental household in- 
cluded eight children, all <jf whom lived to mature 
years. Justus of our sketch was the youngest and 
remained with his parents on tlie farm until twenty- 
one years of age, in the meantime obtaining his 
education in the district school. In 1845, desiring 
to see something of the Great West, he came to 
Illinois and spent one year in Adams County. He 
then returned to his iiome in \'erinont but did not 
give up his original intention of locating perma- 



nently in the West. In 18.J0 he retnrned to this 
State and purchased a farm in Bureau County, 
upon which he lived until ISCT. In the meantime, 
however, he had revisited his native State, and 
upon his return to Illinois w.as .accompanied by his 
bride, who w;is formerly Miss Harriett A. Boyd of 
Wilmington, Vt. They located ujion a farm as we 
have stated until 18('i7, then came to this county, 
taking up their al)ode in Yates Township, where 
Mr. Castle engaged in farming until 1879. In that 
year he removed to Chenoa. and the j'ear following 
established his present business. 

Our subject and his wife became the parents of 
five children, viz., Timothy, who died .aged three 
years; 'William D. married MissNancj' E. Hamilton ; 
Hattie M.; Walter died at the age of five^-ears; 
Jesse died when about three 3ears of age. While 
living in Yates Townshij), Mr. Castle served four 
years as Justice of tiie Peace. During his early 
life lie w.as a Whig politically, but after tlie aban- 
donment of the old part}' by the organization of 
the Republican, he cheerfully endorsed the prin- 
ciples of the latter, with which he uniforndy cast 
his vote. 



y)ILLIAM H. BALL, a n.ative of Cheney's 
Grove Township, in which he is now lo- 
cated, residing on section 10, was born 
Nov. 24, 1841. He is the son of Hilleary and 
Calista (llildreth) Ball, natives of Kentuck}' .and 
New York respectively. The father was born 
M.arch 8, 1817, and the mother, May 27 of that 
same year. They are still living and make their 
home in tins townsliip. The children of the pa- 
rental family were William II.; Elizabeth T. mar- 
ried William Evans; Julia A., Mrs. Gall.agher, is a 
resident of Kansas, her husband being the Clerk of 
Ford County; Amos married Miss Hannah Ste- 
phens; Hattie is the wife of Robert Means, a banker 
of Saj'brook. 

The grandfather of our subject's wife, Benjamin 
Thomas, was the second white man wlio came into 
Cheney's (irove Township for permanent settle- 
ment, arriving hire in 1S2(;. He w.as born on the 
12th of May, 1791), and died on the 1st of April, 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1173 



1 834. His wife was horn Dec. 26, 1799, and died 
April 8, 183G. It will thus be seen that they were 
born in the same year and both died in April. 
The grandmother survived her husband a little 
over two years. 

"William H. Ball is the eldest member of his par- 
ents' family. He was reared to farming, received 
a fair common-school education, and after reaching 
manhood was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Harrison on the 10th of November, 1864. Mrs. 
Ball is also a native of Cheney's Grove Township, 
and born Sept. 11, 1843. She is the daughter of 
Davis and Temperance (Thomas) Harrison, the 
father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of 
Ohio. Davis Harrison was born Feb. 26, 181 9, and 
died at his home in Saybrook, Feb. 9, 1884. His 
wife, the mother of Mrs. Bali, was born Aug. 23, 
1823, and departed this life about the 10th of 
JNIarch, 1873. Four of their eight children are yet 
living: Mary, of our sketch, was the eldest. Benja- 
min T., born Aug. 8, 1846, married Miss Love C. 
Hogan; Leander J., born Sept. 13, 1848, died May 
20, 1871 ; Hannah, born Aug. 20, 1851, died Sept. 
24, 1853; Charles, born Jan. 27, 1854. died March 
31, 1874; Aaron, born Oct. 28, 1856, died Sept. 
11, 1858; Ellen C, born Oct. 10, 1860, became the 
wife of Floyd AV. Collins, Oct. 13, 1881; E,sther 
M. was born Sept. 11, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Ball 
have four children : Harriett E., born Sept. 30, 
1805; Harrison, Oct. 25, 1866; Minnie E., May 31, 
1868, and Frank M., Dec. 22, 1876. Harriett 
graduated at the Bloomington High School in 

1886, and is now teaching five miles E.ast of that 
city. 

The homestead of our subject comprises 290 
acres of valuable land under an advanced state of 
cultivation. In September, 1881, he removed to 
Bloomington, where he remained until March, 

1887. He then returned to the farm, which seems 
more like home to him than any place in the 
world. Here he has a substantial and convenient 
residence which, together with his substantial out- 
buildings and live stock, comprises the model farm 
estate of an enterprising and representative citizen. 
!Mr. Ball has one of the finest farm estates in this 
section besides the finest spring in McLean County, 
it having a capacity sufficiently large to water 1,000 



head of stock daily, even in the driest season of 
the year. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ball with two of the children, 
Hattie and ^Minnie, are members of the First 
Methodist Church of Bh^omington. A view of 
Mr. Ball's residence is shown on another'page. 



I 



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r/AMES M. SELLS. One of the handsomest 
homesteads in Martin Township, lying on 
section 14, is occupied by the subject of this 
sketch, of v/hich he took possession in tin' 
spring of 1864. The family residence, which is 
splendidly located, is one of the neatest and most 
tasteful in that locality, and the liarn and other 
necessary farm buildings are handsome and sub- 
stantial structures, calculated alike for beauty and 
utility. The fences and farm machinery are kept 
in good repair, and the stock and other accessories 
of the estate testify in a silent and forcible manner 
to the intelligence, industry and enterprise of the 
proprietor. 

Anthony Sells, the father of our sulgect, and 
Benjamin Sells, the grandfather, were both natives 
of Virginia. The former emigrated to Indiana 
when a young man, where he remained a short 
time, and then came into Woodford County, this 
State. There he v/as married to Miss Mary Mun- 
dell, a native of Woodford County. After their 
marriage the young people settled at Dixon, 111., 
whence they shortly afterward removed to Johnson 
County, Iowa. Anthony Sells being a miller by 
trade put up a mill on the Iowa River, near Iowa 
City, which he operated for a number of years, 
and then pushed southwestward into Kansas, where 
he passed the remainder of his days. The niother 
had died while living in Johnson County', Iowa. 

James M., our sidjject, after residing three years 
in Johnson County, Iowa, returned to Woodford 
Count}', making his home with his uncle and grand- 
mother. He started out in life for himself at the 
early age of ten years, and commenced working on 
a farm and herding cattle. He soon learned tlie 
value of money, and saved what he could of a 
very limited income. During the war he dealt 
largely in cattle for other parties, and in time be- 



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1174 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




1 



jrjui to trade' (in his own arconnt, iuvL'sling what 
means lie; oonkl I'aise in live stoek. As his opera- 
tions extended he begun shipping ealtle from Kan- 
sas and C'oloi'ailo to Chicago, New Yorlv, and otlier 
Kastern points, lli.s transaetious in this line contin- 
ued for a period of over thirty yars. lie has been 
remarkably successfnl in Ids operations and acciimu- 
l;ited a handsome (^ompetencey. His career from 
lirst to last has lieen a striking illnstration of what 
may be acconiplished from very small lieginnings. 
His lirst property in the cattle line was a 3'earling 
calf, whic-h lie secured in |)ayment for cutting corn 
stalks. He has fed as high as .500 head of cattle 
during the winter, for wliic^h |)urpose he raises an 
immense i[uaiitity of corn, probaliiy more than any 
other man in tliis township. lU'sidos his cattle op- 
erations, wiiich iiave included large numbers of 
thoroughbred Short-horns, he has been engaged 
quite extensively in the breeding of Norman 
horses. Hi-- stables contain some of the li;indsomest 
animals in this .section of the State. 

During the war Mr. Sells made money rapidly, 
but in the panic of 1H7.1, which brought ruin to so 
many men, he suffered heavily. His was not the 
spirit to be dismayed or discouraged, however, and 
he recovered from his los.ses as best he could, and 
set about with dauntless courage to retrieve his 
fortunes. In dm; time he found himself again 
uiion his feet. He purchased his present farm in 
1«(M, taking an entire section of land, and giving 
as i)art payment 100 head of cattle, but it was not 
long until he had the whole of it paid for. 

The marriage of James i\I. Sells and Miss Emma 
V. Brooke, of McLean County, took i)lace in 1873. 
Mrs. 8. was born near Shirley, 111,, and is the daugh- 
ter of Matthew and Mary (Thompson) Brooke, 
Matthew Brooke removed from Pennsylvania to 
Ohio, and thence to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Sells 
have four children, three daughters and one son — 
Mary, Lavisa, Charles B. and Rachel. 

When JMr. Sells first took possession of his pres- 
ent farm there were no improvements upon it, it 
having been chiefly devoted to the herding of cat- 
tle, numbers of which he himself had looked after 
upon llie .same land 3'cars before he was in a condi- 
tion to think of buying. Since he took possession 
of it he h.as effected a wonderful change, and has 



brought most of the land to a good state of cultiva- 
tion, some years raising as high as 20,000 bushels 
of corn on .'J20 acres. Our suliject was elected As- 
sessor of Martin Township, which ollicc he held for 
tlirei' successive terms. Politically he is indcpcml- 
ent, and is a strong temperance man. 



JAMES S. BLAND, a self-made man, is to- 
day a, prosi)erous and highly respected far- 
mer of I'jiipire Township. Me came into 
j^JJ the I'rairie State after the war, poor in 
pocket and without influential friends, but by the 
exercise of his native energy' and resolution has 
secured for himself a comfortable home and a com- 
petency and has established himself in the esteem 
of his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Bland was born in Pendleton Ctjunty, W. 
Va., Jan. 2.'S, 1845. His f.ather, Eli island, was a 
native of the same county and State, and his grand- 
father, Henry Bland who, it is believed, was also 
a Virginian, followed the occui)ation of a f.-irmer 
in the Old Dominion, spending most of his life 
in Pendleton County. His son Eli, the father of 
our subject, was also reared to farming pursuits, 
and si)ent his entire life in his native county, dying 
there in the winter of 18(52 or 18G3. He married 
in early life Miss Annie Haigler, a native of his 
own county, who still resides there. 

James Bland attended the subscription schools of 
his native county' and assisted his father in fann- 
ing until 18G2. Then, ujion the outbreak of the 
Rebellion, and when a youth of seventeen years, 
he enlisted as a soldier of the Confederacy in Co. 
A, 18th ^'a. Vol. Cav., and served until the close 
of the war. He was in the army of Gen. J.,00 and 
was present at the battles of Fisher's Hill, Win- 
chester, Newmarket, Lynchburg and Gettysburg, 
He was captured by Federal troops in September, 
1864, and confuied at Camp Chase, Ohio, eight 
months, being released at the clo.se of the war. He 
then returned to his native county in Virginia and 
resumed farming on the old homestead until 1867, 
Not being cjuite .satisfied with his condition or his 
prospects he resolved to emigrate to Illinois. He 
stopped iirst in Chanqiaign County for one year, ^ ' 




t 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1175 



t 



uorkiiit;- on n f;irii), wlienoo lii' went into DcWitt 
County and was similarly occupieil until liis mar- 
riage. He then rented a farm in Dc Witt County 
until 1S78, when he came into McLean and pur- 
chased the farm whicli he now occupies. He has 
greatly improved the condition of this since it 
came into his possession, although it was then sup- 
plied with a good set of frame buildings. On the 
2d of November, 1 882, the first house was destroyed 
1)\- fire and lie put ui) the one he now occupies. 
This is a substantial and convenient structure, 
pleasantly located, and makes a pleasant home for 
himself and family. His first purchase consisted 
of 188 acres and to this he has added and now has 
in all 287 acres divided into three farms, two of 
them being supplied with good frame buildings. 

Mr. Bland was married in this county on the 23d 
vf .luly, 1871, to Miss Klizabeth Ilelmick, who was 
born in Rutledge Township, De Witt Co., 111., 
.Tuly 10, 18.')1, and is the daughter of Elisha and 
Mary (Trimble) Helmick, both natives of ^'irginia, 
who came to De Witt County in about 184G. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bland became the parents of seven chil- 
dren — Ashlej-, Mary, Hattie, Walter, Ewell, Bessie 
and Dell. The parents arc members in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Ciuirch. 

A lithographic view of Mr. I.land's residence is 
shown on another page of this work. 



<^ felLLlAM J. KIMLER, Supervisor of West 
lative of the Prairie State, 
near the city of Blooming- 
ton, Nov. 10, 18;58. His father, Caleb Kimler, was 
a native of Virginia, whence he removed into Ken- 
tuck3' and lived until about 1830. He then came 
into that part of Vermilion County, 111., which is 
now included in McLean, and lived a few years in 
what is now Bloomington Townshij). He then pur- 
chased a tract of timber and prairie near Randolph 
Grove, upon which stood a log house, and he there 
h)cated and commenced the serious business of life 
in a new country. He had served an apprentice- 
ship as a carpenter and cabinet-maker and after lo- 
cating here, in company with others put up the 
lirst sawmill in the county, at the east end of 

4' 



i\ IrlLLlAM J. KllUL 

\aj// Township, is a uai 

WW and was born neai 



Randolph Grove. lie engaged a man to o|ierate 
his farm and employed himself at his tiade most of 
the time. His death occurred in Randolph Town- 
ship, Jan. ;), 1S48. 

The maiden name of Caleb Kimler's wife was 
Elizabeth Orendorff, and she was born July 2'.l, 
1814, in Kentucky, her parents being ^\■i^i.■lnl aucl 
Sallie (Nichols) Orendorff, the former a native 
of Georgia, and the son of Christopher Orendorff, 
who was of German descent and parentage. Mrs. 
Kimler came to this county wittr her parents in 
1823, being among the very first settlers. She died 
in Randolph (irove Oct. 13, 1843, and her remains 
lie beside those of her husband in Downs Ceme- 
tery. Of their four children, Lewis C. and Marena 
J. died near Bloomington ; the latter was the wife of 
James W. Aliel, who died in Belleflower Township; 
our subject was the third child; America became 
the wife of Christopher Noggle, and lives in Old 
Town Township. 

The subject of this history w'as but ten years of 
age when his father died. II(^ lived with his ma- 
ternal grandparents for tw(; years, then made his 
home with his uncle, John L. Orendorff, until he. 
had grown tOvmanhood, receiving a fair education 
in the common school, and teaching one term. 
Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted 
Aug. 29, 1802, in the 4th Illinois C^avalrv, and 
served until the close of the war. He was in the 
Valley of the Mississippi the entire term of service, 
his regiment for the most part doing garrison duty. 

After his return from the army Mv. Kinder 
lived with his uncle until his marriage, and then 
removed to West Township and settled on section 
2, town 21. After five years he traded his farm 
there for the one which he now owns and occupies. 
This consists of 200 acres on section 3'), all enclosed 
and improved, and furnished with a good set of 
frame buildiiigs. Mr. K. is largely engaged in 
grain and stock raising, and everything about the 
premises denotes the supervision of a methodical 
business man. 

The marriage of our subject occurred on the 2d 
of April, 1867, the lady of his choice l)eing Miss 
Mary E. Hoover, who was born in Clermont County, 
Ohio, and the daughter of .Joel and Nancy 
(Houscr) Hoover, natives of Maryland. The chil- 



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117Ci 



McLKAN COUNTY. 




dren of Mr. and Mrs. K. are as follows: Cora May, 
Ola E., Mary Frances, WilliiUii 15. mihI .Icssie I'earl; 
one son, a twin brother of William, died in infancy. 
Mr. Kinder is Deniocr.'itic in politics, has been 
Townshi|) Clcik for several ye;irs, School 'I'rustec 
and Treasurer, and has served tiii'fc terms as .Su- 
pervisor. • 



'I^^KNIiY C. LOWUKY, importer and Ineeder 
of French draft horses, is a native of \V )od- 
furd County, this State, where he was born 
March 2is, l,s,")i;. He has been a resident 
of Normal Townshi|) since 1805, and has full^' es- 
tablished himself in the confidence an<l esteem of 
the citizens of this community, by his straightfor- 
ward business methods and his U|)right life. He is 
a fine judj^e of horsefiesh, and in the business which 
he has selected for his vocation, is meeting with 
well-merited success. 

The father of our subject, Joseph Lowre^-, a na- 
tive of Scotland, came to the United States with 
his parents when a boy ten years of age. They 
settled in Lancaster County, I'a., where Joseph 
grew to manhood, and in 183,') came to Illinois and 
located near Si)ringfield. Here he was united in 
marriage with INIiss Josephine Jenivins, who w.-is a 
native of Baltimore. Md. After their marriage 
thej- located upon a farm, and Josei)h l^owrev also 
carried on a real-estate and live-stock business. He 
subsequently removed into Woodford County, this 
State, and thence came to this count}', loi;itin<>' on 
a tract of land in Normal Township. He .subse- 
quently became the owner of 22.") acres, besides 
land in Woodford and Logan Counties and also in 
Iowa and Nebraska, making in all an area of 1,400 
acres. He departed this life in 1870. He was 
jirompt to meet his obligations, a strictly honest 
and reliable business man and was held in the hio-h- 
est respect by his business associates and acquaint- 
ances at large. His wife survives and resides on 
the old homestead in Normal Township. Their 
household circle included six children, of whom the 
record is as follows: Edwin is an engineer in the 
United States Navy; Mary became the wife of 
Frank Pei)pers, a dealer in agricultural implements 
ami also in N<^rman hor.ses at Albia, Iowa; Henry C. 



of our sketch; Adaline lives in Nebraska with an 
uncle; Josephine married Arthur Keenan, of Le 
Uoy ; Alice is at home. 

Henry C. Lowrej' of our sketch received a fair 
education in the common schools and assisted his 
parents in the duties around the farm. After at- 
taining his majority he went West to look after 
some real estate for his father. After arriving in 
the territories, whithei' he had gone with some cat- 
tlemen, he passed three seasons, and then returning 
home remained a year. In 1881 he embarked in 
his present business, and subseqnentlj' visited 
France, bringing home with him six valuable 
horses. In 1882 he imported fifteen nuire choice 
animals; in 1883, seventeen head, and in 1884, 
fourteen head In 188,j he formed a partnership 
w.th Jiihn J. Kemp, and under the firm style of 
Keni|) ife Luwrey they were soon the possessors of 
forty-three head of valuable animals, importing 
dui-ing 188G sixteen head, and in 1887 they im- 
ported thirty-eight fine horses. They still have a 
large nnnd)er of mares for breeding purposes and 
are rapidly Imilding u)) a reputation as the most 
successful and skillful horsemen in this locality. 
Our subject has been admitted as a member of the 
National French Draft Horse Association, and has 
the ambition to strive for the highest excellence 
in his innxirtaut work, which so materially affects 
the industries of this country. 



ATHANIEL PIERCE HELMICK, a suc- 
cessful hardware merchant of Bellefiower, 
and still a young man, as a good citizen 
and an honest and thorough-going member of this 
community, is contributing his full share toward 
the business interests of his locality. He is the 
son of Nathaniel Helmiek, Sr., who w,as born in 
A'irginia, grew to manhood in his native State, and 
there married Miss Mary Tingler, also a native of 
the Old Dominion. After a few years they re- 
moved to Ohio and thence, in 1830, to Illinois. 
The journeys from Virginia to Ohio and from the 
latter State to Illinois were made with wagons, in 
vvhii'h they carried tiieir household goods, camjiing 
and cooking by the wayside. The father of our 



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McLean county. 



1 1 77 ti\ 



subject first purchased a claim in Rutledge Town- 
ship, Y)c Witt Co.. 111., where he erected a log house, 
the nearest mill being in T.azewell County, and the 
nearest market for cattle was Chicago, 140 miles 
distant. The elder Ilelmick improved his farm 
there and occupied it until 1882, then sold out and 
removed to Farmer City, where lie spends his sum- 
mer seasons and in winter taltes up his residence in 
Florida. 

The subject of this history was the tenth of 
twelve cliildren born to his parents. He was reared 
on his father's farm and received a good common- 
school education, remaining under the home roof 
until he liad attained his majority. Mis father then 
gave him 100 acres of land, located on section 28, 
Belleflower Township, which he occupied and cul- 
tivated until 1882. That year lie rented his farm 
and removing to Belleflower, engaged in his present 
business, in which he has been fairl}' successful. 

Mr. Helmick was married in Belleflower Town- 
ship, on the 2d of October, 1876, to Miss Martha 
Greene, who was a native of Illinois. They have 
become the parents of four children — Melver F. 
P., Nancy M., Clara P. and Thomas N. P. Mr. H. 
is Democratic in politics and hasserveil as Collector 
of his township. 

A lithographic view of Mr. Melmick's residence 
and store building is to be seen on another i)age. 



>-j>t^ - 



l/ii^ 



-<^5«£^ 




^ MLLIAM VANSCHOICK. There are few 
\/iJ// '"®" more widelj' or favorably known 
\y^ throughout McLean County than the sub- 
ject of the following sketch. He came to this vi- 
cinity nearly thirty years ago, and the aid which he 
has extended in encouraging the mark of progress 
and building up the city of Bloom ington, can 
scarcely be estimated. Me is of that energetic and 
enterprising disposition which will not allow him to 
be idle for a moment, and at those times when per- 
haps his hands are unemploj'ed his busy brain is 
devising something which shall not only be a ben- 
efit to himself but to those around him. There are 
few enterprises in the capital city of McLean with 
which he has not been connected, and he is con- 



ceded by all to be one of the best financiers and 
liusiness men of this county. 

Mr. VanSchoick is a native of Monmouth Coun- 
t}', N. J., where his birth took place Aug. 2, 1829. 
His parents, David and Emily (Williams) Van- 
Schoick, were natives of the same State, where they 
remained until after marriage and then started 
West, locating in Ohio in 1836. There the father 
was engaged in farming and milling, and remained 
a resident of the Buckeye State for thirty years. 
In 1866 he came to Bloomington, where he resided 
until his death, which occurred in 1874. The 
mother is still living in this cit}', honored and re- 
spected by all who know her. 

The subject of this history in early life learned 
the printer's trade, but this not being suited to his 
tastes he took up stove-molding and brickmak- 
ing, at which he served a thorough aiiprenticeship 
and became an expert. When twenty-three years 
of .age he established himself at Richmond, Ind., 
and engaged at his trade, turning out the largest 
amount of work in the molding of sand brick that 
has ever been known. At one time in the space of 
thirteen hours he finished off 14,369 brick. After 
this da3''s work he was carried on the shoulders of 
his men and the students two miles to and fro 
through the city. An account of this was pub- 
lished throughout the United States and Canada 
and young VanSchoick was conceded the cham- 
pion brickm.aker of the country. 

From his early youth, Mr. VanSchoick was al- 
ways ambitious to progress. He was never content 
with mediocritj', but in wh.atever he undertook it 
seemed the most natural thing in the world that he 
should aim to excel. After becoming thoroughly 
proficient in the manufacture of brick, he began to 
engage as a builder and contractor, and superin- 
tended the erection of many important buildings 
in and around Richmond, Ind., among them the 
Friends' College, a handsome and substantial struc- 
ture, reared by the Quakers, .and devoted to the 
higher branches of study. 

Mr. VanSchoick came to Bloomington in 1858, 
and continued .as a builder and contractor, meeting 
with the same success here which had sign.alized 
his efforts elsewhere. Among the iuiportant l)uild- 
ings in this city which bear the mark of his perse- 



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1 



1178 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



verance aiul jrenitis are the Wesleyaii College, the 
People's BaaU luiildiiig, and tlie Bloomington 
Stove Woiks. He possesses more than ordinary 
executive ability, and lias h.ad at times 17.5 men in 
his employ, lie was one of the organizers of the 
Hloomington .Stove Works, has been a stockholder 
ami Director from tiie beginning, and was elected 
President in lss.">. Tbi' company commenced bus- 
iness witli six members, and a capital stock of $40,- 
000. Tlie (capital lias since lieen increased and the 
products of tlieir manufacture arc sent into most of 
the Western and Southern States. Mr. \'anSchoick 
is also idcntilicd witii the plow works of the cit}', 
and is a stockliohlcr in the Third National Bank. 

One of the most important interests of the city 
is tlie Bloomington Pork Packing Company, which 
is transacting a large and |ir<)lital)le business, and 
lying in (tlose proximity to the tr.acks of the I., B. 
A W. and the L., 15. & U. R. R., has fine facilities 
fur shipping, and transports annualh' many ear- 
loads of tliis alnxjst indispen.sable commodity to 
different parts of the East and South. A man who 
lias liai! the faculty of successfully engineering so 
many important inti'rests, has naturally' become an 
inipoi't;int factor in the l)uilding up of the city, 
which now largely dei)ends u])on him to assist in 
sustaining the reputation to which it has attained. 
Mr. N'anSclioick has steadily declined to become 
an (illicc-hdlder, feeling that his liusiness affairs 
claime(l his entire attention, but in 1 !■>()() the citizens 
elected him Alderm.-in, the duties of which olllce he 
(illed with credit to liimself and satisfaction to all 
eonc<'rned. lie is a man who can never l)e any- 
thing in a half-way manner, and during his incum- 
bency of this ollicc intriiduced many measures 
whi(>h were of great benefit to the city. He is 
largely interested in proi)erty here, and no man 
has taken greater satisfaction in nuiing the march 
of progress and civilization throughout the Prairie 
.State, and in devising methods which shall result 
in the best good of its people. The measures 
which have had the tendency to encourage them in 
tlieir efforts at Iiuilding up homes and becoming 
worthy .uid permanent citizens have originated and 
been upheld by such men as tlie subject of this 
sk(!tcli. 

The portrait <if Mr. \'an.Schoick which we pre- 



sent in connection with this sketch, forms one of 
the interesting features in a work of this kind, and 
takes the rightful place among the pioneers, to 
whose first efft)rts the city is indebted for being 
placed iiiion its feet, and thus enabled to effect the 
rapid progress which long ago relegated it to a po- 
sition among the important cities of the West. 

^-V ••o<«>.■@^><!■/^•.e>♦o <,— 



EPIIRAIM HESTER. McLean County is dot- 
ted over with many well-improved farms, 
and a goodly number of them are ovvned 
by men who began life poor in pocket, l)Ut with an 
abundance of energy and pluck, and have made 
life a success. Among this class of citizens is Mr. 
Hester, of Cheney's Grove Township. He has 
been variously' engaged as farmer, carpenter and 
school teacher, but is at present comfortably lo- 
cated on section 11. He was born in Northamp- 
ton County, Pa., whence he removed with his par- 
ents to Northumberland County and thereafter to 
Illinois, in 18G7. He is the sou of Christian and 
Elizabeth (Mensch) Hester, who spent their last 
years in Pennsylvania. The mother died in 1851, 
and the father surviving her nearly thirty years, 
departed this life in 1880, having arrived at the 
advanced .age of nearly eighty-four 3'ears. Their 
eleven children were Phillip, Sylvester, Catherine, 
Caroline, Abraham, Lucy A., Christian, Epliraim, 
William, Henry and Daniel. 

Mr. Hester after coming to this county em- 
ploj'ed him.sclf at whatever he could find to do, 
some of the time in the cornfield, but most of the 
time teaching. He followed the latter profession 
for a period of twelve j-ears with marked success. 
He has a natural love of learning and was finely 
educated. During the progress of the late War he 
enlisted in 18G3, in Co. E, 131st Pa. Vol. Inf., as 
Corporal. He served nine mouths in the Army of 
the Potomac, w.as held with his company as a re- 
.serve in the battle of Eredericksburg, and partici- 
pated in tlie engagement at Chancellorsville. He 
was never wounded but suft'ered greatly in health 
from harilshi|) and privation. He received an hon- 
orable discharge in 18G1, and going into the State 
of Micliigan resumed teaching, which he followed 



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i 



L 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1179 



for two years, although scarcely able to do so. In 
1872 he purchased 120 acres of land in this county, 
to which he subsequently added until he is now the 
owner of two fine farms iueluding 240 acres. Upon 
this he has a handsome and substantial residence, 
good barns and out-buildings, and all the appli- 
ances of a modern agriculturist. He has given 
some attention of late years to the breeding of 
Norman horses and high-grade Short-horn cattle. 
He takes a genuine interest in the affairs of liis 
county and townsliip, especially in the establishment 
and maintenance of schools. He has filled various 
township offices, and is a man of sound judgment, 
whose opinion is uniformly consulted upon all im- 
portant occasions. Politically he is independent, 
and religiousl3' was carefully reared by his parents 
in the doctrines of the (ierman Reformed Church. 
The marriage of liiphraim Hester and Miss Arey 
A. Crigler took place on Christmas Eve, 1868. 
Mrs. H. was born in McLean County, 111., Feb. 2, 
1850, and is the daughter of Thomas B. and Sarah 
R. (Deal) Crigler, both of whom are living. Their 
eight children are William H., C. F., C. E., John 
M. B., Arey A., Julius W.. Martha S. and Blaggie 
_E. Mr. and Mrs. Hester are the parents of six 
children, all of whom are living — Arthur, Eugene 
E., Eunice R., June, John T. and Lncy E. Mr. 
Hester is a member of the Knights of Honor, at 
Gibson. 111. Mrs. Hester is a member of the Cum- 
berland Presliyterian Church, of C4ibson, Ford Co., 
111. A handsome lithographic view of Mr. Hester's 
lilaco is shown. 



t 



^WEN A. MP^ANS, a prominent farmer and 
stoclc-raiser of Cheney's Grove Township, is 
the owner of a fine farm estate on section 15. 
He is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Lewis 
County, Sept. 21, 1831, and is the son of Robert 
and Sarah (Rumsey) Means, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, where the father was born in 1 785. Robert 
Means emigrated to Illinois in 182'J, locating in 
this county, of which he remained thereafter a resi- 
dent, and departed this life Aug. 15, 1835. He was 
an old-line Whig politically, and religiously, a firm 
believer in the doctrines of the Methodist Church, 

4> 



of which his wife was also a member. She was 
born Nov. 10, 17!)5, and died at the home of her 
daughter, Mrs. James McMackin, March 1. 1875. 
Their ten children are recorded as follows : America, 
who became the wife of Suowden Ball, died in 
Cheney's (! rove Township in 1885: Katurah nuir- 
ried James McMackin, and lives in the same town- 
ship; Jemima and John were twins, the former be- 
came the wife of A. G. Stansberry of Kansas, and 
the latter died when fifteen years old ; James R. 
ni.arried Miss Nancy Stansberry; David D. first 
married Miss Mary Cline, who died after a few 
years, and he then married her sister Rebecca; 
Joseph K. married Miss Matilda Rankin; he served 
as a soldier in the LTnion army during the late 
war, being a member of the llOth Illinois Infantry, 
and died at Vicksburg in ISlio; his widow was left 
with four children; Owen A., our subject, was the 
eighth child; Elizabeth, Mrs. Green, lives in Lynn 
County, Kan.; Margaret became the wife of James 
Vanscoyoc, and lives on the old home place where 
the parents settled in 1829. 

The subject of this history remained under the 
home roof during his childhood and youth, receiv- 
ing careful home training and a good common- 
school education. After reaching manhood he was 
united in marriage with Miss L3'dia Pitts, Oct. 4, 
1855. Mrs. M. is the daughter of William and 
Nancy (Armstrong) Pitts, who were natives of 
Kentucky and removed to this State in 1855. Both 
are now deceased. The father died June C, 1857, 
and the mother, Sept. G, 1863. William Pitts was 
a farmer and carpenter, an industrious and en- 
terprising man and a good citizen. Politically he 
was a firm adherent of the Whig party, but after 
the abandonment of the old party inclined to 
Democratic principles. Both jjarents were mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The 
record of their ten children is as follows: John 
first married Miss Mary J. Zook, who died soon 
afterward; his second wife was Miss Mary Means; 
Lydia. the wife of our subject, was the second child ; 
William died in infanc3'; Lucinda, who became the 
wife of Granville Rayburn, is a resident of San 
Jose, Cal. ; Justina, Mrs. Frazier, is now deceased ; 
Thomas married Miss Jane Stansberry and lives in 
California; Charlie died when six years of age; the 



T 






1182 



A 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



next, an Infant, died unnamed; Nanc_y J,, unmar- 
ried, is a resident of Califoi'Mi.-i; Owen died wlien 
two years old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Owen .Aleaus Iiecame the parents of 
ten children: William died when two years of age; 
Alvira, Mrs. Woodruff, is a resident of Dakota; 
Bell, Mrs. Thornton, lives at Cullom, 111.; Charlie 
was the fourth child ; Matie, Mrs, John Williams, 
lives at Colfax, 111. ; Luther died when seventeen 
months old: Amos B., who was born Aug. 17, 
1H70, is attending the High School at .Saybrook, 
and is a youth of more than ordinary ability, being 
well advanced in his studies and fond of le.arning; 
Joseph K., born jNlarch !), 1873, attended the com- 
mon schools until 1887, and on the ud day of 
March following, started for Hyde County, Dak., 
to assist his brother, Charles, Iti opening up a farm. 
This consists of a tract of 1,220 acres, and these en- 
UM'prising young men will doubtless in time become 
worthy and valued citizens. Jose[)h is a great 
favorite with all who know him, full of life and 
spirits but of excellent habits. Daisy, the youngest 
daughter, was born March (I, 1870, and Ja}', the 
youngest son, Sept. 17, 18.S0. The latter is now a 
In-iglit boy of nearly seven years, the pet and sun- 
shine of the home circle. 

The homestead of Mr. Means comjirises 250 
acres of fine farniing land. Of late years he has 
m.ade a specialty of stock breeding and bears the 
reputation of being one of the best breeders in this 
part of the State. His herd of cattle comprises 
some of the finest animals to be found in the West. 
Two years ago he shipped to the Chicago market 
two carloads of the heaviest fat steers that ever 
left the township. lie also has some fine English 
draft horses and has opcr.'itcd hirgcly in Poland- 
China swine. 

Mr. Means has a fine dwelling built of brick, two 
stories in height, with handsome veranda in front 
and a porch around the L. The house is finely 
finished and furnished. A view of the residence is 
given in this work. The barns and other out- 
Iniildings are adapted in every respect to the re- 
quirements of a first-class farmer and slock-rai.ser. 
Mr. Means is now building one of the finest barns 
in this eonnnunity, its dimensions being 3(1x18 feet, 
and capable of holding lifty tunsuf hav .'Uid shelter- 



ing about forty head of stock. The grounds are finely 
laid out and the whole estate presents one of the 
most attractive spots in McLean County. Mr. 
Means, politically, casts his vote in support of the 
Democratic party and all the family are mombcis 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



PLINT BROS. George H. and Charles A. 
Flint are widely and favorably known 
among the farmers and stock-raisers of 
Belleflower Township, as being especially worthy 
representatives of the latter department of farm- 
ing. They were born .among the New Hampshire 
Hills, and descended from a family' who were 
among the earliest settlers of New- Engl.and, its first 
representatives having crossed the waters about 
the time of the settlement of the Plymouth colon- 
ists. The j)aternal grandfather of the Flint Broth- 
ers, who was a native of Andover, Mass., removed 
to New Ham])shire about 1790, and was among 
the first settlers of llillsboro County, that State. 
He purchased a tract of (Government land, cleared 
a farm from the wilderness, and established a com- 
fortable home, where he remained until the close of 
his life. For many years Boston was the nearest 
market for the settlers, who usually made the jour- 
ney with ox-teams. The Indians lingered there 
for some years afterward, and wild game was 
plenty. 

Luther Flint, father of Flint Brothers, of our 
sketch, was born in Hillslioro, N. H., and is living 
on the farm which his father cleared there. He is 
now eighty years of age, and although not in ro- 
bust health, still possesses his vigorous and active 
mind, and keei)s himself well posted upon current 
events. His wife was Miss Sarah D. Richardson, 
also a native of llillsboro. She departed this life 
in 1884. The record of their six children is as fol- 
lows: Sullivan lives on the old homestead and takes 
care of his father; Ellen M. became the wife of 
Giles Brown, and lives in Deering, N. II.; Sarah 
F. lives with her father; Fred W. is a resident of 
llillsboro; the remaining two brothers are the sub- 
jects of our sketch. 

(ieorge II. Flint was lioni in Hillslioro, N. IL, 



i 



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McLean county. 



1183 



Oct. 26, 1844. He was educated in the district 
schools of his native town, and in the school at 
Ilennikcr. Wiien not in school he assisted his fa- 
ther on the farm, and remained with iiis parents 
until he attained his maji>rity, in 180;'). He then 
came to Illinois, first locating in Madison Couiit3', 
where he was employed as a farm laborer three 
years. While there he made the acquaintance of 
I\Ir. O. M. Hatch, who owned a large tract of wild 
land in Bellefiower Township, McLean County, 
and made arrangements to move upon and im- 
prove a part of the land. He located on the south- 
west quarter of section 32, where he has worked 
.500 acres on shares since that time. This he has 
brought to a good state of cultivation, has it well 
stocked, and supplied with a good set of farm 
buildings. His cattle are all high-grade animals, 
and the horses, sheep and hogs are of the best qual- 
ity, and well cared foi'. 

Mr. Flint was married to Miss Belle Skidmore 
on the 11th of April, 1 S77. Mrs. Flint was born 
in Bloomington Township, this county, in Decem- 
ber, 18,50, and is the daughter of George W. and 
Margaret (Kinsel) Skidmoi'e. Of this union there 
are two children — Ceorge Hatch and Arthur L. 
Mr. and jNIrs. Flint are members in good Standing 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Charles A. Flint was born in Ilillsboro, N. H., 
Sept. 13. 18.51. He pursued his primary studies in 
the district schools, his education being advanced 
by an attendance of two terms at F'rancistown 
Academy. Being naturally studious and fond of 
leai'ning, he occupied himself as a teacher for a 
short time, and in 1872 set his face toward the 
great West. After coming into Illinois he located 
in Belleflower and engaged .as a farm laborer, the 
greiiter part of the time for hisbrothe), until 1883. 
In that year he was taken into partnership, and the 
brothers have operated together since that time. 
They soon afterward purchased the farm hjcated 
on section 20, which contains 100 acres, and whicii 
they have brought to a good state of cultivation, 
making all needful improvements. 

The marriage of Charles A. Flint and Miss May 
Skidmore took place on the 2d of Februar}-, 1 887. 
This laily was born in Belleflower Township, June 
10, 1804, and is the daughter of George ^V^ and 




Margaret (Kinsel) Skidmore, natives respectively 
of Ohio and Virginia. A view of the beautiful 
residence of George W. Flint appears elsewhere in 
this volume. 

OSES C. .lOHNSTON. Few counties can 
boast of so many fine farm estates as Mc- 
Lean. One of them is occupied by the 
gentleman of whom we now write. It is 
situated on section 27, Downs Township, and in- 
cludes 320 acres of valu.able land, with a handsome 
and substantial set of frame buildings. The stock 
and farm machiner3' are kept in the best condition, 
and everything about the premises denotes the in- 
telligence and thrift of Mr. .Tohnston. Our subject 
has been in possession of his present farm for about 
twenty years. 

He comes of excellent Irish ancestry and parent- 
age. His father, .John .lohnston, was born in the 
North of Ireland, and when nine years of .age emi- 
grated with his mother to the United States. Tiiey 
stopped for a brief time in New York, then re- 
moved to Ohio, and located in Harrison County, 
where the father of our subject grew to manhood. 
He was a lioatman on the Ohio River for a period 
of ten years, engaged in the transportation of coal 
and other merchandise. He became pilot of a river 
steamer, and was noted for his skill .and intimate 
knowledge of the course of the river. In company 
with his brother he became part owner of different 
boats. He frequently went to New Orleans with a 
cargo of goods and returned on foot to his home 
in AVheeling. 

After retiring from the river business, John 
Johnston located in Bloomington, 111., where he 
now lives in ease and comfort, having reached the 
advanced age of seventy-two years. He was mar- 
ried in Ohio to Miss Eleanor Cairns, who was also 
a native of the North of Ireland, and of Scotch 
descent. She came to the United States with her 
parents when a child, and received a good educa- 
tion. .She was born in 1823, and is still living 
with her husband in Bloomington. 

Moses C. Johnston wjis the second son and child 
of a f.amily of ten, seven sons and three daughters. 
Of these a son and <laughtcr arc now decca.sed, and 



«»- ■ 4* 



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1184 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



four of the living are married. Our subject was 
born ou the ;3(1 of Julj-, 18t(j; spent liis ciiildliood 
and youth under tlic parental roof, and received a 
good edueatiiin in the common schools. He was 
married at Normal, this county, March 1(1, 1S71, to 
Miss Urie Mersey, who was a native of Gra- 
tiot, Ohio, and born July !), 1844. Her p.ar- 
ents were Adam and Mary (.Melick) Herse3-, na- 
tives of Virginia and Ohio. The}' were married in 
the latter State, and located there upon a farm, 
whence the)' came West with their fauiilj- in about 
1857. The father carried on farming in Ue Witt 
County, this State, until about 1866, and then re- 
moved to Normal, wheie the [farents now live. 
Mrs. Johnston was the fourth of eight elilldren born 
to her parents, and completed her education in the 
Suite University at Normal. When seventeen 
years of age she began teaching in the public 
schools, which profession she followed until her 
marriage with our subject. 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the parents of eight 
children — Charles C, Edward W., Robert C, 
Maude G., Carrie E., Roscoe II., liurley C'. and 
Urie May. Our subject and wife take esj^ecial 
pride in their blooming young family, who are all 
children of more than ordinary' intelligence, healthy, 
hearty, and full of life. Mr. Johnston is a re|)re- 
.sentative business man, and politically an active 
Republican. 

^v — — i>»o.(q^><^.«.»o <,^_ 

ALMEK STORY, one of the honored pio- 
neers, and a retired farmer of McLean 
Countj', is passing liis declining years in 
the city of Bloomington, enjoying the 
fruits of his earlj' labors with a good conscience, 
and at peace with all men. His pleasant and taste- 
ful residence is located at llie corner of Longworth 
and Denver streets, and with his faithful wife he is 
surrounded by affectionate friends and the citizens 
who long years ago learned to revere him for his 
personal worth and upright course in life. 

Mr. Story was born in Shawnee Flats, Pa., on the 
5th of March, 1805, and is the son of John and 
Nancy (Jones) Stor}', natives of Germany and 
^' Pennsylvania respectively. John Story was a sol- 




dier of the Revolutionary War, and possessed in a 
marked degree the characteristics of a sturdy and 
honorable ancestrj'. The parental family consisted 
of four children, the subject of our sketch being 
the only one living. The latter, after five years of 
age, was reared on a farm in Ohio, and was mar- 
ried in 1824, to Miss Mary A. Morris, a native of 
England, and the <laughter of Joseph and Hester 
(Perry) Morris, also of English birth and ancestry. 

In 1835 Mr. Story removed from Ohio to Illi- 
nois, settling in McLean County, eighteen miles 
southwest of Bloomington. He purchased 240 
acres of land upon which was a small cabin, and 
commenced its imjjrovement by building fences, 
planting orchards, and providing those comforts 
.and conveniences necessarj' to the farm and house- 
hold. He occupied this with his family until 1852, 
then sold out and removed to Bloomington, where, 
in company with three other gentlemen, he pur- 
chased eighty acres of land east of the city, and 
laid off his share in town lots. These, while pro- 
viding comfortable homes at a reasonable price, as- 
sisted to enlarge the ])oundaries of the city, and 
yielded our suljjcet a handsome income. 

Mr. Story at different times has purchased about 
400 acres of land in McLean County, part of which 
he has given to his children. These were seven in 
number: Luc}', Mrs. (iraves, is a resident of Col- 
orado, and the mother of five children — ^William, 
John, Mary, Edward and Harry; Mary, Mrs. Proc- 
tor, of Missouri, has nine children — Eveline, Palmer, 
Hester, Eva, Amj-, Spencer, John, Carrie and 
Willie ; William married Eliza Pharis, of De Witt 
Couutj', III., and has seven children — Palmer, Mary, 
Cynthia, Lucy, Sarah, Jolm ;oid Dell; Hester mar- 
ried William Alexander in 1855, becoming the 
mother of one daughter, Lue M., and died of ap- 
oplexy March 20, 18S7, in Bloomington; Hannah 
mariied James R. Murphy, and has four children — 
William, Mary, Riley and Delia; Mr. iMurphy died 
March 28, 18(i;5. During the late war he was Cap- 
tain of the 33d IMissouri \'oIunteers. Cynthia, 
Mrs. Enoch, of Colorado, has become the mother 
of live children — Frank, Gertrude (deceased), Will- 
iam, Jennie and Mary; Mattie, Mrs. Arnold, of 
Illinois, has six children — Lewis, Hester, Oliver, 
Ali)ha, Kate and Mattie; Oliver married Rebecca 



i 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1185 



Jennings, of McLean Count}', and has two children 
— Nellie and Maude. 

Mr. .Stor_y has of children, gnxudcliildrcn and 
great-grandchildren, over loll. He has beoii mar- 
ried sixty-two year.s. lie was converted when fif- 
teen years old, ami joined the United Bretiiren 
Church, with whicli he reuiaiued five years; since 
tiiat time he has been a, member of tlie Metliodist 
Episcopal Church, his wife and ciiildren also being 
connected with tlie same. Of this he has been 
.Steward and Class- Lea,der for many years, and now, 
with his companion, is waiting on tlie shore of time 
to cross over tlie river to the mansions prepared 
for them on the other side. 



♦-i^S^*-^*^ 



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*^i^-•<^is^-» 



L. WOLCOTT, engaged in the undertaking 
business, is located af No. 20.'i South Main 
street. Bloom ington, and is contributing his 
full share as a useful f.actor in the business 
intei'ests of the city, being lionest and upright in his 
business transactions, prompt to meet his obliga- 
tions, and a useful member of society. Air. Wolcott 
is a native of the Bay State, having been born in 
Sandisfield, Berkshire Co., Mass., Aug. .'io, 1808. 
He is the son of William and Huldah (Denning) 
Wolcott, also natives of Massachusetts, whose an- 
cestry came from England. 

The parents of our subject were married April 
12, 1834, and became the parents of seven children, 
five now living — Nelson, Honor, John L., Homer 
and Mary. William Wolcott was a builder and 
contractor, and daring tlie last years of his life was 
l)rincipally occupied as a caljiuet-niaker. Both par- 
ents died in Sandisfield. Tlie father was born 
June 12, 1774, and departed this life Oct. 25, 
I.S4.'!. The mother, bcirn in 177(;, died Nov. 27, 
1841. 

John L. Wolcott received a common-school edu- 
cation in his native town, which was principally ob- 
tained during the winter seasons while he worked 
on a farm during the summer until sixteen years 
old. He pursued his studies some tliree years later, 
and also worked in the cabinet shop with liis father 
until he attained his majority. In the spring of 
^> ' 



1829 he went to Connecticut and engaged as a 
journeyman and housebuilder in Hotchkissville. 
He pursued his trade for two or three years follow- 
ing, spending his winters mostly at home, and in 
the fall of 1831 came Westward as far as Gains- 
ville, N. Y., where he remained until the spring of 
1832, then went to Geneseo, still working at his 
trade as carpenter and cabinet-maker. On the 2d 
of April of the 3-ear last named he was married and 
settled at (Jreigsville, where he remained until 
1843, when he started for the Prairie State. After 
reaching McLean County he located at Blooming- 
ton, and engaged with the firm of Gootlman & 
Ferre, wagon and furniture manufacturers. He 
soon became a partner in the business, tlie firm being 
Ferre, Wolcott & Co., and they operated together 
for six years following, when our subject withdrew 
and set up in business for himself as cabinet-maker 
and undertaker. He finally dropped the former, 
and conducted undertaking alone until 1884, when 
he passed the management of his business over to 
his son. 

Mr. Wolcott purchased the proiierty which he 
now owns and upon which he resided soon after 
coming into Bloomingtou. It is six acres in ex- 
tent and he paid $50 an acre in trade. He laid the 
ground out in city lots, to which he made an addi- 
tion, in 1852, and afterward purchased seventy 
acres south of Normal. He has been prospered in 
his business transactions, and is considered one of 
Blooinington's best citizens, being always ready to 
contribute of his means to worthy and charitable 
objects. His kindness to the poor has been pro- 
verbial, and he has been especially the friend of 
those in need. 

The marriage of our subject took place in 1834, 
the lady of his choice being Miss Caroline L., 
daughter of James and Martha (Ellis) Baker, who 
were natives of Chester, Washington Co., N. Y. 
Mr. Baker was a shoemaker by trade, which he fol- 
lowed through life. His family included thirteen 
children, of whom only three are living — Caroline, 
Malvina and Martha. The parents lived to be 
eighty -five and ninety-three ^^ears old respectively-, 
and died in their native State. 

Of the marriage of Jlr. and Mrs. Wolcott there 
have been horn twelve children, seven now living, 






t 



a I 1«6 



McLKAN COUNTY. 



1 



of whom the record is as follows : John IT. mar- 
ried Miss Maggie Derryinuii, aixl lhe_y h;ive one 
sou — Albert; Willi.'im II. married Miss Lydia Til- 
ton, who died in 18S4, Icavinjf four chihlreii — Lor- 
ens, Mamie, Claude and William; Ellen, Mrs. 
liaiimgardner, has five eliildren — Harry, Alice, Til- 
lie, Minnie and Clara; Kdwiii M. married Miss 
Belle Butler, and they have four children — Jessie, 
Arthur, Eddie and Ethel; Oliver E. is unnnuried; 
Charles C. married Miss Ettie Burdick. aud they 
have one daughter — Allie; Alice ('., Airs. S. II. 
Vanscoit, has become the mother of three children 
— Howard, Edna and Charles W. Mr. Wolcott is 
Rei)ublicau in politics, belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternrty, and is an attendant of the Methodist 
Episcopal Cliurch, of which iSIrs. W. is a consistent 
and devoted member. 



RAXCIS J. EITZWILLIAM, an old and 

well-known resident of Bloomiugton, hav- 
^ iug come iicre in 1 8G6, is proprietor of one of 

the largest wholesale and retail dry-goods houses in 
the cit3'. It is located at No. 107 West Jefferson 
street, and its operations extend throughout this 
State and the Northwest. Tlie reputation of the 
house is only equaled by its prosperity, which has 
been phenomenal from the start, and has been car- 
ried on in that straightforward and business-like 
manner which is the only true basis upon which 
trade can properly be conducted. 

The subject of this history is a native of Bain- 
bridge, Ohio, and was boin July 11, 1840. His 
parents were William M. and Hannah (Kellej) 
Fitzwilliam, natives respectively of Washington 
County, I'a., and Bainbridge, Ohio. The great- 
grandfather of William M. was James, the son of 
an Earl, Fitzwilliam, of England. James was sent 
to Ireland to superintend the linen mills that be- 
longed to the Earl's estate, and there married a 
beautiful Irish (.Quakeress, whicii so dis|)lcased his 
father that he cut him off with a dowry of €1,000 
l)er year, which was to continue during his lifetime. 
He only lived to be about thirty-five years old, 
leaving a wife and five children, three daughters 
and two sons, the latter named .bihn and ^\'iliiam. 

<■ — 



William Fitzwilliam, the grandfather of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was reared in County Antrim, 
Ireland, and married Miss Jane MuCully, in 1787. 
After the death of James Fitzwilliam, his widow 
having no resources left, emigrated with her chil- 
dren to America, in about 17;J0, and settled in 
AVashington Count}', Pa. Her son W^illiam moved 
to Ross County, Ohio, in 1817. He had a family 
of nine children, five daughters and four sons, of 
whom the 3'oungest, named William, was the father 
of our subject. William Fitzwilliam, Sr., died at 
Bainl)ridge, Ohio, in 1829, when sixt^'-eight years 
old. His wife, returning to Pennsylvania, died 
there, at Wasiiington, in 184 4, aged seventy-three 
years. 

William M. Fitzwilliam, .Ir., our subject's father, 
was born July 1.'5, 1813. He was reared to farm- 
ing pursuits, but this not being quite to his taste, 
and possessing considerable mechanical skill, he en- 
gaged in the manufacture of fanning-mills at Bain- 
bridge, Ohio, and sent teams through the country 
selling them. He continued thus occupied for a 
number of years, then purchased a stock of goods 
and engaged in merchandising at Bainbridge for 
twenty-five years, carrying on au extensive trade, 
and in connection witli it operating a tanner}'. He 
afterward purchased a large extent of land and 
amassed a valuable property in that section. In 
1870 he concluded to come to Illinois, wiiitluT liis 
son. Francis J., had preceded him, in 18(10, aud ac- 
cordingly sold c>ut his store, tannery and farm, and 
journeying to the Prairie .State made his location 
in Bloomington. Here he lived, honored and re- 
spected for a }>eriod of ten years, being an active 
member of. the Second Presbyterian Church, and a 
citizen who was always interested in ever^'thing per- 
taining to the welfare of his community. He de- 
parted this life Jan. 10, 1880, and his name is held 
in kindly remembrance liy a large circle of friends 
and .acquaintances. The mother is still living, and 
makes her home witii her daughter, Mrs. George 
W. Funk, of Hloomington. The parental family in- 
cluded nine children, of whom only two are now 
living (1887); Francis J., of this biography, and 
Ro.sealtha, now Mrs. (ieorge W. Funk. 

Francis J. Fitzwilliam pursued his primary 
studies in llic schools of his native town in Ohio, 




f 



■<^ 



■*► 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1187 a 



and when fourteen years of age was sent to Wash- 
ington, Fayette County, to assist in a Ijranch store 
of his father's. After one year he returned home, 
resumed his scho<jl studies and received instructions 
from a private tutor. He was a briglit and studious 
bo3% made the most of liis opportimities, and in 
18.")0 entered the Freshman class in the Oliio Wes- 
leyan College, at Delaware, where he studied two 
years. Then the Kebellion broke out, and he en- 
listed with many of his fellow students in the Un- 
ion service, and in compan}' with Maj. B. F. Burger 
recruited a company, which was assigned to tiie 
33d Regiment, Ohio \'ol. Inf.. with Col. Sill as Com- 
mander, and Francis J. Fitzwilliam, First Lieuten- 
ant. Our subject was soon afterward given a Cap- 
tain's commission, and remained in the service three 
years. He participated with his comrades in the 
battles of Perryville, Stone River, Lookout Moun- 
tain, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, sev- 
enteen battles in all, besides many skirmishes. The 
first sickness of his life occurred while he was in 
the army. He was confined in the hospital three 
weeks at Louisville, and four weeks at Nashville. 
A part of the time he was on detail duty as aide- 
de-camp to Col. Len. A. Harris, and was on the 
staff of Col. Scribner, of Indiana, who commanded 
a brigade of the 1st Division of the 14th Army 
Corps. Of 100 men which comprised the company, 
(mly twenty-eight remained alive or unhurt. Our 
subject remained in the service until the fall of 
Atlanta, and then, his term of enlistment having 
expired, he was mustered out at Aekworth, Ga., in 
October, 1864. He then returned home to Ohio, 
where he remained one year, planning his removal 
to Bloomington, upon which he had befoi'e deter- 
mined. 

Mr. Fitzwilliam was married on the 25th of Jan- 
uary, 1806, to Miss Lucretia M., daughter of Rob- 
ert and Margaret Read, of London, Ohio. Soon 
afterw.ard he came to Bloomington, and imme- 
diately established hi.s present business, which has 
now become the most prominent in the city. It 
was inaugurated under the firm name of Fitzwill- 
iam & Son. His father assisted him in furnishing 
the sinews of trade, and they located on Main 
street. The present property was purchased in 
r 1873, the building being 105 feet deep and twenty- 



five feet wide, with three stories and basement. 
The goods occupy six departments, in tiie handling 
of which there are emplo^'ed twenty-four clerks. 
His stock includes dress-goods and silks, laces, 
gloves and hosiery, linens, flannels and white goods, 
prints, muslins and domestics, carpets and rugs, 
cloaks, curtains and upholstery. The house is an 
important factor in the business interests of Bloom- 
ington, and has been the means of disbursing thou- 
sands of dollars where most needed. 

The household circle of our subject and his wife 
includes four children — William R., Anna, May 
and Francis J. The elegant family residence is lo- 
cated at No. 402 West Jefferson street, where the 
inmates are surrounded bj' all the comforts and lux- 
uries of life. Mr. and Mrs. F., with all their children, 
belong to the First Methodist Fpiscopal Church, 
to the support of which our subject has contributed 
cheerfully and lilierally, and been one of its chief 
pillars. He is President of the Board of Trustees, 
and has officiated as Superintendent of the Sabbath- 
school for the last twelve 3'ears. There have been 
ver}' few important measures connected with its 
prosperity and welfare in which he has not l)een 
the leader and earnest supporter, both by his 
means and influence. 

Mr. Fitzwilliam politically is a stanch Republican, 
and sociall3' is a member in good standing of the 
G. A. R. 

•Xy IrILLIAM O. DAVIS, editor and proprietor 
of the Pantayrajih, was born in Westches- 
ter, Pa., in August. 1837, his ancestors be- 
ing among the families vvho settled that part of 
Pennsylvania with William Penn. Mr. Davis 
passed his early life on a farm, receiving his edu- 
cation at the country schools and the academies. 
In 1858 he came West, locating in Normal, where 
for a time he taught school. Subsequently he en- 
gaged in farming. In 18G8, with Jesse W. Fell 
and James P. Taylor, he purchased the Blooming- 
ton Pantayraph, and two years later he bought out 
the interest of his partners and has since published 
this excellent and popular paper under his own 
name. 

The Pankujraph is the ablest newspaper in Mc- 




•¥^9^4^ 



i 



^ 



t 



a 1 1 88 



McLEAN COUNTY, 



Lean County, nnrl ranks high timong the leading 
journals of Illinois. In ls;)7, llu' lUouniington 
O/jiicrct'i- was established by .lames Allin, Jesse W. 
Fell and A. (Iridley, with William Hill as editor. 
fSnbscqnently 3Ir. Fell took eharge of the editorial 
department. In ISKi, the name of the paper was 
changed to the Wcslprii ]V/ii'j, ami was conducted 
by Charles P. Merriman. In 18.'):.' the name was 
again changed to the Intcllii/ciin'r, the paper again 
passing under the management of Mr. Fell, who 
sulisequently sold out to Charh's P. iSIerrinian, 
when the paper was rechristened, rei'eiving the 
name ot the Paiitaifrapli. 

In 18,5(i, Mr. Merriman sold the pain-r lo Will- 
iam E. Foute, who a few years later sold it to 
Messrs. Carpenter & Steele, and they sold to Messrs. 
Seibird & Waters. They held the paper until 1868, 
when it passed into the hands of Messrs. Davis, 
Fell iV Taylor. The first number of the Daily 
Ptiiitdi/rnjili was issued .lune 11), I S,') 1. 

The Panlaiiraph is one of the leading Repub- 
lican papers in the State, is al)ly conducted, has a 
large circulation, and exerts a potent intluencc for 
the go<.)d of the c(jmniunity as well as for the |)ros- 
jierity of its |>arty. 



WASIIIN(;T()N DAWSON, who is pleasantly 
located on section 2',), Chenoa Township, 
is a native of McLean County, having 
been born near Lexington, Money Creek Town- 
ship, .Inly 3, I8.J4. His parents were .Tames R. 
and Mary (Ogdcii) Dawson, .lames R. Dawson, 
who was a native of Kentuck\', removed to this 
county in 18:52, and settled in Money Creek Town- 
ship. There he folU)wed farming and p.assed the 
remainder of his life. The mother of our subject 
died at the old homestead in Monej' Creek Town- 
ship, when Wiishington was an infant of but eleven 
months old. She was a native of Ohio, and was a 
lady of English anil Irish extraction. Washington 
was a twin; his brother was .lames JL 

After the death of his first wife Mr. I), was mar- 
ried again, and our subject remained with him un- 
til twelve years of age. He then went to live with 
his older brother, Albert, with whom he remained 



until he was sixteen. Soon afterward he engaged 
to work on a farm by the month an<l was thus em- 
ployed for three years. Then, desirous of farnung 
on his own account, he rented a tract of land and 
commenced life in earnest. One of his first ar- 
rangements was to secure a partner and helpmeet, 
and he was accordingly married on the .5lh of No- 
vember, 18,1,5, to Miss Mary R., the daughter of 
Thomas Fell, of McLean County. The young 
people went to housekeeping with high hopes for 
the future, and in d\\<; time became the parents of 
two children — Emma, now deceased, and Charles H. 
Mr. Dawson was married the second time to Mrs. 
Martha (Diu'liani) Berlin, widow of Thomas .J. 
Berlin, who died in Andersonville Prison during 
the late war. Of this union there have been born 
Ave children, one now deceased — Frank .J. Those 
surviving are: William S., .Tames R., Howard U. 
and Oliver D. Of the first marriage of Mrs. Daw- 
son there was born one son. 

The splendid homestead of Wnshington Dawson 
includes 1 40 acres of finely- cultivated lan<l, which, 
however, is only half of what he formerl\- owned. 
Not caring for such a wide extent he disposed of a 
part. He erected a fine residence in 188G, which 
is two stories in height, finished and furnislied in 
modern style. The premises in all respects denotes 
the supervision of the intelligent and progressive 
farmer, which is very clearly shown in the view 
given in this Ai.nt \i. 

Soon after he had commenced his farming opera- 
tions there came the first call foT troojjs to defend 
the threatened Union. He at once laid aside his 
personal plans and interests and proffered his serv- 
ices as a soldier, enlisting in Co, C, 94th 111. \o\. 
Inf., in August, 1802, His regiment was assigned 
to the 13th Army Corps, and our subject and his 
comrades participated in the eng.agemeutat Prairie 
Grove, Ark,, and were at the siege of Vieksburg, 
where Mr, Dawson vvilh others laj' in the rifle pits 
for a period of twenty-one days. He escaped, 
however, from the conflict uiunjured, and was 
present at the attack on Ft, Hudson, near Browns- 
ville, Tex,, .'Hid all the other engagements and 
skirmishes which the regiment encountered until 
the close of the war. He was remarkably fortunate, 
never having been obliged to report illness, and 



^l» ■ <• 







McLean county. 



*i- 



11 89 



never evaded any duty which he was called upon 
to perform. At the close of the war he received 
his honorable discharge in August, 1 865, at Gal- 
veston, Tex., and was paid off at Springfield, III 
He then returned home and resumed his farming 
operations in which he has since been engaged. 
Mr. D. served as Assessor of Cheuoa Township one 
year and was Road Commissioner in 18S1. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. D. are members in good standing of 
the United Brethren Church, attending 'religious 
services at Lexington. Politically Mr. Dawson is 
Republican and greatly interested in the success of 
the temperance movement. 

The jiresent wife of Mr. Dawson was born' in 
Morgan County, Va., March 21, 1842, and was the 
fourth of a family of six children. She is a distant 
relative" of_(len. Zachary 'Taylor. She removed 
with her mother to this county in 186,5, her father 
having died when she was four years old. Her 
father was George and her mother Rosanna (Am- 
brose) Durham, the former a native of \irginia, 
and of Scotch and English ancestry. Her grand- 
father, Joseph Durham, was born in England and 
emigrated to this country in the colonial days. Her 
maternal grandfather, Jlatthcw Ambrose, was a 
Captain during the Revolutionary War in the 
Colonial Army. The father of .Airs. Dawson died 
in Virginia. The mother afterward emigrated to 
this State and diedat the'honie of her daughter in 
this county in 180G. 

-^ ^^ ^^ 



i'tTT^UOMAH J. WARREN, of Belleflower Town- 

(©)))) *'"'"'' '^^^ '^*^'" "^ ^^'^^'^ ^'o""t.y' t>Iiio. March 
i=#^ 18, 1844. His father, Lemuel Warren, was 
a native of North Carolina, and his grandfather, 
Henry Warren, of Maryland. The latter removed 
from his native State to North Ca'rolina when a 
young man and was there married. In about 181.5 
he removed to Ohio, the journey being made over- 
land, the grandmother of our subject riding on 
horseback and carrying a child in her arms. They 
located on a tract of timber land in Ross County, 
being among the earliest settlers. There Henry 
Warren opened up a farm, upon which lie remained 
until his death, which occurred in about 18,5 1. His 
<■ 



wife survived him for a period of eighteen years, 
her death occurring in Logan County, Ohio, in 1882. 
Their household included eight children, of 
whom Lemuel, the father of our subject, was the 
eldest. He was a mere child when his parents emi- 
grated from his native State to Ohio, and as soon 
as large enough was put to work and kept at it 
steadily until he started out to do for himself. He 
inherited the substantial traits of his parents and 
at the time of his marriage had already enough 
means to purchase a tract of land, mostly timber, 
near his father's farm. He erected a log house to 
which he afterward put a frame addition, and this 
remained his home until 1859, when he came to 
Illinois. He located in Sheridan Township, Taze- 
well County, upon a tract of 240 acres of prairie 
land, only part of which was improved. 

With characteristic energy and industiy. Lemuel 
Warren set about the cultivation of the soil and 
erected agood set of frame buildings, residing ui)on 
the homestead thus established until his death, in 
September, 18T.-5. His wife was Miss Elizabeth 
Wendel, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and 
the daughter of William Wendel, of Virginia, who 
emigrated from his native State at an early day 
and was numbered among the earliest settlers of 
Guern.sey County, Ohio. The journey from Vir- 
ginia to Ohio was made after the fashion of travel- 
ei's in those days with ox-te.ams. 

Lemuel Warren remained a resident of Guern- 
sey County, Ohio, until about 1847, when he 
removed to Ross County, and in about 185G started 
for the Prairie State. He purchased a farm in 
Slieridan Township, Tazewell County, which he oc- 
cupied with his family until his death, in 1876. 
His wife, who was Miss Eflie Delong, also a native 
of Virginia, died a few hours later and was buried 
the same day as her husband. The family con- 
sisted of ten children. 

The snliject of this history was the third child 
of his parents and was fifteen years old when they 
removed to Illinois. He was reared to farming 
pursuits, received a common-school education and 
remained under the home roof until his marriage 
with Miss Mary A. Lucas, which occurred Dec. 
11. 1867. Mrs. Warren was born in Corwin Town- 
ship, Logan Co.. 111., and was the ihiuojiter of ^ 



"^ 



t. 



1190 



I 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



(Jeorge M. P. Lucas, n native of Tazewell County,. 
111., whose father was annjiig the earliest pioneers 
of that region. Her father, who was left an or- 
phan at an early age, grew to manhood in Taze- 
well County. He learned the trade of a carpenter 
and joiner and settled soon after his marriage in 
Corwin Townshii), Logan County, wliere he still 
lives. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Warren, for- 
merly Miss Klizabeth Pence, was horn near Dayton, 
Ohio. Her parents were Joseph and Sarah (llecter) 
Pence, n.atives of Kentucky, whence they removed 
in 1828, to Illini>is. They located first in Peoria 
but soon afterward removed to Spriugticld, and in 
the fall of 1830, to Logan County, where the father 
made a claim and built a log cabin. Mr. Pence, 
the grandfather of Mrs. Warren, departed this life 
in 187*i. The grandmother still lives in this 
County, having arrivcnl at the advanced age of 
ninety years, and is drawing a pension on account 
of her husband's service in the War of 1812. 

Soon after the m.arriage of Mr. Warren he rented 
land in Sheridan Township, Logan County, one 
year, then purchased 110 acres in that vicinity, 
which he cultivated, im|)roved and occupied until 
1883, then sold out and purchased the f;irm which 
constitutes the present homesteail of himself and 
family. This is situated on section 31, in BclleHowcr 
'I'ownship. Our subject and his wife are the par- 
ents of eight children, live living as follows : Sarah, 
Allie, Elmer D., Lulo and K.atie. Mrs. Warren is 
a member of the Regular Uaptist Churcli. nnd our 
subject, politically, is a Democrat. 



~»-^'^ ■'\tJiCi2/©'^^-s3 



*@J>Si.'f7(7?J>\* -w^^ 



i|pv, ELSON JONES. One of the pioneers of 
[j jjj Towanda Township, .and now one of the 
'l\'^) largest land-owners of the county, was born 
in Clarke County, Ohio. April .">. 1826, and was 
there reared to farm lal)or. He is the son of Abra- 
ham H. and Matilda (Noel) Jones, the former a 
native of Cayuga County, N. Y., and the latter 
born in Kentucky. The parents of Mrs. Jones 
moved to Maryland, and when she was seven years 
of age they moved l)ack to Ohio, where they died. 
The parents of Nelson Jones lived in Ohio until 
IsriC, when they came to this county and made a 



•P^ U ^ 



settlement at Smith's Grove, Towanda Township, 
where the father engaged in farming, and where 
his demise occurreil Eeb. 11, 18(55; the mother af- 
terward removed to Towanda Village, where she 
died March 7, 1880. The parents had a family of 
ten children, and Nelson was the seventh in order 
of birth. 

Nelson Jones was reared to manhood on his 
father's farm, receiving his primar3' education in 
the common schools, and afterward supplementing 
the same by an academical course of five months 
at Springfield. Ohio. Remaining with the old folk 
until he attained the age of manhood he started 
out to do for himself. He came to this county in 
the spring of 1848, and located at Smith's Grove, 
and in 1849 he and his brother A. R. purchased 
600 acres of land in Towanda Township. In 1850, 
Cyrus Jones purch.ased a one-third interest, and 
the three brothers continued farming and stock- 
raising in partnership until 1854, since which time 
our subject has been operating bj' himself. His 
capital upon arriving in the county consisted of 
$342 in cash and one ht)rse and saddle. During 
the year 1854 he entered some 200 acres of land, 
and is now the owner of 927 acres of good and 
productive, as well .as valuable land, upon which he 
has three sets of good f.arm buildings. His large 
brick residence was erected in 1869, at an expense 
of upward of $12,000; his main barn wasjbuill in 
1873, and cost about $4,500. 

On first coming to the county, our subject 
worked out herding cattle, and w.as thus occupied 
for about two 3^ears, and afterward engaged in 
herding and feeding cattle bj' himself, .and in part- 
nershii) with his two brothers, as stated. Subse- 
quently he settled on his purchase on section 15. 
Towanda Township, and there lived until 1870, 
when he moved into the fine l)rick residence on 
section 1 6, and where he h.as continued to reside 
until the present time. Mr. Jones is one of the 
prominent men of Towanda Township, and h.as 
tflken a deep interest in its welfare since its orgvan- 
iz.ation, and is now the second oldest settler and 
voter of the township. Aside from farming he is 
largely eng.age<l in raising and feeding stock, mak- 
ing a specialty of blooded Short-horn cattle. He 
keeps about 35 head of horses; 150 head of cattle, 



i 



> 



•>-i-^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1191 ,,^ 



and fattens from 100 to 150 head of hogs annually. 

Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Eliza A. 
White, March 4, 1857. She is the daughter of 
George and Julia (Noel) White, natives of New 
York and Ohio respectively, and the vocation of 
the father was that of a farmei'. Her parents after 
marriage settled in Clarke County, Ohio, whence 
they removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and 
from there came to McLean County in 1850, and 
made settlement in Tow.anda Township, where the 
good mother died March 25, 1865. The father is 
yet living, and is now a resident of Lawndale 
Township. Their family of children were twelve 
in number, and Mrs. Jones was the third in order 
of birth. She first saw light in what is now Lafay- 
ette, Ind., Nov. 20, 1830, and of her union with 
our subject five children have been born : Ward 
B., June 17, 1858; Lattie Grant, April 5, 1863; 
Julia A., Sept. 7, 1867; Elmetta M., June 21, 1869, 
and Mark C, Sept. 24, 1871. Ward was united in 
marriage with Miss Sarah Stover, and they are res- 
idents of Towanda Township. 

Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and in politics is Republican. 



■ -^/w -N«jie£/!g^g-» 



|-w^~gWWlT»v.-..A/v» 



^,^p5)E0RGE T. MURPHY. The home of this 
worthy resident of Mt. Hope Township is 
pleasant) J' located on sections 7 and 18, 
where he has 200 acres of land, and devotes the 
greater part of his time and attention to stock- 
raising. He is a gentleman of excellent education, 
having attended the Bloomington Commercial Col- 
lege and the Wesleyan University, and this, to- 
gether with his acknowledged business talents, lias 
secured for him a good position in the farming- 
community and the business world generally. 

Our subject is the second cliild of William J. 
and Frances (Stubblefleld) Murphy, and was born 
on his father's farm in Mt. Hope Township, Dec. 3, 
1 858. His boyhood and youth were spent after the 
manner of most farmers' sons, and while his con- 
stitution was being healthfully built up in the 
pure air of the rural districts, his mind and his 
morals likewise received more than ordinary atten- 
tion from his excellent parents. After tiie eom- 

» ► i ^" ■ 



pletion of his college course, he remained upon the 
farm of his parents two years, assisting his father 
on the homestead. Then wishing to establish a 
home and domestic ties of his own, he was married, 
Nov. 17, 1881, to Miss Nancy J., daughter of 
William and Lucinda (Gardnei') Ilieronymus. 
Mrs. Murphy was born in Hittle Township, Taze- 
well County, Jan. 22, 1860. Her father was a na- 
tive of Kentucky and descended from old German 
stock. Of this marriage there are two children, 
bright little girls, who are the joy and pride of 
their parents' hearts, viz., Lena Rose, born Sept. 
23, 1882, and Joy Dell, May 9, 1884. 

The farm of Mr. Murphy is finely located, and 
everything about the premises neatly' kept and in 
the best of order. His stock consists of about 
thirty-five head of cattle and horses. Our subject 
and his wife are members of the Christian Church, 
and Mr. Murphy, politically, like the balance of 
the male members of his father's familj', affiliates 
with the Republican party. 



eHARLES B. LAWRENCE, a native of De 
Witt County, 111., was born Nov. 7, 1845, 
and is the son of Samuel Lawrence, a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, who removed to Indiana with 
his father's family. There lie grew to manhood 
and married, and later became a resident of De 
Witt County during its earlj- settlement. Thence 
he removed, in 1850, to Tazewell County, jnirchas- 
ing land in Mackinaw Township, wliere he opened 
up a farm which he occupied a number of years, 
then sold out and came to this county, where his 
death occurred not long afterward. 

Tlie mother of our subject was formerly Miss 
Magdalene Bergen, a native of New York, and 
now deceased, her death taking place at the liome- 
stead in Tazewell County. The parental family 
inchuled eleven children, eight of whom grew to 
mature years. Of these Charles B. remained un- 
der the home roof until eighteen years old, and 
soon afterward, the Civil War being in progress, 
enlisted in Co. I, 3d 111. Vol. Cav., in which he 
served two years, and until the close. He was in 
the liattle at Nashville, and was ;it Memphis dm'. 



i 



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f 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



ing the raid of the rebel General Forrest, besides 
participating in various minor engagements with 
the enemy. At the close of the struggle he re- 
turned to his father'.s farm, which he worked on 
shares by the year, and after a brief residence in 
McLean and Piatt Counties returned finally in 
1874, and took possession of eighty acres of land 
in Heiletlower Township, which lie had previously 
purchased and wliicli is included in his present 
farm. 

The homestead of Mr. Lawrence is most credita- 
ble to the industry and skill of the proprietor. His 
land is thoroughly drained with 520 rods of tile, 
and the buildings tliereon bear fair comparison 
with those of his neighbors. The lady who has 
presided over his household for the last sixteen 
year was formerly Miss Sarah Wilson, who be- 
came his wife in October, 1860. She was born in 
Bloomington Township, March 20, 1854, and is the 
daughter of .Toiin Wilson, 'a native of Tennessee, 
and one of the early pioneers of this county. He 
still lives on his farm near Bloomington. His wife 
was iMiss .lane Abel, of Indi.ana. 



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R. .lOllX :\L CRIGLER, of Saybrook, a 
large property-liolder and a prominent cit- 
izen, is a native of Rockingham County, 
\':i., wiiere his birth took place Dec. 13, 
His parents were Thomas B. and Sarah R. 
(Deal) Crigler, both natives of the Old Dominion, 
the former born in 1810, and tiie latter in 1820. 
The parents of Dr. Crigler came to this county in 
1849. and tlie fatiier, formerl}' a saddler by trade, 
took up farming, which lie still continues. He 
is a wortiiy citizen, a meml)er of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and Democratic in politics. 

Our subject, the fifth of ten children born to his 
parents, after reaching manhood was married Dec. 
21, 1871, to Miss Love E., daughter Of Dr. James 
L. Ballard, and born in Jessamine Countj', Ky., 
April 7, 1849. Her father, one of the pioneers of 
.S.aybrook, is still practicing after the principles of 
the Old Sciiool. Dr. and Mrs. C. are the parents 
of four children, namely, Maude P., Katie B.. John 
M. and Essie H. The Doctor Is a M.aster M.ason, 



Democratic in politics, and takes an interest in 
matters affecting the welfare of his community. He 
is well educated and stands high in his profession 
as a dental surgeon, in which he perfected himself 
under the liest tutors and established his first office 
in this city Dec. 14, 1868. During his nearly 
twenty years' residence here he has Iniiltup a large 
and lucrative practice, and while in no wise neglect- 
ing his profession, deals exteusivel}' in city prop- 
erty .and farm lands. He has one of the finest 
homes in his township, and commands the respect 
of all who know him. 

eAPT. JAMES KENNEDY, one of the old- 
est and most highly respected citizens of 
Martin Township, has followed farming pur- 
suits the greater part of his life, in which he has 
been eminently successful. He is a native of Ken- 
tucky and was born on a farm in Jessamine County, 
Nov. 3, 1803. His grandfather on his mother's 
side was Richard Crews, who was a native of Vir- 
ginia, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War at three different times and was regularly dis- 
charged three times, his papers being now in the 
possession of Capt. Kennedy of our sketch', and are 
valued as old and curious relics. He married in 
early manhood Miss Esther Puckett, and they raised 
a family of five children, one son and four daugh- 
ters. The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
James Kenned}', a native of Ireland, who married in 
his own country and soon afterward emigrated to 
America, settling in Chester Count3% Pa. Their 
famil}- also consisted of five children, four daugh- 
ters and one son, the .son, James, being the father 
of our subject. 

James Kenned}', .Sr., after reaching his majorit}' 
was married to Mi,ss Esther, daughter of Richard 
Crews, and they became the parents of three sons: 
Eleazer, Thomas S., and James, our subject. The 
latter was the 3'oungest of the famii}' .and jiassed 
his boyhood in Jes.samine and Madison Counties, 
Ky., receiving a limited education in a private 
school, his entire school days probably not exceed- 
ing one year. Tiic father of young James had 
been educated for the priestiiood but turned his at- 



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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1193 



tention to farming, ;ind died when our subject was 
but a few weeks old. Young Kennedj' then went 
to live with his grandfather, Richard Crews, with 
whom he remained until he was nineteen j'ears of 
age. At that early period in his life he was mar- 
ried to Miss Louisa Freeman, and remained upon 
the old homestead of his grandfather, taking care 
of the latter until his death, which occurred when 
he was eighty-seven years old. The grandmother 
also lived to an advanced age, being eighty-four at 
the time of her death. 

After the death of his grandparents James Ken- 
nedy purchased a farm seven miles from AVinches- 
ter in Clark County, K3'., which he occupied with 
his family until the spring of 18,51. He then came 
North to Illinois and rented 1,000 acres of land in 
McLean County from Samuel Lander. The following- 
spring he removed his family hither, and for seven 
years following was extensively engaged in raising 
wheat, corn and oats, meeting with remarkable suc- 
cess. He also raised large numbers of thorough- 
bred cattle and mules. In the meantime he pur- 
chased a farm in Blue Mound Township, and be- 
sides this also bought the farm on which he now 
lives. After removing from the rented land he 
located in Blue Mound Township on section 21, 
where he continued to reside until 1874, then took 
up his abode on section 21, in Martin Township, 
which is his present homestead. The Blue Mound 
farm was purchased by his son-in-law, James A. 
Doyle. 

The homestead of Capt. Kenned}' cominises 160 
acres of choice land, enclosed with beautiful hedge 
fences and embellished with a handsome and substan- 
tial set of farm buildings. He has one of the best 
fruit orchards in the township and the entire farm 
is in a fine state of cultivation. The residence is a 
model of beauty and comfort and everything per- 
taining to the premises indicates the supervision of a 
gentleman of cultivated tastes and ami)le means. 

Mrs. Louisa Kennedy became the mother of two 
children, a son and daughter : George F., now de- 
ceased, and Leanner, who became the wife of 
Mr. A. Eubanks. The second wife of our subject 
was Miss Asenath Gentry, of Madison County, 
K3'. This lady died in Martin Township, this 
countj', leaving four children : Thomas, now de- 



ceased ; Eusebia M., who became the wife of 
James A. Doyle, of Nebraska; William Lee, a 
resident of Iowa, and Martha, whf) married John 
Stanger, of Boulder, Col. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in 1874, was Mrs. Maggie Elkin, widow of 
Henry Elkin, by whom she became the mother of 
one son, who died wiieu a year old. Of this uni(m 
there has been no children. Mrs. K. is a lady of 
more than ordinary intelligence and differs materi- 
ally in politics from her husband, she being an ear- 
nest Republican and the Captain a stanch adherent 
of the Democratic party. Both are prominently 
connected with the Christian Church. The father 
of Mrs. K. is Gideon D. Crurabaugh, who has 
been Postmaster of Le Ro}' for a period of seven- 
teen years, and Police Magistrate twenty-nine years. 
Mrs. K. is about forty-six years of age, and the 
Captain eighty-four. He is still hale and hearty, in 
the enjoyment of all his faculties, and still in pos- 
session of that remarkable intelligence which has 
characterized him since he began to make his mark 
among men and in the business world. He has al- 
ways taken an active interest in public and political 
affairs and during his early life identified himself 
with the Whig party. During the Mexican AV^ar he 
assisted in raising and equipping a company of 
soldiers at his own expense, but did not succeed in 
having them ordered to the front. He has a natural 
taste for military tactics and has been Captain of 
militia for manj' years. 



G 






GEORGE BISHOP, general farmer and stock- 
raiser, is the possessor of a well-cultivated 
^^^5) farm of 110 acres, part of which lies on sec- 
tion 21, in Randolph, and the balance in Downs 
Township. He has been closely identified with 
the interests of this section for many years, and is 
numbered among its representative men and most 
highly respected citizens. 

Mr. Bishop, a native of Perry County, Ohio, was 
born near .lanesville, April 22, 1823, and is the son 
of Jacob Bishop, who was born in Peinisylvania, 
and w.as of German parentage. The history of the 
family in the lAiitcd States dates liack prior to the 



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(in 



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94 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



Revolutionary W:ir. From Iho recoid possessed 
by the later descendants it apjjcars that Jacob 
Bishop in early life became with his i)ari_Mits a res- 
ident of Perry County, Ohio, where he remained 
durinff his boyhood and youtii, and where he took 
upon himself the responsibilities of manhood. He 
chose for his wife among the maidens of that re- 
gion, Miss Maiv A. VVeedman, wIkj was a native of 
the Buckeye Stale and of (4erman ancestry. Her 
family also removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio 
during its early iiistoi-y, and from there came to 
Illinois in the fall of 1830. Tiiey located in Ran- 
dolph Township on section ;M, where the father be- 
came the owner of a large tract of land, most of 
which was wild prairie and a larger part of which 
he redeemed fi-om its original condition. He is 
still living on tlie oUI homestead, having now ar- 
rived at the ripe age of ninety j'ears. The mother 
passed to hcu- linal rest in February, 1873, aged 
seventy-twx>. Both liecame members of the Meth- 
odist Flpiscopal Cluirch early in life. 

George Bishop was tlie eldest but one of a fam- 
ily of thirteen children, six sons and seven daugh- 
ters, wiiich present the remarkable record of a cir- 
cle still unbroken by death. Witii one exception, 
all are married and have families of their own. 
The youngest of tiiis remarkable family is fort}'- 
six years of age, and tlie eldest, a daughter, sixty- 
live, (ieorge, of our sketch, spent his childhood 
and youth with his parents, and was eight years of 
age when they came to liiis co\uity. After reach- 
ing manhood he was married, in 1844, to Miss 
Susanna Wright, wlu. was born, reared and educat- 
ed in the county. She only remained the compan- 
ion of her husband eleven years, deiiarting this 
life June 17, 18;");), leaving three children: John 
T. married iMiss Mary Passwater, and is a resident 
of I ley worth; Mary J. is the wife of K. F^llsworth, 
who is farming in Downs Township; Joseph AVill- 
iam is deceased. 

'I'he second wife of Mr. Bisho]), to whom he was 
married in Ix' Roy 'I'ovvnship, Nov. 20, 1850, was 
formerly Miss iSIary, daughter of A.shby and Cath- 
erine (Waters) Neal, wiio were natives of Ken- 
tucky, of Irish and lOnglish descent. Mr. Neal 
vv!is a skilled mecll:lni(^ and came to Illinois after 
his marriag(>, local ing in N'ermilion C'i>nnt3', w'here 



•►-■-4»- 



the wife of our sulijecl was born Nov. 15, 1836. 
She was but a child when her parents came to this 
county. Her father, in 1850, w-ent to California, 
and died ten years latei' in the city of Sacramento. 
Mrs. Neal died at her home in Le Roy, in July, 
1880. 

Our subject and his wife are the parents of five 
children, namely, David, who married Miss Ida 
Turner, and is farming in Downs Township, and 
Emma B., Grant H., Ada C. and Martha at home. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are memliers of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in whii'h the former is Steward 
and Trustee. 



-P- 



^H'^^ 




EORGE T. GLENN. The principal events 
in the life of this highl3' respected citizen 
of Cheney's Grove Township, are as fol- 
lows: He began life in Center County, Pa., March 
19, 1846, under the roof of his parents. William F. 
and Sarah J. (Thompson) Glenn, natives of the 
same State, whence the^' removed to La Salle 
County, 111., in 1855. The father died that same 
year. The mother is still living, and is sixty-six 
ye.ars of age. Both Ijeeame members of the Pres- 
byterian Church early in life, and commanded the 
respect and esteem of all who knew them. 

Our subject, who was the eldest of his i)arents' 
four children, remained under the home roof until 
after the outbreak of Iho late war. .and although 
but a youth, determined to tight for the Union. 
He enlisted in Co. C, 7th III. \o\. Cav., and par- 
ticipated in man3' important battles, going through 
the States of Tennessee, Jlississippi and Alabama, 
and experiencing the h.<irdshii)s and sufferings in- 
cident to army life. He w.as never wounded, but 
w.as confined in the hospital two months with ill- 
ness. After the close of the war he returned to 
the farm, and in 1879, purch.ased 102 acres on sec- 
tion 35, in Cheney's Grove Township, which is in- 
eluded in his present homestead, and where he has 
been successfully cng.aged in farming and stock- 
raising. The farm is in a fine condition and well 
conducted, and everything about the premises is 
indicative of energy and enterprise. 

One of the most imjiortant events in the life of 

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McLEAN COUNTY. 



1195 






our subject was his marriage, Fcl). 22, 1870, with 
Miss Carrie M., only child of Jacob and Anzina 
(AVood) Lewis, who was born Dec. 4, 1851, in 
Rhode Island. Her jmronts were also natives of 
that State. The father died in 18(33. The mother 
is still living, and a resident of New Bedford, Mass. 
Mr. and Mrs. (Ilenn have one child only, a daugh- 
ter, Cora A., born Sept. 25, 1872, and still at home 
with her parents. 

Mr. Glenn is a stauch supporter of the Repub- 
lican party, and has been quite prominently iden- 
tified with local affairs. He was one of the three 
Commissioners appointed to superintend the erec- 
tion of roads and bridges in the township, and after 
serving three 3'ears was re-elected in the spring of 
188(5. His clear head and cool judgment have 
rendered him a useful official, and in thus disburs- 
ing the funds of the township, he has acquitted 
himself with great credit, and to the satisfaction of 
the people. 



<Sl IfelLLIAJI BARRY is senior member of the 
\/iJ// ^'"™ *^*^ Barry & Weishaar, contractors and 
V^\y builders, and dealers in stoves and hardware 
at No. 723 West Chestnut street, Bloomington, 
111. He is the son of James and Margaret (Meade) 
Barry, and was born in Canada, of which Dominion 
both his parents were natives. They had been ex- 
tensively engaged in stock and grain raising for 
many years. 

Mr. James Barry passed through the terrible 
fire of March, 1825, when the flames swept with 
great velocity over 100 miles of territory, consum- 
ing everything before them. In the dead of night 
he fled with his mother to the river, seeking refuge 
from the advancing Are. They stood in the river 
for manj"^ hours with the water up to their necks, 
and on coming out were obliged to wrap them- 
selves in wet blankets for protection from the burn- 
ing atmosphere. His father is still living on the 
old homestead in Canada, and has reached the age 
of seventy-four. His mother died in 1861). Their 
family consisted of eight children, seven of whom 
are now living. Their names are, Thomas, a resi- 
dent of Nebraska; William, the subject of this 
biography; Margaret A., a resident of Canada; 
4' 



Richard ami Michael are residents of Canada; Jo- 
seph A., a resident of Boston, JIass., and Alexander, 
a resident of Canada. 

William Barry was engaged in business three 
years in Maine, and from there he went to Boston, 
Mass., where he successfully carried on the busi- 
ness of contractor and builder for four years. In 
1878 he came to Bloomington, and has since made 
this place his permanent home. He formed his 
present partnership with Mr. Weishaar in 1881, and 
in ] 88G engaged in the hardware business. 

AVilliara Barry was married, in 1875, to Miss 
Helen Keenan, a native of Canada, and daughter of 
Patrick Keenan. Mr. Barry's family is of Irish 
extraction. His ancestors came from Ireland about 
the year 1760, and settled in Canada, where they 
were engaged in farming. In later years the Barry 
family have made their home in the States. Will- 
iam Barry learned the trade of contractor and 
builder in Canada, and at fifteen years of age went 
to Calais, Me., where he first engaged in business. 

Mr. Barry, with his wife and family, belong to 
the Catholic Church. They have a family of six 
children — James E., Thomas M., Margaret A., Jo- 
seph A., Richard M. and Alexander. Mr. Barry 
purch.ased his place of business and his residence, 
No. 1207 West Chestnut street, in July, 1886. 



\T/ EWIS C. BLAKE, a resident of Arrowsmith 
ll (^ Village, is a product of the Buckeye St.ate, 
JI^V his birth taking place in Guernsey County, 
Aug. 25, 1817. His parents, John B. and Cather- 
ine Blake, were natives respectively of Massachu- 
setts and Maryland, the former born .July 25, 
1787, and the latter June 6, 1790. They were 
married, Oct. 10, 1813, after becoming residents of 
Ohio, and remained residents of that State until 
1818, when they removed to Virginia, where the 
elder Blake followed millwrighting, and where his 
death took place April 12,1855. The mother died 
in 18G'J. The i)arental famil\- consisted of ten 
children. 

Our subject remained with his parents until 
reaching his majority, receiving a common-school 
education. He followed shoemaking for a number 
of years, and was considered an expert at his 



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L. 



196 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



trade. He was married in Virginia in 1839, to 
Mitss Elizabeth Ann Datson, and remained in the 
Ohl Doniiniiin two years, wiionce he removed to 
.Maryl;mil on account of tiie failing health of his 
wife. This removal, h(jwever, was in vain, as her 
death tooii place on the 21st of March, 1S48, when 
siie was but twenty-seven years of age. Of this 
marriage there were l)orn four children. After the 
deatii of his wife, Mr. Blake returned to Hardy 
County, now in West Virginia, and engaged in 
wagonmaking and blacksniithing for five years fol- 
lowing. He was married the second time in 
1850, and with his wife came to McLean County 
in October, 18.')-2, stoitping lirst in Lexing- 
ton, where he followed blacksniithing, and to which 
he came with a casli capital of fifty cents. He con- 
ducted a shop there one year, and in the spring of 
18.")4 rented an old snwmill, winch became the fam- 
ily residence until he could do better. His indus- 
try' and perseverance have l)c('n richly rewarded. 
He is now the owner of 240 acres of finely im- 
proved land besides valuable propert.y in the vil- 
lage. Ii] the meantime lie li;is also been promi- 
nently connected with the local affairs, serving as 
.lustice of the Peace, and as .School Director for 
twenty-one years. He is a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Chureli, being chairm.an of its build- 
ing committee, and besides contributing much to- 
ward its |)rosperity has been greatly interested in 
ciiaritable objects, and further extended his benev- 
olence l)y rearing several orplmn children, having 
been bereaved of his own. the offspring of his last 
marriage, a son and daugliter, John B. and Eliza- 
beth, who died of scarlet fever. Mr. Blake is a 
stanch Democrat, politically, and Treasurer in the 
Masonic lodge. 



<^ C. JOHNSON. Tlie family of Johnsons in 
the United States of which uur subject is a 
descendant "came to this cnuntry prior to 
/ the Revolutionary- War, the first represent * 
tive being William Johnson, our sul)ject's grandfa- 
tlier. This gentleman was a native of (ierniany, 
and was there married lo .Miss Catherine Tartar- 



after emigrating to America llicy located upon a 
farm ten miles north of Pliiladeli)hia, Pa. Soon 
afterward William Johnson enlisted as a soldier in 
the Revolutionary army, where he distinguished 
himself for his bravery and fidelity, an<l was hon- 
ored with a Captain's commission early in the 
struggle. After the independence of the Colonies 
had been established he engaged in .agricultural 
pursuits, and departed this life at his home near 
Philadelphia, his wife following him some years 
later. Their family- included thirteen children, 
among them Nicholas, tiie father of our subject. He 
was reared and married in his native State, his first 
wife, Mary, d3'ing after the birth of one child, a 
daughter, INLary, now the wife of George Cress, de- 
ceased. Mrs. C. is living near the Quaker Cit}'. 

After the death of the mother the father, leaving 
the infant daughter vvith a sister, came to Indiana, 
settling in Dearborn County. There he was mar- 
ried to Miss Malinda Cloud, a native of. that 
county. There were born to them thirteen chil- 
dren,- three sons and ten daughters, four of the lat- 
ter now deceased. Of these our subject, J. C, was 
the second born. His birth occurred Sept. 13, 
1823, in Dearborn County, Ind. Nicholas Johnson 
was greatly respected wherever known, and became 
prominent in the affairs of his adopted county. He 
was a Captain of Militia for many years, and hav- 
ing been finely educated held with much dig- 
nity and credit the office of County Commis- 
sioner and other positions of trust. Both parents 
were active members of the Baptist Church. The 
mother died while still a comparatively young 
woman, from cancer in the breast. Nicholas John- 
son attained the age of seventy-four y^ars, and was 
carried away suddenl3' liy disease of the heart. 
The family are now scattered in different States, 
all married and settled in comfortable homes of 
their own. 

The subject of tliis history received a fair edu- 
cation, and worked on a farm with his father until 
twenty-three years of age. He was then married, 
Sept. 13, 184G, to Miss Elizabeth, the daughter of 
Rev. Thomas and Ann (Sutton) Hargitt, vvho were 
natives of England. Rev. Hargitt was born April 
20, 1798, at Bagby, Yorkshire, England, and came 
lo the United States with his parents when twenty- 



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McLean county. 



1107 



4 



two years of age, and was married in Dearborn 
County, Ind., to the widow of Cliarles Sutton, 
Anna Mas(jn being lier maiden name. They lived 
there until the death of Mr. H. at the advanced 
age of eight}^ nine-years, Nov 17, 18<S(). The 
mother died in 1858, when sixty-three j'cars of 
age. Mr. Hargitt was a local minister of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, having been ordained in 
18;J0, while in England. As a minister, he was 
earnest and efflcicnt, the possessor of an eloquence 
which was strong and fervid. He was a zealous 
teiuijerance advocate, teaching by precept and ex- 
ample. As a citizen he tooli an active interest in all 
public affairs, contributing liberally to enterprises 
of public utility and a'.vvays warmly loyal to his 
adopted countr}'. Tlie family of wliicli Mrs. J. was 
a member consisted of seven children, of whom she 
was the fifth in oriler of birth, and was born March 
3, 1828. She was reared and educated in Dear- 
born County, and by her marri.age with J. C. John- 
son has become the mother of twelve children, one, 
Adda, deceased ; Melinda became the wife of 
George Niclcerson, a farmer of Downs Township; 
Tliomas N. married Miss Sarah A. Lawler, and is 
farming in Anderson County, Kan. ; Mary E. be- 
came, first, the wife of Jesse Passwaters, who died; 
and she then married his brother John, and they 
live in Anderson Count}', Kan.; George S. married 
Miss Hester Peasely, and is farming in Hamilton 
County Kan. ; Ricliard married Miss Alice Cabness, 
of Cass County, Mo., and is farming in Downs 
Township, this county ; William married Miss Hat- 
tie McComb, and is farming in Randolph Town- 
ship; Jennie, the wife of Dr. J. F. Myers, resides 
in Saybrook, this county; Charles W., Alfred E. 
and Albert W., the two latter, twins, and James 
A. are at home. They were all eilucated in the 
public schools, and are children of whom any par- 
ent may be proud. 

Mr. Johnson resided in Dearborn County, Ind., 
after his marriage until 1852, in the meantime 
having spent one year in California, mining with 
fair success. After returning to Indiana he soon 
removed to this State, settling for a short time on 
a new farm in Livingston County, whence later he 
came to McLean. In 18C4 he visited Idaho and 
Montana in search of both health and gold, Ijut 



owing to Indian and Mormon troubles, which made 
it very disagreeable for visitors to that section as well 
as the residents there, he was glad to return home, 
being nearly starved when he was on the journey 
home, but improved, nevertheless, in health. He 
tlien resumed his farming operations and has been 
fairly successful. His homestead consists of 125 
acres of land with good improvements. He is 
Democratic in politics, has been Justice of the 
Peace, and held other local offices . 



*3^ 



^[ C. ELDER, Postmaster of Randolpli, and 
Station Agent of the I. C. R. R., also 
deals extensivelj' in grain, coal and general 
merchandise. He came to this vicinity in 
1875, and successfully established himself in busi- 
ness where other parties had repeatedly failed, and 
increased the trade of the railroad company four- 
fold while at the same time his own business pros- 
pered proportionately. He now does an annual 
trade of 125,000, and it is unnecessary to say, is one 
of the most energetic and valued citizens of Ran- 
dolph Township. He has a splendid residence and 
has been interested in most of the enterprises set 
on foot for the advancement of his community. 
He has had considerable experience in farming, 
but has proved himself particularly adapted to 
trade. 

Mr. Elder has been a life-long resident of Ran- 
dolph Township, having been born there March 
21, 1845. He was theyonngest but one of a family 
of nine children, of whom six are yet living, all 
married and with families of their own. He was 
deprived of a father's care when but three years of 
age and continued with his widowed mother until 
twenty-four. He received a good education, com- 
[ileting his studies in the business college of Bryant 
& Strattou of Chicago. 

After the outbreak of the late war Mr. Elder en- 
listed in the 150th Illinois Infantry and went 
to the South. He saw but little fighting, however, 
it being near the close of the struggle, and a year 
later received his honorable discharge. He re- 
turned to Bloom ir.gton and engaged with L. B. 
Thomas, his brother-in-law, present Mayor, in the in- 



i 



i 



McLKAN COUNTY. 



suranee business. He was iiiank'd, Doc. ;!, ISGi), 
to Miss Belle, dauohterof the l;ito William Thomas, 
who died in Bloomington, April 12, 1881, of whom 
mention is made elsewiiere in this work. Mrs. El- 
der was born in Bloomington .Inly, 14, 18-11, wiis 
liiiely edncated in the schools of her native city, 
and remained with her parents until her marriage. 
She is a lady of rare intelligence and refinement, 
and especially noted for her benevolence and 
hospitality. Of this congenial union there were 
born three .sous— William C, Frank W. and Her- 
man H. 

Mr. Klder lia.s lieen connected with the post-ollice 
at Randolph for about eleven years. He is a solid 
Republican and for the last twelve ye.ars has been 
Secretary of the McLean County Fire Insurance 
Company, besides having other important interests 
in this locality. He belongs to John A. Logan Post 
No. 140,(!. A. R., and with his wife, is a prominent 
memlier of the Presbyterian Church. 

^ ^#. V^ 




R. A.' T. BARNF^S, senior member of the 
l) lirm of Barnes & Orner, is a native of 
Kentucky, born in 18;!"2, .-md the son of 
Craven audi Mary (Howard) Barnes, also 
of the BlTi~Grass region. The grandfather was 
Shadraeh Barnes, a native of \'irginia, an extensive 
farmer and a Lieutenant in tiie Revolutionary War. 
His father was John Barnes wlio, with a brother, 
emigrated from Scotland in the colonial daj's. 
John settled in X'irginia and his brother in New 
York, and from these two it is supposed sprang the 
Barnes. family of this country. They were a pro- 
lific race, and their representatives are largely scat- 
tered throughout the United States. 

Shadraeh Barnes went to Kentucky when a young 
man, where he became an extensive farmer and 
spent the balance of his days. His son. Craven, 
followed the occupation of his father and operated 
all his life on the soil of Kentucky. He died in 
1833. and the mother selling the farm, removed 
North and settled near Madison in Indiana, where 
she purchased a farm which she occupied until her 
death, in July, 1872. The parents were both mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. Of their nine chil- 



dren'eight are still living: Cynthia, Mrs. Borden, 
is a resident of Louisville. Ky.; Woodford C. and 
George B. are in Indiana; Fielding (i. isiu'George- 
town, 111.; Henry^H. in Clay County; Adeline Y., 
Mrs. Woods, 'and MaryZC, Mrs. Scott, are living 
in Jefferson County', lud. 

Our sul)ject_remained on the farm until^fifteen 
years old, and a year later, being well advanced in 
his studies, entered college at South Andover, and 
soon afterward commenced the study of medicine. 
He employed his vacations in teaching, and finally 
entered the otlice of Dr. David McClure, where he 
gained a good insight into the duties"of his chosen 
profession, and later attended lectures at Louisville, 
Ky. He commenced practice soon after reaching 
his majority .at Austin, Ind., and three years later, 
returning to Louisville, took another course in the 
college there and graduated. He soon afterward 
entered into partnership with the celebrated Dr. P. 
Green, whose daughter he married, in 1857. While 
a resident of Claj' County he was twice elected 
Superintendent of Schools, and during the war was 
appointed Assistant Surgeon of an Illinois regi- 
ment, being afterward promoted Chief Surgeon. 
He was captured while attending his patients in the 
hospital at Chickamauga and also at Buzzard Roost, 
being both times soon afterward released. The 
only severe_iujury he received while in the service 
was one night while riding on the Kennesaw Mount- 
ain afterdark, when his horse fell_upon him. He 
had charge of the hospitals at Murfreesboro, Tenn., 
Bowling Green, Ky., and the field hospital at Chicka- 
mauga. 

Dr. Barnes remained with the army until the 
close of the war and then coming to Centralia, en- 
tered into partnership with Dr. J. L. Hallan, with 
whom he remained until 1872, building up his ex- 
tensive practice, and in the meantime he was 
appointed surgeon for the Central Illinois Rail- 
road, was Aldei-man of Centralia four years and 
Mayor of the city one term. He officiated as 
Superintendent of the Insane Hospital of Anna 
from 1872 until 1879, then resigned. 

Dr. Biu-nes came to Bloomington in the latter 
part of December, 1879, .and became the partner 
of Dr. AVilliaui Hill, with whomjie ct)ntinued two 
years, and then practiced alone until 1885. That 



-► B-^*- 



i 



i 






McLEAN COUNTY. 






3'car he becaiue a partner of Dr. Orner, with 
whom he has since continued. In February of 
he same year he was elected Medical Director 
of the G. A. li. and le-elected the following 
year. lie lias been a useful^meniber of society, 
lironiinent in local affairs\and politics, and in 18SG 
served as Chairman of the Republican Central 
Committee. He is a member of the various medi- 
cal societies in the West, including that of McLean 
County, this State, the Southern Illinois, the Na- 
tional and the Physicians' Club of Bloomington. 

The lady who has been the companion of our sub- 
ject for the last thirty years, was formerly Miss Eliza- 
beth H. Green, to whom he was married in 1857. 
They became the parents of one daughter, Beldva, 
^ who is now the wife of H. PI. Green, a druggist of 
Bloomington, and the mother of one child, named 
Maurene. Dr. Barnes is a Republican in politics 
and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is one 
of the stockholders of the Walton Flour Works, 
the Gas Company, and the Nail and Iron Works of 
Centralia. He owns a fine property in Blooming- 
ton, and with his wife is a member of the Method- 
ist Church, being also one of its Trustees. As a 
citizen and a practitioner he has built up an envia- 
ble reputation, and counts among his friends the 
best people of Bloomington. 



.S3*^'>-?»S^ 



>^*«t-*<^«tf-» 




! 



A J. J. C. McFARLAND is one of the 
well-known citizens of McLean County, 
where he has held manj- otticial positions. 
In 1876 he]was elected Clerk of the Cir- 
cuit Court by the Republican party. Since the 
organization of the county, he has held the office 
of Supervisor of the township, and as early as 1860, 
was ."appointed its Clerk. 

When the war broke out in 1861, he left his busi- 
ness and attempted to raise a company, but at the 
same time one was being organized in Normal which 
drew its recruits largely from that pait of the 
county, and so seriouslj' interefred with the com- 
pany that Maj. McFarland was attempting to form, 
that he could not raise enough volunteers to make 
the number comijlete, and consequently was obliged 
to relinquish his plan. When the second call for 
4» 



troops was made, Aug. 5, 1862, he organized Co. 
B, 94th 111. Vol. Inf. It was the twelfth regular 
organized company and Mr. McFarland was elected 
its Captain. [^The^regiment was ordered to Pi-airie 
Grove, where, December 7, they met a rebel cum- 
mand and a contest ensued, which resulted in the 
immediate retreat of the enemy. After several 
skirmishes,'_the next siege in which they were en- 
gaged was at Vicksburg, and there the regiment 
was in the hottest part of the conflict. Prior to 
this Maj. McFarland had been made CJuarterm aster, 
but he rejoined his regiment and assumed com- 
mand July 29, 1863, at Ft. Hudson, Miss. Some 
time after he was attacked with typhoid fever at 
New Orleans, and after remaining in a hospital 
several weeks, w.as sent home, in September, 1863. 
At the siege of Ft. Morgan, Maj. McFarland with 
restored health had again rejoined the regiment 
and assisted in capturing the fort. In 18(;.5 Capt. 
McFarland received hiseom mission as Major. The 
brigade was then marched to Spanish Fort, Ala- 
bama, and was brought into action in the blockad- 
ing battle on the right wing of the army. This was 
the last active engagement. Gen. Lee surrendered, 
the war was ended, and the regiment was mustered 
out in August, in Springfield, 111. 

Maj. McFarland was a brave and efficient officer 
always ready at the post of either duty or danger. 
He returned home and engaged in business in Hey- 
worth, and in 1876 was elected Clerk of the Cir- 
cuit Court. ^ Maj. McFarland was born in Frank- 
lin County, Pa. His boyhood was passed with his 
father who was a merchant of Mercersbnrg. When 
thirteen years old he engaged as clerk in .lanes- 
ville, for his uncle, James AVilliam Kirkpatrick, and 
remained with him two years. He then spent some 
time with Dr. William A. Murphy, another uncle, 
who resided at St. Thomas, Pa. In 1847 he was 
married in Bedford, Pa., to Miss Betty W. Logan. 
She is the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Taggart) 
Logan. Her family is of Scotch and Irish extrac- 
tion, and her parents were natives of Bedford 
County, where she was born and educated. 

Mr. and Mrs. McFarland had a family of nine 
children born to them, five of whom areyet livnig: 
Carrie L., Martha E., A. W., Edgar H. and Her- 
man E. ; those deceased are Mary V., Emily A., 
^ 



I 



f 



ii 1200 



■•► 



t 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



r 




,Iosei)li F. aiitl •l'liciiii.i> I,. Maj. McFarland and 
family arc inembcrs of tlic Presbyterian Church, in 
which he was for many years an Elder. He is a 
Republican.- 

U. (iKOR(ilv jM. smith, oculist and 
aurist, located at No. 106 West Washing- 
ton street, Hlooniington. spent the first 
years of iiis life in ^Vashington County, 
Ohio, where his birth tooi< pl.ace .Ian. 21, 1845. He 
is the son of Samuel W. and IClizabeth (Bear) 
Smith, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and 
Ohio, and of F.nglish and (iermaii ancestry'. Sam- 
uel Smith was a car|)eiiter by trade, and after his 
reniov.al to Ohio was for some time cini)lo3'ed in 
building mission churches for the Indians. He 
became well accpiaiuted with various important 
personages among the Wyandottes, and often ate 
and slept with the tribe. He was familiarly known 
in that region as " Uncle Sam," and was <listin- 
guishe(l for his large heart •■ind generous disposi- 
tion, l)eing always ready to assist the oppressed. 
He was a ral)id Abolitionist, one of the chief pro- 
moters of the underground r:iilroad, .-iiid was the 
means of securing freedom to many a fugitive. 
With his excellent wife he reared a family of eleven 
children, all of whom lived to mature years, and 
with the exception of one son, were all over six 
feet in height and weighed over 200 pounds, pre- 
senting as fine a family as is often seen. Of these, 
four are still living, namely, Curtis 0"., a resident 
of Springville, Iowa ; Dr. (ieorge .M., of our sketch, 
who is si-\ feet and three inches in height and 
weiglis 201),J pounds, and Koxanii;i, now Mrs. Har- 
ness, of .Slater, Mo. 

The father of our subject, on the 1st of Ma}-, 
18.05, gathered together his family and household 
goods, and with the aid of three teams traveled 
across the country westward to Springville, Iowa, 
where he arrived after a journey of thirtj' days. 
In that vicinit}' he i)urchased 1(J0 acres of land, a 
part of which he obtained from the Government, 
and lived in the llawkeye Stale nine years. He 
then i)urchased property in Mt. \'ernon. 111., to 
which place he removed for llie purpose of giving 
his children the advantages of Cornell College, and 



ihis 
-4» 



there his death took place that same year, iu Octo- 
ber. The mother is still a resident of Slater, Mo., 
having attained to the ilge of eighty-three years. 
Samuel Smith was converted to religion under the 
ministration of Rev. James B. Finley, the pioneer 
Methodist of Ohio, and continued faithful to that 
church the remainder of his life. He served as 
Justice of the Peace both in Ohio and Iowa, and 
w.as prominently connected with the M.asonic fra- 
ternity. 

Our subject v as well educated in his youth, and 
commenced teai^hing when nineteen years old, at 
which he employed himself winters and worked on 
the farm summers. He commenced studying med- 
icine with his lirother-in-law. Dr. Sharp, of Middle- 
bury, in 18()G, and not long afterward began prac- 
ticing. Subsetpumtly he took a course of study in 
the Western Reserve Medical College, at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, where he graduated at the head of his 
cl.ass, and from which institution he afterward re- 
ceived the Degree of Adeundem. After twenty- 
two months spent in Pottersburg, Ohio, he |)rac- 
ticed in Lewisburg until 1883, thence came to 
Bloomington, where he has since remained. 

Dr. Smith possesses considerable literary talent, 
having contributed considerable to various local 
publications and has written up the iucidentsof the 
battle of Gett3'sburg which were published for the 
benefit of the Historical Society at Lewisburg, 1)e- 
sides a history of Mexico in simple style for the 
benefit of the school children, and at the recjuest of 
the McLean County Medical Society. 

Dr. Smith was married in 1871 to Miss Lovina 
E. IloUingsworth, a native of Ohio, and they have 
two children — Ada 1. and Ward M. He is Re- 
publican in politics, and a Master M.ason, and with 
his wife a member in good standing of (irace 
Methodist Church. 



eHARLES W. SCHNEIDER. Secretary and 
(ieneral Manager of the Mutual Accident 
Association, of Bloi>miugtt)n, is a native of 
this State, born in Beardstown, Cass County, June 
10, 1847. His father, Rudolph B. Schneider, a na- 
tive of Germany, emigrated to the United States 



4 



•► ■ <• 






<^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



1201 



when ;i young man, locating at once at Beardstowii, 
where lie married Miss Elizabeth Crow. The mother 
of our subject was a native of this State. After 
marriage the parents continued to reside at Beards- 
town the remainder of their lives. Rudoli^h Schnei- 
der was Ijorn in 1805, and departed tiiis life in 
185;'). His wife Elizabeth was born in 1821, and 
survived her husbanf" until the summer of 1883, 
when she too passed to her final rest. Of their 
four sons and two daughters, two died in infancy. 

The subject of this sketch, the fourth child of 
the family, received his early education in his na- 
tive town, and when quite young gained a good 
knowledge of business affairs by being in the store 
of his father, who was one of the principal mer- 
chants of Beardstown. By the death of the latter 
he was thrown upon his own resources at a tender 
age and began the straggle of life as a clerk. He 
made friends and money and in due time set up in 
business for himself which he followed until 1876. 
He then solil out his stock of goods and commenced 
traveling for an insurance company, going to Kan- 
sas City and other points in the farther West, on be- 
half of the Accident Insurance Company of North 
America, which made their headquarters at Mon- 
treal, Canada. After five years he resigned his po- 
sition to connect himself with the company which 
he now represents at Bloomington. In this he of- 
ficiated as Superintendent and a few months later 
was elected to his present position. 

Our subject was married in 1871, to Miss Hen- 
rietta Sudbrink, of Beardstown, and thej' number 
their friends and associates by the score, among the 
best residents of Bloomington. Mr. Schneider was 
one of the charter members of the Knights of 
Honor, in which order he has always been greatly 
interested and whose principles he has actively as- 
sisted in maintaining. 



e 



HRISTIAN NAFFZIGER, an aged citizen 
i|, and farmer of Danvers Township, occupies 

^^^ a good homestead on section 2, of which he 
took possession in 1853. His birthplace was on 
the other side of the ocean in the Empire of Ger- 
many, and he began life over eighty-three years ago, 

-4« • 



in 1803. His parents, Peter and Phebe Naffziger, 
also of (ierniau birth and |)areiitage, were married 
in 182G, and spent all their lives in the Fatherland, 
where their remains are buried. The parental 
family included five children, namely. Christian, 
Peter, Valentine, Catherine and Barbara. 

Our subject remained with his [larents until 
reaching his majority, entering school at an early 
age, and receiving a fair education in his native 
town. He emigrated to America when over fifty 
years of age, in 1853, and coining to the West pur- 
chased the farm upon which he now resides. This 
includes 4'JO acres, finely improved and cultivated, 
and where he has been engaged for over thirty- 
years tilling the soil successfully and enjoying the 
respect of his friends and neighbors. 

Our subject was married in Germany, March 26, 
182(5, to Miss Barbara Stehley, and they became 
the parents of twelve children. Of these three 
died in infancy in Germany, and two in this coun- 
try, also in their earliest childhood. Those sur- 
viving are Elizabeth, Lena, Barbara, Christian, 
Peter, Valentine and John. Mr. N., politically, 
affiliates with the Democratic party, and with his 
famil}', is a member and regular attendant of the 
Mennonite Church. 






/^)E()RGE W. RUST, deceased, was one of the 
[l| (=p most highly respected members of the farm- 
^^5! ing community of Randolph Township, 
where his death took place at his homestead, Nov. 
13, 1871. He was among the early settlers of Mc- 
Lean County, coming here with his father, Will- 
iam Rust, from Nashville, Tenn., where both fa- 
ther and son were born. Our subject was reared 
in the South, and educated in the common schools. 
After reaching manhood he was married, Jan. 27, 
1843, in Randolph Township, to Miss Mercy Ann, 
daughter of David and Rebecca (Karr) Noble. 
Mrs. Rust was Ijorn in Hamilton County, Ohio, of 
which State her father was also a native, while the 
mother was from New Jersey. She was about 
seven years of age when she came with her pai-ents 



n 



f 



,t 



120-2 



McLEAN COUNTY. 



to this county, which has since been licr home. Her 
liirth took place Aug, 1(>, liS2<). Her parents are 
now deceased. Mr. Rust first located upon forty 
acres of partly ini|)r<)ved land, and subsequentlj' 
became the owner of IGO acres which is still in the 
family, and which he always maintained was ac- 
cnnmulated in part through the economy of his ex- 
cellent wife and lu'l[)mect, who was ever ready to 
assist him in his efforts at building up a home. 

Mrs. Rust after the death of her husband ex- 
erted herself to bring up her children in a worth^y 
manner, and gave them .-ill the advantages within 
her |)ower. Of these, seven in number, one died 
in inf.-mcy. Those surviving are .Sarah R., the wife 
of Isaac Dorscy, a resident of Hastings, Neb.; 
Francis M., who married Miss Julia A. HoUis, and 
is residing on the farm with his mother; Harry A., 
who married Miss Sadie Irwin, and is farming in 
Randolph Township; Mary K., the wife of William 
Lafferty, of Iley worth; Lou K.. Mrs. (). P. Rut- 
ledge, of Randolph Township; .lolin 1!., who as- 
sists in carrying on the hoinestcid, and Andrew J., 
also on the farm. The Rust taniily is well known 
.and highly resi)ected, and both the mother and 
children aic menibei's and regular attend.-mts of the 
Christian Church. The boys are Democratic in 
politics, as was their father before them. 



i I 



^l/AMKS M. MlTil'HV. a rLsing young and 
prosi)erons farmer, is the son of Will- 
iam .1. and Francis (Stubble(ield) Murphy, 
and was born in .Mt. Hope Towiiship, this 
county, Aug. 11, lS.-)9, being the third child in a 
fanuly of live sons and two daughters. His edu- 
cation, liegnn in the district schools, was supple- 
mented by a course in the Rlooniington Commer- 
cial C\)llege and two terms at Wesleyan University, 
.after wliich he staid at home for a j'ear with his 
parents, and tlicn l)egan life on his own account. 
As a preliminary to hiter important business, he 
was soon afterward married, ,Jan. IS, 1883, to Miss 
.Sadie A., only daughter of Mathias and Nancy A. 
(Faugh) Kampf. For a year afterward the young 
<■ 



people resided with the father of Mr. M., but on 
the 28th of February, 1884, moved into their hand- 
some new residence on their present farm. This 
contains sixty acres, but adjoining it lies 240 acres 
which Mr. Murphj' also cultivates, raising grain 
and making a specialtj' of corn and oats. The res- 
idence is situated upon a beautiful rise of ground, 
commanding a view of sonic of the finest farming 
Lands in the Prairie .State. The little household 
has been enlarged by the arrival of two bright 
boys, namely, William Claude, born Nov. 29, 
1883, and Harry Kampf, July 22, 1885. 

In the biograi)hies of W.J. Murphy and Mathias 
Kami)f, elsewhere in this volume, will be found 
the jiarental history of our subject and his wife. 
Mr. Murphy is looked upon as one of the repre- 
sentative men of his communit}', and h;is already 
distinguished himself as a gentleman of line busi- 
ness abilities, and taking a lively interest in the 
moral and intellectual welfare of his township. He 
is a Director in his school district, and one of the 
most promising lights in the Rei)ublican party of 
that section. ' 



ylLLIAM A. WATSON, i)roprietor of Mc- 
i>can County Nurseries, was born on the 
other side of the Atlantic, in Suffolk, En- 
gland, .Sept. .1, 183'.). His parents, William H. and 
Charlotte (Kent) Watson, natives of the same 
country, came to the United .St.ates in 1847, when 
our subject was a child six years of age. They 
located on a farm in Dane County, Wis., w-hore the 
mother died in 188-i. 'I'be father is still living. 
Of the thirteen children comprising the parental 
household, twelve 3'et survive. 

W^illiam A. Watson came to the United States 
with his father's famil}' and completed his educa- 
tion in two terms at the district school. His father, 
however, instructed his children evenings for many 
years and they thus obtained a good insight into 
book knowledge. ^Villianl A. studied one term at 
the State University and improved his time admira- 
bly while there. He assisted his father in tilling 
the soil, remaining under the parental roof until 
the afternoon of his twenty-first birthday and then 




1^ 



McLEAN COUNTY. 




1203 






started out for himself, .111(1 after imicli difficulty 
succeeded in obtaining a [losition with the Winne- 
shiek Insurance Company, of which he became the 
first agent. A month later, however, he went to 
Chicago and purchased a jewelry outfit with which 
he traveled through the country, peddling. These 
experiences induced him finally to return to farm 
life and going to Dane County, he rented a tract 
of land and farmed in that and Rock Counties 
until 1807. During that year lie visited Normal, 
and finally entered the employ of F. K. I'hienix, 
the well-known nursery man of McLean County, 
with whom he remained eight years, finally becom- 
ing foreman. lie had then saved sufficient to pur- 
chase his present property, which was then known 
as Coleman's Nurseries. For the forty acres which 
he now owns he paid 18,000, and has since erected 
upon his land a fine dwelling, and made other im- 
provements. The land is underlaid with tile three 
rods apart and is admirablj' adapted to the pur- 
pose to which it is devoted. The property' is now 
considered worth $20,000. Mr. Watson came to 
this county a poor man and his career illustrates in 
a forcible manner the results of perseverance and 
industry. 

Our subject was married, Dec. 4, 1 802, to Miss 
Jane N. Miller, who was born in N'erniont, and came 
with lier father's family to Rociv County, Wis., 
where he still resides. The three children of Mr. 
and i\Irs. Watson are Al|)ha. Fred T. and Harry S. 



WTLLIAM D. BROWN, one of the suc- 
cessful young farmers of Downs Township, 
is pleasantly located on section 15, where 
he has eighty acres of finely cultivated land and a 
handsome modern residence. lie came to this 
county in 1852, and comjileted his education in 
Wesleyan University. His first business venture 
was in hardware and groceries at Le Roy, and being 
of an inventive turn of mind he patented the well- 
known Brown's Hog Ringer, which at once became 
a favorite in tlie agTicultural districts and which, 
with the improvements which he has added in its 
design, has been tiie ineans of bringing him in a 
handsome little fiirtune. After a few years spent 
as a traveling salesman and in the grocery trade he 




decided to take up farming, and located on his 
present homestead in 1885. 

Our subject was married, Jan. 21, 1873, to Miss 
Laura Barnett, who was born and reared in this 
county, of which her parents were among the earli- 
est pioneers, and her father established the first 
store in Re Roy. He died in Le Roy several years 
ago. Her rnother is still living there, being sixty- 
nine years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the 
parents of one child, by name, Orrin. They are 
both members in good standing of the Baptist 
Church, and our subject, politically, is a solid Re- 
publican. 

"--•^ -'(^m- ♦^^-- 

ARTIN L. POPPLE, senior member of 
the firm of Popple Bros., dealers in h.ard- 
ware and tinware, slate roofing, etc., is, 
with his p.artners, doing a good business in 
the city of Bloom ington, where they are reckoned 
among its representative business men. Mr. Pop- 
ple is a product of the Empire State, born in Jef- 
ferson County, May 24, 1853, and the son of John 
S. .and R.achel (Baldwick) Popjile, whose birthplace 
was .across the sea in England. John Popple was 
a minister of the Methodist Church, and after com- 
ing to this country died in New York, in 1856. 
The mother is still living and resides with her son, 
our subject, in Bloomington. 

Martin Popple came to this county and made 
a location first in Danvers, to which his 
mother had removed in 1863, and where Martin 
completed his education. After a short residence 
on a farm the family removed to Bloomington, 
where our subject learned the tinner's trade, at 
which he served two ye.ars, and then returning to 
Daiivers, purchased, in company with his brothei-, 
the hardware stock of W. M. Estes and continued 
the business until 1881. He then sold out and re- 
moving to Bloomington again, established himself 
with his younger brother in his present business. 
Their store, 22x90 feet in area, is two stories in 
height with a b.asemont, and they have a well- 
selected stock of eveiything pertaining to their 
line of trade. The}' are both wide-aw.ake business 
men and their straightforw.ard methods have se- 
cured the confidence and esteem of the community. 

Our subject, in 1870, w.as married to Miss Ada, 
daughter of George W. Price, of Bloomington, 
and they have become the p.arents of two children, 
named respectively Walter and Price. Mr. Popple 
takes an intelligent interest in local and township 
matters, and socially is a memlier of IJIudiiiington 
Lodge No. 43, A. F. & A. M. 



i 



1^ 













t 



tf^ 




BI0GF{fI^P7l(gpIi. 



Abbott, J. H 764 

Adams, John 23 

Adams, John Q 39 

Adams, W logt 

Adams, W. H. H . .480 

Agle, George 602 

Allin, Dr Lee 399 

Allison, Jonathan 850 

Allison. I.ohn 1029 

Anderson, J. H , ,■ ....273 

Anderson, Rev. W. G 591 

Archer, Lafayette 388 

Arnold, George J 886 

Arnold, Gottlieb 815 

Arnold. J. W 775 

Arnold. Thomas 807 

Arnold. Wm 738 

Arnold, Wm. S 932 

Arnold, Z 775 

Arrowsmith, John W 284 

Arrowsmith, Mrs. Nancy 247 

Arrowsmith, Wm. A 369 

Arthur, Chester A • -99 

Artis, John M 1036 

Atkinson, C. W. 203 

Ayers, J. B 294 

Ayers, Mrs. Sarah H 536 



I 



I'.aird, W. J 328 

liaker, B. W 1048 

Baker, C. E 398 

Baker, Joseph 333 

Baker, Leander 1065 

Haker, K. H 107S 

P..ikewell, E. W 345 

B.ildridge, Wm 393 



Baldridge, W. j 252 

Ball, H 491 

Ball. Wm. H ,,72 

Ballinger, Wm... 749 

Barker, Jesse ' 792 

Barley, C- A -.262 

Barnard, Eli 664 

Barnard, F .661 

Barnard, J. O 1009 

Barnard, Osborne 827 

Barnard, S. F 997 

Barnard, W. I 1025 

Barnard, Waller, Sr 254 

Barnes, Dr. A. T 1198 

Barnes, Calvin 414 

Barnes, W. J .... .737 

Barnett, Emeline G 367 

Barnum, S. F 244 

Barry, Wm 1195 

Bates, T. M 1108 

Battershell, N. J 518 

Batterton, Curtis 975 

Batterton, Martin 680 

Kay, J. S 233 

Bear, Joseph 830 

Bechtel, Samuel 1059 

Beck, Christian 296 

Beckham, N ..1042 

Bedell, Benjamin 357 

Bedell, Henry 253 

Becbe, C. M .1023 

Beeler, Wm .\ . . . . 1156 

Benjamin. John R 332 

Benjamin, Hon- R. M .687 

Benson, C H 756 

Benson, H. R 368 

Bent, Horatio G 576 

Bentley, P. W 348 

Bertels, John loio 

Betts, L. W 263 

Beveridge. John L 171 

Biddle, D. F 977 

Biggs, Josiah 910 

Bingham, George W 926 

Birdsell. Jefterson 217 

Bishop, Charles E i-S^Q 

Bishop, George 1193 

Bishop, Harvey 465 



Bishop, Jacol) 654 

Bishop, J. Q 313 

Bishop, M 384 

Bishop, Rev, P. W 782 

Bishop, S. L , 385 

Bishop, W. F... 772 

Bissell, Wm. H ,51 

Blaisdell, Edgar 1165 

Blake, L- C i^QS 

Bland, George W 1098 

Bland, J. S 1174 

Bliss, E. C 482 

Blose, Frank H 1075 

Blue, Wm 1059 

Bodger, George R 717 

Bodger, John 747 

Bohrer, F. C 1063 

Bohrer. George 545 

Boies. W. H 965 

Bond, Shadrach m 

Bounds. T. H 705 

Bower, H. T 823 

Bozarth, A- B 486 

Bozarth, Milton 849 

Bradbury, Wm- T 1074 

Bramwell, Ezra F 366 

Brand, George.'. -sys 

Breese, Richard 962 

Brickner, George VV ••744 

Hriggs, W. H 666 

Bright, R. G 226 

Bright, W. M 234 

B.rining, Caroline M 502 

Britt, R. M 650 

Brokaw, John T 1034 

Brooks, P. T 380 

Brophy, W. P 1016 

Brown, E. M mo 

Brown, George P 766 

Brown, Samuel H 332 

Brown, W. D 1203 

Brown, Wm 1117 

Bryant, Alexander 610 

Bryant, John H 258 

Buchanan, James 75 

Buck, H 507 

Buckworth, Wm 297 

Bull, Milton 1171 



Bunn, Edward 378 

Bunn, Isaac K 660 

Bunney, George 588 

Burbank, E. H 817 

Burk, Louis A 1085 

Burn ham, J. H , 1099 

Burns, Rev. George W 376 

Burr, Hudson 793 

Butler, Henry H59 



C 



Campbell, A 251 

Campbell, Hugh 226 

Campbell, John, M. D 232 

Campbell, John A ..909 

Campbell, J.W 557 

Campbell, Mrs. M. A 400 

Campbell, N. M 293 

Campbell, Rev. J. G 1128 

Carlin, Thomas 135 

Carlock, A. H... 567 

Carlock, W. B 570 

Carlyle, John 528 

Carnell, Luke gi8 

Carson, J. H 988 

Case, Lewis 647 

Castle, Justus 1172 

Catron, A , S. . . ., 931 

Cavanaugh, Simon 471 

Chapin, Samuel J.. 855 

Chapman, Dr. A. L 261 

Chapman, Thomas 987 

Chase. Leonard 496 

Cheney, Mrs. C 761 

Chick, T. Z .469 

Church, George 278 

Churchill, E. D 749 

Claggett, B. J 983 

Claggett, S. R 949 

Clark, Mrs. Nancy 21: 

Clark, Robert 674 

Cleveland, S. G rover 103 

Clift. J. H 



■•697 L 



t,. 



A. 



120G 



INDEX. 



i 



Coi;Iir;in, Moses 1019 

CoUtw. Wm 1072 

Cole, N. B 231 

Colemnii, P. \V 1152 

Coles, Kdw.ird 115 

Collins, Robert 545 

Conov,^r, Rev R oiq 

Cook, John W 228 

Coon, James S 735 

Cooncy, (Jeorge 767 

Cooi)cr, Jacob 489 

Cooper, »Jamcs 509 

Cox Bros 335 

Co\, Charles F. 348 

Cox, Uavid 900 

Cox, Clcorge H 253 

Cox, J. H 424 

Cox.Wm. M 291 

Grain. W. T 274 

Crawford, J. S 267 

Creed, U. A 365 

Crichlicld. G 311 

Crigler, John M 1192 

Criglcr. T. B 845 

Crothcrs, E. K 237 

Crumbaugh, Gideon V. 607 

Crumbavi^h. H . W 1064 

CrumbaL.uh, J. H. L 387 

Criimbaiigh, 1. A 1026 

Culliim. Shelby M 175 



D 



Durnall, John M yao 

D.'irrah, Dr. A. T 377 

l>avid>ion. Wm 788 

Davis, Hon. David 187 

Davis, W. O 1187 

D.iw<iun, Croghan 937 

Dawson, John 933 

Dawson, Washine;ion 1188 

Deal, Samuel A 566 

De (iarmo, C }iarles io8g 

Dcisinger, Levi 46a 

Dcnninji, Joseph ... 597 

Dciiisoii. Joseph 685 

DelVw. W. S 48a 

Dias, K 1132 

Dickcr&on, VV. M 1057 

I >icklnson, D. M 235 

Dictcinsoii, E 1030 

Dicdricli. N., jr .. .205 

Dillin;in. A. R jp5 

l>illoti, Adolphiis 1017 

Dillon, Klhs 938 

Dillon. Isaiah 931 

Dillon. I.cvi 985 

Do<lt;c. James 710 

Dod^'On, Ahner N 791 

I>ooIcy, G. 1 1086 

Doolcy, J. M rioi 

Dooky, Wm. 11 a66 

Dorland. Joseph 1068 

Doiy. Henry A 364 

Doiiyherty, L. C 416 

Downs, G. W... 15 

4* 



Downs, J . D 495 

Drybread, Wm. L 1087 

Duncan, Joseph 131 

Diinins, A. S 800 



K.nsierhrook, J. 1 <^ib 

Kddy. A. S 676 

Kddy. Hon. John 1028 

Kdwards, Frank 243 

F.dwards, Ninian iig 

tider, J. C 1197 

Klder, Wm W 1061 

K.llington, H . W. 501 

Klls worth, Cliarles 445 

Ellsworth, I*'lijah 1077 

Kllsworlh, John 445 

Kllswortli. K, . A 205 

Ellsworth. Laura 445 

Ellsworth, Wm nag 

Emerson, K. M 729 

Enlow. Mrs. Battle 242 

Ensenherger, G. A 255 

Evans, John W 223 

Evans, K- N 353 

Evans, Wm 458 

Ewing, S. Y 745 

Ewing, Wm. L. D 127 

Ewins, 'Lliomas II 346 

Eycr, Jacob 272 

Eycstone, F. A 1067 



Fai;erl>urg,- .Mfrcd 1039 

Falkingham. U. G 648 

I'arr, Wm. R 746 

Fawcctt, Philip 1058 

-Feahl, John 600 

Fell, Jesse W ,060 

Fell. K. H 006 

Fcrrc, L 525 

Fillmore. Millard 67 

Fisher, Dr. John W 373 

Fiti:li horn, Samuel 195 

FitzwilJiam, F. J 1186 

Fleming, Jacob 283 

Flesher. John gj(, 

FIcsher. Peter .920 

Ficsher, W. M fifti 

Fletcher, John 805 

Flint liros iiBs 

Follick, J. J 461 

Ford, Thomas 130 

Fordice, J. M 38y 

Foreman, George 351 

Forney, Henry J ... 836 

Forrest, H. T ,046 

Fnstcr, i.leorgc J iq8 

Foster, John M 798 



Fowler, Wm 955 

Franklin. Noah 991 

Freed, H . F 744 

Freed, Thomas 759 

Freeman, Alfred .... 462 

Freeman, Caleb 627 

French, Augustus C 143 

French, Mrs. E. M 396 

Frink, John li 1045 

Fry, Abraham 653 

Fry, John 323 

Fry, Rev. James D 390 

Fidler, George O ,...222 

Fulton, James 1094 

Fulwilcr, John 995 

Fulwiler, John A 386 

Funk, A . H 1041 

Funk, IL F 195 

Fvink, D. M 1160 

Funk, F. M 1112 

Fvmk, Hon. George W 1124 

Funk, Hon. Isaac 1148 

Funk, Isaac 1:13 

Funk, Isaac E ro97 

Funk, Jacob aSi 

Funk. John W 476 



G 



Gaddis, Rees 708 

Galbraith, S. S .S16 

Garfield, James A 95 

(jarrett, Thomas P 555 

(■arrigus Bros 509 

Gastman, (Jeorge W 3O5 

G.iy, John 318 

Gcarhart, John B 1084 

tieigcr, John <! . 840 

George, J. S -.- 317 

Gerber, Peter S 916 

(ierken, Wm- A 640 

(iilbert, James A S94 

Gilderslceeve, J . T 348 

Gingerich, Christian 479 

Glenn, George T 1194 

Goddard, Franois F 948 

Gooch, DeWiit K 1096 

Goodc. Rev. G. M 577 

Good fellow, Wni 872 

Gmehlin, C. H 268 

Graff, R 1006 

Grant, Ulysses S 87 

Gray, Geo.geC ..639 

(irayson, Joshua J 522 

Green, Lester 38a 

Green, O. A , 620 

Greenlee, Robert 448 

Grecnman, E. E 302 

tlregory, George 954 

Gregory, George 819 

Gregory J. C 211 

Grimsley, 'I'homas J lozi 

Groves. E 743 

Guthrie, .Adam .468 

Guthrie, Dr. Wn». E , ..206 



H 



Habecker. Ji)Se[)h. 477 

Haldeman, J. R 918 

Hall, Francis M .704 

Hallett. Dr. J 817 

Hallett, James M 530 

Hallett, Wm. T. D 389 

Hall, Otis T 374 

Halliday, John 1091 

Ham. J. J 718 

Hamilton, K. M ..376 

Hamilton, Hon- F. Y 726 

Hamilton, John M 179 

Hamilton, Joseph 585 

Hammond, W. W 1150 

Hancock, J. J 858 

Hanna. Wm 1133 

Harbert, Hiram 813 

Harley, Lewis 307 

Harness, Isaac 1 103 

Harper, J . S . 622 

Harpole, A 1001 

Harris, G. H . D 467 

Harrison, Wm. H 51 

Hartson,T. D 1158 

Harwood, T- F 739 

Hastings, James J ..604 

Hastings, Thomas C 944 

Hatfield, Thomas 926 

Haughey, M. G 686 

Hawley, H. F 1095 

Hay. George F 397 

Hay, John 531 

Hays, L. G 829 

Hays, M rs. Lucinda S84 

Hayes, Rutlierford B 91 

Haywarti. Charles F. 11 16 

Hazle, H. P 1069 

Heafer, Edgar M 213 

Heagk-r, James .1142 

Hefner, George M .. 793 

Hefner, Harmon 959 

Hefner, John A. 996 

Hefner, Peter 968 

Heller. C M 757 

Heller, W. C 857 

Helmick, N. P 11 76 

Hender, Frank 540 ' 

Henderson, J. B 500 

Hen line, David 875 

Henline, Milton 894 

1 lenliiie, Wm gaS 

Henline, W. M 785 

Henning, Hugh 916 

Henry, W, E 1084 

Hereford, B. P 497 

Hester, E 117S 

Hewett, E. C 449 

Hewitt, H- H 1004 

Hiett, W : 1083 

Higgins, H. J 203 

Higgins, Robert 714 

Hill, Augustus 847 

Hill, F. H 1114 

Hill, J esse 265 

Hill, John T 860 



i 



-J- 



=^1- 



INDEX. 



1207 



Hilpert, John 839 

Hilts, Wm. E «i4 

Hinshaw, (Jeorge, Jr 248 

Hiser, George \V . 950 

Hitchcock, J. M 31s 

Hoblit, A. K 287 

Hoelscher, Rev. H 865 

Hoffman. Rev. H. (> ion 

Hoierman, Peter 656 

Hollingswortli, Frank 1 212 

Hopkins. R- M 1015 

Horine, H 192 

Homey, H.... 1157 

Hoselton, W. H 1155 

Hotsenpillcr, W 745 

Houghton, Stephen R 1022 

Houser, H 803 

Howard, A. D 298 

Howard. R. S 288 

Hubbard, Silas 342 

Huddle, F. E ...984 

Hull, James T 549 

Hunting, Nathan 870 

Hutchin, George L 196 



536 



Jackson, Andrew 43 

Jackson, I. R 548 

Jacoby, Peter C 826 

Janes, I. D 691 

Janes, J. P 679 

Janes, Peter H g86 

Jefferson, Thomas 27 

Jenkins, Harrison 824 

Jennings, Joseph 1127 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Johnson, Caleb 753 

Johnson, Elias B 932 

Johnson, J. C 1196 

Johnson, J- VVallace 754 

Johnstone, A.J 435 

Johnston, George S 656 

Johnston, Moses C 1183 

Johnston, Wm. D 1064 

Jones, Charles S. . .. 1141 

Jones. Cyrus " 923 

Jones, F. M 709 

Jones, John A 394 

Jones, Lewis 923 

Jones, Nelson 1190 

Jones, W. C 89s 

Jones, Wm 408 

Jung, J. P 537 



Kecnan, Joseph 395 

Kempton, Almon R 826 

Kennedy, Capt James 1192 

Kennedy, T. F 580 

Kent, W. R 562 

Ken yon, Dennis 966 

Kenyon, F, . W 597 

Kepner, J . '1' 607 

Kerber, Wm 642 

Kerrick, L. H 201 

Kerrick, Thomas C... 488 

Kershaw, John W 1163 

Kilgore, J.N 629 

Kilgore T. B 885 

Kimler, James -700 

Kimler, W. J 1175 

King, K. W .419 

King, Joseph 408 

King, Peter .357 

King, William 286 

Kinsey, Samuel R 306 

Kinzinger, C. W 571 

Kinzinger, Michael 655 

Kirk, George 1121 

Kirkpatrick, Mary C 506 

Kline, John 498 

Knight, Dr. Curtis 257 

Knight, James P 420 

Knotts, G. W 922 

Koch, F. W .889 

Kraft, Frank 727 

Kraft, I'imothy 1012 



¥ 



Kampf, Matthias 1097 

K:irr, Harvey B 670 



Labertew.J.W 877 

Lacoirk, Nelson O 317 

Lain, 1. G 272 

Lain, Wm. R 277 

Lamont, John 706 

Lamp, Charles 693 

Lander, C. W 736 

Langstaff, H , C 947 

Lantz, J.J- 542 

Larkin, James 662 

Lash , J . A 255 

Lash, Wm 218 

Lasswell, J. A 1008 

Lawrence, C B 1191 

Lawrence, John 978 

Leach, Samuel I 305 

Lemke, Wm 920 

Leppo, J ' 909 

Lewis, J. n 560 

Lewis, Thomas M 197 

Lincoln, Abraham.... 79 

Lincoln, James H 977 

Linden. Wm 760 

Livingston, John 725 

Loar, George F 491 

Loar, Dr. James 897 

Loar, Dr . N 1008 

Loper,W- H 1164 

Lormor, Hugh 794 

Lots, H . C 404 

k ■ 



Loudon, Robert 380 

Lowentrout, F. W 1137 

Lowrey, H . C 1176 

Luca'^, A. J 576 

Lyons, John U .456 



M 



Mace, John A 539 

Macy, W. H 680 

Madison, James 37 

Mahan, Isaac S 1047 

Mahan, Jacob C 989 

Marmon,W. W 1056 

Marsh, J. H 925 

Marsh, John 905 

Martens, C C 355 

Martin, Joseph T 1062 

Martin, W- L 3" 

Mason, D. W 214 

Mason, George W 336 

Mason, Jj R 538 

Matteson,, Joel A 141 

Matthews, David M 897 

Maurer, Jacob 342 

Maurer, Nicholas 734 

Maurice, J. B 611 

Mayer, Charles C 3'^ 

McBean, Isaac 439 

McCann, Dr. James 433 

McCartney, S. A... 945 

McClun, Judge J. F 343 

McClure, J. S noo 

McCture, Thomas 876 

McConn ell, John 1166 

McCormick, H. W 352 

McCracken, Wm 1005 

McCuUough, J. V ■-■934 

McCune, John 81S 

McEIfresh, A 356 

McFarland. David H 1154 

McFarland, Maj. J. C 1199 

McGinnis, J. M 1007 

McGregor, J. H 505 

McHugh, James 946 

Mcintosh, F. H 338 

Mcintosh, George 324 

Mclntyre, Hugh, 868 

Mclntyre, R. S 358 

McKnight, Dr. Wm 344 

McLean, John P 345 

McMahon, James 207 

McNab, Malcom 638 

McNaught. George -1131 

McNaught,Wm. N 946 

McNeniar,C. J. W 748 

McNulty, Gen. John .1140 

McTwiggan, James 334 

Means, O. A 1179 

Mears, D.S 675 

Meiner, Joseph Q14 

Merchant, Ira 438 

Messer, J. P 887 

Meyer, An tone 336 

Meyer, Frederick ••■331 

Meyers, D. 1 927 



Miller, (Jeorge H 351 

Miller. Harrison 623 

Miller, H. M 515 

Miller, M H 972 

Miller, John A 354 

Miller. Riley 638 

Miller, Wm. T. M 337 

Milner, W. H 633 

Miner, H . A .370 

M in ton, J . M 1127 

Mitchell, A. T 764 

Mitchel, Ebenezer B. ....... 970 

Mitchell, Isaac P 374 

Mitchell. John J 335 

Meats, Henry 995 

Moats, J. I ,_. 662 

Moats, John 649 

Model, Alexander 314 

Monroe, James 35 

Mooberry, W. C 906 

Moore, Asa H 194 

Moore, M . L 347 

Moore. Robert 492 

Moore, W. R ^^g 

Moore, Wm. r.> 809 

Moreland, Mrs. E 883 

MorrET A. H 324 

Morrow, A 1 mo 11 882 

MorrowV John 776 

Morse, E. R 3^^ 

Mulcahy.D. A 1017 

Mulcahy, Denis 1017 

Munsell, Eleazer 1033 

Munson, Ira 1018 

Munson, Wm 578 

Murphy, G. T 1191 

Murphy, J. M 1202 

Murphy, W. J 7^0 

Murray, Jolin 288 

Myers, C. D 684 

Myers E. C 5,0 

Myers, Dr. J. F 54, 

Myer^. J. J 512 

Myers, W. JJ 284 



N 



Naffzinger, Peter R 11301 

Naffziger, C 1201 | 

Naffziger, Valentine 312 \ 

Nafziger, Christian W -325 \ 

Nafziger, G. B. C- P 379 / 

Nafziger, Henry .559 ' 

Ncal, Thomas W 558 

Nesmith, Mury A 1052 

Newton, M. H 660 

Newton, W. H 551 

Niccolls, John ....1089 

Nichols, Henry A ^093 

Nickerson, B. F 532 

Nickerson, John 547 

Noble, James K 410 

Noble. T. J 851 

Noble. W. C 415 

North. Thomas J 551 

Norltiriip. C. j 43^ 



i 



t 



/ 



1208 



INDEX. 



-^i^ 







Obcrkoettcr, Frank 1134 

Ogdcn, Albert 102 1 

Ogdcn, Jesse 535 

Ogdcn, (' 214 

Ogdcn, Samuel 206 

Oglesby, Rich.lrd J 163 

Oliver, Wm 460 

Orcndorff, James K .....227 

Orendorff, O. H. P ,236 

Orner, Dr. C. T 438 

Outlaw, W. W 559 

Owen, Otha 613 

Owens, B. C. S 1023 



4 



Packard, A g40 

Packard, Major Wellman . .1168 

Palm^rr, John M 167 

Pancake, J, F 447 

Park, C. R 470 

Park, Elder Jonathan.. 241 

Parke, Ur. Charles K 459 

Parke, George W 1144 

Parkhurst, Dr. F. J 437 

Parkhurst, Dr. Henry 705 

Parks, li. F 398 

Paiion, licnjamin W ^13 

Paiton, Henry 774 

Patton, Wm. R 457 

Paxton, John 649 

Payne, Geqrge W 1153 

Payne, S. M 846 

Pease, F. P 713 

Pcasley, Sylvcsler J073 

Pcirson, J. J 487 

Perry, Samuel 1042 

I*eicrN, John 479 

PfititL-nmeycr, Wm 1118 

Phillips, Hiram M 578 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Pitts, Joseph A 526 

r^oindcxicr, James 285 

Polk, James K 59 

Pollock, Ur. Wm- L 472 

Popejoy, John gqo 

Popple, John S 428 

Popple, M - L 1203 

I*orter, K-. L 502 

Porter, S . S 326 

Powlcy, W. D 960 

Pratt , I ra C 204 

Prey, Mr». E 447 

Proctor. L .841 

Pumphrey, George W 427 

Prothero, John 730 

Pumphrey, R 451 

Piirdy, K . C 614 

Piinliim, John (123 

-4* 



Q 



Quinn, H. M 1104 

Quinn. H. W 1107 

Qiiinn, J. W 466 

(Juinn, M L 53' 



R 



Ralston, J ■ t ■■ 983 

Rannebaryer, Joseph G 475 

Randolph, W. W 664 

Rankin, Joseph. 621 

Rawlings, Austin 1169 

Rawlings, Francis A 70? 

Ruyburii, Calvin 630.* 

Rayburn, M H 619 

Ream, C K 857 

Rcddick, Leonard .. 663 

Reeder, R. R 4to 

Reeves, H. G 659 

Reeves, Judge O-T 216 

Reynolds, John 123 

Rhodes, A. P 245 

Richardson, H. C 418 

Richardson, Josiah 413 

Richardson, Matthew 815 

Ridgway, Thomas S.... 403 

Riggs, George W 716 

Ritchie, Jacob H 435 

Rittcr, J. W 998 

Rittcr, Wm. C i^oi 

Robb, Hugh... 917 

Robinson, J. D 406 

Robinson, J- H 405 

Rockel, Wm 629 

Rodman, John 285 

Rodman, S 314 

Rogers, Lucius 715 

Rogers, Walter W mj 

Rose, Uanicl 521 

Ross, G. .\ 672 

Ross, Talmagc .407 

Ross, W H. H 618 

Rounds, D. H 321 

Roush, J. S 630 

Rowc, H. A 882 

Rowcll, Ira 449 

Rowell, Hon. J. H 235 

Rowcll, Richard 750 

Rupert, L. S .1087 

Rupp. Michael 487 

Russell, George A 460 

Rust, George W jsoi 

Rust, J. F 423 

Rutledgc, G. T 624 

Riitledge, James B 1139 

Rutledgc, John T 426 

Rutledgc, (). C 784 

Rutledge, Robert H 642 

Rutledge, T. 598 



Ryan, John 673 

Ryburn, D. G 434 

Ryburn, James 643 



Sackett, SabJna 686 

Salzman, John H 425 

Saunders, Mrs. L- A iroo 

Savage, J. B 550 

Sawyer, Smith 797 

Schell, Edward 1040 

Schenck, Wm 556 

Schertz, Peter 915 

Schlosser, George 961 

Schmidt, CharlesF. W 787 

Schneider, C. W ....1200 

Schuienian, Charles A 8903^- 

Scogin, A.W J21 

Scott, Dr. John 405 

Scott, Hon. John M 969 

Scott, James H 1132 

Scott, Owen 634 

Scroggs, Col- Wm. H 327 

Scrogin, L. P 1006 

Seaborn, Robert 1035 

Sells, James M -1173 

Shannon, W 673 

Shaver, John. 600 

Shaw. Rev. James 688 

Shelton, Joseph P 1070 

Shepherd, Martin 807 

Shepherd, W. H loao 

Sliolty, H. C 363 

Sholty, Jacob 363 

Shorthose, J. L 768 

Shorthosc, Thomas H 771 

Sicberns, W. H 747 

Sill, D. F 867 

Sill, Jonas .' , ..322 

Simmons, David... 1167 

Sithcrwood, Dr George D . .841 

.Stoane, Sarah 530 

Smith, A. G 406 

•Smith, Elijah 727 

Smith, K. R 887 

Smith, Dr. George M 1200 

Smith, James 953 

Smith. Matt C 8:9 

Smith, Milton g6S 

Smith. S. W 848 

Smiih, Stephen J091 

Smith, Wm. L 575 

Smith, W. A 984 

Snow, D. C 777 

Soulc, Peleg 778 

Spanglcr. J. H ..355 

Spawr. Jacob* u^a 

Sp.<wr, John 992 

Specrs, Jacob 561 

Spencer, Hamilton , ....767 

Spi-adling, Allred 9x4 

Sprague, J. H 593 

Springer, A. J 33, 

Springer, Joseph E 758 

Springer, P. D gog 



Stanger. D. W 1154 

Starkey, J. T 866 

StaufFer, Tobias S. 585 

Steele, James 1 1 1 1 

Steele, S. H 1071 

Steere, E, B , 765 

Stephens, Elizabeth 500 

•tephens, J. A igi 

Stephens, J. M 639 

Stephenson, George 1151 

Stetson, Albert , .602 

Stevens, W. E 786 

Stewart, Hon. A. E 783 

Stewart, Robert 562 

Siine, Nathan 899 

Stipp. J. M 733 

Stockdale, John 699 

Stockdale. Wm. B 687 

Stoops, L 808 

Stoop.s, S. A. .. , .... . ....922 

Storey, Jacob 455 

Storey, Thomas J 452 

Story. Palmer. 1184 

Stover, J. W 619 

Strayer, M \V 961 

Strayer, Z, T 570 

Strawn, S 1115 

Stretch. B --694 

Stretch, Jahial 86i 

Stringfield, Capt. A. M 903 

Slringfield, G H 1067 

Strong, C. J... 572 

Strubhar, Christian 570 

Subblelield, K ----893 

Stubblefield, G. M... 1109 

Slubblefield, George W. .....1138 

Stubblefield, John .. . , . ...341 

Stubblefield, J. P 762 

Stubblefieltl, P. M 557 

Sluckey, Joseph 834 

Stuckey. Magdalena M 611 

Stutzman, Solomon 446 

Sullivan, Michael 829 

Sutherland, Samuel W 224 

Sutter, Matthias ...603 

Swan, l^obert. ... .490 

Swap, A. E i,o2 

S wee tser, Capt A. C.. 800 

Swetzel, Wm 786 

Sypult. Marccllus 1139 



T 



Tallon, John 485 

Tanner. John T 692 

Taylor, Dr. John A 8gfl 

Taylor, Zachary 63 

Thayer, Anthony 582 

Thomas, John E 587 

Thomas, L. B 440 

Thompson, George 628 

Thompson, James 669 

Thompson, Wm 728 

Thornbury, Thomas M 641 

Tilghman, James H 1149 

Tillotson. K. W 481 






u 



INDEX. 



1209 



a 



Tipton, T. F 609 

Tolbert, Milton 1028 

Townsend. Joseph 208 

Trimmer, Enos A 98 1 

Trimmer, J. F . . .552 

Tryner, George A 548 

Tyler, John 55 

Tyner, J. L. , br 763 

Tyson, T . 755 

Tyson. Wm 871 



u 



Ulbrich. H.W.. 
Umniel, Chrkti; 



.478 
■538 



Van Biiren, Martin 47 

VanDoIah. D, H 972 

Vance, D 190 

Vanordstrand, Isaac .1055 

Vanordstrand, W 808 

VaiiSchoick, J. S 676 

VanSijhoick, Wm 1177 

Vanscoyoc, James S 676 

Vasey, L. A .853 

Vaughan, Hugh 193 

Vickroy, Hugh K 271 

Vincent, Hr, 1,-vi 569 



Victor, Wm. H 94^ 

Vockrodt, Wni. L 430 

Von Eisner, ME 108 1 

Vreeland, John H 794 



W 



Waddle, Samuel 47a 

Wagner, John 869 

Wahls, Christian. . . 982 

Wakefield, C 877 

Wakefield, Dr. C 201 

Wakefield, J. E 879 

Wakefield, Dr. Oscar 567 

Walker, John 1024 

Wall, Clarissa 581 

Wallace, Peter 880 

Ware, Samuel C 1094 

Warlow, J. B 859 

Warlow, R. A 833 

Warner. Hugh W ,;87 

Warren, Thomas J 1189 

Washburn, E 724 

Washington, George 19 

Waters, Dr. Z n68 

Waters, Orin 592 

Watson, W. A .,1202 

Waybright, M 1003 

Weakley, |. 1\I 98a 

Webb, Benjamin H 565 

Weedman, John 1049 

Weeks, Samuel 637 



Weidner. Peter V 

Weishaar. Frank A . 

Wech, A. J 

Welch, G.H 

Welch, James A . , . . 

Welch, Jeremiah 

Welch, John F 

Weldon, Rev Father M 

Wenderoth, E 

Wheeler. C. B 

Wheeler, John N , 

Wheelock.C. W 

Whltcomb, Jeremiah.... 

White, Dr. D. A 

White, D. L 

White, George W 

White. James, Jr 

White, J. B 

White, Dr. J. L 

White, J. M 

White, J. R 

Whitmer, Peter 

Whitney, Horace S .. ,. 

Wightman, J. E 

Wiley, James S 

Wiley, L. K 

Wiley, Wm 

Willhoite, L.J 

Williams, James B .. .. 

Williams, J. R 

Wilson, Abraham 

Wilson, A. J 

.^Vilson, Edward 

Wilson, James C 

Wilson, Noah. N 

Wilson, Rev. George ... 



. 849 
.1119 
1128 

. I t02 

• 4"5 
27s 
296 
■937 
555 
.719 
..698 



..agi 
..517 
..847 
..956 
..888 
..490 
. .264 
..648 
. 809 
.1147 



S25 
6,7 
608 



. 1002 
- 1076 
. 1083 
..820 



519 
450 
671 
1023 
.3C1 



Wilson, Wm 601 

Willson, John M 221 

Winslow, Corodon 1092 

Winter, Dr. Henry A 632 

Wirth. Clifford H 827 

Wirt, Rush 806 

Wochner, F f,)(, 

Wolcott, J. L 1185 

Wood. John 155 

Woodarc^ James ^85 

Woodmancy, Dr. S. G 723 

Woolsey, G. R 419 

Worrell, Dr. T. F 1143 

Wright, B 455 



Yancey, A. J ....599 

Yates, R ichard 1 59 

Yoder, Amos 631 

Yoder. Joel 614 

Yoder, Samuel S 593 

Young, Danton 862 

Young, William, .. ii^r 



Zeigler, J. i . 
Zook, J. H... 
Zook, J. W.. 



1170 
.612 



i 



Allison, John. . 391 

Allison, Jonathan 289 

Arnold, Gottlieb 371 

Artis, John M 1037 

Hall, W. H 260 

liarnard, S. F 493 

Karnes, W. J 553 

Bertels & Stoll's Tile Works. .533 

Biddle, D. F , 431 

Bingham, George W 329 

Blaisdell, E 513 

Bland, George W 615 

Bland, J. S 473 

Bryant, Alex 391 

Butler, H 260 

Carlock, A. H 269 

Carnell, Luke. ...... . , 329 

Catron, A. S 453 

Darnell, J. M 721 

Dawson, Washington 658 

Deal, Samuel A 573 

Denning, J 289 

Dodge, James 553 

Dorland, Joseph 513 

Ewing, S. V 249 

\ 

\ 




Eyestone, F. A 596 

Fagerburg, Alfred 1037 

Flint, G 1182 

Foster, Jnhn M 796 

Geiger, John G 838 

Goodfellow, William 309 

Grayson, Joshua J 635 

Gregory, J. C 210 

Groves, E 741 

Ham, J. J.. . . 309 

Harpole, A 999 

Hastings, T. C 453 

Hatfield, Thomas 493 

Hazle, H. P 1162 

Hoselton. W. H 260 

Hefner, H... 957 

Hefner, John 349 

Helmick, N- P -ny? 

Henline, Milton 650 

Hester, Ephraim 635 

Hill, A 411 

Hill, John T 411 

Hilpert, John 838 

Holy Trinity Church ....936 

Horney, H -473 



Janes, Peter H 453 

Jennings, Joseph itiq 

Johnson, E. B 431 

Johnson, J.Wallace 453 

Kampf, Mrs. N. A 249 

Kenyon, F, . W 5^6 

Kershaw, J. W 1162 

Kraft, Frank 329 

Kraft, Timothy 349 

Lawrence, John 979 

Lempke, VVm 349 

Loper, W, H 493 

Lowentrout, F. W 1I36 

Martin, J. T 596 

Maurer, Nicholas 249 

McGinnis,J.M 678 

Means, O. A 635 

Mitchell, A. T 289 

Murphy, G. T 1136 

Murphy, W. J 74T 

Nesmith, Mary A 678 

Ogden, Albert 431 

Patton, Henry 309 

Pfitzenmeyer, Wm 1119 

Pike & Castle's Tile Works., 658 



Pitts. Joseph A 269 

Pratt, Ira C 678 

Ritter, J. VV ggg 

Rose, Daniel 615 

Sawyer, Smith. 796 

Sholty, H. C 361 

St. Mary's Cath. Church ...864 

Stephens, J . A iqo 

Sloops, S. A 553 

Stanger, D. W 615 

Strong, C. J 57 

Stubblefield, P- M i,^ 

Swap, E. A 5j^ 

Swetzel, Wm {ji 

Trimmer, Enos A j^^79 

Tyson, T /, ..069 

Tyson, William.... 371 

Vance, David & San ^33 

Vaughn, Hugh 473 

White, D. E 513 

White, George W , .957 

Wilson, A. J -o 

Wilson, Edward 

Woodmancy, S. G 

\ oung, Wm 



1210 



INDEX. 



I 



^s>; )c^a-^ :^& ^ ^KCn 




FPMTM^X 



^^^ 



A. 




•A^^^ 



Adams, John 22 

Atlams, John ^^inncy 3S 

Anderson, W. G 590 

Arthur, Chester A 98 

Balterton, Curtis 974 

Batterton, Mrirtin 682 

Rear, Joseph ^32 

Heveridge, John I 170 

Kisho}», Harvey 464 

Bishop, Mahlon 382 

Hiss.(U. Wtn. H 150 

l.oies, W. H 964 

Boml Shadrach 110 

^'^X H. T 822 

BozIFJI^. Alfred B 484 

"-MJrseWk R . T 964 

Brining, Hamilton 504 

Britt, R. M , 652 

Brophy, W. P 1014 

Buchanan, James 74 

r.unney, (Jeorge .590 

Carlin, 'I"homas 134 

Case, Lewis 646 

Case, Mrs. Lewis 646 

Chaptn, S. J 854 

Cleveland, Grover 102 

Coles, Edward. 114 

Collins, Robert 544 

Collins, Mrs. Robert . . 544 

Cox, David goa 

Cox, James H 423 

Crigler, T. B 844 

Criglcr, Mrs. T. B 844 

Crumbaugli, Ci. D 606 

Cullum, Shrlby M 174 

Uavidson. Wm .790 

Davis. David 186 



Dickinson, EliatKi 1032 

Dodson, A. N 790 

Duncan, Joseph 130 

Edwards, Ninian 118 

Ellsworth, Charles 442 

Ellsworth, John 442 

Ellsworth, Laura 443 

Ewing, Wm. L. D 126 

Ferre, L 524 

Fillmore, Millard 66 

Ford, Thomas 138 

Freeman, A 464 

Freeman, Caleb 626 

Freeman, Mrs. Mandana . . . .626 

French, .Augustus C 142 

Frink, John E 1044 

Fry, A 652 

Funk, Jacob 280 

Garfield, James A 94 

Grant, Ulysses -S S6 

Gregory, George 952 

Hall, F. M 702 

Hamilton, John M 178 

Hamilton, Joseph .584 

Harbert, Hiram 812 

Harrison, Wm. Henry 50 

Hayes, Rutherford B 90 

Henlinc, r)avid 874 

Henline. W. B 929 

Henline, .Mrs. W. B 929 

Higgins, Robert 712 

Hopkins, R. M 1014 

Houser, Harrison 802 

Houser, Mrs. Elizd ,.802 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Janes, Israel D 690 

Janes, Mrs. 1. D 6t;o 



Jefferson, Thomas. . 26 

Johnson, Andrew 82 

Johnson, Caleb 752 

Karr, H. B 668 

Kent, W. B. 564 

Kepner, J. T....". 606 

Kimler, James 702 

Lash, Wm 220 

Lincoln, Abraham 78 

Litta, Marie 1080 

Lott, H. C 402 

Loudon, Robert 382 

Madison, James .^o 

Mahan, J . C 1054 

Mattison, J'oel A 146 

McGregor, James H 504 

Miller, M. H 974 

Minton, J. M 1126 

Moats, Henry 994 

Monroe, James 34 

Moore, W. D , 812 

Munsell, Eleazer 1032 

Oglesby, Richard J 162 

Packard, A 942 

Pdliner, John M 166 

Park, Jonathan 240 

Patton, B 912 

Patton, Mrs. B 912 

Perry, Samuel 1044 

Pierce, Franklin .... 70 

Polk, James K ,. .58 

Prothero, John 732 

Quinn, B. M 1106 

Quinn, H. W 1107 

Reynolds, John 122 

Ridgeway, Thomas S 402 

Rounds, D. H 320 



Rowell, Richard •75'^ 

Rust, John F 422 

Scogin, A . W 220 

Sholty, Jacob 361 

Shorthose, J . L 770 

Shorthose, 1 lios-. H 770 

Sill, Jonas 320 

Smith, James 952 

Soule, Peleg 779 

Soule. Mrs. Peleg 770 

Spawr, J 994 

Stauffer, Tobias S 584 

Stipps, Job" M 73- 

Stringfield, . M 902 

Stubblefield, Ed 892 

Stubblefield, John 340 

Stubblefield, M rs John 340 

Tallon, John 484 

Taylor, Zachary f>3 

Thompson, James ..668 

Tyler, John 54 

Van Buren, Martin 46 

V'anordstrand, Isaac 1054 

VanSchoick, W'm 1170 

Vasey, Richard 854 

Victor, Wm. H 942 

Wakefield, Dr. Cyrenius. . .200 

Warlow, R. .A, 832 

Washington, George 18 

Webb, Benjamin H 564 

Whitmer, P... 1146 

Wilson, .Abraham 822 

Wilson, George 300 

Wilson, Mrs. Margaret 300 

Wjntz, Peter 712 

Wood, John 154 

Vatcs, Richard 158 




T 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



009 760 584 1 



LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 

nil 



III 



009 750 584 U 



